How do I get AC into my Ford Focus?

[Voodoochild863]

I was planning on converting my Focus into a camper. I thought I’d be able to idle the car all night for AC. But I guess that’s not great for the engine. So are there any other options? Can I get a generator and run some kind of AC? Can I put a  roof mounted camper AC unit on it? Thanks!

 

[highdesertranger]

wait 2 weeks AC will be the last thing on your mind. seriously why don't you just move to where you don't need AC, highdesertranger

 

[ckelly78z]

I would rather sleep under the stars with a breeze, than be chilled to the bone from too much A/C in a small car. I enjoy hot weather.

 

[Voodoochild863]

Does this mean it can’t be done? I’d love to go up to the mountains all summer long but my son lives here in Sarasota. I’m hoping we can go to the mountains together for a few weeks during the summer but it’s unbearably hot here for several months and I can’t be gone for that long out of the year.

 

[highdesertranger]

anything can be done. but is it practical is the big question. we need more info. how do you plan on powering this AC? do you want do drive around with the AC mounted? highdesertranger

 

[Elbear1]

youre in a bad situation if all you have is a compact car and you cant get to high elevations. Personally I wouldnt consider cardwelling an option.

I would do whatever i could to get a old, cheap class c and car dolly if you must be in florida. Cause getting an ac in that car will be tough.

If thats too much id trade car for a minivan or prius. Or get a popup camper with roof AC. Maybe look at dog house air conditioners.

 

[Voodoochild863]

What is the advantage to a Prius? Am I able to idle that?

I was thinking I could mount a generator on the hitch. Then get a camper roof AC unit. Or get a portable AC unit. Not sure what options, if any, I have.

 

[B and C]

From what I understand, a prius is a generator. Set the climate control to whatever you want and the car does whatever it needs to do to keep the set temp.

 

[Elbear1]

Kennel AC

https://www.securepets.com/climateright.html

Also need to understand running an AC off a generator is extremely expensive. Youre getting about 3-4hrs a gallon. Cheaper to get a campground with hookups.

 

[Voodoochild863]

Not being argumentative just wanting to understand. If I run a generator for 7 hours at night that would only be about $10 a night. Most monthly rates I’ve seen are like 400 a month for a site. Are you saying it would be cheaper if I ran it all day and all night? Is there a better way to power it, like solar or something? My buddy and I went to a three day concert and we spent the nights and parts of the day in the car running the AC. It didn’t really use much gas. I figured a generator would be similar but I have no experience with them. How do campers run AC, don’t they use generators?

 

[Elbear1]

Thats $300 a month. 7hrs would be about 2 gallons though so not quite that much. 24hrs a day youre looking at least $15 a day.

If you get an $80 pass you can get campgrounds for 50% off....usually about $10-15

 

[SheketEchad]

Have you considered possibly that whomever lives next door to your son might not want to listen to a generator all night? Me, in my house, I couldn't hear it. But others might possibly be able to hear it since it has to sit outside of your car lest you suffocate.

Most campers I've ever been in that had a/c running were connected to shore power. I have no experience running an a/c in any alternate living space other than using shore power.

 

[Neal]

I have a Prius V and can set the temperature in my car and it will stay that temperature all night. I've slept in blizzards and temperatures in the 90's. The engine will start to charge the main battery but will turn off after about 30 seconds. It starts more frequently when you use the heater. I've been at 8,000 feet since the end of March and Im very comfortable. I should say I sleep in my car and don't live in it.

 

[Gypsy Freedom]

some small ac units can be run from a 1000 watt honda inverter generator. since with such a small space the ac will likely cycle off quite a bit you wont be burning that much fuel.

the hard part is figuring a way to mount it safe and effective in such a small rig.

doubt there is enough roof to mount sufficient solar to run an ac during the day and probably not enough space or weight capacity to carry enough batteries to run the ac through the night.

while, where there is a will (and deep pockets) there is a way. i think you are in a tough spot. it is going to take a very complicated and creative solution to get air conditioning all night in a focus.

if you have to have a small efficient car, i think trading in for an older prius might be your best bang for the buck. they, being hybrids are designed to automatically start the engine to recharge the traction battery when it gets low. and the air conditioning/ climate controll will run when the engine is off. it is built with this in mind and the charging system is built to do the job. the computer monitors it all. i have seen some blogs where guys in like vegas only use a couple dollars a night in fuel to keep the car 72 degrees.

if your in the tough spot of needing to be in hot/humid areas for personal reasons with out the funds to rent something airconditioned. or have a friend you can park and plug in at night. i dont think you will be able to afford the cost, up front and on going of trying to add an airconditioner to run at night. if you are willing and able to live in a small car. i would serriously consider shopping for a prius and ditching the focus. i think that is the only realistic shot at being comfortable. if not, drive (move) somewhere cooler and talk on the phone or have them come visit you.

only you can weigh the scarifices you will have to make to stay there

 

[allen232]

i have both trucks Ram and Toyota trucks, i can realize that there is a difference in the cooling of both truck, the ram truck which i use for 24/7 towing service nyc, and Toyota truck which i use for personal use there is a minor difference in cooling ram truck cooling is better compared to Toyota

 

[GypsyJan]

I read a blog where a couple had a minivan and he built a stand which sat outside the window and a window-type a/c unit could sit on top of it and blow cold air into the van. I think it had removable legs, which made packing it into the car easier. It wouldn't be too loud if plugged into shore power at a campground. But running a generator all night would not be allowed in parks, etc.