How would I hook up a window air conditioner inside my car?

Question

I need a/c temporarily until I can afford to have it fixed, what do I have to get in order to hook up my window a/c inside my car, I'm planning on putting the unit in the trunk and leaving the back seats pushed down so the cold air can get through the car. I want to run the a/c unit off the car's battery, the cigarette lighter does not work.

Answer 1

Two issues to address. First, window units run on 110 volts circuitry, so you'll have to get a power supply. Easily had through JC Whitney catalog or local RV store. If it comes with a lighter plug, just cut it off and wire directly to the battery.

Second, all AC units create more hot air than cool air. If you run an AC unit inside the passenger compartment of your car with out venting the evaporator side (usually the rear of the AC) to the outside, you'll only heat up the interior of the car far worse than it originally was.

You could mount a small AC in the window of your car, using plywood to fill the excess space, or vent the evaporator out of the trunk using flexible ductwork, some custom bent duct, and A LOT of duct tape.

If you live near me, Utica, NY, you could just let me service it and write me an IOU. I'm at yahoo.com..

Answer 2

Car Window Air Conditioner

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How would I hook up a window air conditioner inside my car?

I need a/c temporarily until I can afford to have it fixed, what do I have to get in order to hook up my window a/c inside my car, I'm planning on putting the unit in the trunk and leaving the back seats pushed down so the cold air can get through the car. I want to run the a/c unit off the...

Answer 4

Actually it is possible. First you will need an AC converter with an output of 120VAC@15amps to run the air conditioner. You will also need to make sure your alternator is rated for a minimum of 3000 Watts. That's 1800 for the air conditioner and 1200 watts to run your engine, lights, safety systems and charge the battery. (Leave the radio off). You would also have to remove your trunk lid or add louvers to allow the heat from the air conditioner exhaust to exit the vehicle or else it would either be hotter in the car than it is or the unit would smoke on you. Not really worth the effort, but it "COULD" be done.

Answer 5

Well, hmm... that is very tricky, and I am not sure if your car could handle the load... this is kind of a dangerous task too so, follow this advice at your own risk...



First, check the unit to see what wattage it requires, if it is something like 400 watts, than get a power inverter that handles that amount of wattage.



Second, power inverters use the ciggarette lighter, so your gonna have to tweak it to make it work... it has a black wire (negative) and a red wire (positive), cut off the cigarette lighter adapter off, than splice the wire ends..



Third, check the fuse compartment under the dash with a test light to find a 12 volt source, than put the positive side of the inverter into it.



Fourth, screw the negative side of the inverter into the metal frame of the vehicle, than, plug in the a/c unit, switch on the inverter and you should be good to go.

Answer 6

Well, unless you have an AC outlet in your car, you CAN'T run a home type window AC unit in your car, because your car operates off 12 volts DC, and home A/C units 120 volts AC. They do make adapters to run smaller electrical motors off the alternator by converting the DC to AC, but I doubt it'll handle even a small window unit. It may, but you'd need an electrical expert to figure the load out, and you'd need to buy a $300-500 DC/AC converter for your car. Got that kind of money? No? Forget it. You are wasting your time.

Answer 7

You are an idiot. A home air conditioner draws more power than a car battery can provide. Try opening your windows.

Answer 8

your car electrical system is 12 volts direct current and the window a/c needs 120 volts alternating current.you could hook up an invertor,but one big enough would be expensive,and i don't know if your charging system would keep up with the demands the inverter would place on it.also you would have to drive with the trunk lid open to help remove the heat the a/c unit produces.

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

Couldn't you just buy a recharge kit at a parts store. That should last you for a little time until you can get the leak fixed.

Answer 11

Open your your windows and quit asking goofy questions.

Answer 12

Look in the phone book for the number and address for the mental health clinic, they'll be glad to help you!!!