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Useful to be able to run 1 roof AC off the inverter? Magna Series

Yahoo Message Number: 78543
I was curious if any of you know first hand about the value of being able to run one roof AC off the inverter (no generator).
We go into some very hot climates, and while the dash air would be typically enought (and on the Magna, I believe there's an engine driven A/C that cools the rear beadroom as well), I was curious if those would be enough to handle desert heat in the summer without running your generator.
I would assume you'd typically only want to do this while driving...but maybe also at night if it's hot and it's past time to allow generators to run (without being connected to shore power, obviously).

Thanks for sharing any knowledge!
Mark

Re: Useful to be able to run 1 roof AC off the inverter? Magna Serie

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78544
Some of the guys I run with have Marathons and they can run their AC on inverters, but they have 3 or 4 3500 inverters and running the AC on inverter only lasts about 2.5 hours one of them said when the engine or generator isn't running.
I have been through some of the hottest country, (I live in Bakersfield), and I get by with my dash AC but some of my other friends run their generators while going down the highway and run their AC. they both have Fleetwoods, one American Allegiance and one Revolution.
I can't really run my roof AC going down the road because most of the vents are closed off when my slides are in. It doesn't seem to do anything until the slides are out.

Mark and Helen Surber
07 Intrigue 12162
C13 Cat Allison
06 Rubicon LJ

Re: Useful to be able to run 1 roof AC off the inverter? Magna Serie

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78552
Our 1998 CC Prevost conversion, which we had CC build for us, came with 2-3000 watt inverters, 3 roof airs (r/a), CC engine driven-over-the-road (otr) AC in the kitchen and bedroom and Prevost engine driven-dash-air. We've had lots of problems with the CC otr air including at least 2 compressor replacements and plenty of repair cost. When driving out west we have had occasion to need more ac in the heat of the day and we can run the generator and operate all 3 r/a, which we have done. But a few years after we built it we decided to change out the inverters to 4000 watt and now we can chose any 2 of the r/a to run on inverters. This makes a great option to any situation. Run 1-2 r/a while driving and the coach batteries (6 8Ds) get charged or parked dry camping in hot weather, run the genset during the day, cool the unit down with 1-3 r/a and then when its time for quiet hours, we set the middle r/a with the fan on medium speed and let the compressor cycle on-off as needed during the night. Never have we had the geset autostart due to low voltage on the battery bank. Running the r/a on mid speed fan doesn't give you much a sound change when the compressors starts while sleeping. We don't have slides to interfere with the air pattern.
What I did learn years ago a 3000 watt inverter WILL run a r/a but you are maxing it out.

bill n barb, poconos of pa, 1998 cc prevost 40'xl #30365

Re: Useful to be able to run 1 roof AC off the inverter? Magna Serie

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78555
I envision that little engine alternator being stressed trying to recharge the big house battery bank while the inverter is feeding the AC system as you drive down the road.....

Dean

95 Magna 5280

Re: Useful to be able to run 1 roof AC off the inverter? Magna Serie

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78566
Without knowing your alternator size compounds your concern. My Prevost has a 12v alternator just to charge the 4-12v Prevost batteries and a 300 amp 24v alternator to operate and charge the rv batteries.

bill n barb, poconos of pa, 1998 cc prevost 40' xl #30365