roof mounted cab AC

[deshet]

Does anyone have a roof mounted AC in the cab? I have reviewed posts about the red dot units and it seems that they don't cool extremely well. I am wondering if the unit below is run off a generator. I would not mind doing this if it works well and keeps the cab cool. I don't think a inverter could keep up with the draw.




What does a complete factory like setup cost in parts with compressor, brackets, and everything else required to make it work?

Has anyone tried the aftermarket AC kits usually for antique cars on ebay for around $500?

Thanks

 

[simp5782]

There is one in the classifieds right now

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Awesomeness]

What does a complete factory like setup cost in parts with compressor, brackets, and everything else required to make it work?

If this part of your question is about the factory LMTV A/C, so you can compare to a roof mounted one, the answer is "a lot". At the high end, there is a company selling kits that are $4500, complete. At the low end, it probably factors a lot on luck, time spent finding parts and auctions, etc., and my guess is that you're still likely to spend a couple grand (and a great many hours).

 

[pmramsey]

I looked into the roof mounted AC units several years ago. There were a few 24-volt models. I only looked at the units with all system devices mounted in the rooftop unit. I determined that a rubber mat under the unit and and additional cab insulation were necessary. The price range was in the $2,900 to $3,500 range without the additional sound and heat insulation. The units were designed for RV vehicles.

 

[deshet]

The truck I found the roof mounted AC on is Govplant item number 813352. It looks they are using a Domectic AC with an inverter.

 

[Shark Bait]

I put an inverter in for a client of mine that installed a Coleman unit on theirs. It will run you out of the cab even without insulating the cab any. I'll see if I can find some pictures.

 

[deshet]

Did the inverter eat through the battery bank?
I have some very high end inverters tripplites from Ambulances that will handle the load. I don't think I will use the beast enough to put $4000+ into a proper AC setup.

Looking forward to those pictures. Are you close enough to your clients to see if it is still holding up well?

Thanks

 

[coachgeo]

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The truck I found the roof mounted AC on is Govplant item number 813352. It looks they are using a Domectic AC with an inverter.

hmm...... does the M1979 like this truck have a 200amp alternator or the 100amp?

 

[Shark Bait]

Did the inverter eat through the battery bank?
I have some very high end inverters tripplites from Ambulances that will handle the load. I don't think I will use the beast enough to put $4000+ into a proper AC setup.

Looking forward to those pictures. Are you close enough to your clients to see if it is still holding up well?

Thanks

its been in for three years. It's still working fine and the RV roof top units are only about $550. The inverter is a 12 volt, 3000 watt Xantrex. They cut the turret cover to install it, I tried to get them to make a new plate instead so the turret cover could be saved.

 

[Plasa]

I'm thinking about to mount a Bergstrom Dirna Integral Power 24V AC roof system. Seems made for offroad trucks, but I have no feedback from other customers... Do someone know if works?

Regards from Italy!

Christian

 

[deshet]

Are they running it off of alternator as a standard load or do they have a battery bank?
I am surprised that a 3000 watt inverter can handle it.
If you can find the model number of the Coleman unit I will buy the same exact one.

Thanks,

 

[simp5782]

Member profo has 2 big AC units mounted on top of his 5 ton camper and i believe 1 on top of the roof of his LMTV camper. It runs off the MEP802 engine with 5000 watt generator hooked to it and thru a large inverter. They can be found fairly cheap thru surplus. They can keep the interior his camper section at around 65 degrees constant.

 

[deshet]

I know that they will run well off a generator but if they will run off power that is already being produced through the alternator/inverter that will be better. The truck already costs alot to run so if I can utilize some of those costs to cool it down without adding more costs or noise that would be great.

If I had to run a generator long-term it would be a Gas Honda for reduced noise levels. I will probably run a Honda for the Van portion but I don't want to run a generator going down the road if possible. I have a Military Diesel Generator but it is loud and not extremely efficient.

If I go the generator route all the time, I will likely go with a Dual Split Ductless AC Unit 1 leg in the Van and 1 leg in the truck.

Thanks,

 

[Duckworthe]

I have the military ac mounted in my truck. I believe it is the first gen unit, (two side louvered vents and a single round center vent). I used the stock condenser and mounted behind the bumper just as these trucks would have had them mounted. I have about $2500.00 into mine total to include labor for the guy to come out and wire it, (didn't have all the correct wiring), purchase the drier from him, have all the hoses made, and then charge and test operation of it. He was a mobile guy who is used to working on Red Dot units on heavy equipment out in the field. I was first worried about what everyone was saying that the units wouldn't cool the cab well and was just poor overall. Well after reading 37 deg air out of the vents and having to turn the air down in desert at 110 degrees, I'm thinking that mine is working just fine. I did wire my condenser fans to run constant when I turn on the AC. I did this because most of my driving is slower speeds offroad with low airflow over the condenser. So instead of wearing out the fan switch I'll just make them run full time. It did take about 3 months to get all of the pieces together. I'm not saying that this is the best, right way, or only way to go about it. But I am saying that if your making the choice because you believe the system won't cool enough or correctly from what you have been reading. Mine is proof that they do work excellent. The system only takes just over 2 lbs of Freon. But that depends on how long your lines are, size of your condenser...bla, bla, bla.... I just know if your Freon levels are too low or too full it wont cool well at all. I bought my mounting brackets from a member on here and started to make some copies of the mounts to help others out but quickly found out it just wasn't worth the effort when the brackets were really only about $80-90 bucks each. Heck, here is Ca the basic ac work on a car will be anywhere from $1200-$2300 just to repair the existing unit. So that would make it about $800 anywhere else in the world! Hope this helps someone out on their decision. I don't think the parts supply has dried up at this point.
Eric 619-952-4337

 

[deshet]

Thanks part of my decision was based on comments about the red dot unit not working well and costs.

It is hard to figure out what a realistic cost is for the system. I see fair priced components but the complete systems seem to be fairly high. I also have to assume that everything surplus is as is.

Respectfully

 

[Duckworthe]

I can say that some of the parts that it takes to put this together are not cheap. The pulley alone was like $300. I have the equipment to make my own but without having the sample it was worth it just to buy it. Unless I was going to turn out like 50 of them it wasn't worth my labor. I'm personally not in it to sell and make money off of the parts. I just enjoy building my truck. I have too much "work" already in other areas of life. But I hope you figure out the best option for your truck.
Eric 619-952-4337

 

[scottmandu]

I don't think the parts supply has dried up at this point.

Most if not all of the surplus parts have been consumed, however all the parts can either be fabricated or purchased from the OEM, at significant cost I might add.

 

[deshet]

I doubt all surplus parts are gone. It may be a long wait to get what is needed or you may have to buy a pallet to get what you want. The DoD is always moving inventory to surplus. I am not planning to put $3000 into AC which seems like the minimum spent by most.

A Coleman roof mounted unit is probably the way that I will go.

Thanks

 

[deshet]

Are they running it off of alternator as a standard load or do they have a battery bank?
I am surprised that a 3000 watt inverter can handle it.
If you can find the model number of the Coleman unit I will buy the same exact one.

TTT

Thanks

 

[spankybear]

here's one way to get AC in the cab... Not to sure if this is the way I would go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNOXpw0BwyQ