air con in which im told needs a generator to run is that right?
Skippy
Hi Skippy, welcome, welcome. You'll love this site. I can't help you re: pictures, but your living area aircon is probably a 240v set up. This is what I have and can only be run from generator or 240v outlet. Some can be run from an inverter which (if you are not familiar with them) can convert 12v (or 24v etc) to 240v. Sort of a reverse transformer like you find on phone chargers only much bigger. The only problem is that it will drain your batteries in a very, very, short time. However your 'normal' air conditioner fitted to you cabin dashboard will run just like a normal aircon in a car. If you decide to get a generator (don't run it whilst driving), check out the various types. There are 'pure sine wave' generators which produce electricity very much like your domestic house supply. Then there are 'square wave' gennies which produce power that 'peaks' and ebbs'. This type is not good if running modern equipment like computers or thing with internal clocks. (They will cut off and on and can do serious damage. FOr some reason, electric shavers don't like them at all.). The pure sine wave is pretty expensive whereas the square wave is much cheaper. There is however a 'modified square wave' genny which is sort of in between. It will run many modern items but I would be a bit wary about your computer type equipment. You will also need a bigger genny than you might think as electrical items/appliances need a big power 'boost' to start them and then less power to keep them running. Sort of like a car taking off from the lights, more power to get going, less to keep it going. (I know this is a poor example guys but the best analogy I can think of for the sake of explanation). 240v Toasters and kettles take heaps to get going. Collyn RIVERS, the engineer turned author, has written some interesting stuff on gennies and could give a much more technical explanation. You'll find him on Google - Collyn RIVERS Articles and Books. For what it's worth. P.S. Is that Kangaroo alive?
-- Edited by Keith19837 on Wednesday 6th of June 2012 09:22:30 PM
Hello everyone, I,ve just joined this site and am learning my way around. How can I upload a profile pic, i,ve searched high and low and what is a signature? Apart from that, i,m a 51 year old female lone traveller, starting an adventure. Taken a year or 2 or 3 off permanent work as a nurse and am hopefully on the road next week, fingers and toes on that. Have an '83 Hino 5 speed diesel bus, just finishing pimping my ride, luving it! Ive just put in a new refridgerated air con in which im told needs a generator to run whether im on the road or not, seems not quite right to have a generator operatin while driving, is that right?
Welcome skippy, sounds like you are going to thoroughly enjoy your time on the road. The profile pic is called Avatar, click on that and follow the links.
Thanks Keith, I have a duel battery system with an inverter. The bus doesn't have cabin air dash, so would i be able to plug the unit in to a power point while i'm driving? Its a 2.5kw. Sorry i'm not really into the lingo of it all yet, on L plates.
Thanks Keith, I have a duel battery system with an inverter. The bus doesn't have cabin air dash, so would i be able to plug the unit in to a power point while i'm driving? Its a 2.5kw. Sorry i'm not really into the lingo of it all yet, on L plates.
Yes you can (provided the inverter is of sufficient size 2500 to 3000). However, the amount to power that your alternator will require to recharge the batteries will put a serious drain on your engine and thus fuel. Also your battery capacity may not be enough to cope with the charge/discharge. Also, the continuous charge/discharge will have a quicker 'degrading' effect on your batteries causing shorter life. There is also a serious heat build up around the invertor caused by this use and it needs to be well ventilated. I wouldn't use the inverter for extended periods without a good bank of batteries. You might consider a 'fitted' genny which runs these things much better but will still cause higher fuel comsumption. I personally find that opening a small top vent in the roof (if you have one) keeps my Motor Home (large Isuzu Winnebago) quite cool whilst driving. (And I hate the heat). If you don't have a small roof vent above your driver's area, it is a cheaper option than fitting an onboard geeny and cheaper than even a portable genny. I assume your Hino will be 6 to 7 metres long. Mine is 6.5 metres and some 3 metres tall (nominal). The cabin stays cool and the living quarters are quite pleasant. If you're stuck in traffic on a hot day then the vent won't help much. But the extra strain of genny/inverter on the engine on a hot day can can you some engine cooling problems. For what it's worth.
Skippy, you might prefer to do what I have done in my van. I have a 1981 Toyota HiAce with No aircon. I have got a portable fan mounted on the dash which plugs into my ciggie lighter, 12 volt. A lot easier and a lot safer than running your air con I would say. Only about 30.00 at Supercheap Auto, just get it screwed on to the dash in an area suitable to you.
Welcome to the GN fraternity and have a chat as they say.
Hope your aircon is reverse cycle, at the moment even in SE Qld it's a bit nippy.
So you haved a 'Hinobago' and off on the big adventure.
Enjoy and have fun.
I think everyone has given you the drum on aircon and gennies.If you need the gennie for your laptop as well as your aircon it is best to go with the inverter type.More expensive but better in the long run.
