Danhard use while driving

[Davidboco]

I've got a 2016 4x4 sportsmobile poptop with the danhard ac with the second alternator.

My question is how to use it while driving? do I need to turn on the inverter while driving? Will the second alternator turn on automatically?

Parked in the driveway hooked to shore power - do I need to run the engine and the second alternator and the inverter too.

Im the original owner but have never really used the ac!
Thanks!

[marret]

If your Danhard is like mine, a combination of AC 120 and DC 12v, one needs shore power or a generator. If on shore power with a charger charging the batteries, no you do not have to run the engine. Need at least 20 amp circuit breaker though in my experience. If trying to run it by battery alone, yes you need to turn on the inverter. No idea how your second alternator is wired, but I would think it is always on or there is a manual switch or an automatic switch.

I have run my generator and Danhard while driving a short distance.

How big is your battery capacity? It would be possible to do it by battery and inverter, if one had a large enough battery capacity and double alternators. The AC draw is too much for mine without shore power or generator. I have not heard of anyone running a Danhard by batteries alone.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will respond.

[Davidboco]

Thanks for the response

I don't have a generator

SO how do I use the ac while driving? Do I need to turn on the inverter while driving to get the ac to work?

[marret]

Yes you would need to run your inverter while driving/running the engine. You could do a test to see if it will work and monitor the state of your batteries. Welcome.

[vlagat]

Originally Posted by marret

If your Danhard is like mine, a combination of AC 120 and DC 12v, one needs shore power or a generator. If on shore power with a charger charging the batteries, no you do not have to run the engine. Need at least 20 amp circuit breaker though in my experience. If trying to run it by battery alone, yes you need to turn on the inverter. No idea how your second alternator is wired, but I would think it is always on or there is a manual switch or an automatic switch.

I have run my generator and Danhard while driving a short distance.

How big is your battery capacity? It would be possible to do it by battery and inverter, if one had a large enough battery capacity and double alternators. The AC draw is too much for mine without shore power or generator. I have not heard of anyone running a Danhard by batteries alone.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will respond.

I have a 250 amp alternator, a 200 AH battery and a Triplite 2000 watt inverter. I can run the Danhard while driving from the inverter. It must be on. I can also run the Danhard from a single Honda 2000 generator but I had to buy a Danhard Soft Start to do that. I think they are NLA now.

The Danhard will run from a 20 amp shore power socket as long as the the cord is under 25 feet. I usually engage the inverter to boost the start amperage but it cycles very quickly. I try not to do this because the repeated heavy demands on the battery during the process will shorten its life.