| Author | Message | ||
| Johnny (63.159.193.65) Rating: N/A |
OK, for a 12-volt coach, what would you use for wiring? I was planning automotive-type wire, with auto-type fuses (actually, probably circuit breakers), in all cases at least 2 gauges larger than I expect to need. Current plans call for the only 110V wiring being the connections for the inverter. Also, I recall seeing a link to a 12V roof A/C a while back--if anyone has that link, I'd appreciate it. | ||
| Scott Whitney (66.82.9.29) Rating: N/A |
Waytekwire.com sells a nice two conductor jacketed cable that is great for DC stuff. I think it is 14ga so not suitable for heavy loads, but good a for a lot of RV stuff. Being jacketed in tough plastic you can run it easily in a lot of places. Having a black and a red conductor means if you run everything from a fuse or breaker block, you can get a good ground to every load and no confusion with AC wiring. Nice stuff sold in a big roll. Scott | ||
| Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal) (4.63.41.14)
Rating: N/A |
hey that is a great website, they have a lot of good stuff. lots cheaper to make your own cables for batteries, etc. thx Scott, Bob | ||
| Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal) (4.63.41.14)
Rating: N/A |
oh, also for Johnny- unless you have a huge battery bank, a 12v air conditioner is unrealistic. if you are in a dry area, maybe this will help: http://altenergystore.com/cart/839.html | ||
| Johnny (63.159.193.173) Rating: N/A |
I know a 12V air conditioner will require the generator. | ||
| jim mci-9 (209.240.205.60) Rating: N/A |
build you own 12v power supply.... use a small gasoline (or propane) engine to turn a 12v generator..or a alternator...use it to "charge' your battery bank...i found an old generator from a '60 something chevy...used a 3hp tecumseh gas engine...and bought a new voltage regulator... i made my own 12v generator for less than $100... the generator will crank the gas motor if you allow it....an alternator can also be used.... if you supersize a muffler, all you hear is some gear noise....feel some vibration....works pretty good.... | ||
| Johnny (63.159.193.173) Rating: N/A |
I'm actually considering that with a big 150-amp truck alternator. | ||
| Eric Klobas (12.208.136.104)
Rating: N/A |
If you are going to run the generator, why not add an AC compressor to the system for those times you need extra cold with the engine on? | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A |
Eric, it would take a much larger gasoline engine to turn the A/C compressor. Richard | ||
| DonTX/KS (66.82.9.11)
Rating: N/A |
Not so sure of that Richard, I think he is like saying run a compressor off the 12kw genset that is loafing anyway. Then make an excellent unit for Class 8 trucks that way, just another automotive compressor and alternater on a small diesel engine, bolt the whole thing on the side of the frame rail, the sleeper and dash AC both work just the same as when driving by coupling to this unit. Very small engine, fuel consumption is unbelieveably low, quiet and simple. Never thought about it, but the idea just might be really great for a bus. | ||
| Johnny (63.159.202.56) Rating: N/A |
Don--anyone make one of those with a gas engine? Unless I run a Webasto (which I might), I'd rather not deal with a separate tank of diesel fuel. How noisy is that thing? I actually tossed that around here a while back--spin a couple compressors with a genset engine. Having said that, I'm not particularly experienced with A/C systems beyond the basic stuff. Here it is: http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/233/4097.html? | ||
| jmaxwell (66.81.39.111) Rating: N/A |
Don: I am familiar w/the "saddlepack", having worked on 2 or 3 of them. 1 had a 10 hp Yanmar dsl, other 2 had Kubota's, 12hp versions, 3.5ton Sanyo rotary vien compressors, and as I recall 12v, 40amp alternators. They used a direct heat exchanger for radiator/a/c condenser, were fairly compact in their original configuration, and not to adaptable to making a larger genset or anything else without just tearing it apart and starting over. I was offered one for free; had a scrambled compressor, and after a few days of turning it over in my head, decided that the most compact design utilizing the Kubota on it required a China Dsl. or Genrac horizontal belt drive configuration. Then there was the sound-proofing enclosure to consider, since Kubota'a are not the quitest things on the planet and we won't even talk about Yanmar. They were a vast improvement for trucks, being a lot quieter and more economical than a Big Cummins, CAT, or DD all night(or day) but usually not readily adaptable to a MH, since MH people usually have neighbors that DO Mind the noise. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A |
Don, I was talking about the three hp unit to drive an alternator setup. I agree that most gensets are loafing most of the time, but it is extremely difficult to couple anything to them they way they are built. Richard | ||
| DonTX/KS (66.82.9.35)
Rating: N/A |
Nobody ever made a gasoline one that I am aware of, but that just makes it easier if you have a gasoline bus. Small gas engines that are very quiet and smooth are much cheaper than the diesel ones, just make one. For jmaxwell: I was not particularly suggesting to use one of the truck units as is, but the idea of running AC compressors and stuff off the genset etc got me to brainstorming and thinking outside the box a bit. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A |
In the marine industry it is not uncommon to run something else from the genset directly and many marine gensets have provisions for that. We have a resident marine expert who can probably enlighten us on that. LOL Richard | ||
| Eric Klobas (Eric) (12.208.136.104)
Rating: N/A |
If this was a marine system there would be a second compressor to run the 'fridge. By using a small amount of the current to run fans and charge batteries the load on the alternator will be less than any electric air conditioning with the associated power losses. Check some of the "hot rod" systems for a system easy to convert to your use. 3 HP is a little small, but 5 could work, and 8HP will do the single compressor and a decent alternator at the same time. Note, a 100 amp alternator will spend most of its time at less than 50 amps. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.99.4)
Rating: N/A |
Only one Resident Marine Expert? I know there are at least two others!  Gary |