Hey all,
So, as I've been on my road trip, I've had a few hot night sleeping in the 4Runner. This got me thinking about a way to run the AC overnight.
I don't know if this would work, which is why I'm posting, but here's what I'm thinking:
Buy an electric AC compressor from a Prius or some other car that uses electric compressors. Mount it somewhere underneath. Keep all other existing 4Runner AC components and reroute the AC pressure lines to the electric AC compressor. Install 1 or 2 deep cycle batteries to run the compressor off of at night, and install an electric fan in front of the condenser.
I don't know the power draw of an electric compressor, so my main question is how long could an electric compressor run on a couple batteries? I know some Prius cars have solar panels on the roof to keep the AC going while the car is parked, so the power draw must not be too bad.
As an added benefit, the existing belt driven compressor could be modified to work as an air compressor.
Anyways, you all think this is possible? Dumb idea?