It would run on batteries but to make if practical you'd need to be carrying a whole BUNCH of batteries then worrying about how you're going to recharge them.
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NO , you need more batteries, lots more than 3 btrys for your AC. Do a google and read. JMO
RET ARMY 1980, DW Donna , "Tiny" (furkid) . Class A, 2007 Bounder 35E, Ford Chassis, 4 SAMS 6VOLTS,405W Solar,TriStar 45 Controller,1750W INVERTER, YAMAHA 2400, TOW: Honda CRV. READY BRAKE. "Living Our Dream". NASCAR FAN 14,18,20,11 LOVE CO & NM
dougrainer wrote: It is NOT impossible, but unless you have the knowledge and skills to modify your system (99% don't) AND understand the limits and what can be done, then it is not practical for the normal Rv'er. That is why most (me included) will state it is not worth the discussion. Going offline and private conversations would be better for the few that want to attempt it. Going public would just bring up dangers that will not be discussed or highlighted. Doug
I disagree, I think it should be discussed openly and more frequently. How else will a hurdle be surpassed?
I tried it not knowing all the ins and outs, nothing bad happened other than the window unit I used came to a grinding halt. The unit still works. But that's how I found out that the compressor has a surge. Until then I though if the unit pulled 500W, that's what it needed to start it. I went on line and found out that it is marked on the compressor. I didn't have to take the cover off, just peer down inside the vents and I found it. Now I know.
Trial and error, discussion and research. I know that there was someone on this forum with a fifth wheel that ran an A/C solar and batteries. Where are you?
NOT using large enough battery cable or large gauge enough 120 wires. Attempting to tie into the existing electrical system when most do not have a clue as to what they are doing. There are a LOT of mishaps a novice could get into doing this. Just search the forum and you will see LOTS of bad results just from novices trying to replace or add extra 12 volt batteries. These forums are great, but I see and have seen a lot of postings that are just flat out wrong and dangerous to do and there is NO cop on patrol to get rid of the bad advice. Do it private and there is no way for anyone to see it and not know if it is good or bad advice. Doug
Too many naysayers. I set up my RV to run this way, specifically for the purpose of running the air con and microwave for about an hour while pulled over for lunch. Here's how I did it. You can do it the same way.
1) Increase the number of batteries in my unit to 6. Originally there were 2. I happen to use Trojan T-105 6v batteries, but the choice of battery is not particularly important.
2) Ensure that my inverter had enough capacity to run the air con, and enough surge capacity to run the microwave oven for a minute or two to warm things up. I chose a Magnum ME3112 inverter charger, which provides 3100VA continuously, 3500 watts for 30 minutes, 3950 for 5 mins, and 6000 watts for 5 seconds. It also has a 160 amp DC charger for getting those batteries recharged in a hurry when connected to shore power.
3) Ensure that the installation of the batteries and cables was done properly, with very heavy cabling and properly crimped connections. D&R RV in Phoenix, AZ did mine (I have used them for many solar projects before).
Everything now works fine, and I can enjoy cool, quiet lunches with the family while at the side of the road. There are other times it comes in handy too, but this was the main goal, and it works like a charm.
My 6 batteries have about 1200AH at 6V, or 600AH at 12V. To drain to 50%, I can therefore use 300AH at 12V, or about 3600 Watts. This is more electricity than my air conditioner uses in an hour, even with a few minutes of microwaving thrown in. Besides, lunch often takes less than an hour.
dan1000 wrote: Too many naysayers. I set up my RV to run this way, specifically for the purpose of running the air con and microwave for about an hour while pulled over for lunch. Here's how I did it. You can do it the same way.
Dan
I am a naysayer to the person who just asks "Can I run my AC off of my batteries?".
It is whole another thing to ask "Can I set up my RV so that I can run my AC off of batteries?". To that I would say "absolutely".
That is what you did and so can anybody else. But those that just want to flip a switch and have it happen haven't a clue in my mind.
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I don't see how running the A/C on bateries makes the A/C any less noisy. I just run the A/C off the generator and I can't even hear the generator over the sound of the A/C.
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dougrainer wrote: It is NOT impossible, but unless you have the knowledge and skills to modify your system (99% don't) AND understand the limits and what can be done, then it is not practical for the normal Rv'er. That is why most (me included) will state it is not worth the discussion. Going offline and private conversations would be better for the few that want to attempt it. Going public would just bring up dangers that will not be discussed or highlighted. Doug
I disagree, I think it should be discussed openly and more frequently. How else will a hurdle be surpassed?
I tried it not knowing all the ins and outs, nothing bad happened other than the window unit I used came to a grinding halt. The unit still works. But that's how I found out that the compressor has a surge. Until then I though if the unit pulled 500W, that's what it needed to start it. I went on line and found out that it is marked on the compressor. I didn't have to take the cover off, just peer down inside the vents and I found it. Now I know.
Trial and error, discussion and research. I know that there was someone on this forum with a fifth wheel that ran an A/C solar and batteries. Where are you?
X2! When I first began, I read everything (as an example for this conversation) solar related on RV.net. It's true that some (ok, most) of it went way over my head but, the more I read, the more I understood. Now, would I attempt a complete 560 amp design and installation using all the best components? Um... no... but I do know enough to not get taken to the cleaners when I have someone else do it. Further, by specifying what components I do want, I'm relatively assured of getting the system I want and being satisfied into the future. If I'd just handed the keys to a solar guy and said "do it"... I'm betting I would not have gotten what I would have chosen. At best, I would have gotten what HE likes to install.
So... the point is: Let fly with all the technical you like. Individually, we'll all learn and, if it's not too corny to say... the world will be a better place. If you must, weave into the technical explanations something about "Important: Don't do this or that without a fire extinguisher close by" but don't be afraid to throw the ball way over our heads... some day, we'll get tall enough to catch that sucker.
NOT using large enough battery cable or large gauge enough 120 wires. Attempting to tie into the existing electrical system when most do not have a clue as to what they are doing. There are a LOT of mishaps a novice could get into doing this. Just search the forum and you will see LOTS of bad results just from novices trying to replace or add extra 12 volt batteries. These forums are great, but I see and have seen a lot of postings that are just flat out wrong and dangerous to do and there is NO cop on patrol to get rid of the bad advice. Do it private and there is no way for anyone to see it and not know if it is good or bad advice. Doug
Definitely no offense intended... but, how does anyone know your private advice is correct? It is the open discussion, back and forth, that shines the light of day on the matter and arrives at the correct answers. Yeah, that may be just a bit utopian... but the alternative is lack of knowledge. That can't be right.
And thanks for your knowledge. The post above, while intended to make your point about the dangers and why it shouldn't be discussed openly, WAS informational.
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. Class A, 2007 Bounder 35E, Ford Chassis, 4 SAMS 6VOLTS,405W Solar,TriStar 45 Controller,1750W INVERTER, YAMAHA 2400, TOW: Honda CRV. READY BRAKE. "Living Our Dream". NASCAR FAN 14,18,20,11 LOVE CO & NM
