Community Forums

dutch99 · 07-16-2021, 06:45 PM

AC question, can a truck power a single AC, in a 24 foot trailer.
Can just the V8 motor itself somehow run the RV AC?
For 2 hours at a rest area, or overnight ?
Yes, may need batteries and inverter
I dont want to buy a gen

wolfe10 · 07-16-2021, 06:47 PM

Simple answer-- NO.

**hamm2018** · 07-16-2021, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutch99

AC question, can a truck power a single AC, in a 24 foot trailer.
Can just the V8 motor itself somehow run the RV AC?
For 2 hours at a rest area, or overnight ?
Yes, may need batteries and inverter
I dont want to buy a gen

You need 120 volt to run the AC unit for an extended period of time. You can run off an inverter/battery but it will not last long. How do you plan on recharging the batteries once they are discharged?

twinboat · 07-16-2021, 08:10 PM

Install a heavy duty alternator on the truck ( 150 to 200 amps ), 6 - 6 volt batteries in the bed and a 2400 watt inverter right next to the batteries.

You may need a idle up controller to bring the engine RPMs up to keep the batteries from discharging.
https://m.delcity.net/store/InPower-...xoClqkQAvD_BwE

Plug the RV in and leave the truck running.

Ambulances use this type of stuff to keep the equipment running at the scenes.

jrollf · 07-16-2021, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Install a heavy duty alternator on the truck ( 150 to 200 amps ), 6 - 6 volt batteries in the bed and a 2400 watt inverter right next to the batteries.

You may need a idle up controller to bring the engine RPMs up to keep the batteries from discharging.
https://m.delcity.net/store/InPower-...xoClqkQAvD_BwE

Plug the RV in and leave the truck running.

Ambulances use this type of stuff to keep the equipment running at the scenes.

Most alternators can only produce peak amps for short periods of time without burning out. You can find alternator's rated for 100% duty cycle, but they are expensive.

At 200 amps, a 12 volt alternator is producing 2,400 ways... and the the truck will be using some of that (electronics, ignition system, etc). Even at 2,400 watts, that is marginal for running an AC. You'll have some loss through the inverter too. Likely you'll need an easy start / soft start for the AC to have any chance of running the AC.

Honestly, by the time you buy everything to setup your truck to do this, it will be cheaper and easier to buy a quiet inverter generator, you'll burn less fuel too.

twinboat · 07-16-2021, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrollf

Most alternators can only produce peak amps for short periods of time without burning out. You can find alternator's rated for 100% duty cycle, but they are expensive.

At 200 amps, a 12 volt alternator is producing 2,400 ways... and the the truck will be using some of that (electronics, ignition system, etc). Even at 2,400 watts, that is marginal for running an AC. You'll have some loss through the inverter too. Likely you'll need an easy start / soft start for the AC to have any chance of running the AC.

Honestly, by the time you buy everything to setup your truck to do this, it will be cheaper and easier to buy a quiet inverter generator, you'll burn less fuel too.

I said to get a HO alternator.

2400 watts is 20 amps. An RV air conditioner is fused at 20 amps but doesn't draw that much.
You also have at least 400 AH of battery capacity in the bank to draw from. The OP said he needed a few hours, not long term.

Ford is offering 2500 watt output inverters in their new trucks.