Yes, you can run AC with solar power in RV, but it requires a powerful setup. You’ll need high-capacity solar panels, a powerful inverter, and sufficient battery storage to handle the AC’s energy demands. A properly designed solar system can offer you the freedom to stay cool anywhere without noisy generators or expensive campground hookups.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about powering your RV AC with solar, from system requirements to sizing your setup correctly. Get ready to enjoy a quieter, greener, and more independent RV experience!
Understanding The Power Requirements Of Air Conditioners in RVs
You need to understand the power requirements first for running RV AC on solar. Required power means the amount of watts used by your AC. The total watts usage depends on several factors, including BTU, size, brand, and weather conditions. It would help if you found the RV conditioner’s starting and running power consumption to understand it. Let’s dive into more details:
- Starting Watts: These watts refer to the power consumption of the AC that it requires for a brief moment. Starting watts are often higher than running watts, about twice or thrice the amount.
- Running Watts: These watts refer to an RV AC’s power consumption to function continuously. For example, the 15,000 BTU air conditioner watts are around 1200 – 1700W.
- Size: The size of the RV AC determines the amount of watts it will require to function. High-capacity RV AC requires 1500 to up to 3500 watts, while the smaller units can work on 700 to 1250 watts.
Top RV Air Conditioner Brands And Their Power Requirements
Here is a detailed list of top ACs the wattages and the energy required to run them:
| RV Air Conditioners | Estimated Running Wattage | Estimated Starting Wattage | Estimated Working Hours | Estimated power Needed daily (Watt-hours) |
| Atwood Air Command | 1265 watts | 2530 – 3795 watts | 12 | 15180 |
| Coleman-Mach 3 Power Saver | 1070 watts | 2140 – 3210 watts | 12 | 12840 |
| Furrion Chill | 1620 watts | 3240 – 4860 watts | 12 | 19440 |
| Dometic Penguin II High Efficiency | 1300 watts | 2600 – 3900 watts | 12 | 15600 |
RV AC Power Consumption Based on Stage (Starting and Running)
RV air conditioners consume more power during startup than while running. At startup, an AC can consume up to three times the power needed for continuous operation. For a better understanding, here’s a table with detailed information.
| RV Air Conditioner Size | Watts Required for startup | Average wattage once running | Estimated Running Time in Hours (Daily) | Total Energy Consumption (Daily) |
| 7000 BTU | 1700 | 600 | 8 | 4800 |
| 10,000 BTU | 2000 | 700 | 8 | 5600 |
| 13,500 BTU | 2750 | 1250 | 8 | 10000 |
| 15,000 BTU | 3500 | 1500 | 8 | 15000 |
How Does A Solar Generator Power An RV Air Conditioner?
Solar generators are used to convert the solar energy into usable electricity. They make use of solar energy to run your RV air conditioners. The solar panel captures sunlight and transforms it into direct current electricity. The electricity produced by the solar panels is managed by a device known as a charge controller.
These controllers send the electricity to deep-cycle batteries for later use. Most RV ACs can’t run on DC power, so an inverter is used to convert that DC electricity into AC alternating current to allow the RV air conditioners to operate.
Now comes the central challenge, an AC typically needs high power, up to 1500-3500 watts on startup and 500-1500 watts on run. You’ll need a robust solar panel with sufficient panel capacity, battery storage, and a powerful inverter to run the RV air conditioner.
For better performance, using energy-efficient air conditioning units in your RV is recommended. The solar system might seem costly, but it offers off-grid freedom, reduced campground dependency, and eco-friendly cooling for RVers.
You Might Also Like: Dometic RV AC
Components Needed To Run An RV Air Conditioner With Solar
Running a Solar RV AC unit doesn’t only require solar panels. You’ll need several other components before setting up the solar system for your RV AC. Each of these components is essential and plays a significant role.
Solar Array
The solar array, also known as solar panels, is the most important component of your system. They convert solar energy into usable electricity. The number of solar panels to use in your RV depends on the amount of energy you need to generate.
For example, you want to run your RV air conditioner for around 8 hours daily. A solar system is recommended to generate about 1800 watts of solar plus about 700-800 amp hours (AH) from the battery bank.
Deep Cycle Batteries
You’ll need a lithium-ion battery bank to store the energy generated from your solar panels. The number of batteries depends on how much power your solar panels generate. However, this power is wasted if your batteries aren’t made of good quality. Before purchasing a battery, consider.
- Lithium-ion batteries for efficiency and longevity.
- Minimum of 200-400 Ah (Amp-hours) of battery capacity
Inverter
Inverters are used to convert the DC power that is stored in the battery to AC power. It’s essential to have an inverter that can handle both the startup and running power of your air conditioner. Remember, the RV AC needs around 3,000 watts to start, so buying an inverter between 3,500 and 4,000 watts is recommended.
Look for:
- A clean and stable power inverter.
- An inverter inverter between 3,500 and 4,000 watts to handle the AC’s high startup power
Charge Controller
A control charger is a device that ensures only a limited and required amount of power goes into the battery. It prevents the battery from overcharging. You’ll need:
- A Maximum Power Point Tracking charge controller
- A controller that can handle your total solar wattage.
Circuit Breakers And Fuses
Circuit Breakers and Fuses are essential for the safety and protection of your system. Before making a purchase, ensure;
- Rated Circuit breakers between major components
- Fuses for smaller circuits and devices
Determining The Right Solar System Size For Running An RV Air Conditioner
Before purchasing a solar generator, you must know about the capacity and usage of your AC power. It is important to consider starting and running watts and running watts (power required for continuous running) and starting watts (power needed at startup).
There is a simple and familiar formula for calculating minimum solar capacity:
Minimum Capacity (Wh) = (AC Running Watts × Daily Use Hours) × 1.2
Here, a 1.2 multiplier means the system’s inefficiencies and starting watts.
For Instance, a 350W AC used 9 hours daily needs at least a 3,780Wh generator: (350W × 9h) × 1.2 = 3,780 Wh. A 1,000W AC used 8 hours daily requires at least 9,600Wh: (1,000W × 8h) × 1.2 = 9,600Wh. Purchase a unit with a slightly larger capacity to handle cloudy days and extra power needs. Ensure the inverter you use handles AC’s starting watts for best performance.
Looking For RV ACs? Checkout Coleman Mach RV AC Review
What Is The Best Solar Powered Ac For Rv?
The best solar powered AC unit for RV is the Gree 220-240V roof camper AC. It is available for $581 on Alibaba as of September 2024. This unit offers 12,283.2 BTU cooling capacity, a 1,350W power rating, and variable frequency control. It is app-controlled, operates on 220-240V, and supports both cooling and heating with a low energy consumption design.
Challenges Of Running AC On Solar Power
While solar power AC for RV gives you ease and comfort, they save on electricity and fuel costs and provide you with energy independence. However, there are also some challenges that you might face in running the AC on the solar system:
High Power Demand
The major challenge is meeting the high power demands of the RV air conditioners. An RV AC requires 1500-3500 watts to start and 500 watts while running. You’ll need enough battery capacity and an inverter to operate the AC efficiently. A few other challenges you might encounter are
Space For Panels
RVs have a limited roof space, so installing sufficient solar panels might be challenging. With a small roof, you can’t fit many panels, which means you might not generate enough energy to power the air conditioner.
Maintenance Requirements
The solar panels may attract dirt while your RV is on the road and affect power production. You’ll need to clean and maintain them regularly to keep them working well. Use a soft brush and warm water to clean the dirt from the panels.
Is It Worth It? Pros and Cons
The answer is yes, it is recommended to use an RV solar panel kit to run AC. They provide a sustainable, eco-friendly travel experience, saving fuel and generator costs. Let’s explore the key benefits of having a solar system for your RV.
| Pros | Cons |
| Energy Independence | Reliance on Weather |
| Cost Saving | High Initial Cost |
| Eco-Friendly | Expensive and inefficient battery storage |
| Quiet Operation |
Combining Solar Power With Other Power Sources
Combining solar power with other sources is a practice of using solar energy with different power sources to meet energy needs. It helps to maintain a steady power supply and improves the efficiency and reliability of your RV’s energy system. Here’s how,
Dual Power Systems:
- Solar and Generator: You can use a solar system alongside a generator to meet your everyday power needs. Utilize the solar power during the day and switch to the generator at night.
- Solar and Shore Power: During your stay at a campground, use their electricity to keep your solar system charged. This combination will ensure you have a stable power source while keeping the solar system ready for your next RV travel.
- Load Management: Manage the power load properly, use solar power for small appliances and the generator for high-energy appliances like air conditioners. This way, you can manage your energy usage.
- Charge Storage: Solar panels provide battery backup. They charge the batteries, which store the energy for later use. Combined with a generator or shore power, these batteries can store extra energy, ensuring you have enough power even when solar production is low.
By combining these power sources effectively, you can ensure a consistent and reliable energy supply for your RV. It will help you manage your energy needs efficiently. For more information checkout our detailed guide about RV AC Units.
Final Words
That was all about your question, “Can You Run AC with Solar Power in RV?” This data is gathered after contacting professionals. Utilizing the sun’s power can ensure comfort without depending on traditional power sources, minimizing costs and environmental impact. Combining solar power with other sources, like generators or shore power, provides a reliable and efficient solution for maintaining a steady power supply.
Conduct comprehensive research about the brand selection. Consider the facts mentioned above before making a purchase. If you are also using the solar system to run your AC, remember to share your experience with us in the comment section.
FAQs
Can You Run RV AC On Solar Power?
Yes, a solar system can power your RV AC. Solar panels use sunlight to generate electricity, proving a cost-effective solution. Solar panels allow you to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere inside the RV without worrying about the expensive generator and fuel costs.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed To Run Air Conditioners?
A solar-powered AC unit for an RV typically requires around 1800 watts of electricity to start and 650 watts per hour to cool the RV. Consider a 16 * 100-watt solar panel set if your RV has enough roof space. If you have a small RV, consider looking for high-efficiency solar panels to fulfill your power needs.
How Many Watts Does An RV AC Use?
As mentioned, an RV AC needs 1800 watts during startup and 650 watts per hour to run. However, all RV ACs don’t need a fixed amount of power. Different brands and models require different wattages. You can also check it out on the specification manual or contact the RV conditioner supplier for a specific answer.
