Dual Alternators for A/C Removal, newbie
Good morning everyone! I'm joe, new to the forum. To give a super quick backstory, I bought a 87 Minnie Winnie for $500 about a year ago, it was stripped and a leaky mess. 1 year later, me and my girl...
Forum Discussion
joexsmoot,
About your chassis a/c system, if it proves to be hopeless, I would consider doing what I had done with our old 1991 Mercury Capri. It's a/c system was not practical to repair because there were too many things wrong with it. So I decided to uninstall the system, just as if the car had none when new. Removing everything really opened up the engine bay and removing the evaporator under the dash board got rid of the fowl odor coming from there from all the debris that collected in that area. As a result, air flow through the ventilation system improved, but also engine bay ventilation was much improved without the condensor. I found the results very satisfying. Assuming the a/c system on your 1987 chassis was optional, theoretically all you need to do is buy the "V" belt for the non-a/c model like I did with our Capri.
Regarding a second alternator, I would not unnecessarily complicate your electrical system and your engine bay. If you require more amperage from your alternator, I would replace it with a 140 amp one from JC Whitney for $220 which will supply more amperage than the ones Ford puts in brand new 2017s.
If I were in your shoes, I would think "Simplicity" and "Affordability".
I know you are also looking into an on-board 110V generator. Given your destinations with electricity, it sounds like you really don't need a generator except when driving for the purposes of running the roof a/c. Given the age and weight of your old rig, I would consider avoiding a generator for the sake of the weight. Of coarse this means you have no a/c of either kind when driving. But to be honest, I highly question if the roof a/c will provide enough front cab comfort anyway.
Our first motor home HERE was on a Toyota chassis. It had no a/c of either kind, and no power steering either. We ordered it that way for simplicity & reliability. We lived without a/c like that for 24 years. It wasn't until we were knocking on 50 years of age when we wanted to increase our comfort in many different areas of RVing including having both kinds of a/c.
With such an old rig like yours, I wouldn't want to invest more than necessary. Figure out what is the least you can live with and head into that direction, and then enjoy.
Ron
About your chassis a/c system, if it proves to be hopeless, I would consider doing what I had done with our old 1991 Mercury Capri. It's a/c system was not practical to repair because there were too many things wrong with it. So I decided to uninstall the system, just as if the car had none when new. Removing everything really opened up the engine bay and removing the evaporator under the dash board got rid of the fowl odor coming from there from all the debris that collected in that area. As a result, air flow through the ventilation system improved, but also engine bay ventilation was much improved without the condensor. I found the results very satisfying. Assuming the a/c system on your 1987 chassis was optional, theoretically all you need to do is buy the "V" belt for the non-a/c model like I did with our Capri.
Regarding a second alternator, I would not unnecessarily complicate your electrical system and your engine bay. If you require more amperage from your alternator, I would replace it with a 140 amp one from JC Whitney for $220 which will supply more amperage than the ones Ford puts in brand new 2017s.
If I were in your shoes, I would think "Simplicity" and "Affordability".
I know you are also looking into an on-board 110V generator. Given your destinations with electricity, it sounds like you really don't need a generator except when driving for the purposes of running the roof a/c. Given the age and weight of your old rig, I would consider avoiding a generator for the sake of the weight. Of coarse this means you have no a/c of either kind when driving. But to be honest, I highly question if the roof a/c will provide enough front cab comfort anyway.
Our first motor home HERE was on a Toyota chassis. It had no a/c of either kind, and no power steering either. We ordered it that way for simplicity & reliability. We lived without a/c like that for 24 years. It wasn't until we were knocking on 50 years of age when we wanted to increase our comfort in many different areas of RVing including having both kinds of a/c.
With such an old rig like yours, I wouldn't want to invest more than necessary. Figure out what is the least you can live with and head into that direction, and then enjoy.
Ron
