Split system aircon on motorhome

Wouldn’t it have to have a massive lithium multiple battery setup and also the whole motor home covered in solar panels? Can’t imagine it is possible to sustain the current requirements for a split system.

Kimberley Kampers has found a way to do it on their Karavans and Kruisers with, IIRC, 400Ah lithium and 520 watts of solar.

Know someone who had one, they said it didn't work. Kimberly state 2.2kW cooling, if you allow 1kw draw then your 400Ah of lithium would last about 5 hours at night, 50% duty cycle say 10 hours. Not really particle.

Be interested to hear from others who have one how they well they work off batteries?

My build will have a little Toshiba split system running of 400 AH Lithiums with about 1Kw of thin film solar panels. For me the key is to run the aircon overnight on its low setting and just cool enough for a comfortable night's sleep.

The power draw on low setting is a little over 200 watts. On my sums and allowing for losses, the batteries should return to full charge by lunchtime if there is full sun.

Soplar 4RVs has a very handy solar calculator which I used to double check my fugures.
Solar calculator

Keith B,

I take it your looking at an inverter unit?

Correct. I think the roof mounted RV ones are old technology and very noisy to boot. The one I have selected is this one: RAS - 07BKV - A1.

Here's the link: Small Toshiba Aircon

This was the smallest I could find in a reputable brand. But the warranty disappears as soon as you put it on a caravan. I am doing a dry fit with it now.

Keith B2
You need an 12v or 24v to 240vAC inverter first don't you? after that the inverter of the aircon then does it's thing with that power.
Two lots of power conversion does mean losses to some degree, all of which have to be factored in as the total drain amount of AH on any battery type or solar system.

Have a look over at Caravaners Forum, there are many there that are fitting domestic splits (inverter type) and running them of solar.

I ave a 1.4Kw Victron inverter charger to occasionally work the microwave while the aircon is on.
I have allowed for 20% losses in the inverter and wiring, which I think is more than enough.
You can see my build on Myswag/ My camper trailer build/ World's Slowest build".
World's Slowest Build
Keith

Thanks Gerry,
To get a bit of extra cooling, I paid a premium price and put a Daiken 5Kw in my office some years ago and it conked out after four years. So I have kinda lost faith in the brand. The original no name brand was still running after 14 years.Replaced the Daiken with a Mitsubishi and still running 8 years later. I do hope that yours gives you a better result. The no name is still running after 22 years.
Keith