2nd Battery to Charge off Alternator, Question List.

[LoupGarou]

If you have an AC power input and a generator, I'd look into an inverter that can pass AC power though itself if it senses its presence. You want the inverter to have the built in ability to recharge your added battery bank. Now your batteries are getting charged via the generator or shore power.

Next add solar.

Recharging a house battery off the alternator is problematic if the batteries require different charging profiles. If they are, I'd go with a battery to battery charger from Sterling.

 

[John61CT]

Let's simplify, given you say No to needing to run the A/C off batteries.

Quality inverters are expensive and inefficient, IMO to be avoided completely if possible.

And AFAICT now, nothing to do with what the OP is doing, can always be added later if there is som "must have" functionality that requires one.

First step, select and purchase the A/C unit. Save a lot up-front by buying a cheaper regular shore-power window-hanging unit.

Pay more up-front for something like this

​https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?pid=293491#pid293491

and buy a much cheaper and quieter gennie, save a lot fuel in the long run, and have the option of occasionally running off batteries for a while.

Which allows for greater security against a tragedy, if the generator cuts out, the cooling will continue for a while, depending on bank size.

Next purchase decision is the genny.

 

[Weight]

One would need a LOT of battery to run an air conditioner.
I put my 40 amp charger on my 2000 watt Westinghouse generator. The generator kicks into high, but doesn't struggle with the 40 - 41 amps.
My old 5000 BTU window shaker, runs on my generator on the low setting and doesn't kick up even during start.
Sternwake is a professional and can deal with the adjustable power supplies, and the modified alternators for charging. I prefer a good marine battery charger such as Sterling or ProMariner. They allow me to stay stupid, simple.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The idea is as such: I will be parking in the Ford parking lot (as close to shade as possible) while I work. My cat and dog will be in the van, so I will be running a quiet Yamaha generator to power the AC during these hours. I have read that the generator will only power the AC for 5 hours, but considering that I work in the evening, the AC will not be needed during the last couple of hours of the work shift anyhow.

My best guess is that if you go off for eight hours everyday with a $1,000+ generator running in a parking lot next to a parked van, it's going to be stolen in short order.

If it's attached to the van via a chain and padlock, somebody will come back the next day with the tools needed to cut it.  A diamond blade in a battery powered drill will cut through any chain or lock, no matter how "hardened" it is.

And will you have any way of knowing, during your shift, if either the generator or air conditioner malfunctions and shuts down?  Or if some malicious person just turns the generator off?

I also have to wonder if Ford management will allow this plan to proceed, once they become aware of the fact that you are leaving a generator running, as they inevitably will?

 

[Eldritch Penumbra]

All right, I see the sense behind using the alternator in conjunction with solar. Also the A/C linked above looks interesting, thanks! .

Since my last post plans have changed, I found a CHEAP studio apartment and am doing to keep my stuff in storage. Now the van will not be used to live out of, except for when I head to the mountains next month with my Sister. This way I can take my time with this part of the project as I see it's not something I should just rush into.