Running AC while driving

[MNawman]

Hey guys, I have a 2014 Entegra Aspire and was wondering if I can run one of the roof AC units while I'm driving without the gen set. It would be solely on the inverter and or alternator. I looked thru my owners manual, but couldn't find anything on it. Thanks for any assistance.

[Johnofbham]

A 13,500 btu A/C will pull over 13 amps at 120 volts.
Converting from 120v to 12vs, that is over 130 amps.
I doubt Your alternator can maintain that a/c load plus the other loads continuously.
Don't rewire, use your generator.

[OhhWell]

Even if you had a large enough inverter installed, the amp draw would probably be 200 amps at least from the alternator.

[Cat_Lady]

I run both A/Cs. All 3 kitty cats and I stay cool and happy. The South is too hot to go without. Doesn't affect my mileage that much. A gallon an hour, I believe, but it's well worth it.

Cat Lady

[sch911]

No you cannot. You must run the generator like the rest of us

[DougE]

Your generator is only going to use about a gallon per hour. Small price to be comfortable! (OK, gas consumption nuts go crazy now!).

[rr2254545]

dalmationlovers wrote:
Are you worried about MPG? I ran both my AC's last summer going through the SW and didn't worry about mileage when it's over 100 outside. Just run the generator and it will give it a good workout.

x3 A cool wife is a happy wife

[BigRabbitMan]

Its not in your manual because the systems are not designed to do it. Just run the generator as designed and be happy.

[Sully2]

MNawman wrote:
Hey guys, I have a 2014 Entegra Aspire and was wondering if I can run one of the roof AC units while I'm driving without the gen set. It would be solely on the inverter and or alternator. I looked thru my owners manual, but couldn't find anything on it. Thanks for any assistance.

Just fire up the genset and run it.

[Go_Dawgs1]

Are you worried about MPG? I ran both my AC's last summer going through the SW and didn't worry about mileage when it's over 100 outside. Just run the generator and it will give it a good workout.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Your alternator won't like it. If you had a 2nd alternator that would be a better situation.

[rgatijnet1]

Roof top AC units are NOT wired through the inverter. You may be able to rewire the AC unit but I would not recommend it since inverters are limited with pass-thru current. If your AC unit is using most of the inverter capacity, the rest of your outlets will be limited in what they can power. In other words, it does not matter if you are hooked up to 50 amp service, if you have a 2000 watt inverter, that is the MAXIMUM wattage that you can draw thru the inverter powered circuits.