Dometic RTX 2000 12v using Solar.....?

[VA-Apraisr]

Was looking into this as an option for my boondock camping in my 28' Class C 4x4. I was thinking about using the bedroom vent as a location to mount this 12v unit as a secondary a/c source. I don't want to give up my normal 110v system that I normally run using the generator.

My thoughts were use it only at nighttime to keep the bedroom cool, if needed. I've already got 200amp hour lithium batteries and would need to install an additional 270amp hour batteries to give me at least 10-14 hours of battery life (assuming 30amps used per hour). This would eliminate the generator noise as well as noise-restrictions in many campgrounds for running a generator from 10pm-6am. Is anyone currently using this system or planning on it?

[VA-Apraisr]

Great suggestion, pnichols....I've got a fan in the front but not reversible, but, I'll definitely resolve that. Thanks for the real-world insight, I'm sure this will help. With one fan pushing from bedroom and other pulling into living area it should get good circulation going. Once moving, I'll turn off the bedroom fan.

[pnichols]

John, just as a suggestion if you don't already have it: You might want to also install a reversible, multi-speed fan in the front roof section of your rig.

With your new A/C running in the rear area (where it is?), turn on this fan and set it to blow out. This method should then help to draw/move the A/C cooled air throughout the interior.

We do the above a lot with our roof fan in the front roof area above the cab so as to draw air all throughout the coach's interior.

We don't have to do this when running the stock A/C on the roof because it has ceiling vents throughout the coach's interior that are adjustable. However we do have to tolerate it's noise and maybe also the generator's noise when doing this, depending upon whether hookup camping or drycamping.

[VA-Apraisr]

2nd UPDATE (7/13/23).......well, final wiring completed and tried unit twice now in the driveway in full sun. One day, temps were around 88 degrees and running the unit in auto mode for about 4 hours straight and it kept the inside very comfortable. I was surprised that it covered the full 28' space. If I would close off the bedroom area it would definitely freeze you out.....!

Tried it again today and temps have reached 97 degrees....ran it for 5 hours and while bedroom was still cool, it wasn't able to push the cool air into the front of the RV. I've added a 3-speed fan in the bedroom beneath the cabinetry so it will push the air forward towards the kitchen/living area. This should definitely help, but on a 97 degree day I wasn't expecting miracles. But honestly, if I had closed off the bedroom space, it was absolutely chilly.

My volt meter on wall was at 13.0 and after running for 5 hours it was 12.5 volts. IMHO, that's pretty dang good. I haven't used it overnight yet and will set unit to ECONOMY mode which greatly reduces the amps used.

This thing is absolutely QUIET inside and out.....it sounds like a very small fan blowing and almost undetectable on the outside. I ran it while driving back from mechanic and it kept RV cool while using cab a/c and there was no additional noise (unlike running the generator while driving).

Am I impressed, YES.....will I use it often, YES.....if you have a Class C and want a backup unit for those rest stop sleepover, you'll definitely sleep better with no generator noise or worries about CO detectors going off. Looking forward to some cool nights camping on the beach!

[pnichols]

Thanks John, for the clarification.

It looks like your choice of the 2000 model was to provide plenty of capacity "just in case" ... a good approach. I can imagine what you're talking about relative to the weather presently - and probably more so in the future.

We toured in the Southern U.S. in August (not smart - but no choice on the timing). We had to start up and run the Onan genny for A/C in the middle of the night once in order to sleep.

Our worst situation was insane humidity in only about 85 degree outside temps. I had to at the same time run both the rooftop A/C to remove the humidity and a heater in the coach to keep the inside temperature up with the AC running!

[VA-Apraisr]

I chose the larger 2000 model since I had hoped it would also help cool my entire RV, which it seems it will greatly assist if not accomplish on it's own. I didn't look at watt usage since it's directly hookup to the batteries (not through inverter) and primarily looked at amp hours. On ECO model, it states it will use about 180amp hours in 10 hours use (overnight sleeping) and I've got 300amp hours of BattleBorn batteries.....Getting final wiring done after the holiday and will "test" it in the driveway and overnight.

A lot of the Outer Banks, NC campgrounds do NOT have hookups, and don't allow generators run after 10pm (good luck sleeping in the heat).....so my goal was to have cool air overnight if I am down there and it's hot. Plus, just get tired of hearing the generator rattling along, but, I kept that system in place just in case I have battery issues or Murphy's Law..........

[pnichols]

I'm curious - was it due purely to the bedroom area size you needed to cool that caused you to choose the RTX2000 instead of the RTX1000?

The RTX2000 draws 2000 watts and the RTX1000 draws only 1200 watts (4092 BTU capacity), so it seems as if the RTX1000 is close to the capacity of the common 5000 BTU house window A/C - which is probably used in a lot of bedrooms.

[bobndot]

:C
Sounds great , good luck with the install.

[VA-Apraisr]

July 2, 2023 UPDATE:

Well, installed unit in bedroom vent area which I had to enlarge about 4" wide by 19" length. Not a complicated process if I can do it, but, careful cutting the ceiling for hidden wires. Attached a 12v battery to it just to try it out today and make sure it's functioning.

It started right up and I could not believe how quiet it runs.....it's actually quieter than my bathroom vent fan! And today is very hot; it's 90 degrees out with heat index of 105, yet it quickly cooled the bedroom area and within 15 minutes I was sitting on my couch and feeling the cool area swirling around in my 28' C.
I've yet to run the hard wiring through the ceiling and down to the wire chase along the floor to the additional batteries (this week for sure), but, my first impression is a big WOW! Once completed, I'll take a 1-2 day trip and try it on a hot beach and see if I need more solar panels to keep up with battery demand.

[bobndot]

:C. Thanks VA- Will be looking forward to hear. Good luck !

[VA-Apraisr]

Well, taking the plunge and ordered one more BattleBorn 100amp lithium battery to have a total of 300amp hours and the Dometic RTX2000 a/c unit which requires only 180amp hours minimum to operate. I'll provide an update once installed and used to continue the asked/answered benefit of this GREAT SITE!

[bobndot]

For boondocking, It sounds like a good idea to me.
Seems popular in the class B’s.
Maybe hanging a curtain from a ceiling track could possibly create a smaller space to cool if need be.

[VA-Apraisr]

🙂

[VA-Apraisr]

Thanks for this thread, however, it's about 3 years old so some of the comments are dated. Still doing my research and deciding if it's worth the extra $5k for me to add this to the unit.....but......I think the ability to run it in the back half of the RV is a bonus for sure. Keeping my generator a/c setup is most important, so, this would be a stand-alone system using just solar/battery power and think it will become a sought-after feature in the very near future.

[bobndot]

FYi - Did you see this link ? It covers the 1000 and 2000 units.

Info worth reading with power consumption breakdown.