Hey everyone! I'm working on setting up a solar power bank for my Chevy G20 conversion van. My main goal is to keep my RV A/C running 24/7, especially since it's super hot here in Vegas—over 112°F during the day! I want to make sure the inside stays at least 85°F for my two little dogs. I'm considering a mini-split A/C unit rated at 6,500 BTU, which runs on 110V and draws about 650W. Here's what I'm planning for the solar setup: 600W of solar panels (2 x 300W 12V), 400ah LifePO4 batteries, a 12V 40A battery charger, a 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller, an RV Soft Starter for up to 15,000 BTU systems, and a 1000W DC-AC inverter. I'll also include a 12V fan for cooling the battery housing. I really want to make sure I have enough power but don't plan to run anything else besides maybe a 12V fan, my tablet, cell phone, and a cooler instead of a fridge. Am I missing anything crucial in my plan or do I need to upgrade any components to keep this A/C running continuously? Thanks for any help!
1 Answer
Looks like you're going for a solid setup! However, I think you might be underestimating the solar panels needed. If your A/C runs about 50% of the time, you could need roughly 8kWh of energy each day. I typically get around 2kWh/day from my 370W panels in extreme heat, so you might want to consider upgrading to 1500W worth of solar power to be safe. Your battery bank size seems fine for night use, but make sure to factor in how much sun you actually get! You might also want to look into purchasing some larger panels if you can find space or a foldable option for your roof.
I’ve been looking into some panels too and found a good deal on newpowa's 6x250W setup. It’s been tough to mount more power on a van roof, but if you’re crafting a DIY fold-out system, that could work! Just an idea.