newbie battery and electrical question

1775 wrote:
Take a look at the Tripp-Lite inverter/converter/chargers. These have been used by Roadtrek and can charger both the vehicle and RV coach batteries when driving, on generator, or plugged in to shore power. It will also provide 110 v to your electric system from your coach batteries - but not enough to run an air conditioner.

The only way you are going to be able to run an A/C overnight on these hot nights (or not so hot nights) is with a generator. Look at portable generators (many like the Honda for RVs) and you plug your shore power cord into the generator running a safe distance away from your conversion van (to prevent CO poisoning). Be aware that you will not be permitted to run a generator at night everywhere - it will depend on where you are parked for the night. Fit your conversion with a 12v roof ventilation fan like a Fantastic Fan for some temperature control inside for the heat.

thanks for the info on the tripp-lite,
they are a little pricey but i think i won't need anything larger than 1000w since AC can't run on battery and i will not have microwave and water heater.

the problem with roof fan is my van came with factory rear AC, the roof is already occupied with AC vents, the only place that can fit a fan would probably be the front cab area.
(for the roof AC i plan to get a ducted unit and use the existing vents.)

how well does the roof fan works? in terms of reducing temperature and ventilation?