Using A/C Causes Dead Battery - 99 Windstar

[Xwell]

Good Morning,

I have an issue with my '99 Windstar. After I run the A/C for a short time, the van starts running really rough. The gauges seem to "reset", the needles sweep from left to right, then back again. The lights dim and basically the vehicle loses electrical power. If it stalls of I turn it off, nine times out of ten, it won't restart. I carry a jump pack all of the time now. The van does seem to also be experiencing the battery drain that I have read about. I can't leave anything plugged into the cigarette lighter (cell phone, xm radio, etc.) or the battery will be dead. The alternator was recently replaced, and the battery is a DieHard in year two of a 7 year warranty. Driving without using the A/C, or leaving anything plugged into the 12v ports and the van starts and runs fine every time. I don't know if the A/C problem and the electrical problem are related, just thought I'd throw that in there. Any advice or troubleshooting tips would be helpful. It's summertime in Texas.

Thanks,

Grant