So today I put together the three solar systems on the 8-D, hooked up the PowerJack inverter and then the 5000 BTU air conditioner. The Air conditioner is a Frigidaire unit that uses 446w/ 3.9a @120v. I fired it all up and was noticing that I the solar was no where near the 50a max it is capable of and the battery stayed in float. Unfortunately the power jack PSW inverter did not like the experience and it's voltage started jumping around, so I'll be looking for a more robust unit. I'm not sure if I can fix it or if it's worth it.

If you are running a high torque motor, such as a refrigerator or A/C compressor, then you need to have a pure sign wave inverter, not modified sine wave.You probably need to oversize the inverter to about 1,000 watts as well,Good luck,Fred.

Panels mounted flat I penciled 3.22 as the amount of energy and storage needed (panels and battery) at a latitude of 22 to sustain 24 hour AC. That was computed using a 10.7 EER 5K window unit, and 88% efficiency inverter.

Golden_HVAC wrote:If you are running a high torque motor, such as a refrigerator or A/C compressor, then you need to have a pure sign wave inverter, not modified sine wave.You probably need to oversize the inverter to about 1,000 watts as well,Good luck,Fred.The Power Jack is a 3000/6000w PSW inverter.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:Panels mounted flat I penciled 3.22 as the amount of energy and storage needed (panels and battery) at a latitude of 22 to sustain 24 hour AC. That was computed using a 10.7 EER 5K window unit, and 88% efficiency inverter.Luckily I will only need Ac a few hours a day, mid summer. Even then night time temps are 30s and 40F usually.

Good Show Mr Jim... I have run my 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner a couple of times off my INVERTER running off my battery bank... The 8K A/C runs great on my 2KW Honda Generator too haha... With the looming power grid threats ongoing now solar system may be a big PLAN B items for all of us...I think MENA runs his A/C all the time off his massive battery banks (Might have been Mr Don) One of those dudes that lives 24/7 in their RV setup...Roy Ken

Air conditioning on solar | Good Sam Community

78 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
Nov 08, 2014
Pure sine wave is nice
But
A Trip-Lite Powerverter PV 1250 will handle it easy
Made to run motors it has a big heavy transformer in it.
About $300 on Amazon, mine had been running my residential fridge for (4) years
Along with drills, grinders, skill saw, and electric chain saw
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2014
2oldman wrote:
Is it a 'relatively inexpensive' inverter?

Oh yeah it is. It's run the 1375w microwave, coffee maker and such just fine until now. That's the risk I take and sometimes it doesn't work out.

Now that I know the solar will provide, I will start looking for a decent inverter again. Sometimes I use the toys to figure out just what I want without spending a fortune first.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2014
Is it a 'relatively inexpensive' inverter?
RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2014
Good Show Mr Jim... I have run my 8000 BTU Window Air Conditioner a couple of times off my INVERTER running off my battery bank... The 8K A/C runs great on my 2KW Honda Generator too haha...

With the looming power grid threats ongoing now solar system may be a big PLAN B items for all of us...

I think MENA runs his A/C all the time off his massive battery banks (Might have been Mr Don) One of those dudes that lives 24/7 in their RV setup...

Roy Ken
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2014
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Panels mounted flat I penciled 3.22 as the amount of energy and storage needed (panels and battery) at a latitude of 22 to sustain 24 hour AC. That was computed using a 10.7 EER 5K window unit, and 88% efficiency inverter.

Luckily I will only need Ac a few hours a day, mid summer. Even then night time temps are 30s and 40F usually.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2014
Golden_HVAC wrote:
If you are running a high torque motor, such as a refrigerator or A/C compressor, then you need to have a pure sign wave inverter, not modified sine wave.

You probably need to oversize the inverter to about 1,000 watts as well,

Good luck,

Fred.

The Power Jack is a 3000/6000w PSW inverter.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Nov 08, 2014
Panels mounted flat I penciled 3.22 as the amount of energy and storage needed (panels and battery) at a latitude of 22 to sustain 24 hour AC. That was computed using a 10.7 EER 5K window unit, and 88% efficiency inverter.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Nov 08, 2014
If you are running a high torque motor, such as a refrigerator or A/C compressor, then you need to have a pure sign wave inverter, not modified sine wave.

You probably need to oversize the inverter to about 1,000 watts as well,

Good luck,

Fred.

Forum Discussion

Air conditioning on solar

78 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Air conditioning article

12v DC Air Conditioning Conversion Progress

Dash Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning Malfunction?

Anyone with 12v Air Conditioning Experience?