Is it a good idea to buy a 2022 Ford E-Transit-350 Cargo and convert it into a class B RV? Direct charging can be used, which means all-day air conditioning?

Well, there is a large refrigerant compressor section which has the highest power draw. This is a powerful motor that compresses refrigerant and pushes it through the system, making s hot side by the radiator and a cold side that you feel. These usually take hundreds of watts of power to run, a traditional wall AC has one that runs on 110v power and uses about 350watts, not counting the other components. In a car this is run by a belt connected to the engine that's spinning. It takes effort to spin this belt and turn that powerful little compressor, so you lose MPG by turning it in because the motor has to work harder to drive the compressor.

Aaannndd then you got the control electronics, the brain and the sensors that control the solenoids and switches that keep it balanced and regulated. These use very little power.

Aaannnndd then you got the blower fans. The next highest draw item, as they spin, they push air from the cold part to the hot part (your ass) haha. A typical fan draws 75 watts at full power and if you have more than one in your AC system, it can add up to a draw that's almost as high as the compressor section.

In an EV they probably use a 24v or 48v electric compressor section, which is probably reasonably efficient off the gigantic battery packs the car comes with, and 12v fans for the cab. So I can imagine an EV system not drawing more than 200-400w total while in use, I would be surprised to learn if it's more because an automotive AC system doesn't need to be that powerful to cool a space.

/r/VanLife Thread Parent