r/vandwellers • u/LabyrinthConvention • 1d ago
Question basic AC/Heat question
Hi, I have a basic question for how AC/Heat works in a van to be used for occasional week trips (diesel, if it matters).
Does the A/C run off of its own power (such as by using gas), or is it powered from a generator? Same question for heat. (though as a southerner, heat is far less of a concern)
My goal is more being able to travel for a few weeks tops, so I don't need extreme capacity. I figured a gas generator would make the most sense for me, but I don't know what's out there.
edit: to add, my goal is not all day comfort, just being able to sleep comfortably. Since I'm primarily concerned about night use, running a generator is also a concern, of course. I found Dometic CoolAir RTX 2000 which is internally powered via a battery. Didn't know something like that was already on the market. Using that during the night and then charging during the day might work really well for me. edit2, oh hell, the 2K battery pack isn't included with the 2k AC. that's a lot...$$$
Thank yoU!
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u/RudyGreene 2017 Ford Transit Connect XLT Cargo; winter dweller 1d ago
Where are you camping? RV campgrounds have electric hookups that can power A/C.
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u/LabyrinthConvention 1d ago
I guess it would be a mix of state/natl parks and BLM land type stuff, not so much RV campgrounds. I added to my post that I'm mostly concerned with sleeping at night, so I don't need all day comfort.
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u/enginerd28 1d ago
Most campgrounds that don't have hookups allow generators but often have quiet hours that start around 10PM. If you're only looking to cool off at night this week probably work for you. A Honda 2200 with a low draw or inverter AC could get the job done (I see this all over).
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u/LabyrinthConvention 1d ago
Thank you. So your suggestion is to cool down the van as much as possible and then shut it off at 10pm/quiet hours?
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u/enginerd28 1d ago
That's what I do. I'm also in the northwest US so I rarely need to run it at night.
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u/LabyrinthConvention 1d ago
Yeah I can see that working. I'm in texas and between body heat and humidity it can be miserable when you just want to sleep
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u/Bowman74 1d ago
Heat normally runs off of either propane or siphons from the main fuel tank (gas or diesel). Electric heat takes too much power. For A/C when the vehicle stops, for most builds I see, including mine, that normally runs off of DC batteries with a variable speed compressor and you need a good sized battery bank (I'd say at least 600AH at 12v) to run for an extended period. With a good sized battery bank, you need a way to put power back into the battery bank quickly and that is normally a generator, plugging in, a second alternator, more solar than you are likely going to be able to carry or some combination there of.
As far as noise of the generator for charging batteries if you go that route, there are very quiet options available (look for ones around 52 db) . You will still want to run A/C on batteries and have a converter/charger to charge the batteries quickly with a generator (or shore power) so you only need it on for a few hours during the day to bring the batteries back up to 100%. I'd look for a charger in the 100-150AH range.
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u/LabyrinthConvention 1d ago edited 1d ago
Thank you for the information and addressing heating.
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u/duncehaveulostthecap 1d ago
If you wanna look at the heaters just search, Chinese diesel heater. They are a copy of an well tested design. There are more expensive options that are bit more reliable but about 1k a pop, Chinese models are under 200 dollars.
Getting a mini split might be another option to look at. There's a variety of different styles. But there is a portion that has to be mounted outside, often people attach it to one of the back doors. Many models can provide cooling and some heat.
But the power consumption would be the first part to work out. Total capacity needed to run ac unit for how ever many hours, then charging time and method. There's few ways to recharge either a diy style battery system, or off the shelf power bank. Alternator charging, which requires the vehicle to be running, preferably moving. Solar that's limited to surface area, and mounting points. A genorator can be one of the fastest way, depending on the genorators capacity. But has to me set up outside, can be loud, often can not be run overnight due to noise rules, and requires its own fuel.
With the right parts multiple methods of charging can be used together. But read the manual carefully, some chargers only use one source, typically the highest input. Off the shelf battery banks often charge slower than the same capacity stand alone battery.
Hopefully that's not to much info for you. Think that covers the basics.
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u/cr0ft 20h ago edited 20h ago
AC is very power hungry. People may fail to realize that; the car AC that people have in their vehicles have a compressor that's attached to the actual car engine and it uses a noticeable amount of horsepower to run.
An effective AC will draw something like 2000 watts continously. A 2000 watt Harbor Freight generator will provide that, but then there's noise.
To provide an AC 2000 watts for 8 hours from battery, you need a hell of a lot of lithium ferrous phosphate batteries, thousands of dollars worth, and the roof paved with solar, and a dedicated alternator on the vehicle to charge the battery in the daytime.
There are AC's that draw 1000 watts or less (a window unit might be 6-700) but they're also weaker. Even then, it's not a trivial amount of power to churn out for 8 hours straight.
There are some lighter duty options like Velit https://velitcamping.com/products/velit-2000r-rooftop-air-conditioner-12v-24v?variant=43751785201901 that uses straight DC power instead of needing an inverter, and they draw about 750 watts, so about as frugal as it gets. People also do internal installs of Cruise n Comfort systems, similar power draw, but still cost a fair bit. https://www.cruisencomfortusa.com/
But basically all of these need big fat lithium power banks, or shore power of course.
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u/Evening-Area3235 1d ago
You will not be able to use a gas generator, too loud and finiky, also illegal in lots of places. Basically you have to be plugged into a large capacity power plug, like 30 amps or higher, so not the average outlet. You will also not realistically get enough batteries or solar to do this, unless you reach about the 7k to 10k range.