need some input

[wheels]

Well after 2 years of working on it in my spare time, my '88 Ranger is almost completely factory fresh. I've rebuilt the engine to include aftermarket '89 heads. Also the drive train and suspension have been completely gone through.
Only thing left to do is some very minor bodywork and a new paint job. That's all scheduled at a local body shop for next month.

Here's what I'm wondering. I don't want to add factory air because of the draw on the engine. My 2.9 runs strong but I do pull a trailer quite often and I don't want the power loss of factory air.
So what I'm planning is fabricating a bracket and mounting a compact 5000 BTU window unit in the back window.
For you electrical gurus I'm wondering if the stock alternator will be enough when I put the power inverter in line, or do you think I'll need one of higher amperage? I'm planning on using 1000watt inverter that draws approximately 4 amps.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

If the alternator is under a lot of stress, it can slow the engine down just as much as the ac compressor. You might find that a larger alternator will drag down the engine more than just having the compressor. If you are concerned about power loss, put a slightly smaller compressor in place of the old one.

 

[Big Jim M]

NO! It absolutely will NOT power that A/C!
Big JIm

 

[low_five]

choice a: mechanical draw off motor turns a mechanical compressor that the ac uses
choice b: mechanical draw off motor turns a mechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical, which powers an electrical device that converts electrical back to mechanical force.

choice b will be the larger drag on the motor of the two choices.

 

[wheels]

>>NO! It absolutely will NOT power that A/C!
Big JIm <<

Really. Awfully strange that a 12volt deep cycle battery is powering one in my son's 14 camper trailer through a 1000 watt power inverter like I plan to use. Not to mention the countless numbers of window unit air conditioners I've seen in the back of vans and pickup trucks.

Should have took my question elsewhere. Last time I used this site I got nothing but smart ass'd answers and I see that hasn't changed.

 

[nitrofan1]

Dude Chill. Big J wasn't making fun of you. I would say he may have some experience in this matter, at least with big amp draws.

Look at it this way. A stock 95amp alternator with lights & blower on (these are the power accessories we turn on to test loads on the electrical system) pulls an adv base of 30 to 40 amps. This leaves 55 to 65 amps to run the rest of the truck. Provided you have at least a 650 cca battery in good condition and you replaced the OEM harness so it's not 22 years old you may be o.k. Even then I would run a separate deep cycle battery for the inverter / window unit.

There are a lot more important devices running on the 95 amp battery than that a/c unit you want to install.

We all do get along here at TRS. I can promise you, I visit all the forums. Some of the others are way more unfriendly than here. Welcome back and I hope you decide to stay for a bit.

 

[modelageek]

Well after 2 years of working on it in my spare time, my '88 Ranger is almost completely factory fresh. I've rebuilt the engine to include aftermarket '89 heads. Also the drive train and suspension have been completely gone through.
Only thing left to do is some very minor bodywork and a new paint job. That's all scheduled at a local body shop for next month.

Here's what I'm wondering. I don't want to add factory air because of the draw on the engine. My 2.9 runs strong but I do pull a trailer quite often and I don't want the power loss of factory air.
So what I'm planning is fabricating a bracket and mounting a compact 5000 BTU window unit in the back window.
For you electrical gurus I'm wondering if the stock alternator will be enough when I put the power inverter in line, or do you think I'll need one of higher amperage? I'm planning on using 1000watt inverter that draws approximately 4 amps.

Thanks in advance for any input.

With the chance of sounding like a total buffoon. Are you talking about buying a 5000 btu window ac unit that they might sell at Home Depot and sticking it in your rear window?.........

 

[modelageek]

admitting up front I LOVE OUT OF THE BOX THINKING. and also admitting that on a scale of 1-10 my knowledge of electricity is a 2 at best. I have run a tv off of my power inverter on my vehicles. I think it draws about 75 Watts. i think an efficient 5000 btu ac unit draws about 600watts(i think) 120 volts x 5 amps. seems like a lot of power would be needed....

 

[IMenriched]

Put a portable generator in the bed to run the A/C unit...problem solved

 

[Big Jim M]

Just guessing but that a/c will use about 6-8 amps 120V. That should be about 90 or 110 amps 12V including loss to the invertor. Yes you could prolly MAKE it work for a while. But the load on your charging system would soon over power any supposed gain you started out with.
Think if it thisaway.. WHY doesn't any known vehicle world wide come with a 120V A/C?
Big JIm