Is It Possible to Use Solar Power for RV Air Conditioner
There are few better summer vacations than a great road trip in an RV. Imagine driving down open highways, exploring new places, and enjoying the freedom of the road. But when the sun sets, things can get tricky. The temperature inside your RV can rise quickly, making it uncomfortable to relax after a day of adventure.
Staying cool is essential for a pleasant trip. An air conditioner can make a big difference, but running it can use a lot of power. Many people doubt if it is possible to use solar power for RV air conditioners, since air conditioners require a large amount of power to run. Even in a small camper, it requires a large amount of electricity to start up and sustain.
The answer is: Yes, but you should understand the power requirement and make a choice.
How Many Watts Does My RV AC Require
According to
growattportable.com, the entry level RV AC size is 8000 BTU, which needs 700 wattage to run, and a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner typically requires 1,500 watts to run. To calculate the battery capacity needed, take the running watts and multiply by the number of hours you'll use the AC per day. For example, if your AC draws 1500 watt, and you plan to keep it running for 8 hours per day, you would need:
1500 watt x 8 hours = 12,000 watt-hours per day
So in this case, you would need an off-grid power source with at least 12,000 watt-hours of capacity.
Choose solar panel for RV AC
As we mentioned above, the average power of RV AC is 1000 ~ 1500 watts. If your RV has ample roof space, we would recommend a set of 16 x 100 watt solar panels to meet the energy needs. If you're limited on space, you may consider looking into larger, high efficiency solar panels found in residential homes.
If you're solo travelers and RVs, we would recommend you start from 4 x 100 watt panels array. That would provide flexible power requirements for camping power, but shorter AC backup.
Choose generator for RV AC
Instead of traditional Inverter + Storage kits for homes, we would recommend solar generator specially designed for RV AC purpose.
1. Portable Design: These generators are lightweight and easy to move, perfect for the mobile lifestyle of RV enthusiasts.
2. Compact Size: They are designed to fit seamlessly into the limited space of an RV, ensuring they don’t take up valuable room needed for living and storage.
3. Plug-and-Play: Many RV solar generators come with user-friendly interfaces and easy setup processes, allowing you to get powered up quickly without extensive technical knowledge.
4. Safety-Oriented Design: Equipped with features like surge protection, short-circuit protection, and thermal management to ensure safe operation in the confined space of an RV.
5. Scalable Solutions: Easily expandable with additional solar panels or portable batteries to meet your growing energy needs as you upgrade your RV or add more appliances.
6. Flexible Power Options: Can be used independently or integrated with existing RV electrical systems, offering versatile power solutions tailored to your lifestyle.
Review of Solar Panel + Generator Products for RV AC
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Best GROWATT Generator for RV AC
Growatt offers several solar generator models with the battery capacity to handle most RV AC runtime needs:
1.
Growatt VITA 550 - 600W output / 538Wh capacity
The INFINITY 1300 would work for shorter AC runtimes, while the INFINITY 1500 would provide enough power for full-day AC usage. With sufficient solar panels, Growatt's lithium batteries can be recharged for continuous off-grid AC power.
Best Renogy solar kits for RV AC
1.
Renogy 100W monocrystalline solar panel
Perfect for solo travelers and RVs, this Renogy 100W solar panel has a lightweight aluminum structure with shatter-resistant glass. It is equally simple to mount with pre-drilled holes. Plus, the Grade-A monocrystalline solar cells are significantly more energy efficient than conventional options.
2.
400 Watt 12-volt solar RV kit
These Renogy solar kits are ideal for larger RVs or those with up to 21% solar cell efficiency. The kit provides sufficient energy for your AC and other appliances. Moreover they are super easy to install with all the step-by-step instructions in the manual. The small stylish design makes it super cool for your RV's exterior, best choice for travelers.
Tips for Improving AC Efficiency
Use Shade and Reflective Covers
Park your RV in shaded areas whenever you can. Shade reduces the amount of heat your RV absorbs. Use reflective covers on windows to block sunlight. This keeps the inside cooler.
Use Shade and Reflective Covers
Park your RV in shaded areas whenever you can. Shade reduces the amount of heat your RV absorbs. Use reflective covers on windows to block sunlight. This keeps the inside cooler.
Employ Additional Fans
Fans help move cool air around your RV. Use ceiling fans or portable fans to circulate air better. When air moves, you feel cooler without lowering the temperature too much. Fans use less energy than the AC and help distribute the cool air.
Schedule Use Wisely
When you run your AC in cooler parts of the day, this will reduce the energy load. Early morning or late evening is the best time to turn your AC on.
Article by
Self2Solar
Self2Solar.com is the selected solar brands' shop that enables consumers to purchase and install complete solar + storage solutions with affordable prices, fast shipping and installation.
