an air conditioner running on solar without batteries

Besides it's a mini-split and not really suited for RV application.

Interesting specs.. minimum DC voltage is 100, so the panels will be in series, as they say. Maybe it's there in the specs, but I don't know how they deal with startup surge.

What I mean by free lunch is that they're trying to sell the idea that, with a few panels, you can have 'free' air conditioning. Maybe, if conditions are just right, for a short time. Now, if you had a bank of batteries with high enough voltage, yeah, that could work, but they don't want to talk about that.

It's like these ads for a 'solar battery.' No, don't think that's right.

I like that it can run on less than full 960 watts. Or supplement from utility power. For those with monthly electric bill this will reduce power when the sun is out for both heating and cooling. No net metering agreement needed. For those running a generator it will reduce fuel consumption significantly. I assume start surge is minimal so maybe a Honda 1000 would work with the solar. Endless good possibilities in many situations.

We all know it would take 2000+ watts of solar to really run the A/C and this unit lets you operate right at the fringe.

20ldman,

1795 usd is hardly a free lunch--and then 3 ~400 watt panels are required. Then there is the installation cost.

If I were still full time, I'd be looking at it carefully.

The spec sheet says a maximum of 1046 watts is required. I wonder how they get around the start up surge?

read the spec's. It's power draw is 960W. that means you will likely need around a 1200W solar panel to net the 960 needed after one accounts for the solar panel fudge factors for temperature and radiation let alone any solar tracking needs. Getting full rated power from solar panels even with a MPPT controller is very hard under most circumstances, especially when it is hot enough that you need AC. output goes down with panel temp, output goes down from rated when you don't have the "ideal" solar radiation that panels are rated for. And then if they are roof mounted unless your at the equator your going to loose power due to angle, figure 20-30% depending on latitude and season.

and then watch it trip out the first time a wispy cloud comes along if you don't have battery backup.

so, even 1000W of solar is going to take up lots of room.

yes it's nice but probably not very usefull for an RV. Now a home, maybe

read the spec's. It's power draw is 960W. that means you will likely need around a 1200W solar panel to net the 960 needed after one accounts for the solar panel fudge factors for temperature and radiation let alone any solar tracking needs. Getting full rated power from solar panels even with a MPPT controller is very hard under most circumstances, especially when it is hot enough that you need AC. output goes down with panel temp, output goes down from rated when you don't have the "ideal" solar radiation that panels are rated for. And then if they are roof mounted unless your at the equator your going to loose power due to angle, figure 20-30% depending on latitude and season.

so, even 1000W of solar is going to take up lots of room.

yes it's nice but probably not very usefull for an RV. Now a home, maybe

pianotuna wrote:
Hi 2oldman,it is rated at 12,000 btus

I'm sure it is, provided you can get enough energy into it. That's always a problem with solar. Sorry, but to me this looks like a 'free lunch' ad.

I really like this. Still need a lot of solar to charge your lithium batteries at the same time to allow running the air long into the night.

Hi 2oldman,

It is rated at 12,000 btus.

2oldman wrote:
And how much actual cooling do you suppose this unit does compared to a regular ac unit? Very little.

I can connect a fan to a solar panel and sit a block of ice in front. Solar air conditioning under ten watts!

No mention of the BTU rating or tonnes of cooling capacity.

4x 375 watt panels, those are huge, could a class A even have the roof space?

Last, Intertek certified is a red flag for me, that lab is a laughing stock. rubber stamp as long as your check clears.