a/c and electric cars
 

can air conditioners be installed in vehicles that have been converted to 100%electric? if so, can i assume that running one draws a large amount of amps?

Well,you can always install a 12 volt rooftop air conditioner - that's the easiest solution, however you'll take a huge hit in your arerodynamics unless you're installing it on an RV, bus, or van. If you've converted a Geo Metro to electric its not that practical. Otherwise it can be done, but I imagine that the motor you install to run the compressor will probably take a lot of power to run.

The Prius uses an electrical compressor. Don't know about its power requirements.
A company that does Ranger conversions, EVlion I believe, leave the factory a/c in place, and run it off the drive motor.

Compared to the power needed to move the car the electric motor driven A/C compressor is not using a lot of power. Remember you have high voltage in an electric car. eCycle sells their motor as a compressor drive for trucks that usually run off 24 volts but it can run on 12 volts at up to 400 amps depending upon the compressor load.

After looking around, this company seems to have a decent selection of units. Their 12 volt unit uses 30 amps @ 12 volts. Very doable...

https://www.sunpowertech.com/residential.htm

Nice find! :cool:

:eek: :eek: But at $2699.00 :eek: :eek: :eek: you could buy a decent used car with A/C.

... or tile the roof with peltier elements.