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Old 10-22-2016, 10:10 PM   #1
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Why can't they do this, or can they?

Always wondered that since our refrigerators work either gas or electric, why don't or can't the AC work on both?

If this isn't the right place for this question mods please move to more appropriate location.
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Old 10-22-2016, 11:56 PM   #2
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The rooftop A/C needs to move a LOT more BTU of heat energy from one side to the other than your refridgerator. So it needs a bit more efficient and powerful thermal transfer process.
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Old 10-23-2016, 01:24 AM   #3
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Or to put it another way: The amount of power needed to cool down the inside of a large box (TT) is a LOT MORE than the amount of power needed to cool down the inside of a small box (fridge).
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Old 10-23-2016, 05:10 AM   #4
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I actually remember reading a similar question somewhere awhile back. I think someone figured out that it would take 5-6 gallons of propane per hour to equate to a 13,500 btu air conditioner..... but this is just going from my memory, which gets a little worse each day.

If true, that would deplete your propane cylinders rather quickly, not even including the cost of the propane.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:39 AM   #5
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I know at one time house hold AC units were available to used gas, (they also used electricity for the fan, but gas was used to circulate the coolant). I knew someone that had a unit like that. I'm not sure it was all what it claimed to be, but the concept was the same as the RV refrigerator.

I don't think this has anything to do with answering the question, but it is just a statement that an AC has been built that uses heat rather than a compressor.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:52 AM   #6
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The absorption method is not as efficient when scaled up as a compressor, it would take a massive sized unit to produce the amount of cooling powered needed. Also it isn't as quick to temperature changes as compressor unit.

If you want an LP powered air conditioner, just convert a gasoline generator to LP.

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Old 10-23-2016, 08:43 AM   #7
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I actually remember reading a similar question somewhere awhile back. I think someone figured out that it would take 5-6 gallons of propane per hour to equate to a 13,500 btu air conditioner..... but this is just going from my memory, which gets a little worse each day.

If true, that would deplete your propane cylinders rather quickly, not even including the cost of the propane.
Correct:

LP gas has 91,330BTU/gal, so you'd use (91,330 BTU/gal)/(13,500 BTU/hr) = 6.75 gal/hr. And that's ignoring any energy losses.
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Old 10-23-2016, 10:17 AM   #8
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There won't be time nor do I have the knowledge to educated everyone on the concept of refrigeration. When the Hoover dam was built they cooled the concrete with absorption refrigeration in the '30s...they had enough capacity to produce 1000 TONS of ice a day!!! In the desert in the 30's. Absorption works. I was told any liquid that could be condensed could be used as a refrigerant. The old Arkla Servale(sp.) units used ammonia and a pump and gas to heat the solution and a water pump to circulate the chilled water and air handlers to circulate the air. I guess if the electric was free they would be inexpensive to run...since it isn't then they cost more to operate. I have worked on a few of these long ago and they require a lot of maintenance. On a refrigerant system(std. split system) you have a pump and 2 fans and controls. They have the pumps at less than 10 amps the fans at less than 2 ea. an older 110v 3spd fan motor would pull 10 amps.

Unless I am drunk...the OP wanted to run the refrigerator on gas and electric for quicker cooling?? Most of the problems with absorption is the weak way RVs get rid of the heat of combustion.

Yes LP could be used as a refrigerant, but it is flammable and slightly dangerous when you get a leak.


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Old 10-23-2016, 10:25 AM   #9
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Unless I am drunk...the OP wanted to run the refrigerator on gas and electric for quicker cooling?? Most of the problems with absorption is the weak way RVs get rid of the heat of combustion.

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Old 10-23-2016, 01:36 PM   #10
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Old 10-23-2016, 04:35 PM   #11
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The cheapest solution would be to purchase a propane fired generator, but that adds another mechanical device with it's own level of inefficiency and maintenance needs. Home Depot claims to get like 10 hours out of a barbecue size tank of propane. Sportsman 4,000-Watt Clean Burning LPG Portable Propane Generator with RV Outlet-GEN4000LP - The Home Depot In theory, a refrigeration unit like used on refer trailers could probably be adapted to work, and would be more efficient, but I don't think there are any commercially available intended for air conditioning use. Most of these are diesel powered engines, but there are probably some propane units on the market. They would be very expensive compared to regular AC units sold for RV's.
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Old 10-23-2016, 05:56 PM   #12
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There is however an alternative to A/C units. Checkout:

TurboKool which runs on 12 volts.
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Old 10-23-2016, 06:55 PM   #13
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There is however an alternative to A/C units. Checkout:

TurboKool which runs on 12 volts.
That is a swamp cooler, they don't work well in high humidity environments. They are great if you live in a desert.

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