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Old 08-09-2012, 03:08 AM   #1
Texas Pete
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Default Using Roof AC from Engine and Inverter?

Anyone have suggestions other than using the auxillary generator to use the engine 12 volt electrical system with an inverter for 110 volts for roof ACs?
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Old 08-09-2012, 05:26 AM   #2
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What year Newell? The older the Newell, the smaller the inverter than was originally installed and the fewer batteries. It is possible to run a roof AC off of an inverter but it requires a large inverter and lots of battery capacity if the engine isn't running and lots of alternator output if the engine is running.
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Old 08-09-2012, 01:44 PM   #3
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Pete,

I would suggest just running the generator. The reason is because our generators are made to run for thousands of hours between overhauls (read 20,000 hours!).

I have friends whose buses can run 1 of the ACs off of the inverter; they never do it! The reason is because you can only run it for about 3 or 4 hours; then, they have to start the generator!

Wiring the AC to run off of the inverter is a good idea as an emergency backup i.e. generator failure, but that's about it.

Just my opinion.
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Old 08-10-2012, 07:03 PM   #4
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Another member stated he would run his front roof air off his Heart 3000 Inverter. His amp gauge would show about 60 amps usage. Then always wait until my batteries are fully charged before putting the load on your engine alternator.
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Old 08-10-2012, 11:40 PM   #5
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Through the years, Newell has equipped a handful of new coaches to operate a 120 volt air conditioner from a large inverter powered by a high capacity alternator. However, Newell was not enthusiastic about this approach. While the system can be designed within the theoretical capacities of the individual electrical components, the alternator and inverter are being pushed very hard under these circumstances. In addition, the large amount of DC current flowing between the alternator and inverter to produce the approximately 1500 watts to run an a/c can result in a simple fault (i.e., loose connection) having a serious result (i.e., fire). Further, there is a temptation to push this approach even further, running an a/c from the batteries, a situation I feel is far too aggressive. We suggest using the on board generator to operate the a/c and avoiding the considerable extra expense and risk of attempting to use the inverter for this job. By the way, using the alternator to supply the inverter with current for air conditioning loads is not "free power." The alternator under this type of load will consume an extra 15 hp or so from the main engine. This is power that is not available for climbing hills, etc., and fuel mileage is affected. Operating the generator supplies independent power for the a/cs, and the fuel used is, to some extent, an offset from the decreased mileage of putting this load on the main engine. Others may differ, but this is my opinion.
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Old 08-22-2012, 07:49 AM   #6
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Using an invertor to power the roof A/C is quite common on the bus conversions. I believe they sometimes add a second engine driven alternator to keep the house batteries charged .
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Old 08-22-2012, 11:16 AM   #7
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It is common with the Prevost conversions, I had a Marathon that would run 1 cruiseair 4 hrs or 2 cruiseairs for 2 hrs. The inverters were 4K and the battery bank was 6 Lifeline 4D's. There were stories of some running 2 cruiseairs while driving many hours and the 270 amp DC alternator couldn't keep up and it would run down the house batteries. Like Tuga said, run the gen, they're good for 30,000 hrs according to Powertec.
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