I feel as though I can add my .25 cents because I feel I have much more than .02 cents to offer
So, to start off I should say that I'm doing exactly what is being discussed...Using my AC while living in a van on the "streets". Personally, I'm finding that I'm really not interested in staying stealthy. I get the concept, but honestly I feel as though it matters very, very little. I can say that because my van is becoming "not-so-stealthy" and I'm staying/living in an area that has a $91,000 median income here in Utah with no problems so far...although that could change but lets hope not! I have about 5 different places where I stay throughout the week and I'm always changing it up. I am certain that I am not fooling any of the cops that are on the night shift around here. But, in all my travels (extended road trips) I've never had a problem so that is why I feel stealth is an illusion. Personally I'd rather spend the time having a well put together rig that says that I'm not just some homeless bum barely surviving in my van on the streets than trying to look like some commercial van trying to fit in. Plus!...I hate my van not having windows because it's creepy looking! And the girls in my nursing class always tease me. LOL. When funds allow I will be adding windows...near top priority!
But, on to the AC. Currently I have the smallest window AC that Lowes sells. 500 or 600 watts. I simply removed the window from the door and welded up a mount to set the AC unit in. I'm sure some people realize what it is, most probably don't pay that much attention, but who really cares.
I run it on my Honda EU 2000. It has the power to run it on "eco mode" so if I top off the generator I get a solid 8 hrs of run time. In the middle of the summer in Az its not that great but partly because my van is not fully insulated. Plus, the windshield needs to be completely covered because otherwise you have a green house competing with the AC.
I have seen some installations of the AC put in the bottom of the door area which looks good but I don't want the AC blowing air under my bunk when I'm on top of the bunk. As you'll see in the pictures, my bunk is at the back of my van and I've made a curtain to separate the bunk area from the front of the van so it can hold the cold air in just a little better as I sleep.
A roof AC would be cool but in my application wouldn't be ideal as I plan to have solar, roof rack, Yakima box up there. I think Coleman does make a roof AC that can be run by the Honda 2000 but not sure if it'll do it on eco mode. If you can't run it on eco mode I feel its not ideal either because of gas consumption.
The theory of going north, or into the mountains for summer is not a very good answer because so many people don't have the means to do that. I mean, if you work in Illinois, you can't go to the mountains of Colorado. You'd have to be totally free to do that. I'm just saying it's not that easy.
The Honda Gen is about $1000. Not cheap but one of the best things you can spend your money on...so many other uses!
I've had my set up on my van for 5 yrs now. Second AC unit. No doubt there is some weight on that rear door but so far it seems to be handling quite well. With gas the Honda is about 60l bs?. Ac is probably 40 lbs? Plus my racks I built...10-15lbs. But, I really don't open that door that much in my daily living at this point. I'm just not worried about it at this point.
I'll post my pics sometime today. If any questions just pm me and I'll pass my number along if you have detailed questions.
Matt
