Portable Cooling Systems?

josh220

josh220

Banned
Anyone have any ideas on how to cool down a truck without having it on? I am thinking about the times I go to the beach and use my truck for lunch, or a break, etc. Is there any type of system that can act as an A/C where I wouldn't have to keep the truck turned on for 1-2 hours? I have seen a few 12-V AC systems, but they go for $400-$600 and more. Are there any cheaper alternatives?
 
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josh220 said:
Anyone have any ideas on how to cool down a truck without having it on? I am thinking about the times I go to the beach and use my truck for lunch, or a break, etc. Is there any type of system that can act as an A/C where I wouldn't have to keep the truck turned on for 1-2 hours? I have seen a few 12-V AC systems, but they go for $400-$600 and more. Are there any cheaper alternatives?
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The challenge is physics, energy conservation, wasted heat etc... The amount of energy required to cool the 4Runner is so high that to have 2 hours worth of battery is prohibitive never mind the cost of the unit.

If you wanted to go nuts (and this would cost $$$) I guess you could have a portable generator, rig up some crazy deal with a window unit in the rear window or something...

To turn the 4Runners A/C in to electric would also be feasble but in addition to making the compressor run via the generator the 4Runner would need to have an alternator that was 50-75 amps higher than it has...

Truth be told, IMHO, the best way to handle it would be a long range remote starter. Set the A/C on Auto and 68; hit for a 15min or 30min run cycle as you head towards the T4R.

The GPH to idle the 4Runner isn't that far off what a loaded generator will draw.

Hate to be discouraging but short of a small diesel generator (stinky and loud) there's no better way to accomplish the goal than a remote start.

Let us know if you come up with something.
:cheers:
 
Kind of figured that. How bad is it to just run the truck in idle so that the AC is on? How long before it becomes harmful to the truck/battery? I know it will be bad for fuel, but I'm not too worried about that.
 
Running the ac without anyone in the truck is inefficient. However, there are solar powered ventilation systems that mount to a closed window which draws in fresh air and keeps the interior from getting stifling hot. It also allows full closure of the window for added security. Here is an example. For 10 bucks its worth a shot.

http://hobbies-leisure.drleonards.c...Accessories/Solar-Powered-Auto-Cool/34607.cfm

34607_large.gif
 
I took a cross country trip and was in Pennsyvania tired as hell. Pulled over and kept the runner running with the ac on cause I couldn't sleep in the hot stickyness. Woke up 6 hours later, didn't seem like it burned any gas at all. Needle didn't even move a 1/4 tank.
 
josh220 said:
It's not bad for it to idle in park, just so the AC is on?
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It is actually bad to idle for extended periods of time in park. There are many pages about this from Toyota, GM, Ford, and Honda, not to mention it is horrible for the environment...

If you really need it, get the window fan. I tend to roll down the back window from the building a few minutes before I leave during the summer to make sure the hot air escapes.
 
004Gunner said:
Flyer I heard this was your work. . . Don't deny it! :D
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carac1.jpg~original

Oh yeh baby, that's what I'm talking about:biggrin2:


Josh,
Idling for extended periods really won't hurt anything. Back in the day engines would "load-up", run bad and possibly over heat. The engine management of the 4Runner is good enough that it won't cause any major problems other than MPG. I have done the 'sleep in the rest-area' routine like 97hb and not had problem. As far as emmissions are concerned the T4R's exhaust is significantly cleaner than a generator.
 
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CJ3Flyr said:



Josh,
Idling for extended periods really won't hurt anything. Back in the day engines would "load-up", run bad and possibly over heat. The engine management of the 4Runner is good enough that it won't cause any major problems other than MPG. I have done the 'sleep in the rest-area' routine like 97hb and not had problem. As far as emmissions are concerned the T4R's exhaust is significantly cleaner than a generator.
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Alright, thank you. That's all I needed to know. I am definitely willing to sacrifice MPG for cold air on some of those 90-100+ degree days. No fun sitting in a truck in that kind of heat.

boston_kevin said:
It is actually bad to idle for extended periods of time in park. There are many pages about this from Toyota, GM, Ford, and Honda, not to mention it is horrible for the environment...

If you really need it, get the window fan. I tend to roll down the back window from the building a few minutes before I leave during the summer to make sure the hot air escapes.
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It wouldn't be for 6+ hours while I fell asleep like some of these guys, I am talking about 30 mins to an hour (2 hours tops), or turn it on for 10 minutes, then give it a rest for 10-15, then turn it on again when it heats back up, and alternate like that for a few hours. I think it would be worse on the starter than anything else.
 
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I haven't look at the design of the oil pump within the 4Runner's pan, but most pump designs also rely on the splashing of the oil (during normal driving) to lubricate the main bearings sufficiently. Someone else can comment on that, but until I see the design to compensate for this issue with all common design engines I would be nervous about idling for more than 15-30 minutes.

Since you want to idle for 15 minutes to cool it off, I would guess a remote starter would be the best solution. Set the AC to max cold before you leave the car and then shut it off. If you have a remote start, shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to get that thing really cold, just enough time to dry off and walk back up to the car. The range on some of these starters can be 400+ yards.
 
99% of oil pumps in autos have a pickup well below the oil pans top. Haven't seen the runners yet, but willing to bet its below the oil pans top. Only thing I would worry about during long periods of idleing is changing the oil before 3k.

boston_kevin said:
I haven't look at the design of the oil pump within the 4Runner's pan, but most pump designs also rely on the splashing of the oil (during normal driving) to lubricate the main bearings sufficiently.
Click to expand...
 
rook said:
Running the ac without anyone in the truck is inefficient. However, there are solar powered ventilation systems that mount to a closed window which draws in fresh air and keeps the interior from getting stifling hot. It also allows full closure of the window for added security. Here is an example. For 10 bucks its worth a shot.

http://hobbies-leisure.drleonards.c...Accessories/Solar-Powered-Auto-Cool/34607.cfm

34607_large.gif
Click to expand...

The AutoCool is a scam, I never tried one personally but I have not heard too many kind words about the product (other than on late night tv). :D

http://www.infomercialscams.com/scams/auto_cool
 
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