B190 Enthusiasts

We don't have a generator. Is anyone running their rooftop AC off the main engine?

Sector9surf wrote:We don't have a generator. Is anyone running their rooftop AC off the main engine?

No. The AC requires much more power than the alternator can produce.

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FYI - I have measured the air conditioner power consumption through an inverter. The roof top AC requires just under 100 amps input to the inverter. Also remember that the surge current is much larger than that when the compressor kicks in.

Kentuckian wrote:FYI - I have measured the air conditioner power consumption through an inverter. The roof top AC requires just under 100 amps input to the inverter. Also remember that the surge current is much larger than that when the compressor kicks in.

So it might be theoretically possible with an insanely large alternator, but it’d require some very heavy duty wiring.

If the AC requires 100A of 12VDC power I suspect it might be possible to run it via an alternator. If Ford doesn’t make an alternator with sufficiently high output there are alternatives... there are made-in-America alternators from aftermarket companies that output 140A (possibly even 200A). I’ve heard of some RVers adding a second alternator exclusively for the purpose of operating the AC.

So, don’t give up yet. Continue doing some research- your idea may have merit.

DB electrical is an American Tennessee made company that has been around for a long time. alternators with higher output options, I put one of theirs in my Buick Roadmaster Estate and it was New and not remanufactured. Good quality and can be bought on Amazon.