Vehicle air conditioning and heating method providing engine on and engine off operation

An air conditioning system for use to provide air conditioning to the sleeping area of a vehicle while its engine is either operating or not operating, comprising:

• a variable-speed compressor;
• a variable-speed motor operably coupled to the variable-speed compressor;
• a controller operably coupled to the motor, the controller receiving electric power from the vehicle's electric power generation and storage system;
• and wherein the controller controls a speed of the compressor via the motor using electric power from the vehicle's electric power generation and storage system when the engine is not operating based on user determined cooling needs for the vehicle.

A vehicle air conditioning system operable to provide engine on and engine off, no-idle operation to provide air conditioning to the sleeping area of the vehicle, the vehicle including an electric power generation and storage system including an alternator and at least one battery, comprising:

• a variable-speed compressor;
• a DC motor operably coupled to the variable-speed compressor;
• a controller operably coupled to the motor, the controller receiving electric power from the at least one battery when the engine is off to enable operation of the compressor during an engine off condition;
• and
• wherein the controller monitors at least one of the air conditioning system pressures and temperatures to determine a power capacity draw of the vehicle air conditioning system;
• and
• wherein the controller modulates the speed of the compressor when the engine is not operating by varying the energization of the motor based on the power capacity draw from the at least one battery.