I know the answer is "it depends" but help a noob out.
No bus yet, but it will be a big one--for argument's sake, say 40' with factory white roof, factory insulation and tinted glass and no air-standard Bluebird or Thomas FE. The bus will be used as a family road-trip bus, with 12 people most of the time.
Need to stay cool, family vacations make me hot under the collar when it is going well.
I see people saying they get by with 12,000 BTU or less just fine in 100 weather, I see others that have 6 tons of AC and say it isn't enough
Anybody have a way to narrow down the choices?
I need a solution that will work while rolling or parked, can run off inverter for at least a few hours (like keep it cool while parked while sightseeing), and can run from a Honda EU2000 or standard extension cord (not RV shore plugs).
I have looked at RV roof units--NO!! I am not adding holes to the roof and I can't add that much height and still park where I want.
I have looked at window shakers mounted like lorna. Putting holes in the front of the bus worries me almost as much as the roof. I looked to inset it in the side like teardrop and popup campers sometimes do. My problem is the startup draw on them limits the size for the generator I already and free power connections at family and friends.
I have looked at mini-splits. DROOL! Problem is the bigger ones with multiple indoor units are 230v and probably COST MORE THAN THE BUS. The outdoor units are also too tall to build into the skirt easily.
I have looked at buying a bus with coach air. The ones with a little kubota or yanmar APU interest me (I could add an alternator to it to charge the house batteries). But those buses go for a LOT more and those systems appear to be really expensive to repair when they break.
Is there any other option I haven't looked at?