Do I have shore power AC or Not?

[MordikaiX]

Hello, I'm fairly new to my Van, making some additions and changes. I'm trying to figure out if I have a presetup for shore power AC in the VAN and which one it is.

I sent info to Sportsmobile Texas asking how much it would be to install AC (Danhard) and they returned an email saying that from the images, it looks like I already have AC. I have never successfully run rear AC on shore power (only with the Van being on), but the rear AC has its own compressor/blower.

I have documentation from its history showing that fixes were done at a ford dealership on the AC and it is listed as having aftermarket AC.

I also have documentation in the sportsmobile folder that came with the van showing AC parts.

So do I have AC that can be upgraded to be used on shore power? Do I actually have AC and need some special fuse? I really have no idea at this point after searching forums and google, I think I'm only more confused as to what I need to do for shore power AC to work.

Does anyone know what the button to the left of the AC knob is for?

Thanks again for any help!

[MordikaiX]

One additional Image, not sure if that is part of the AC system, but I know its not the heater vent.

[marret]

What year was the conversion by SMB? If it is 2010, I thought that would be only Danhard, not Starcool (see below).

Is there a switch just above the driver’s seat? Is that the switch you show?

I have a Danhard that requires shore power or the generator. The system is a hybrid using AC/120 power and 12v DC.

I think the older Starcool systems work with just the van running and the van AC on. Somebody should be along who is more familiar.

[MordikaiX]

Thanks Chris,

The conversion was finished sometime around mid 2012.

The switch I am showing is just above the driver's seat. Previous owner thought that the button is used for jumping the van's engine using the house battery if the engine battery is dead, but wasn't sure.

[marret]

Welcome.

Yes, the black button should combine the house and start/engine batteries for when the start/engine battery won’t start the van.

Seems like you might have a Starcool, but I am not sure. Starcools had that AC dial switch above the driver’s seat. I don’t know when they stopped installing them. If the rear AC works when the van is running and van AC on, I would say yes. My Danhard switch is a little further back.

My Danhard is completely separate and controlled by a thermostat. My build was SMB West/Fresno late 2010/early 2011.

If Greg/Scalf77 doesn’t come along, you might PM him.

[arctictraveller]

do You have the documentation for the AC? If not, a search on this site should take you to a link for it. There is a lot of good info there that might help.

[marret]

You might download the Starcool/Danhard manual in this thread:
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...nuals-116.html

[doublevan2]

Mordekai

One would "think" you have a Danhard - but not sure ? If yours is a StarCool - "unless upgraded" somehow (?) - you should run your StarCool at the same time as your chassis AC - otherwise problems with freezing up your chassis AC system will occur. Check out "StarCool" posts throughout the forum.

[MordikaiX]

Thanks all, I previously looked at the link to the manual provided by Marret/Chris but there wasn't anything in there to answer my questions. I'm guessing I have a StarCool II. I'll check around the forums some more and hopefully find something.

[Scalf77]

I guess the third options is a aftermarket rear air-condition unit. I do believe that was an option at one point. I would suspect that it also would have been sourced via Danhard Inc, as were the options.

Running the Danhard unit is really not much different on shore power versus when the van is running. The first thing I would look for is on the AC distribution panel, you would most likely have a 30-amp main breaker, and then some additional branch breakers, Starcool III's were 20 amp , I would expect Danhard to be 20 or at a minimum 15 amp. I would expect it to be labeled.

When driving you would have to have your inverter running to power the compressor, the unit would be controlled by the thermostat. (Starcool III does not use the thermostat while driving, it does when parked)

Your build date would not seem to support Starcool III, Starcool III also generally has a control switch on the left upper side trim (just on/off). The actual fan control switch would normally be in the rear.

The vented unit in the rear is most likely an inverter (magnum).

-greg