Run AC from inverter in truck?
Just wondering if a 160 amp alternator can handle running an AC unit through an inverter? Also would a modified sine wave run it or would it need to be pure sine wave? I'm not sure if the AC is a ...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
The high torque motors on refrigerators and air conditioners require a pure sine wave inverter. I know someone who had a MCI bus with a 200 amp 12 volt and 200 amp 24 volt alternators. (The engine started on 24 volts). He had a 12 volt inverter but had to change to a 4,000 watt 24 volt inverter to run his rooftop A/C unit.
Your 160 amp alternator is rated at 160 amps while it is cold, and the engine RPM is over 2,500 RPM. Get the alternator warm, and the amp rating drops to less than 100 amps. This is about 1,400 watts (assuming it is putting out 14 - 14.5 volts) and still not enough to run the A/C very long, as it will be constantly discharging the battery.
Also the load on the alternator fan belt and alternator bearings will be excessive, leading to pre-mature wear on the alternator and belt.
Once I had left my inverter on, and the refrigerator on electric. This is a 3.5 amp 120 volt load, or about 35 amps on the alternator. It was enough to make my alternator belt squeal! It was really noisy, and I had to stop and turn off the inverter, switch the refrigerator from 120 to gas only.
Good luck,
Fred.
The high torque motors on refrigerators and air conditioners require a pure sine wave inverter. I know someone who had a MCI bus with a 200 amp 12 volt and 200 amp 24 volt alternators. (The engine started on 24 volts). He had a 12 volt inverter but had to change to a 4,000 watt 24 volt inverter to run his rooftop A/C unit.
Your 160 amp alternator is rated at 160 amps while it is cold, and the engine RPM is over 2,500 RPM. Get the alternator warm, and the amp rating drops to less than 100 amps. This is about 1,400 watts (assuming it is putting out 14 - 14.5 volts) and still not enough to run the A/C very long, as it will be constantly discharging the battery.
Also the load on the alternator fan belt and alternator bearings will be excessive, leading to pre-mature wear on the alternator and belt.
Once I had left my inverter on, and the refrigerator on electric. This is a 3.5 amp 120 volt load, or about 35 amps on the alternator. It was enough to make my alternator belt squeal! It was really noisy, and I had to stop and turn off the inverter, switch the refrigerator from 120 to gas only.
Good luck,
Fred.
