Forum Discussion

qtla9111's avatar
Sep 13, 2016

Rv Rooftop A/C (built in inverter)?

I haven't lived in the states for many many years. Here in Mexico we use mostly high-wall or minisplit units in different areas of the home. I've often thought about eliminating the noisy, vibrating anchor also known as the rooftop rv A/C.

Now in Mexico, and maybe in the U.S., they are selling minisplit inverter units (built in inverter). They say they can save up to 60% in energy.

Do these exist in the U.S? Also, why haven't the manufacturers of rooftop rvs entered the market?

I found an Australian Dometic with an price of 2000 AU, and I don't know what that converts to.

Just looking for alternatives and thinking about installing a minisplit in my rv and dropping the roof anchor and turning it into a dome. (I've brought this up before).

BTW, minisplits in Mexico start at $225 U.S. for a one ton with heat pump. I found in the U.S. they start at around $650 to over $1000. I wonder why they are so expensive. Danfoss (compressors) has a factory here in Monterrey.

If you are wondering, I just watched the Wynn's YouTube on running A/C on solar.
  • I can't think of any inherent reason why a min-split unit wouldn't work very nicely for an RV if installed reasonably. Locating the outside unit might be a bit of a hassle; they tend to be rather tall to stick on the roof, and rather bulky (once you get room for airflow) to easily mount on the back or something. But, I'm sure it could be done with a bit of ingenuity, and would be a good bit more efficient than a typical RV rooftop air conditioner (maybe even twice as efficient, if I understand the numbers properly).

    You are aware, I assume, that the "inverter" in an inverter mini-split is not exactly the same thing as a 12V to 120V inverter, and won't run directly off of 12V power (at least in the common cases). It's a variable frequency/variable voltage motor drive circuit for an induction motor, most likely a three phase motor. You'd still need an inverter to power your inverter air conditioner, just like you do to power an inverter microwave oven.

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