pimp my ride, mobile clothes dryer

[Cybrvanr]

I saw an episode of Pimp My Ride where they fixed up a kid's VW minivan. They put a clothes dryer in the back so when he's done surfing, he can dry his clothes that he swam in. I didn't get a good look at the dryer that they installed, but I imagine that thing takes a LOT of power! I couldn't imagine a vehicle's electrical system, especially one in a VW being able to power a dryer! Even the 105 ampere alternator in my Astro van only puts out a mere 1400 watts at maximum output. My only thought is that it's probably a condensing dryer, or that it runs off of propane.

Anybody see this episode?

 

[spiralactivator]

A surfer's clothes would be all full of salt and sand and other stuff, so a dryer in the van doesn't make much practical sense.

 

[david]

I have seen that episode of PMR and I think that it uses some sort of converter.

 

[kirk280980]

This showed in the UK a couple of months ago, and when they first mentioned putting a dryer in the van I assumed they meant some kind of 7 cubic foot behemoth. Turns out they used a spin dryer in the end, not a tumble dryer. Curiously enough it was a Zanussi imported from Europe, rated at 240v, which they ran off an inverter.

 

[yaktx]

A few auxiliary batteries and an inverter, and you could easily run a propane dryer. (With the engine running, of course.) Does it make sense? Since when does "reality TV" have to make sense? BTW there are 24V marine-grade alternators that put out significantly more power than the average automotive-grade version, if you have the cash and you consider that kind of thing a priority.

 

[westytoploader]

Interesting! Centrifuges are more fun and portable anyway, IMHO...