Reviewer Profile
Tested Performance
Visual Highlights
Cooling Performance:Outlet air below 40°F in turbo mode.(55:40)
Heating Performance:With the outdoor temperature at 35°F, the heating mode delivered nearly 90°F air from the vents, drawing about 38-40A at 12V.(49:48)
Noise Level:Quiet - The compressor cycling is audible but not annoying; the inverter-driven fan and compressor ramp up and down smoothly without abrupt sounds, even on a tractor cab with minimal insulation.(53:11)
Power Consumption:On turbo cooling mode, the unit drew approximately 30-35A at 12V.(47:28)
Recommendation:Works well on tractor cabs and other non-RV 12V applications.(43:06)
Detailed Analysis
Sealing the roof: gasket trimming and heavy-duty sealant
The kit includes a foam gasket strip. The owner trimmed it to fit the custom opening, then added an extra strip across the back for better support. For waterproofing:
- Used Permatex "The Right Stuff" 1-minute gasket maker (an automotive-grade sealant) around the edges.
- Ran a bead along the outside of the gasket to act as a dam – any standing water can't reach the opening.
- The rubber gasket has built-in plastic spacers to prevent over-compression.
Fitting the unit: custom spacers and stud trimming
The AC is designed for thicker RV roofs. The tractor cab roof is only sheet metal + foam – about 1 inch total. To make the interior trim ring sit flush:
- Cleaned the area and marked a 9" x 14" rectangle.
- Test-fit the unit on the roof. The supplied mounting studs were too long – they would stick down past the ceiling.
- Marked the required length and cut about 1 to 1.5 inches off each stud using a grinder.
- After cutting, the nuts still bottomed out on the threads before tightening. Added multiple washers as spacers to take up the gap.
- Applied low-strength thread locker (blue Loctite) to prevent loosening from vibration.
- Tightened the nylock nuts to 3-4 ft-lbs (36-48 inch-lbs) – just enough to compress the gasket without crushing the foam.
The owner also added expanded metal mesh over the large openings on the underside of the AC to keep birds from nesting inside – a clever mod for outdoor equipment.
Wiring: no roof holes – cable routed down the side
To avoid another roof penetration, the owner routed the power cable creatively:
- Cable exits the rear corner of the AC unit, runs across the roof edge.
- Secured with conduit clamps (1" MT) screwed into the cab side.
- Drilled a hole through the side of the cab below the window using a magnetic drill (mag drill) for clean, precise holes.
- Installed a rubber grommet to protect the wire from sharp metal edges.
- Cable then follows the window frame down the dashboard, through an existing floor opening, and connects to the batteries.
- The included 15-16 ft of 6-gauge cable was exactly the right length.
Electrical upgrades: 160A alternator and custom belt idler
The tractor’s original alternator couldn't handle the AC’s draw. The owner sourced a one-wire 160A alternator from a local shop. But installation hit a major snag:
- The new alternator pulled so hard that the belts squealed under load – insufficient belt wrap (only about 90° around the pulley).
- Solution: fabricated a custom idler assembly using a steel plate and four stacked bearings.
- This idler increased belt wrap to nearly 180° on both the alternator and fan pulley.
- Belts were "timed" – the green stripes on the belts were aligned.
- A new heavy-gauge charge cable was run directly from the alternator to the starter terminal.
- The original amp gauge was bypassed – most current now flows through the new cable.
The owner also replaced the inline fuse with a weatherproof circuit breaker mounted near the battery, better suited for an open tractor exposed to rain and dirt.
Performance test: 35°F ambient, but the AC works
Testing was done in Colorado with outside temperatures around 35°F – far from ideal for demonstrating cooling. The owner used an electric space heater inside the cab to simulate summer heat. Measured data:
Even at 35°F outside, the AC produced sub-40°F air in turbo cooling mode (with the space heater raising cab temperature). The compressor cycled on and off as needed, drawing as little as 3-9A in idle states. The inverter-driven compressor provides a soft start – no massive current spike that would trip breakers or drop voltage.
Heating function: 90°F air at 40A draw
The owner specifically chose the version with electric heat (4,500 BTU equivalent). On high heat, the unit pulled 40-54A and produced air warm enough to take the chill off a cold cab. He notes that the heat is not meant to replace a diesel cab heater, but for spring/fall mornings it’s a welcome addition – and it runs off the same 12V system.
Final verdict: tractors, boats, and anything with 12V
The owner is thrilled with the OutEquipPro. The 45 lb weight, low profile, and self-contained 12V design made it possible to add air conditioning to a vintage tractor cab – something that was never an option from the factory. The 160A alternator keeps up easily, and the custom belt idler solved the belt slip issue. He plans to do a follow-up video next summer when it's actually hot. For anyone with a non-RV application (tractors), this AC is a game-changer.
