Camping Equipment for Our Trucks

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We don't usually camp when AC is required, so Heather and I will need to discuss that.

My family lived through three summers in KS with no AC - - fans and wet sheets over our open screen windows . . works really better than you might expect :) . I figured our first AC would be a couple 12v fans and some netting to put over open rear and front doors :) - -maybe some wet sheets up in the space, as well :)

Add a cool shower before bed and I think we may not need AC.
 
Jamie, what trailer did you get?

What about a roof-top style AC unit instead?
 
Nothing yet, Johnny - just dreaming after a trip to OBX with my Aunt/Uncle's 39' RV and James' trailer build.

Wife and I have been considering this type of thing for 5+ years, but not until @jamesurq 's build have we really agree to try it.

Targeting build this Fall / next Spring.
 
GLTHFJ60 said:
. . What about a roof-top style AC unit instead?
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Uncle suggested this - probably can find a good used one for cheap - - was one up on CList a few days ago.
 
James, we should have started my westinghouse last night. its 2200 watts and pretty quiet. I would look at the champion 2000 stackable cube gen. they are kinda nifty, and they literally stack on top of each other and can parallel for 220 volt applications
 
Yeah - so I might wanna see if your 2200 watter is enough to start my AC unit when the fridge is running.

According to some sites, the starting load of an 8000btu AC is in the 2160 watt range. Running at 1100.... I'm wondering if a 3000 watter is more appropriate.
 
jamesurq said:
Yeah - so I might wanna see if your 2200 watter is enough to start my AC unit when the fridge is running.

According to some sites, the starting load of an 8000btu AC is in the 2160 watt range. Running at 1100.... I'm wondering if a 3000 watter is more appropriate.
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Wire in an AC start capacitor, like what is used on residential units???
 
hmmmmm.... that's a really good idea. Got an extra one kicking around? :)

Is there even a prewired plug in one available? Could be a market for that.....
 
Anyone reasonably close to GSO got a couple of camping cots I can borrow for a weekend next month?

My parents are camping with us and I'd hate to put them on the ground. And after they're gone, I won't need the cots......
 
jamesurq said:
And after they're gone, I won't need the cots......
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Have you thought this through? Getting rid of bodies is harder than it seems in the movies.
 
Buddy with a pig farm....
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AC capacitors won't do anything for meeting peak startup demands like DC capacitors on stereos and such. Besides, even if the circuit could work the capacitor would have to be huge.

Cheaper/easier to go up in Gen size and then enjoy running all your appliances at once. :D

The other option would be a "soft start" of the AC motor/compressor which, again, perhaps possible to wire but easier to up the gen size.
 
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My Haier 5000 btu uses about 450 watts, its under 2000 on compressor start (because thats the max start load rating of my inverter). I went with a 2200 watt quiet inverter gen, to take advantage of running it at 1/4 throttle most of the time, instead of wide open on a smaller unit. Supposedly 53 db at 1/4 load at 20 ft. I can live with that.
 
erymer said:
my father in law has one if you wanna check it out.
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I may just go with the westinghouse since it's a little cheaper and a few more watts. Thanks tho
 
Next question: Jerry cans and holders...

Wanting to mount one on the side of my trailer.

Recommendations?
 
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