There are many options to power your caravan air conditioner, but batteries and solar are the best options. Both of these options will keep you cool travelling and also make it cost-effective. These two options have been combined in one article to help you determine which option suits your needs best and fits within your budget.
The power
Air conditioner is the most power-consuming appliance. It’s not a surprise. However it is important to note that the AC unit will draw between 1000 and 2000 watts depending on how it is started. If it’s running for 4 hours it is estimated that the AC unit will consume between 2000 and 3000 Watts. This is an enormous consumption of energy as your laptop and fridge will use only one-tenth.
Air Conditioners can be run by using the battery
It’s technically feasible however, it’s difficult to incorporate lithium batteries into air conditioner systems. Caravans can charge their air conditioners by using inverters and battery packs for longer trips. It will cost a lot of money and consume batteries in large quantities.
A 7,000 BTU RV air conditioner will need 1,700 watts of power to begin and 600 watts to run the compressor. A caravan air conditioner that has a 10,000 BTU capacity will require 2,000 watts to start and 700 watts to function. In order to start a bigger than 15,000 BTU air conditioner, 3,500 watts is required. 1500 watts are required to operate it.
Can a caravan air conditioner operate on solar power?
Your caravan’s air conditioner can theoretically run on solar power. But in reality this would mean that you’ll have to upgrade the electrical system and install more solar panels. A lot of RV owners do not want to utilize solar panels for their air cooling.
If you are planning to use the air conditioner at most five hours a day, you’ll require the 750 AH from your caravan batteries. This is for only the air conditioner to function. You can use 100 amps to run more appliances on a sunny day. On a cloudy day, the standards will be more stringent. To run an air conditioner 13500 BTU is at least 1500 watts of sunshine.
Solar Energy The pros and cons
There are advantages and disadvantages of being completely off grid and operating your caravan with solar power.
The pros
- It’s renewable and not dependent on artificial sources.
- This can dramatically cut your electric bills
- There are a variety of uses for the energy that is generated
- It’s very easy to maintain
Cons
- Procuring can be expensive. Consider the costs of inverter, batteries, wiring, and installation.
- It’s weather dependent
- Solar panels take up large amounts of space
Generators are an alternative?
Generators that invert are the most popular choice for many caravan campers across the world. This generator produces clean power, which is ideal for running sensitive appliances within the motorhome. Because of its delicate components the air conditioner needs the power source to be clean and safe.
Generators Cons and Pros
There are pros & pros to having a generator in the air conditioner of your caravan.
Pros
- Inverter generators consume less fuel than other generators.
- You can control the amount of appliances in your RV to control how they work.
- They can bear lots of weight without losing their faith
- They are smaller in footprint and are typically housed in small cases.
Cons
Inverter generators shouldn’t be to use when you are disconnected from mains power. It is because it will produce a constant hum that is a nuisance to endure. Modern generators have soundproofing casings which can reduce the level of noise than previous models. For more suggestions, refer to our guide to making your generator more quiet.
Calculating the size of the generator
Request your AC manufacturer for the recommended wattage needed for the operation of their AC. The information isn’t usually found included on the product plates. Most ACs require 2400 watts in order to be turned on, and 3000 to operate.
Other considerations to take into account when making use of generators
- Temperature The temperature outside and humidity directly impact the compressor‘s power requirements .
- The distance between the generator and the van must not be more than 4 meters. This is because traveling with less power means that you need to increase the distance you can reach.
- The simultaneous use of different appliances: If battery chargers and TVs are operating simultaneously, the energy drawn from the air conditioner might not be enough to get the process.
Conclusion
A vital caravan air conditioner is required. Without an air conditioner, it’s impossible to imagine a pleasant and enjoyable motorhome trip throughout Australian summers. You can still make use of the power options in caravan parks for as long as you’re there. You should think about how you will use your air conditioner when you’re not in the parks.