Running a 120v a/c unit off starter battery
Hi, new to the forum. I have converted an 86 Chev G30 mini school bus into a camper, and i have mounted a Danby 5.1 "window shaker" air conditioning unit into a plenum, which creates the equivalent of...
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MrWizard wrote:
The truth is that once they warm up, in just a few minutes
Most automotive alternators can only sustain approximately 70percent of rated output
If your bus alternator can sustain the 100 amp output you should be okay, but I would add another engine battery,
What is the, MFG and model of the alternator
Since that is the G30 chassis I'm assuming you have a Delco automotive style alternator
yes, that's something i need to check into, along with the capacity of the battery. i'm guessing the alternator is original, seeing as the truck has only 120,000 km, or about 75,000 miles on it. i've been looking on-line to find some specs, but it may already have a higher output alternator, being a school bus? i'm taking the bus in for repairs next month, so i'll have to get my mechanic to check everything out.
and yes, i have considered installing a separate battery, or bank, just for the a/c... space could be the biggest issue with that?
at this point i'm just trying to figure out if my idea is even feasible? i would prefer to run it off the engine, but am also considering designing a small vertical axis wind turbine that would serve the purpose as well... driving at 50 mph would certainly produce some serious current, one would think?
