Generators and Airconditioners

[westmicher]

We use a simple curtain on a spring loaded shower rod to reduce the cooled space to about 1/2 of the van... which makes it very cool inside.

 

[Turtle]

Ah, the Paul Harvey side of the story.

 

[acvox24]

Mine Stays totally cool at over 100 degrees, with a 5000. However I insulated the bananas out of my truck. I must of gone through 40 cans of that spray on insulation filling in every crack and crevice. Then I ran half in poly down all the sides and sprayed them in too. I have a 700/1500 watt space heater and I never use the 1500 watt setting. So it's possible.

 

[westmicher]

Ah, the Paul Harvey side of the story.

Paul Harvey was a very good man...

 

[bubblehead]

We use a simple curtain on a spring loaded shower rod to reduce the cooled space to about 1/2 of the van... which makes it very cool inside.

So for the cost of a curtain & rod you can save hundreds on an AC unit and hundreds more on a smaller KW generator plus a whole lot less fuel burn, less weight and less aerodynamic drag (no roof top)...all this because of a $10. curtain rod and curtains? Gotta like Paul Harvey!

 

[paulnstef39]

So for the cost of a curtain & rod you can save hundreds on an AC unit and hundreds more on a smaller KW generator plus a whole lot less fuel burn, less weight and less aerodynamic drag (no roof top)...all this because of a $10. curtain rod and curtains? Gotta like Paul Harvey!

Look at westmicher pictures of his A/C install. He installs a small door in the side of the van, which stays closed until you deploy the a/c. He's got some good pictures.

 

[Turtle]

Just be careful with the curtain rod. If you twist it out too far to make it really snug against the walls, it will bulge the walls. I've seen a couple of those where there are convex bumps on the outside of the van.

 

[bubblehead]

Look at westmicher pictures of his A/C install. He installs a small door in the side of the van, which stays closed until you deploy the a/c. He's got some good pictures.

Thanks, I'll check it out. I think its great when someone comes up with good alternatives to the status quo. I will be installing my hard start capacitor this weekend for my 14k btu unit. The little eu2000i is still doing the job without it but there is a notable momentary struggle. In the mean time, I installed an hour meter in the generator to better keep tabs on maintenance intervals. I haven't trimmed the ty wraps yet because I am testing different locations. I do think this will be the final location because no screws or modifications on the unit will be needed and I have to open the cover to check oil level anyways.

 

[Windsor]

I need to step in one of your vans on a hot humid day. When we were talking it sounds like our insulation is similar. I just can't wrap my head around a 5000 cooling an entire van on a 90 degree day with real high humidity. I'd like to check it out.

Ditto!

 

[Windsor]

Ah, the Paul Harvey side of the story.

Good day!

 

[wayneygogo]

We're talking about cooling. Let's talk about heat. you know how many watts of heat it takes to heat the inside of a full size van not to mention a sprinter. about 3000. Continuous watts for a conventional van that is insulated. Or to 1500 watt electric heaters. Well I want the old fashioned route. champion 3500 watt generator and a 5100 BTU house air conditioner mounted to the rear door I'm freezing

 

[wayneygogo]

Well I am currently in Huntsville Alabama 90 degrees. I'm using the 5100 BTU LG powered by a 3500 watt champion. no shade and I'm freezing. anyway the inside of the van has two and a half inches up Spray foam insulation all the way up to behind the front seats the doors are also foam. It added about 150 pounds they figure 2 pounds per cubic foot.

 

[wayneygogo]

Here is the spray foam cave I'm currently stuck with two pallets it makes a nice bed rack the air conditioner is buried behind the first pallet on the rear door.