Driving with AC on for a short period

[Wayne and Karen]

We were thinking of turning the AC on an hour before we get to a campsite and wonder is this safe? With the heat this summer when we get to our destination the Ollie is an oven. Friends told us they pull over and turn their AC on for an hour, using the batteries to power their AC so the travel trailer is nice and cool when they arrive. Thoughts please?

[Ronbrink]

Yes, that is my practice! I find a minimum of 30 minutes enough to feel the comfort upon arrival; whether at a campsite or just for a rest or lunch stop. This is assuming one’s rig is setup to run the a/c on inverter/house battery bank. Also, upon pulling out of a campsite the a/c is ran in like manner until the dump task is done, and a shower at the park’s bath house to freshen up and change clothes, oftentimes followed by lunch. Then the a/c will be turned off when finally leaving and the DC-DC will begin to recharge the battery bank when underway. 

Edited 21 hours ago by Ronbrink

[Steph and Dud B]

Perfectly do-able as long as you have the battery capacity to spare.

[Steph and Dud B]

Now, a new mod idea: a remote control in the truck for the trailer thermostat so you don't have to pull over to turn the A/C on. Electrical wizards commence...

[rideadeuce]

54 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Now, a new mod idea: a remote control in the truck for the trailer thermostat so you don't have to pull over to turn the A/C on. Electrical wizards commence...

Very easily done. The Cielo Home app and others work great with the Atmos AC unit. Just have to have a compatible unit. You can monitor, change temp or mode, and turn on/off from the tow vehicle cab. I regularly make the journey from Nashville to the beach with the AC set to 72 degrees. Our two Welsh terriers have the best seat/bed for the drive down. We do have a 900 aH battery bank and usually have 20-40% left over sometimes more since the DC/DC charger and high output alternator install. 

54 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Now, a new mod idea: a remote control in the truck for the trailer thermostat so you don't have to pull over to turn the A/C on. Electrical wizards commence...

Edited 19 hours ago by rideadeuce

[mossemi]

@Wayne and Karen,

If would complete your forum signature to include your Oliver model, year, hull number and any other modifications that make your Oliver unique, it would allow members that may be able to help, provide answers that are specific to your question about your Oliver.

@rideadeuce just provided an answer that might work for you.

My Ollie has the original Dometic AC that came with my 2017 LE2.  It is 120V AC powered and the wiring could be modified to run on 12V or battery power through the inverter, which rideadeuce and Ronbrink have done as well as replacing their original AC units with Atmos air conditioner's.

And just adding to the answers to your original question, I have replaced my original thermostat with a MICRO-AIR Easytouch.  I was eating lunch when I read your original post and picked up my phone and turned my air conditioner on over Bluetooth.  To be clear, my AC is plugged into my house electrical system so I can’t drive away like you would like to do, so depending on your Oliver, this may require a bit of work to accomplish.

Mossey

[jd1923]

7 hours ago, Wayne and Karen said:

Thoughts please?

We started doing this on our last trip when it got to mid 90s up north unexpectedly for too many days. Great results!

Please see my most recent post on our DC-DC Charger mod thread --

 

[Ronbrink]

4 hours ago, rideadeuce said:

The Cielo Home app and others work great with the Atmos AC unit.

All, as a quick reference enter Cielo in the forum Search for more info on installation and use of this thermostat and phone app. It should be comparable with any IR controlled a/c, but waiting for confirmation on use with other unit brands.

[Wayne and Karen]

Thanks everyone !!

[bugeyedriver]

7 hours ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Now, a new mod idea: a remote control in the truck for the trailer thermostat so you don't have to pull over to turn the A/C on. Electrical wizards commence...

When I met Jim Oliver, on Christmas day of 2017, he showed me Oliver Hull # 1 (or2?) and talked about the conveniences he built into the trailer.  Jim had a 30 amp power input on the front of his Oliver that he connected, via cable, to a monster remote started generator in the back of his 3/4 ton pickup.  As he and his wife were going down the road and thought they'd stop for lunch in about a half hour, or so, he'd simply remote start the generator.  The A/C thermostat was already set for the air conditioner to come on when power was applied.  So as they pulled over to make lunch, the cabin was already cool for them to enjoy a nice, relaxing lunch.

Of course, this was well before Lithium batteries became the rage, so a generator was needed for power.

Edited 12 hours ago by bugeyedriver