Sizing a battery bank. Ah VS wh?
Hi again! So, I'm trying to size out the battery bank I will need for my husband and I to live off grid in a camper. We don't have tons of time or money, so that's a bit of a factor. We plan on usi...
Forum Discussion
Re-reading what I just wrote and some of what others said in our other thread, none of this IS AN EXACT SCIENCE ! Too many variables !!
For example, you want bacon and eggs with toast and coffee for breakfast. Easiest thing to use is an electric frying pan. Is you inverter up to the task of running the frying pan, toaster and coffee pot at the same time ? Throw in a hair dryer and few inverters could handle that.
Start by sizing your inverter. You will likely have to install a MicroAir EasyStart on you A/C to have a CHANCE at getting it to start. Wild Guess, you will need a 2000/3000W inverter. That should run most A/C units (with an EasyStart installed). How long depends on how big your battery bank is, but we will get to that.
When inverter shopping, pay the extra for an inverter/charger/auto transfer switch. Some even have a separate generator input. Get rid of your current converter. This will make installation and use easier. Also, you want a 24V inverter.
Prices on LiFePO4 batteries are dropping fast. Battle Born is still the Cadillac of batteries, but there are others out there that are a fraction of the price. (Watch DIY Solar on YouTube for reviews.) Another wild guess, you will need about 200Ah @ 24V.
For example, you want bacon and eggs with toast and coffee for breakfast. Easiest thing to use is an electric frying pan. Is you inverter up to the task of running the frying pan, toaster and coffee pot at the same time ? Throw in a hair dryer and few inverters could handle that.
Start by sizing your inverter. You will likely have to install a MicroAir EasyStart on you A/C to have a CHANCE at getting it to start. Wild Guess, you will need a 2000/3000W inverter. That should run most A/C units (with an EasyStart installed). How long depends on how big your battery bank is, but we will get to that.
When inverter shopping, pay the extra for an inverter/charger/auto transfer switch. Some even have a separate generator input. Get rid of your current converter. This will make installation and use easier. Also, you want a 24V inverter.
Prices on LiFePO4 batteries are dropping fast. Battle Born is still the Cadillac of batteries, but there are others out there that are a fraction of the price. (Watch DIY Solar on YouTube for reviews.) Another wild guess, you will need about 200Ah @ 24V.
