Bobdown wrote:

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Whenarewethere wrote:

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2.5kW split systems are extremely economical to run. Often in a small space they do not need to be run at their 'rated' output. Let alone on boost, turbo or whatever the manufacturer calls it, or pushing the system to overdrive to about 3.5kW output.

 

If used in a eco setting, low speed setting or dehumidifying setting a split system is very energy efficient.

 

You could easily get the system running well less than 500 watts (they are 500%+ efficiency minimum for rated output for current split 2.5kW systems made a decade or more ago). 

 

With 1.0kW solar input, easily doable on a reasonable sized roof. Or add a couple of portable panels if needed. You will have enough to run the air conditioning & also charge the batteries, including running fridge etc.

 

Chuck out the BS pointless payload so you have enough weight options for lead acid batteries. I reckon you could easily remove 100kg of crap if your priorities are sincere.

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 Sometimes WAWT you are not thinking before you post !! Why would she get a split system and where would she put? when there is already a AC on the roof.

It is a motorhome not a block of flats in Manly, get a grip mate..

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 Back

CarolynJCosenza wrote:

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North of Adelaide thank you

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 Usual disclaimer, that I am not associated with anyone selling anything

Hi Carolyn welcome to the forum

As you live north of Adelaide

I am led to believe that there is a man south of Adelaide, who specialises in setting up RV's for off grid solar power

His name (or company) was T1 Terry

If he is still in operation, you should be able to google him

I have never met the man, but when he was on this forum, he seemed very knowledgeable 

Tony Bev wrote:

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CarolynJCosenza wrote:

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North of Adelaide thank you

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 Usual disclaimer, that I am not associated with anyone selling anything

Hi Carolyn welcome to the forum

As you live north of Adelaide

I am led to believe that there is a man south of Adelaide, who specialises in setting up RV's for off grid solar power

His name (or company) was T1 Terry

If he is still in operation, you should be able to google him

I have never met the man, but when he was on this forum, he seemed very knowledgeable 

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 He is based in Mannum and is an absolute genius with Solar. He and his wife have been in business for some years, are very knowledgeable, genuinely lovely people, always happy to help, and are not expensive. Terry and Margaret Covill, trading as T1 Lithium.  Send me a PM if you need more info. Cheers

CarolynJCosenza wrote:

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ha ha Ive sparked some debate I luv it, Im in my 60s and require a reliable air con for health 

  Debate is always good.  Long term use of AC then as suggested a generator may be a good idea.  Use for short periods then yes you can do it using solar but at a significant cost :)

Good luck

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Mike Harding wrote:

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Running an A/C in a caravan or motorhome from batteries can be done (Yobarr does it as do one or two others) but for most it is not an affordable or practical arrangement.

I once did a rough cost estimate on Yobarr's full solar installation and calculated it at around $45,000 - he's not corrected me on that so I guess it's in the ballpark and he's also, in addition, had to replace all his solar panels once and, of course, the batteries won't last forever. Then there is the added weight on the roof of the vehicle which may affect handling and/or cause roof issues.

I will shortly be upgrading my caravan solar installation (I am a full time nomad) to a level where it could run an A/C for a few hours but I'll not use it for that because fully recharging the batteries will generally not be possible. I shall continue to use a small Honda generator for those few times a year, in Victoria, when I need AC.

If you have a health condition which necessitates an A/C then you may need to consider whether a motor home lifestyle (or holiday?) is suitable for you. 

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 Hi Mike. Because your plucked-out-of-the-air figure of $45,000 for my Solar is so far off the mark, I decided that I would not reply. Your comment about "replace all his solar panels" also is mischievous in that you failed to post WHY I replaced the panels, leaving members to possibly think that the panels had failed?  Such was not the case, and, given your apparent good memory, I'm sure that you would have remembered reading my explanation in an earlier thread? 

The original Solar setup had 9x190 watt mono panels, (1710 watts), each panel less than 800mm wide, so I was able to fit 3 panels across the width of the van.

Unfortunately, whilst travelling the Dawson Development Road, I was overtaken by another car that was travelling at very high speed, and 2 of the Solar panels were broken by flying stones. 

Because the 190 watt panels were part of a  Solar System that I removed from a customer's house, I had no spares, and because I was unable to locate panels that were less than 800mm wide, I had little choice but to replace the lot. 

This time I chose poly panels, buying 6x275 watt panels (1650 watt), and easily fitting them to the van's roof, as per earlier photo.

Price was chicken-feed, at $120 each for a HUGE total of $720. Wow! Believe me, when it's 45 degrees outside, with no wind, the price of the Solar is of little importance. You cannot put a value on being able to leave the AC running, allowing for a good night's sleep in The Kimberley summer heat!

The panels also stop the sun from hitting the van's roof, so the van remains cooler. 

Weight is nothing, but if Carolyn could advise how big her MH is it would be easy to design ways to fit them. The positioning of the AC unit would depend on what type of MH she has, and its dimensions.  

Although I know little about electrity usage etc I suspect that the roof-top example now in place would need a lot more power than does a Daikin or Mitsubushi?

Where there's a will there's a way. I hope the supplied infirmation clears up any apparent misunderstandings you had? Cheers

[Yobarr] Hi Mike. Because your plucked-out-of-the-air figure of $45,000 for my Solar is so far off the mark

Let's see... I've been a nomad for 4.5 years and I calculated that number some time before I sold the house, so probably six or seven years ago and you're not corrected it in that time.

You once provided a detailed description of your setup (two setups, car and caravan) which includes a lot of Victron equipment, a lot of Victron lithium batteries and, of course solar panels. Six/seven(ish) years past these were *much* more expensive than they are currently and on top of the equipment you had it all professionally fitted. Now whilst my number of $45k for both car and caravan was simply an estimate it is clear your setup cost a *lot* of cash and even if I'm 100% over we're still talking well over $20k. Would you like to tell us or is it a secret?

[Yobarr] Your comment about "replace all his solar panels" also is mischievous

It was not mischievous at all! Nor was it intended to be. You had (or chose) to replace all the panels, that cost goes into the accounts column marked "Solar" whatever the reason.

Incidentally; if your batteries are seven years old it won't be all that long before they need replacing.

Yobarr: you have an impressive solar setup and it works well I'm sure but let's not get newbies carried away thinking they can run their ACs et al with a few panels and batteries from BCF. We are talking many thousands of dollars to do this properly.

CarolynJCosenza wrote:

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Hello fellow motorhome owners, Ive recently bought a second hand Jayco motor home. I would like to put on solar panels 

how large must my solar be to power the air con. How many batteries would I need

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Hi Carolyn, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Now, down to business.

You could avoid all the stress and expense and just get a generator. You would even get change out of $2000.

Don't worry about the little noise as if you use a long lead it will take the gennie away from you. The little noise isn't a problem during the day anyway. At night it's no problem as well because everyone is asleep and won't hear it. You will also save on weight making everyone happy campers. 

I do it that way all the time. 

Enjoy your aircon and keep safe out there.