an air conditioner running on solar without batteries
Hi all, Interesting idea! http://www.hotspotenergy.com/solar-air-conditioner/ It can be used for heating, too!
Forum Discussion
This unit isn't intended for RVs but for stationary homes. It's very similar to any other mini-split heat pump these days. They are all remarkable efficient.
I recently completed a solar/battery/generator system on an off grid house. He had 2 mini-split systems. I asked the HVAC technician to run them both simultaneously at maximum load so I could see how much power they would draw. I was truly surprised how low it was. I think both units together at maximum cooling were using around 1,000 watts. Both units on maximum heating I think were using around 2,000 watts. There was no starting surge as the compressors start at a slow speed and ramp up to whatever speed they deem necessary for the heating or cooling load.
Putting a unit like this on an RV would be a huge step up in efficiency from the traditional roof mounted AC unit. It would also be much quieter. However, I don't see it happening for the majority of RVs due to the size of the equipment and the cost.
As for the solar panels, they're a nice gimmick I guess. They would, when it's really sunny, reduce your power consumption. However, even the add posted states that the system is not designed for off grid use. The problem with the solar panels being hooked to the HVAC equipment is that they don't do you any good when it's not operating. So, during the typically mild spring and fall when sunshine is often plentiful the panels might spend lots of time doing nothing. If they were hooked to a traditional grid-tied system on a house they would always be producing and lowering your electric bill whenever light was available.
I recently completed a solar/battery/generator system on an off grid house. He had 2 mini-split systems. I asked the HVAC technician to run them both simultaneously at maximum load so I could see how much power they would draw. I was truly surprised how low it was. I think both units together at maximum cooling were using around 1,000 watts. Both units on maximum heating I think were using around 2,000 watts. There was no starting surge as the compressors start at a slow speed and ramp up to whatever speed they deem necessary for the heating or cooling load.
Putting a unit like this on an RV would be a huge step up in efficiency from the traditional roof mounted AC unit. It would also be much quieter. However, I don't see it happening for the majority of RVs due to the size of the equipment and the cost.
As for the solar panels, they're a nice gimmick I guess. They would, when it's really sunny, reduce your power consumption. However, even the add posted states that the system is not designed for off grid use. The problem with the solar panels being hooked to the HVAC equipment is that they don't do you any good when it's not operating. So, during the typically mild spring and fall when sunshine is often plentiful the panels might spend lots of time doing nothing. If they were hooked to a traditional grid-tied system on a house they would always be producing and lowering your electric bill whenever light was available.
