Great info! Any recommendations on a inverter generator?Socal Tom wrote:I’m hoping this becomes a sticky, since it seems to be a frequent question.
The short answer = The cost to do this is over $2500 and will add over 400 lbs in weight to you rig for 4 hours of air conditioning per day.
The long answer, Modern 5000 btu Window Air Conditioners need about 750 watts per hour to operate. A group 27 deep cycle battery holds 100amp hours of power. This equates to about 1250 watts, and it weighs 67 lbs. The rule of thumb for extending battery life is that you should keep the charge above 50%, but you can still many cycles out of them if you go lower, so let’s assume we use 750 watts from the battery, that’s 60%. So you would need one 67 lb battery for every hour of run time. If you just run it for the hottest 4 hours a day, that would be at least 4 batteries or 268 lbs. As of today those batteries cost over $200 each.
Now we need to talk about recharging them, putting 3000 watts back into our 4 batteries will take some solar panels. The rule of thumb with solar panels is that we have about 6 hours worth of sun per day, so 500 watts per hour, but due to efficiency losses, we should add about 30%, so 650 watts, this will cost over $1500 and you will need a very big space to mount it all.
So if you are willing to spend over $2300 and add 400lbs in weight to you rig, you can do it. Or you can spend $400 and get an inverter generator, that is very quiet and weighs 45lbs, and will run all weekend on 30lbs of fuel.
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Socal Tom wrote:You can’t go wrong with Honda or Yamaha, but the Harbor Freight Predators have been getting good reviews and are only $400 to $450,
Tom
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Socal Tom wrote:The word on the street is that they are rebadged WEN generators. Maybe they have parts?
Tom
Socal Tom wrote:I’m hoping this becomes a sticky, since it seems to be a frequent question.
The short answer = The cost to do this is over $2500 and will add over 400 lbs in weight to you rig for 4 hours of air conditioning per day.
The long answer, Modern 5000 btu Window Air Conditioners need about 750 watts per hour to operate. A group 27 deep cycle battery holds 100amp hours of power. This equates to about 1250 watts, and it weighs 67 lbs. The rule of thumb for extending battery life is that you should keep the charge above 50%, but you can still many cycles out of them if you go lower, so let’s assume we use 750 watts from the battery, that’s 60%. So you would need one 67 lb battery for every hour of run time. If you just run it for the hottest 4 hours a day, that would be at least 4 batteries or 268 lbs. As of today those batteries cost over $200 each.
Now we need to talk about recharging them, putting 3000 watts back into our 4 batteries will take some solar panels. The rule of thumb with solar panels is that we have about 6 hours worth of sun per day, so 500 watts per hour, but due to efficiency losses, we should add about 30%, so 650 watts, this will cost over $1500 and you will need a very big space to mount it all.
So if you are willing to spend over $2300 and add 400lbs in weight to you rig, you can do it. Or you can spend $400 and get an inverter generator, that is very quiet and weighs 45lbs, and will run all weekend on 30lbs of fuel.
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GuitarPhotog wrote:Socal Tom wrote:You can’t go wrong with Honda or Yamaha, but the Harbor Freight Predators have been getting good reviews and are only $400 to $450,
Tom
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Just be aware that the HF generators are not repairable because HF does not sell parts for them. You can purchase an extended warranty for them, which will get you a replacement if they decide the failure is covered, but that can take weeks. And then you may have to wait until they are back in stock. My local HF stores have not had any in stock in over 2 months.
A well recommended piece of equipment is not a good deal if it breaks and can't be fixed or replaced in a timely manner.
<Chas>
if I’m in a campground on a hot weekend, I get a spot with power. If I’m boon docking , no one hears my little Honda but me. I think the AC unit makes about as much noise as it does.capnTelescope wrote:SoCal Tom gave us the long answer to this age-old question, and did a good job with it.
I propose the short answer: No, it isn't practical to run your A/C off battery power. If you must have A/C, get a campsite with shore power. No one wants to listen to your generator anytime, and most campgrounds don't allow them after quiet hours. Harumph.
Socal Tom wrote: If I’m boon docking , no one hears my little Honda but me.
Socal Tom wrote:( now if I could get the others in the campground to turns off their stereos...)
capnTelescope wrote:Socal Tom wrote: If I’m boon docking , no one hears my little Honda but me.
On this summer's road trip to Alaska, my insufficiently tested charge-while-towing upgrade failed, and I had to use my little genny daily. Not the quietest, nor the loudest, but I came to hate that noisy #%&*.Socal Tom wrote:( now if I could get the others in the campground to turns off their stereos...)
... and gennys.
capnTelescope wrote:
On this summer's road trip to Alaska, my insufficiently tested charge-while-towing upgrade failed, and I had to use my little genny daily. Not the quietest, nor the loudest, but I came to hate that noisy #%&*.
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