If your system is big enough, you can run RV A\/C with solar power.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYes, it\u2019s technically possible to power an RV air conditioner with solar panel. But to generate enough power, a large amount<\/g> of solar panels and upgrades to the electrical system are required. Or, another device called a \u201cSoft Start.\u201d The vast majority of RV owners will not go to these lengths. But you are willing to design a big enough system for RV solar panels to power an RV air conditioner, keep reading.<\/p>\nFirst, The Basics of RV Solar Power Systems<\/h3>\n There is a lot of work behind designing a system to use solar panels as your RV power source. It gets more complicated when you want solar panels to power RV air conditioner units. To help you understand, I will discuss some of the technicalities behind how this works.<\/p>\n
Using solar panels as RV power source for an air conditioner is more complex than you may think. There are many steps that the power has to go through before it can run the A\/C. The steps from beginning to end look like this:<\/p>\n
\nSolar Panels.<\/strong> Solar panels work by allowing particles of light to free electrons from atoms, which gives the flow for electricity. <\/li>\nRV battery bank.<\/strong> That energy transfers over to the battery bank. Once in the battery bank, every bit of power is supplied. <\/li>\n12 volt DV side of RV\u2019s electrical panel.<\/strong> The batteries transfer directly to the DC power side of the RV (there is a DC and AC power side). <\/li>\nInverter.<\/strong> The battery also directly supplies the power to an inverter. The inverter receives 12 volt DV electricity from the battery. The inverter transfers this energy into AC electricity. <\/li>\nAC Side panel.<\/strong> After the inverter transfers the energy to the AC side of the RV, the AC side is supplied with electricity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nWhen the solar panels supply the energy to the batteries, all capabilities of any regular RV powering system are possible. From the batteries, all powering issues are possible. But issues occur when we turn to the problem of sizing. <\/p>\n
Is Your RV Solar Power System Big Enough to Run A\/C?<\/h2>\n<\/figure>\nSizing is the most important factor in how your RV solar power system will function with your RV. One size does not fit all. You need to calculate your RV solar power needs in kilowatts (kW). Once you know, follow these steps to determine the size of your RV solar power system:<\/p>\n
\nMultiply that number by 1,000 (there are 1,00 watts in 1 kW).<\/li>\n Decide the wattage of the solar panels you are considering.<\/li>\n Divide number 1 and 2.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nIf you want your RV solar panels to power A\/C, the three components that require extra sizing attention are the solar array, battery bank, and your inverter.<\/p>\n
1. You Need the Right Size Solar Array<\/h3>\n You can power your air conditioner with solar panels. But they must be capable of producing a lot of energy. For instance, some air conditioners need 2.5kw. So, your solar panel system would need to have at least 3kw to continuously power the air conditioning. <\/p>\n
If you intend to power your air conditioning for five hours per day, your air conditioning will require 750 Ah a day from the batteries. <\/p>\n
\nNote: This estimate does not include any other appliances requiring power. These numbers only take into account the energy needed for air conditioning. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nTo meet this need, the solar panels need to generate 107 amps 7 hours every day. This is if it is a clear, sunny day. More is needed with overcast weather.<\/p>\n
If you want to power a 13,500 BTU air conditioner, 1,500 watts of solar panels is the minimum amount required. <\/p>\n
2. Is Your RV Battery Bank Big Enough?<\/h3>\n With an air conditioner taking 150 amps, 150 Ah would be needed for extra things every hour the air conditioning is being used without the sun shining.<\/p>\n
The battery bank is required to be significantly larger in use during cloudy weather or at night. <\/p>\n
For instance, rather than having at least 300 Ah, it would need at least 700 Ah. This allows the battery to last during nighttime and cloudy hours. <\/p>\n
3. Is Your Inverter the Right Size?<\/h3>\n For solar panels to power an RV air conditioner, the inverter must be ginormous. For example, a 13,500 BTU air conditioner requires an inverter to have a starting wattage of about 2,800- 3,000 W. Ideally your inverter should be capable of 3,500- 4,000 W, to keep it from burning out. Other examples include:<\/p>\n
\nF<\/strong>or a 7,000 BTU RV air conditioner, 1,700 watts is required for start and 600 once running. <\/li>\nFor a 10,000 BTU RV air conditioner, 2,000 watts is required to start up and 700 once running. <\/li>\n For a 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner, 3,500 watts is required for startup and 1,500 once running. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat About Soft Start Systems?<\/h3>\n If you\u2019re not willing to invest in an RV solar power system that\u2019s larger than average, consdier an A\/C\/ soft starter. This will allow you<\/g> to have a smaller inverter to supply power to your RV\u2019s air conditioner. Here\u2019s how it works according to Doug Curtis from SoftStart RV:<\/p>\n\nThe SoftStartRV is an innovative device that gently smooths-out the startup power demand of the RV air conditioner\u2019s compressor. The SoftStartRV reduces startup power demand up to an amazing 70% and it solves those A\/C startup problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Top 7 Questions About A\/C Soft Starters Answered, CamperReport.com<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\nIs the Hassle Worth it?<\/h3>\n Only you can answer this question. The answer is unique to every RVer. It depends on the size of your RV. If your RV is not large enough to accommodate an RV solar power system so large, then running air conditioning with RV solar power is probably not an option for you. Again, that\u2019s unless you want to try an A\/C Soft Start system.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n Yes, it is possible for solar panels to power an RV air conditioner. But doing so involves more than the panels themselves. If you are willing to do the math, spend the money, and install a system big enough, you can boondock with air conditioning wherever you go! <\/p>\n
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With the right set-up it\u2019s possible for solar panels to power an RV air conditioner. This is great news since summers are hotter than ever. The Pros and Cons of RV Solar Energy If you are researching solar panels for you RV, you are probably fairly familiar with solar energy. Most people recognize the benefits<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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