Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

12-18-2007, 08:48

Well? I just learned last week that many of the new buses are all
electric. Now, can you run the air conditioning in these buses off
the batteries? I would guess that you can not. That you would have
to start the generator. Some one mentioned the refrig as being a big
draw on battery bank stored energy. Seems to me an air conditioner
would pull more then the refrig unless the refrig was started in a
warm condition. I know nothing about this subject other then
personal experience with RV roof air conditioners and I know they
draw a bunch of power especially on first start up.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC

>
> and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running
an AC on
> a 30amp shore hookup.
>
> I'm pretty sure the book says the AC units pull about 12 or 13 amps
> running. If they need some surge to start I would think the big
inverter
> and the bank of 8 to 12 batteries could handle it?
>
> On Dec 18, 2007 3:20 PM, Peter T. Arnold wrote:
>
> > 300 Amps X 12V = 3600 watts
> >
> > I wouldn't think of running a 13.5 BTU air conditioner with out a
5.0
> > Generator to cove line loss and motor start surge.
> >
> > Pete
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:10:59 -0500, you wrote:
> >
> > >I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable
generators, one
> > >5kva and and 7.5kva.
> > >
> > >I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to
charge the
> > >batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or
> > charging
> > >the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I
probably need
> > >to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going
down the
> > >road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or
so)
> > could
> > >handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and
associated 30
> > >gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair
amount
> > of
> > >batteries, say another 8 or more.
> > >
> > >On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64 40hotmail.com>>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >> Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have
decided
> > >> if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my
> > >> portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able
to run
> > >> them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I
did
> > >> with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then
dumping
> > >> big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would
compromise as
> > >> suggested.
> > >> John Heckman
> > >> central Pa
> > >> 1973 FC
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape.
(hosed up
> > >> flywheel,
> > >> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
> > >> doesn't run for
> > >> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it
seems))
> > >> >
> > >> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole
where it
> > >> used to be
> > >> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
> > >> >
> > >> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would
be a
> > >> lot of Amp
> > >> > Hours.
> > >> >
> > >> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could
get my
> > >> hands on
> > >> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
> > >> >
> > >> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
> > >> conditioning, or
> > >> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock
with the
> > >> air
> > >> > running Smile

> > >> >
> > >> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
> > >> >
> > >> > Regards,
> > >> >
> > >> > Dorn Hetzel
> > >> > 77FC35
> > >> > Hogansville, GA
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> > --
> >
> > Fraternal Regards,
> >
> > Peter T. Arnold
> >
> > Worthy Patron, Temple Chapter #53 {3rd Time}
> >
> > Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88 Past Master
> > Meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays
> >
> > Washington Lodge #70, Past Master 1997
> > 2nd and 4th Monday
> >
> > Yahoo 6th District B.L.C. Newsgroup Co-Moderator
> >
> > Past A.G.M., Masonic District 6B
> > Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.
> >
> > As you can see, I'm busy on Mondays!
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

12-18-2007, 09:25

Remember that you are calling on that 300 amps to do a lot more than run the
A/C. Most specifically besides normal running amp draw, you are needing a lot of
its output to charge those batteries. A dozen big batteries discharged 50% would
be happy to draw 600 amps for many hours if they could - at lower charge rates
they will take a long run down the road to get back up!

That is actually one of the bigger limitations that I have when dry-camping - I
have a ProSine 2000, which can charge 105 amps, and the 6 6-volt AGMs need 330
amp-hours to charge when discharged 50%. They could take 300 amps of input if I
had the charging capacity and heavy-enough cables.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

On 12/18/2007 at 3:37 PM Dorn Hetzel wrote:

>and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running an AC
>on
>a 30amp shore hookup.
>
>I'm pretty sure the book says the AC units pull about 12 or 13 amps
>running. If they need some surge to start I would think the big inverter
>and the bank of 8 to 12 batteries could handle it?

12-18-2007, 09:43

On 12/18/07, Dorn Hetzel wrote:
>
> and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running an AC on
> a 30amp shore hookup.

You won't have 3600 watts available. Your existing alternator is
probably ~150 amps give or take and you're using a good portion of
that to run coach systems. So to be safe, your "extra" capacity is
only another 150 amps. Further, a 300 amp alternator does not
necessarily put out 300 amps, at engine idle speeds it might only put
out 180, perhaps less.

Someone has done this - set their coach up to run one A/C unit off
their inverter while cruising. I want to say they used a 1,500 amp
alternator to ensure enough power. I recall it was very expensive, in
the two thousand dollar range. Perhaps someone who knows more about
this will chime in.

At the end of the day, Dorn, to do this "right" I suspect you're going
to have more money invested than if you'd just bought a brand new
generator or had your own repaired/rebuilt.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

12-18-2007, 10:41

1500 amps would be an amazing amount of alternator! At 12 volts that would
represent 18000 watts, at 13.5 or 14.2 volts even more than that. I hope
they had a huge engine, at reasonable efficiencies that would probably suck
30 or 40 HP at full power Smile

I don't think I need that much, that would be
50% more than the whole 12kw generator!

Regards,

Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA

On Dec 18, 2007 4:43 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

> On 12/18/07, Dorn Hetzel >
> wrote:
> >
> > and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running an AC
> on
> > a 30amp shore hookup.
>
> You won't have 3600 watts available. Your existing alternator is
> probably ~150 amps give or take and you're using a good portion of
> that to run coach systems. So to be safe, your "extra" capacity is
> only another 150 amps. Further, a 300 amp alternator does not
> necessarily put out 300 amps, at engine idle speeds it might only put
> out 180, perhaps less.
>
> Someone has done this - set their coach up to run one A/C unit off
> their inverter while cruising. I want to say they used a 1,500 amp
> alternator to ensure enough power. I recall it was very expensive, in
> the two thousand dollar range. Perhaps someone who knows more about
> this will chime in.
>
> At the end of the day, Dorn, to do this "right" I suspect you're going
> to have more money invested than if you'd just bought a brand new
> generator or had your own repaired/rebuilt.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

12-18-2007, 12:18

Hi,
Just to clarify a couple of pts and questions.
The new all electric 450 has 2 140 amp alternators (@24V) and can run 2 of the 4
A/C -heat pumps while on the road.. There are 2 -3600 w Vanner inverters and
one 1500 true sine wave inverter for the fridge and electronics. The fridge is
a minor draw -Kitchenaid .
To run an A/C on battery alone- no way 11-12 amps 120 V is ~140 amp at 12V
Onan has a new slick method of reducing the size of the alternator and
increasing battery/inevrter use http://www.cumminsonan.com/hqd/
Ross
2006 450 LXi
Cambridge ON
in San Antonio

----- Original Message ----
From: bubblerboy64
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 2:48:50 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

Well? I just learned last week that many of the new buses are all

electric. Now, can you run the air conditioning in these buses off

the batteries? I would guess that you can not. That you would have

to start the generator. Some one mentioned the refrig as being a big

draw on battery bank stored energy. Seems to me an air conditioner

would pull more then the refrig unless the refrig was started in a

warm condition. I know nothing about this subject other then

personal experience with RV roof air conditioners and I know they

draw a bunch of power especially on first start up.

John Heckman

central Pa

1973 FC

>

> and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running

an AC on

> a 30amp shore hookup.

>

> I'm pretty sure the book says the AC units pull about 12 or 13 amps

> running. If they need some surge to start I would think the big

inverter

> and the bank of 8 to 12 batteries could handle it?

>

> On Dec 18, 2007 3:20 PM, Peter T. Arnold wrote:

>

> > 300 Amps X 12V = 3600 watts

> >

> > I wouldn't think of running a 13.5 BTU air conditioner with out a

5.0

> > Generator to cove line loss and motor start surge.

> >

> > Pete

> >

> >

> > On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:10:59 -0500, you wrote:

> >

> > >I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable

generators, one

> > >5kva and and 7.5kva.

> > >

> > >I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to

charge the

> > >batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or

> > charging

> > >the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I

probably need

> > >to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going

down the

> > >road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or

so)

> > could

> > >handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and

associated 30

> > >gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair

amount

> > of

> > >batteries, say another 8 or more.

> > >

> > >On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64
40hotmail.com> >

> > wrote:

> > >

> > >> Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have

decided

> > >> if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my

> > >> portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able

to run

> > >> them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I

did

> > >> with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then

dumping

> > >> big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would

compromise as

> > >> suggested.

> > >> John Heckman

> > >> central Pa

> > >> 1973 FC

> > >>

> > >> >

> > >> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape.

(hosed up

> > >> flywheel,

> > >> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then

> > >> doesn't run for

> > >> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it

seems))

> > >> >

> > >> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole

where it

> > >> used to be

> > >> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.

> > >> >

> > >> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would

be a

> > >> lot of Amp

> > >> > Hours.

> > >> >

> > >> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could

get my

> > >> hands on

> > >> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.

> > >> >

> > >> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air

> > >> conditioning, or

> > >> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock

with the

> > >> air

> > >> > running Smile

> > >> >

> > >> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?

> > >> >

> > >> > Regards,

> > >> >

> > >> > Dorn Hetzel

> > >> > 77FC35

> > >> > Hogansville, GA

> > >> >

> > >> >

> > >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> > >> >

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >

> > >

> > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> >

> > --

> >

> > Fraternal Regards,

> >

> > Peter T. Arnold

> >

> > Worthy Patron, Temple Chapter #53 {3rd Time}

> >

> > Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88 Past Master

> > Meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays

> >

> > Washington Lodge #70, Past Master 1997

> > 2nd and 4th Monday

> >

> > Yahoo 6th District B.L.C. Newsgroup Co-Moderator

> >

> > Past A.G.M., Masonic District 6B

> > Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.

> >

> > As you can see, I'm busy on Mondays!

> >

> >

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>







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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

12-18-2007, 15:38

That is not true Pete.
How many times have people gone to a campground and hooked into a 30 amp
service, and run the A/C without any problem.
A/C are usually 1500 watts and surge would go to 3000 maybe a little more.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: Peter T. Arnold To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:20:26 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

300 Amps X 12V = 3600 watts

I wouldn't think of running a 13.5 BTU air conditioner with out a 5.0

Generator to cove line loss and motor start surge.

Pete

On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:10:59 -0500, you wrote:

>I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable generators, one

>5kva and and 7.5kva.

>

>I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to charge the

>batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or charging

>the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I probably need

>to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going down the

>road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or so) could

>handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and associated 30

>gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair amount of

>batteries, say another 8 or more.

>

>On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64 wrote:

>

>> Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have decided

>> if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my

>> portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able to run

>> them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I did

>> with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then dumping

>> big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would compromise as

>> suggested.

>> John Heckman

>> central Pa

>> 1973 FC

>>

>> >

>> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up

>> flywheel,

>> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then

>> doesn't run for

>> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))

>> >

>> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it

>> used to be

>> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.

>> >

>> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a

>> lot of Amp

>> > Hours.

>> >

>> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my

>> hands on

>> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.

>> >

>> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air

>> conditioning, or

>> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the

>> air

>> > running Smile

>> >

>> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?

>> >

>> > Regards,

>> >

>> > Dorn Hetzel

>> > 77FC35

>> > Hogansville, GA

>> >

>> >

>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>> >

>>

>>

>>

>

>

>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--

Fraternal Regards,

Peter T. Arnold

Worthy Patron, Temple Chapter #53 {3rd Time}

Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88 Past Master

Meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays

Washington Lodge #70, Past Master 1997

2nd and 4th Monday

Yahoo 6th District B.L.C. Newsgroup Co-Moderator

Past A.G.M., Masonic District 6B

Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.

As you can see, I'm busy on Mondays!







Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

12-18-2007, 15:39

Dorn:
Let us know what alternator you might settle on. I am thinking of upgrading as
well, escpecially with the electric brake drawing the current like it does.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: Dorn Hetzel
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:31:07 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

Yep, my engine run A/C doesn't run right now, but it's on my short
list to

repair, just putting it off until spring since I sure don't need AC now Smile

I'm looking at something like a Xantrex RS3000 and about 300 amps of

alternator capacity. That should run at least one of the AC units while

driving I would hope.

Regards,

Dorn Hetzel

77FC35

Hogansville, GA

On Dec 18, 2007 2:45 PM, Jon wrote:

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com com>,

> "Dorn Hetzel"

> wrote:

> >

> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up

> flywheel,

> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then

> doesn't run for

> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))

> >

> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it

> used to be

> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.

> >

> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a

> lot of Amp

> > Hours.

> >

> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my

> hands on

> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.

> >

> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air

> conditioning, or

> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the

> air

> > running Smile

> >

> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?

> >

> > Regards,

> >

> > Dorn Hetzel

> > 77FC35

> > Hogansville, GA

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

> Without saying to much I would stick with some type of generator. If

> your coach is typical for being a vintage Wanderlodge than your

> Engine run A/C does not operate. Now I know most of the people here

> use there generator to run there topside A/C unit in hot weather when

> there dash air is not operational. These old coaches can get pretty

> hot inside during the summer months. I would stick to a generator

> just for that reason. Jon

> >

>

>

>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

12-18-2007, 15:44

Running A/C on batteries alone is almost impossible. The draw is continous at
about 1400 watts, as a fridge is about 500watt cyclic, the bigger fridges
somewhat more maybe 700 or so.

I believe the electric buses have a smaller engine running an alternator or
generator to continously charge the batteries, but having the engine running at
a constant speed reduces fuel consumption.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: bubblerboy64
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:48:50 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

Well? I just learned last week that many of the new buses are all

electric. Now, can you run the air conditioning in these buses off

the batteries? I would guess that you can not. That you would have

to start the generator. Some one mentioned the refrig as being a big

draw on battery bank stored energy. Seems to me an air conditioner

would pull more then the refrig unless the refrig was started in a

warm condition. I know nothing about this subject other then

personal experience with RV roof air conditioners and I know they

draw a bunch of power especially on first start up.

John Heckman

central Pa

1973 FC

>

> and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running

an AC on

> a 30amp shore hookup.

>

> I'm pretty sure the book says the AC units pull about 12 or 13 amps

> running. If they need some surge to start I would think the big

inverter

> and the bank of 8 to 12 batteries could handle it?

>

> On Dec 18, 2007 3:20 PM, Peter T. Arnold wrote:

>

> > 300 Amps X 12V = 3600 watts

> >

> > I wouldn't think of running a 13.5 BTU air conditioner with out a

5.0

> > Generator to cove line loss and motor start surge.

> >

> > Pete

> >

> >

> > On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:10:59 -0500, you wrote:

> >

> > >I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable

generators, one

> > >5kva and and 7.5kva.

> > >

> > >I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to

charge the

> > >batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or

> > charging

> > >the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I

probably need

> > >to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going

down the

> > >road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or

so)

> > could

> > >handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and

associated 30

> > >gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair

amount

> > of

> > >batteries, say another 8 or more.

> > >

> > >On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64
40hotmail.com> >

> > wrote:

> > >

> > >> Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have

decided

> > >> if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my

> > >> portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able

to run

> > >> them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I

did

> > >> with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then

dumping

> > >> big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would

compromise as

> > >> suggested.

> > >> John Heckman

> > >> central Pa

> > >> 1973 FC

> > >>

> > >> >

> > >> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape.

(hosed up

> > >> flywheel,

> > >> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then

> > >> doesn't run for

> > >> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it

seems))

> > >> >

> > >> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole

where it

> > >> used to be

> > >> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.

> > >> >

> > >> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would

be a

> > >> lot of Amp

> > >> > Hours.

> > >> >

> > >> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could

get my

> > >> hands on

> > >> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.

> > >> >

> > >> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air

> > >> conditioning, or

> > >> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock

with the

> > >> air

> > >> > running Smile

> > >> >

> > >> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?

> > >> >

> > >> > Regards,

> > >> >

> > >> > Dorn Hetzel

> > >> > 77FC35

> > >> > Hogansville, GA

> > >> >

> > >> >

> > >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> > >> >

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >

> > >

> > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> >

> > --

> >

> > Fraternal Regards,

> >

> > Peter T. Arnold

> >

> > Worthy Patron, Temple Chapter #53 {3rd Time}

> >

> > Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88 Past Master

> > Meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays

> >

> > Washington Lodge #70, Past Master 1997

> > 2nd and 4th Monday

> >

> > Yahoo 6th District B.L.C. Newsgroup Co-Moderator

> >

> > Past A.G.M., Masonic District 6B

> > Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.

> >

> > As you can see, I'm busy on Mondays!

> >

> >

>

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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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12-18-2007, 15:46

Don:
You are very correct there. I have smaller batteries in my FC, and when driving
down the road, having heat on in the coach, fans running and using my electric
brake in these hills, it literally takes hours to charge up, and it is over at
100 to 120 amps.
Having even more batteries, well that would make things that much worse.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: Don Bradner
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 1:25:52 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

Remember that you are calling on that 300 amps to do a lot more than
run the A/C. Most specifically besides normal running amp draw, you are needing
a lot of its output to charge those batteries. A dozen big batteries discharged
50% would be happy to draw 600 amps for many hours if they could - at lower
charge rates they will take a long run down the road to get back up!

That is actually one of the bigger limitations that I have when dry-camping - I
have a ProSine 2000, which can charge 105 amps, and the 6 6-volt AGMs need 330
amp-hours to charge when discharged 50%. They could take 300 amps of input if I
had the charging capacity and heavy-enough cables.

Don Bradner

90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"

Eureka, CA

On 12/18/2007 at 3:37 PM Dorn Hetzel wrote:

>and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running an AC

>on

>a 30amp shore hookup.

>

>I'm pretty sure the book says the AC units pull about 12 or 13 amps

>running. If they need some surge to start I would think the big inverter

>and the bank of 8 to 12 batteries could handle it?







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12-18-2007, 15:49

Ryan:
1500 amp alternator?? are you sure.
That would be huge, how would that fit inside the engine compartment?

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 1:43:20 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

On 12/18/07, Dorn Hetzel wrote:

>

> and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running an AC on

> a 30amp shore hookup.

You won't have 3600 watts available. Your existing alternator is

probably ~150 amps give or take and you're using a good portion of

that to run coach systems. So to be safe, your "extra" capacity is

only another 150 amps. Further, a 300 amp alternator does not

necessarily put out 300 amps, at engine idle speeds it might only put

out 180, perhaps less.

Someone has done this - set their coach up to run one A/C unit off

their inverter while cruising. I want to say they used a 1,500 amp

alternator to ensure enough power. I recall it was very expensive, in

the two thousand dollar range. Perhaps someone who knows more about

this will chime in.

At the end of the day, Dorn, to do this "right" I suspect you're going

to have more money invested than if you'd just bought a brand new

generator or had your own repaired/rebuilt.

-Ryan

'86 PT-40 8V92







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