Hi guys I am looking to get solar set up for my travel trailer. It's a 2018 model and has a fairly efficient air conditioning unit built in to the ceiling/roof. I've watched YouTube videos showing how to use solar panels and a power inverter to power a window air conditioner, but what about when the air conditioner is built into the roof of your trailer? My trailer has a "solar ready" 10amp Furrion plug but I doubt that'll be enough to power the AC unit? Is there an adapter I could use to plug the power inverter directly into the 30amp power port on the outside of the trailer that I use to plugin at campgrounds? Thanks for any tips on powering this built-in AC unit using solar panels.

A air conditioner that draws 12A AC would require an inverter that draws 130A DC from the batteries and would require a large solar array, battery and inverter. Basically it's just not practical for a RV.Instead use a 2000W gen or larger for your 30A RV to run the A/C.

I run mine for short periods from two 206ah 12v lipo batteries. I have a 3000va victron inverter. The AC pulls 80-100 amps constantly. If your AC is a typical 12btu your going to need a lot of solar panels to pump 100 amps back into the battery. Or have a lot of batteries. I can usually last two to three hrs before depleting my batteries. Obviously the hotter it is, the less time I can do that.

I've been thinking about a mini-split for my next camper and possibly solar and batteries to run the AC overnight, but solar is still pretty expensive.I was wondering if it is feasible to have a battery bank and invertor WITHOUT a solar setup. I was wondering if I stayed in a traditional campground night 1, charged the battery bank, then stay at a dispersed campground night 2 and use the batteries to power the mini-split overnight. Then either run a generator for a couple hours during the day to recharge the battery bank or stay at a traditional campground the following day.I'm still in the early research stages, as I've never done solar or battery/invertor before. Curious what people's thoughts are on this.

If I could fit a mini-split in my 1140 AF I would have already. Just no good place to put one that will have a clear air path. You could just run from batteries, but they are pretty expensive too. Still Solar won't work at night so either way you need enough battery to carry you overnight. I have a 30 amp 12v-12v victron charger hooked to my truck that helps keep the batteries up while driving. We keep the AC on while moving and on all but the really hot days it will keep up fine with my solar. Last trip it was over 100 and I only made it about 5 hrs before I had to stop and fire up the generator. Drove the next hour with that on and was good for another few hrs. When its in the 80's, the truck and solar can keep up with the little cycling the ac does in days drive.

I'm no solar expert. But it is possible to run A/C off batteries.The cost is still relatively high but it is doable.It will require 4-6 Lipo batteries for starters.You then need a means to recharge those batteries which means covering your entire roof with solar panels. While in general price are dropping I priced a ac capable system at $6000.00 grand or so for a DIY install. Keep in mind a genset can be had for less than a grand! Also know a built in Onan 5550 genset is a 7000.00 factory option for units that have the built in option availabe.As to just installing batteries with no solar panels it is certainly doable.Only the end user can decide if it is practical. But if one night gets you through it maybe something to consider? Recharging batteries via genset instead of solar defeats the purpose of having expensive batteries if your going to run genset anyway. However if the no solar panel set up meets your needs it is doable.

Powering AC unit built into travel trailer with solar?

84 Replies

valhalla360
Navigator
Aug 16, 2022
Gdetrailer wrote:
I believe that if I was testing with standard RV roof mounted A/C it would be doubtful that I could have ever been able to slightly hear my gen.

Basically all of my tests were done with worst case situation for generator placement, placing the gen 20ft away or behind a short wall or object can substantially reduce any objectionable noise from the gen..

Camping in any "organized" campground or camping lands with multiple campers close to you, running a gen is the least of the noise you will encounter.. I have as of yet never found a organized campground to be stone dead quiet.. Always vehicles, adults, kids, and more running about all day long.

If camping out in the wilderness with no one around, who cares if you make some noise on a as needed basis.. You can easily mitigate a lot of the gen noise by a simple 50ft extension cord and a small three sided noise shelter..

Generally have a tough time hearing the generator when the roof mount air/con is running...if at all.

Yes, you very much had a worst case scenario. Usually point the exhaust away from the trailer and downwind. Also 15-20ft away is more common for us. Mostly this is to keep CO away but also has the effect of less noise.

If you are in an organized campground, there are usually several other air/con units running. If the park has power issues, there are usually several generators that appear.

I have played with the simple expedient of propping a piece of 4x4 plywood in front of the generator. From the road, I had difficulty hearing it while outside.

This discussion reminds me of some of the EV proponents who gush about how quiet they are when in fact driving down the road, in a modern car, tire and wind noise are about all you can hear.
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Aug 16, 2022
^Speaking of laughs, who does this? ^
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Aug 16, 2022
Lantley wrote:

Complete silence is the new standard. The bar has been raised.
Those looking for a truly peaceful camping experience can now have A/C without the noise.

Ok, now that I have scraped myself off the floor from the jolly laugh you gave me, I decided to put your solar/battery/inverter silence vs a generator to the test..

While I would agree that running A/C from solar/battery would be "quieter" on the OUTSIDE of your RV, I do not agree that it makes a difference when you are INSIDE the RV..

After all, you only need A/C when you are INSIDE the RV, if you are sitting OUTSIDE there is no "need" to be running the A/C, right?

So, the following are my observed DB readings..

Conditions setup –

Outside, mid August at mid day noise level floor is 52DB

Inside RV Noise level floor is 50DB

Inside RV with A/C on and compressor running 60DB

Gen running outside level at 10ft 75DB
At 21Ft (standard measuring distance) 68 DB

Inside measurement with gen running, no A/C 55DB

Inside measurement with gen running and A/C running 60DB

Notes-

Gen is open frame 4Kw Buffalo Tools brand non inverter head and Honda clone engine.

All tests, the gen is placed 10ft away from RV, pointing the loudest side towards the RV.

My RV, I have removed the standard 13.5K BTU RV roof mounted A/C and replaced with off the shelf window A/Cs mounted in cabinets. 10K BTU LG unit in rear cabinet, air is ducted and redirected to the ceiling and 6.5K BTU unit in front bedroom. This setup is considerably quieter than a standard RV roof mounted A/C.

Additional observations..

If I strained, I could just barely hear the gen lightly over the A/C noise.

If I sat at the big picture window (single pane) I could hear the gen a slightly better but keep in mind that the gen was placed 10ft away from that window.

If I had an "inverter" gen with 58DB-60DB at 21 ft I do not believe that I could have hear that gen with A/C running at that window.

I believe that if I was testing with standard RV roof mounted A/C it would be doubtful that I could have ever been able to slightly hear my gen.

Basically all of my tests were done with worst case situation for generator placement, placing the gen 20ft away or behind a short wall or object can substantially reduce any objectionable noise from the gen..

Camping in any "organized" campground or camping lands with multiple campers close to you, running a gen is the least of the noise you will encounter.. I have as of yet never found a organized campground to be stone dead quiet.. Always vehicles, adults, kids, and more running about all day long.

If camping out in the wilderness with no one around, who cares if you make some noise on a as needed basis.. You can easily mitigate a lot of the gen noise by a simple 50ft extension cord and a small three sided noise shelter..

Most Inverter gens are downright quiet, you have to be within 20ft of them to notice they are running and with DB ratings of 58DB-60DB at 21ft they are not all that loud over the background noise I observed in my test..
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 16, 2022
I dislike generators. I head for an inexpensive or free location. I use the autoformer to give me adequate voltage.
Lantley
Nomad
Aug 16, 2022
When it is hot enough to need AC, I am inside enjoying it.

The above is how we all operate and think.
However while we are inside in the cool, often someone is outside listening to our racket.
Solar powered systems eliminate that peace disturbing noise associated with running a genset. Solar power A/C allows us to enjoy cool without disturbing others which is a win for everyone.
I'm not suggesting everyone abandon gensets and convert to solar.
I understand solar can be costly and complicated, Nevertheless solar is a viable option for running your A/C that now exist.
valhalla360
Navigator
Aug 16, 2022
Skibane wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
Had a Yamaha 2400w prior to the Champion and while rated significantly quieter, in reality is was much louder because it was up around 2/3-3/4 throttle to keep the air/con running. I've heard the little 2000-2200w hondas running an air/con and it's the same thing.

From Champion's website: 61 dB
From Honda's website: 57 dB

Common misunderstanding as generator companies don't use standardized testing.

Ideally, they should be providing a graph showing dB from 0w to max wattage. Then you can compare across generators at your expected wattage draw.

Of course, I tested running the air/con with the Yamaha 2400 and the Champion 4500 side by side (well one after the other) running the air/con. The Champion was noticeably quieter.

Maybe the new Hondas really are quieter but the ones I've seen running air/con are plenty noisy. Shut off the air/con and sure they are really quiet but that's not why you get a generator.
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 16, 2022
Lantley wrote:
The silence is not for me. The silence is for my camping neighbor. At this phase ssolar is not about economics. We know solar is not the cheapest way to power your A/C.
However Solar is certainly a viable option that allows you to escape genset rules and have instant push button power far away from the grid.....Without disturbing those around you!
Imagine worrying about the peace and quiet of those around you?
Imagine having minimal impact on someone trying to have a serene camping experience without the hum and drone of a genset
A/C noise is neglegible once you get a few feet away from the trailer, however genset noise carries throughout the campground.
Eliminating generator noise 100% is now possible and the goal for many.
For the money I spent on my factory installed built in Onan I could have a decent solar powered A/C system.
Technology happens fast. Some understand the game changing abilty of technology, and instantly adapt to it. Others are stuck in their ways and have to be dragged into the new era kicking and screaming!
If it is that hot, any neighbors will be inside listening to their own AC units...

Besides, I don't do campgrounds or neighbors.

I will say this though, I use generators much more on cold weather hunts, when AC power is needed to keep the coach comfortable and solar doesn't work so well. I have a 3 legged stool for my power supply.
1.Solar
2. 5500 watt built in Onan
3 Two Honda EU2000s. Since I am far away from civilization, I like a lot of flexibility and redundancy in my power supply.
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 16, 2022
Skibane wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
If you are worried about cost, skip the overpriced hondas. For less than the price of a 2000w honda we got a 4500w champion dual fuel electric start.

Yeh, I have that Champion model, too.

It's roughly twice the weight and size as the EU2200i.

It isn't "portable" - It's "crew-served".

It doesn't get taken on any camping trips, because it doesn't do anything for me that the EU2200i doesn't also do.
I dunno about that.
When it is hot enough to need AC, I am inside enjoying it. I cannot hear the generator, especially over the noise of the AC.For all intents and purposes, the generator is silent to my ears.
Skibane
Explorer II
Aug 16, 2022
valhalla360 wrote:
Had a Yamaha 2400w prior to the Champion and while rated significantly quieter, in reality is was much louder because it was up around 2/3-3/4 throttle to keep the air/con running. I've heard the little 2000-2200w hondas running an air/con and it's the same thing.

From Champion's website: 61 dB
From Honda's website: 57 dB
Lantley
Nomad
Aug 15, 2022
The silence is not for me. The silence is for my camping neighbor. At this phase ssolar is not about economics. We know solar is not the cheapest way to power your A/C.
However Solar is certainly a viable option that allows you to escape genset rules and have instant push button power far away from the grid.....Without disturbing those around you!
Imagine worrying about the peace and quiet of those around you?
Imagine having minimal impact on someone trying to have a serene camping experience without the hum and drone of a genset
A/C noise is neglegible once you get a few feet away from the trailer, however genset noise carries throughout the campground.
Eliminating generator noise 100% is now possible and the goal for many.
For the money I spent on my factory installed built in Onan I could have a decent solar powered A/C system.
Technology happens fast. Some understand the game changing abilty of technology, and instantly adapt to it. Others are stuck in their ways and have to be dragged into the new era kicking and screaming!

Forum Discussion

Powering AC unit built into travel trailer with solar?

84 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Travel Trailer

My Travel Trailer Fell Down

Travel trailer front lights stay on

Travel Trailer Tires

Newbie power question