this post was submitted on 31 May 2024
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[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago (3 children)

I'm not familiar with how much power the window AC units use, but wouldn't a DC to AC inverter work to power it? It would reduce the redneck factor by at least half though....

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago

The inverter pulling a charge off the crank in no way, shape, or form, could produce enough power for a window AC unit. The loss in conversion from DC->AC->DC alone is enough to melt an alternator.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Based on the responses to your question, the answer is either yes or no.

Still waiting on maybe.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Some assumptions have to be made, but it should be pretty likely to work fine.

Car alternators can output at least 50 amps generally (700watts). Small (5000btu) Window air conditioners uses about 450w, even if the conversion is horrible, it'd still be at least 80% efficient, so 560 watts would be available for the window air conditioner to run from.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

You're completely neglecting the load on the car's electrical system. I once had a Subaru that couldn't put enough voltage to the cigarette lighter to charge a phone. Also an AC power supply is going to draw the full 1300w from the outlet.