Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

topekaslim on Mon August 01, 2011 10:39 PM

does any know of a after market a/c unit that is solarpowered i want to put it on a conversion van an have it run while i run into a store or anytime that the van is off . I figured that the van has plenty of roof space for power cells. and an rv would have any more room.

JJM on Tue August 02, 2011 12:05 AM

Other than perhaps running a fan, it's doubtful there are any PV solar arrays of sufficient power to run, let alone start, an A/C system. Maybe with perhaps 20 parking spaces filled with PV solar cells will an A/C system be able to start and run, but not with the space available on the roof of a vehicle.

Another reason reason why solar and other green energy "technologies" are pure folly, have never worked, and never will work... otherwise they would be in widespread usage today and wouldn't need taxpayer subsidies.

Joe

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com

NickD on Tue August 02, 2011 6:08 AM

The reverse of solar power is shade, find my vehicle is drastically cooler if I park it in the shade. Even my two year old granddaughter knows that, took her to the beach last Sunday and had to park on an asphalt parking lot in the sun. She said, grandpa, your car is too hot! Was able to move it in the shade when loading our kayak with the doors wide open, she said, that is better.

To get the maximum energy from solar panels, would have to be on a line perpendicular to the sun. If mounted on the roof of your van to maintain that perpendicularity, that is when your van would really get hot. A losing battle for sure.

Sunday before, used my motorhome as a moving van, driving there, wife said its too cool inside, so had to cut it back. Going home, she asked if the AC was on, said yes. Still blowing cold. Difference was in driving there the sun was behind us, coming home, it was pouring in my huge 4 by 8 foot windshield. How do you deal with that?

Comparing AC home cooling bills with my son, mine was less than a third of his and my home is much larger. Difference? My home is buried in the deep woods, his is out in the middle of a wide open field.

Most animals are smarter than us, sleep in the shade during the day and go out shopping for food at night. Tried to copy that with long drives, but that is when stopped by cops, what are you doing up this late? Just trying to drive when its much cooler. This is one of the reasons I feel I live in a society loaded with idiots.

JJM on Tue August 02, 2011 10:50 PM

While I agree with everything you mentioned, I really agree with your last paragraph... funny, sad, but true.

Joe

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: www.ACKits.com

NickD on Wed August 03, 2011 6:15 AM

Unfortunately, when talking about solar power, not just talking about solar panels, but also talking about electrical storage. Present technology, that translates to battery chargers, a huge bank of batteries, and an inverter so you can get a voltage that is usable.

Solar power flashlights work best on a clear bright day, but kind of useless. A solar powered calculator does make some sense, only draws a few microamps and you also need a lot of light so you can use it.

Where the heck was I the other day when I saw some solar panels on sale? About nine square feet of panels for 400 bucks, sign said can output as much as 45 watts! Mind started to work on payback. What payback?