Solar Powered RV
Is there a way to run the Motorhome with solar panels (especially the A/C and microwave)? If so, how much do I need?
Forum Discussion
Smaller A/C that draws 45A at 120V, is still 50-55A from the battery, considering inverter losses. While it is possible to run that much current direct from solar, direct connection is not going to work to cool down a bedroom in the night - obviously. There is no sun in the night. With Peukert effect this means 500 AH or more, overnight, from the battery bank. Which means - you must have at least 1000 Ah bank.
Another problem is - how big a MH should it be, to accommodate a panel big enough to put 500 AH into a battery in daytime, plus another 500 AH to run the A/C in daytime, plus another 100 AH for all other items. Total 1,100 AH daily over 24 hours - so the panel must collect 1,100 AH over 5 or 6 hours of full sun. This is roughly 5,000W array. About 7ft wide and 50ft long, ouch....
The bottom line is, OP - forget about A/C. At the very best you would be able to run it (with solar) for a couple of hours.
Another problem is - how big a MH should it be, to accommodate a panel big enough to put 500 AH into a battery in daytime, plus another 500 AH to run the A/C in daytime, plus another 100 AH for all other items. Total 1,100 AH daily over 24 hours - so the panel must collect 1,100 AH over 5 or 6 hours of full sun. This is roughly 5,000W array. About 7ft wide and 50ft long, ouch....
The bottom line is, OP - forget about A/C. At the very best you would be able to run it (with solar) for a couple of hours.
