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hvac:solar_ac [2023/08/28 05:35]
princess_fluffypants [120v AC** (Alternating Current) systems] 		hvac:solar_ac [2024/02/04 17:53]
princess_fluffypants [Running A/C off solar]
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 ====== Running A/C off solar ====== ====== Running A/C off solar ======
  
-**TL;DR - It is technically possible, but very expensive and complex. Be prepared to spend at //least// $10,000.** +**TL;DR - It is technically possible, but very expensive and complex. Be prepared to spend at //least// $5,000, and probably closer to $10,000.** 
  
-More expensive than the A/C system itself is everything you'll need to power it. A/C takes a //huge// amount of electricity; to operate successfully off grid you'll need at least 8-12KwHr of lithium batteries, 800-1200w of solar, and the required massive charge controllers to run it all. +More expensive than the A/C system itself is everything you'll need to power it. A/C takes a //huge// amount of electricity; to operate successfully off grid you'll want at least 8-12KwHr of lithium batteries, 800-1200w of solar, and the required massive charge controllers to run it all. If you want to run the A/C //overnight//, be prepared to double that battery bank size.
  
 If you are reading this you probably haven't done [[electrical:12v:dailypowerrequirements|the math]].  Prepare for some unpleasant news, because at this point you may not be familiar with:  If you are reading this you probably haven't done [[electrical:12v:dailypowerrequirements|the math]].  Prepare for some unpleasant news, because at this point you may not be familiar with: 
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 Especially because (rather paradoxically) running A/C off of solar requires that you park your van in the sun; which means the inside of the van will get //MUCH// hotter than it would if you simply parked in the shade. This puts you in a weird catch-22 where you can't run the A/C without parking in the sun, but parking in the sun means you have to run the A/C much harder than your solar can sometimes keep up with. Especially because (rather paradoxically) running A/C off of solar requires that you park your van in the sun; which means the inside of the van will get //MUCH// hotter than it would if you simply parked in the shade. This puts you in a weird catch-22 where you can't run the A/C without parking in the sun, but parking in the sun means you have to run the A/C much harder than your solar can sometimes keep up with.
 +
 +----
 +
  
 ===== Running A/C off of shore power ===== ===== Running A/C off of shore power =====
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 See [[https://www.thervgeeks.com/rv-air-conditioner/|this article]] for a good overview on what may be needed. See [[https://www.thervgeeks.com/rv-air-conditioner/|this article]] for a good overview on what may be needed.
 +
 +----
  
 ===== But I saw someone on TikTok doing it! ===== ===== But I saw someone on TikTok doing it! =====
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   - Rich people with extremely expensive vans that they paid professionals to build   - Rich people with extremely expensive vans that they paid professionals to build
-  - "Influencers" who spend a weekend or two in the van every month and only in the most ideal situaitons+  - "Influencers" who spend a weekend or two in the van every month and only post pictures or stories from the most ideal situations
   - Completely faked and just being shared around to generate views   - Completely faked and just being shared around to generate views
   - All of the above.    - All of the above. 
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 There is a reason that most people [[camping:snowbirding|snowbird]] (follow good weather) and use [[hvac:roof_vent|roof vents]] to control [[hvac:dehumidifier|humidity]] and temperature.  There is a reason that most people [[camping:snowbirding|snowbird]] (follow good weather) and use [[hvac:roof_vent|roof vents]] to control [[hvac:dehumidifier|humidity]] and temperature. 
  
 +----
 ===== I am rich, foolheardy, or both, and still want to run A/C off of solar ===== ===== I am rich, foolheardy, or both, and still want to run A/C off of solar =====
  
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   * [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/p1ejqw/hey_party_animals_anyone_know_of_a_place_that/h8d7zbm/|daficco's advice on installing a mini-split]].   * [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/p1ejqw/hey_party_animals_anyone_know_of_a_place_that/h8d7zbm/|daficco's advice on installing a mini-split]].
  
 +----
 ===== AC vs DC ===== ===== AC vs DC =====
 +
 +The biggest decision to make is how you're going to power the A/C system.
  
 ==== 120v AC (Alternating Current) systems ==== ==== 120v AC (Alternating Current) systems ====
  
 These units are vastly more common, and much cheaper. These are usually roof-mounted units, smaller ones can be had for as little as $500 and are very common in the rest of the R/V world. So if you have a a big enough inverter anyway it can be cheaper to go that route. It also gives you the option of easily powering the unit off of [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] or a generator during the times where you have access to such things. These units are vastly more common, and much cheaper. These are usually roof-mounted units, smaller ones can be had for as little as $500 and are very common in the rest of the R/V world. So if you have a a big enough inverter anyway it can be cheaper to go that route. It also gives you the option of easily powering the unit off of [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] or a generator during the times where you have access to such things.
 +
 +See [[https://www.thervgeeks.com/rv-air-conditioner/|this article]] for a good overview on what may be needed.
  
 ==== 12v/24v/48v DC ====  ==== 12v/24v/48v DC ==== 
hvac/solar_ac.txt ยท Last modified: 2024/02/05 14:25 by princess_fluffypants

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