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Old 03-29-2018, 03:12 PM   #1
Tinagtnp
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Running a/c while dry camping

I have a 20ft keystones hideout 177hls. I will be dry camping for 6 months from may to October. The only major issue I'm running into is powering my a/c unit. I understand that my 12v battery won't power it and I don't like the noise of generators. I am wondering what my options are, an estimate of how much the mods would cost, and any revelent information I should take into account.*

I'm new to RV life and appreciate the help.
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Old 03-29-2018, 03:16 PM   #2
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I should add, I won't be running too many appliances. Not even LED lights, just the a/c during daytime hours. I'm sure that makes a difference in battery size etc.
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Old 03-29-2018, 03:57 PM   #3
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Unfortantely, there isn't an option to dry camp without a generator and use the AC. The amp draw from any AC unit would deplete any significant battery bank in minutes, not hours. If it could be done, we'd all do it.

Your best options are:

1. Buy an appropriate sized inverter generator to run your AC while you're off the power grid.

2. Invest in a "whole house" roof vent fan as in Fantastic or MaxxAir. You may want to upgrade your battery bank to at least two 12 volt batteries to support the daily draw.

3. Camp in cooler temps which won't require the use of air conditioning.
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Old 03-29-2018, 03:58 PM   #4
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So the math goes like this:
13,500 btu RV air conditioner requires roughly 2750 watts to start and 1250 watts to run @ 110v.
That equals almost 30 amps to start and 13 amps to run. That means you'd need a 3000w inverter at a minimum. Today, power inverters for RVs are available in a variety of sizes but going to 3000W or more will consume a lot of battery power. Unless there is a huge bank of batteries available, your run time would be minimal at best. Plus, once you use up the battery power you'll need a generator or some other power source to recharge them. Most of us just run the a/c on the generator as needed during the day since you'll be running it to recharge the batteries anyway. Can't really see any advantage to running the a/c off the batteries via an inverter
Others may have different thoughts. I'm anxious to see what options pop up.
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Old 03-29-2018, 04:05 PM   #5
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The above comments are correct. I'm afeared you may have to choose between having an AC or the noise of a genny. The high side is that todays inverter generators are VERY quiet compared to those I used years ago.....LOTS quieter
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Old 03-29-2018, 04:07 PM   #6
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As you know your AC unit requires 110 VAC and draws a significant amount of current. When Dry Camping you basically are limited to your house batteries, which are 12 VDC. When dry camping and you want to run a AC unit you will require an external generator with enough capacity to run at least your single AC Unit.
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Old 03-29-2018, 05:51 PM   #7
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Even the big diesel Class A’s with six, 6 volt batteries and a 4500 watt inverter don’t power an AC.
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Old 03-29-2018, 06:33 PM   #8
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The small generators like a Honda are very quiet. Depending on your camp setup can you position the generator away from your site to minimize the noise even less? I keep mine in the back of the truck and just run it with the tailgate up. It helps to block the noise somewhat. If you're running the AC it will make more noise than the generator when you're inside.

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Old 03-30-2018, 04:00 PM   #9
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I heard a Honda 3000 inverter unit running today and it sounded more like a very loud cat purring. It made a believer out of me.


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Old 03-30-2018, 09:52 PM   #10
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The good news, when running your A/C and your inside, you will not hear the genny providing the power. Do it right get 2 6v batteries and genny use what power you need when you need it. Recharge daily as the genny runs the A/C.
I think your not fully aware of the whole power needs to dry camp for more than a few days. Coffee maker,? microwave? furnace at night? radio? etc.
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Old 04-08-2018, 10:23 AM   #11
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Honda 3000 inverting generator will run your single AC unit, it will probably run 8 to 10 hours on a single fill up... no micro, no second AC... you won't hear it inside, you can stand next to it running and have a conversation without having to raise your voice, yes they are that quiet.. I elected to have the ONAN installed my 5th

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Old 07-15-2018, 01:51 PM   #12
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I also have a Honda 3000 in my pickup. Very quiet, but I wanted the convenience of remote start so I was looking at an Onan mounted in my 5th as well. A friend, who has the Onan, says you will definitely be able to tell when it's running. A little vibration, a little noise, not bad - but you can tell. I decided to stay with my Honda. I might look into the remote start kits though.
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Old 07-19-2018, 03:07 PM   #13
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What’s it take to run a 15K AC. I’d love to run at least one of them without having to go to an onboard Onan.
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Old 07-19-2018, 05:24 PM   #14
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The specs on Coleman Mach 15 in my 5er sez between 1560 to 2025 watts. I have run all three a/c's on the onboard Onan 5500 but nothing but the fridge was on at the same time .
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Old 07-19-2018, 09:52 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos View Post
What’s it take to run a 15K AC. I’d love to run at least one of them without having to go to an onboard Onan.
We have run either A/C unit with our pair of Honda 2000 generators jumpered together, and have done this over an extended period of time several times in the past. I also have an extended run tank setup, which gives us close to a 24 hour run time with both generators running.
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Old 07-23-2018, 05:11 AM   #16
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Here, you can run you AC for a couple of hours on battery. It will only cost you $7300 plus labor.

https://battlebornbatteries.com/shop...att-solar-kit/

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Old 07-23-2018, 07:47 AM   #17
Ken / Claudia
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We are well into the summer, I wonder what the poster did. He seemed not to have a good idea about electric use and needs while off the grid.
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