true 12 volt air conditioner

A truck cab that needs to be cooled for a 4-6 hour rest period, after sundown, sounds like a good application. Cooling a 30-40 foot RV in midwest or southern summer climates in full sunlight, might overwhelm it. Coupled to a kilowatt of solar power, small RV in a mild climate, it might work for boondocking. I might consider it as an alternative to the small 120V A/C units installed in little egg trailers or van conversions, in mild enough climate.

Watch out, if you don't agree w/ everybody here, they'll just delete your post !

pianotuna wrote:
If I were serious about running the air conditioner via a battery bank I'd save until I could afford LI batteries, and go to a 48 volt bank.

I ran my 13.5 air on my 8-12v 80ah AGMs, 4k Cotek inverter @ 48v yesterday, and it did quite well. I got almost 2 hours (of run time) from it before we hit 12.0v (48v) with a bit of solar help. Nothing melted, and the batteries didn't get hot.

If I'd get up there and clean my panels I could've done a bit better!

DieselBurps wrote:
I like the idea of a residential mini split but haven't heard of many people using those. A few on Expeditionportal have mini splits

Not much room to mount the outside unit.

It would help if manufacturers made provisons, similar to those for on-board generators in some rigs. In a nook accessible from outside. Seems like too much mental effort for them, with no incentive - aftermarket retailers will benefit from this, not RV factory.
Or, they will custom-add a residential mini-split on some rigs with a triple mark-up.

These are all same reasons why we don't see any rigs properly pre-wired for solar.

Here is a residential mini-split on trailer tongue: Video.

Outside van uses a 12 volt unit by Kingtec, I have not been able to find any reviews on it. I like the idea of a residential mini split but haven't heard of many people using those. A few on Expeditionportal have mini splits

Will the first true buyer please post his/her experiences.

Until then, the true value is....Gee Whiz!...:W

~

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
The first thing I saw on that site was "Keep Truck Cab Cool without running the engine". Might do for a small class B van. Be no use in anything larger.

Trailer is much better insulated than truck cabin or B van. I would think - OK for a 18-20ft trailer.

Hi,

It would be cheaper to go to a split unit and purchase the necessary inverter. There are similar 48 volt DC air conditioners available that cost less.

If you are part time, small solar of between 60 and 150 watts per 100 amp-hours may extend the battery life dramatically and when boondocking no one need worry about power. At about the 600 watt level generator use, except for air conditioning is unnecessary. Costs for DIY are under $2 per watt.

If you are full time then I'd aim at 1600 watts and at least a 24 volt battery bank. Costs are under $3 per watt. If you have deep pockets it is already cost effective in the long run to move to LI batteries.

MNGeeks61 wrote:
I can see if someone had a lot of solar power available and a good sized battery bank, this would probably be on their radar.

Help me convince my wife I need solar! ;)

pianotuna wrote:
Hi MNG,

LOL yes it is DEFINITELY good at the empty pocket book.

If I were serious about running the air conditioner via a battery bank I'd save until I could afford LI batteries, and go to a 48 volt bank.

It does appear to be well thought out.

I can see if someone had a lot of solar power available and a good sized battery bank, this would probably be on their radar.

Help me convince my wife I need solar! ;)

Hi MNG,

LOL yes it is DEFINITELY good at the empty pocket book.

If I were serious about running the air conditioner via a battery bank I'd save until I could afford LI batteries, and go to a 48 volt bank.

It does appear to be well thought out.

MNGeeks61 wrote:


Point taken.

Yet, it is efficient at emptying your pocketbook :) Out of curiousity, do you think this would last about the same, longer, or less time than a conventional unit?