Been a lot of threads on air conditioners recently, so thought I'd share my experiences.

The last air conditioner repairs on my '88 Ram 50 cost over $700, and lasted exactly 2 years. When the A/C died again last summer, I decided I'd put in a system that had some inherent reliability (no rubber hoses or exposed seals), and could be easily repaired at home:

<img src="http://www.lslproducts.com/1" alt=" - " />
Take one Generac 4KW electric-start generator from Home Depot...

<img src="http://www.lslproducts.com/2" alt=" - " />
...add one 12,000 BTU window unit from Home Depot...

<img src="http://www.lslproducts.com/3" alt=" - " />
...cut off frame from generator, cut air cooling holes in bottom of pickup bed...

<img src="http://www.lslproducts.com/4" alt=" - " />
...repackage generator control board and wiring...

<img src="http://www.lslproducts.com/5" alt=" - " />
...bolt generator to pickup bed, mount external muffler underneith bed...

<img src="http://www.lslproducts.com/6" alt=" - " />
...build generator enclosure (plywood exterior coated with roll-on bedliner, rubber mat interior for sound adsorption, 230VAC electric cooling fan), cut off bottom of plastic truck bed storage box; attach new, shorter bottom for installation above generator (shown in top of picture)...

<small>[ May 24, 2003, 03:17 AM: Message edited by: Skibane ]</small>

<img src="http://www.lslproducts.com/7" alt=" - " />
...mount generator enclosure...

(Not shown: build cab-mounted remote start control panel with AC outlet, running time meter; plumb electric fuel pump and pressure regulator to pickup's fuel tank)

...and violaûinstant air conditioning!

The generator only uses about 1/4 gallon of gas per hour, making it inexpensive to leave running while the truck is unoccupied for brief periods (e.g., while shopping at malls, getting groceries, etc.). The combined weight of the generator and window unit is about 120 pounds, but is offset by removal of the original A/C compressor and associated cast-iron mounting bracket, condensor, drier, hoses, etc. I haven't noticed any effect on fuel economy.

The window air conditioner has a 5 year warranty on the sealed refrigeration unit (try getting THAT on an automotive A/C repair job!), and costs less than $250 to replace outright. The generator has a 2-year warranty, and is built for thousands of hours of operation (full-pressure lubrication, spin-on automotive-style oil filter, OHV, cast-iron cylinder liner, etc.). Maintenance consists of replacing the oil and spark plug every 50-100 hours.

Aside from powering the air conditioning, the generator can also provide AC power for the house during blackouts, operating power tools, camping, etc. The pickup's 16 gallon gas tank allows for several days of continuous operation.

The entire package cost about as much as the factory air originally did, but in South Texas, ya gots to have your air! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Uhmmmm......wow.....hmmmmm...um.......

(I'm very rarely speechless. Ask anyone <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> )

<small>[ May 24, 2003, 03:26 AM: Message edited by: mrGUY ]</small>

I'm amazed and speechless. Impressive engineering and ingenuity.

Did you really need an AC unit with 12,000 btu's to condition the cab of that pickup? Just curious if you could have used something around 5k.

I bet that generator in the back is really handy on the camping trips and if you work construction.

Powell

So, for which do you get stranger looks? Putting on a parka to drive around in the summer time or when you use the window scraper on the inside of the wind sheild?

<small>[ May 24, 2003, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: jericksoniii ]</small>

Where's Eric when you need him <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

That setup is deffinatly <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" />

How much did the generator cost? 50-100 hours change oil. That probaly goes by fast since it is used whenever it is hot out.

COOL. (Someone had to say it.)

That little unit could condition the air in the cab, the pickup bed (with topper in place) and with flexible ductwork, a small camping trailer.

Good idea. Let's see some pics of the finished product if you have the time.

This is the coolest idea I've seen so far. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />