Can everything, including the AC, be wired to run off the batteries?

[Lindenwood]

Thanks, everyone! Sounds like I really need to get a hold of this Lewster guy, heh.

Very generally speaking, how much work would it be to change a new-model airstream to run all the electronics off the same "grid," as discussed? Id love to be able to operate everything off the same grid, and just manage my own consumption depending on available power (i.e. shore power vs generator power vs battery-only).

[HappyHapgood]

Having just done some test runs today for a newly installed solar/battery/inverter system I can agree with a bunch of the comments and provide some hard numbers taken from my system this evening.

The TT is a 2015 Landyacht with dual ACs. Victron 3000 hybrid inverter and a bunch of batteries and solar panels. A wonderful technician (Cameron Belsher) installed all the equipment and it appears to do exactly what was specd. I do not have easy starts installed on either AC unit.

With no shore power connected, we tested to see if the inverter could start one AC and operate it... no problem. It was difficult to read the peak draw, but steady state was about 1700 watts.

Just for fun we tried running the second AC through the inverter at the same time. It worked... for about 30 seconds before they inverter “faulted” and kicked off.

When plugged into 30 Amp shore power the hybrid inverter easily ran both AC units and only pulled from the batteries when both compressors were running.

This system provides a couple of benefits... a) if not connected to shore power AND insufficient solar generation to maintain the batteries, I can use my 1000 watt CarGenerator (really nice product) to maintain battery levels, and b) I can ditch the >25lb 50 amp cable that takes up a ton of space. It was only a slightly expensive way to shed that power cord :-)

If anyone wants more details, feel free to ask specific questions, though I think my system is similar to the other hybrid inverter installs.

Matt

[HappyHapgood]

Forgot to mention that my 2015 LandYacht did NOT have pass through shore power to the inverter outlets as wired from the factory. Which meant having to run the inverter to use any of the electronics even when connected to shore power. Getting that “fixed” with the new install is a nice upgrade too.

[Lindenwood]

About how much did you guys spend on these major electricsl upgrades? They look like 15-20k jobs, no?

[randsfl]

Naples (Moorings) here with 2017 basecamp - that i need solar help with to try to fix refrig problems

there are several threads on basecamp refrig problems - a solution taken is to go to compressor type 2-way which i would like to do - i have solar panels installed by AS - but want to make sure they are adequate - theres no inverter - and would need a battery update - and guessing updated controller (have seen those being replaced)

would like to get advice - in fact would like to meet and talk about and get your thoughts

thanks Reid

[lewster]

HI Reid,

Please contact me at 4rvsolar@gmail.com so we can start this conversation.

Thanks!

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Lindenwood

About how much did you guys spend on these major electricsl upgrades? They look like 15-20k jobs, no?

Hi Lindenwood,

If you are interested in a solar power system, please contact me at: 4rvsolar@gmail.com so that we can have a discussion.

Thanks!

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by Lindenwood

About how much did you guys spend on these major electricsl upgrades? They look like 15-20k jobs, no?

Give Lew a call....

[gypsydad]

If your thinking of a generator that can run either of your AC's individually, with no modifications, take a look at the Champion Dual Fuel. We use with propane; about $900 and plenty power for one AC and other appliances. It does weigh 95lbs...if you want a lighter generator, (45lbs) suggest looking at the Honda 2200 with the Easystart installed...just money, of course.

We had solar installed on our 2008 25' AS by the previous owner...big heavy batteries, converter, etc...we could run the AC for 3 hours without any shore power or generator...but then we had to plug into something. Some of these Li battery equipped rigs folks talk about here are very appealing for sure...it's just money... Good luck...please share when you get your updates installed.

[Lindenwood]

Originally Posted by lewster

Hi Lindenwood,

If you are interested in a solar power system, please contact me at: 4rvsolar@gmail.com so that we can have a discussion.

Thanks!

Thanks for reaching out! Email sent!

[HappyHapgood]

That’s probably the range. But the installer pros can give you real numbers for what YOU want.

Originally Posted by Lindenwood

About how much did you guys spend on these major electricsl upgrades? They look like 15-20k jobs, no?

[Lindenwood]

I've been chatting with Lewster; he really seems like a great guy with a lot of knowledge and passion. Not sure I'll be able to have him to the work, largely for logistical limitations (we are moving to NM soon before actually buying the Airstream), but he gave me great options for a possible kit that I could then install myself.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations!

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by Lindenwood

I've been chatting with Lewster; he really seems like a great guy with a lot of knowledge and passion. Not sure I'll be able to have him to the work, largely for logistical limitations (we are moving to NM soon before actually buying the Airstream), but he gave me great options for a possible kit that I could then install myself.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations!

I live in Denver. I drove the trailer to his fort hood shop for the work. 2 day drive (sat+sun). It was worth it! NM is not that much further south

I dropped the trailer with Lew and flew out of Portland same day (Monday) to do business for 2 weeks. Flew back in on a Thursday, picked it up Friday, met the family back in Portland (they all flew up Friday) then we did a tour down the Oregon and California coast before heading east to Moab and Denver. Awesome trip

Think about it!

PS - I had a big install - would have been 100+ man hours if I did it myself (I had the skill, just not the time).

Lew is top notch. Worth the money. You can also apply for a tax credit on the equipment and labor. I’ll get 1/3 of the cost back in my 2018 taxes - which covers the labor

[Lindenwood]

Well hell...sold!

[OTRA15]

In one of the older lithium battery threads, someone posted estimates of how long you could run the A/C off of a super-duty lithium/solar setup, with some variables like temp and sun set forth.

Would be interesting to know how much "oomph" this battery-only solution to running the A/C has.

Peter

[wulfraat]

At 75 or so degrees outside troutboy ran his AC for about 3 hours or so on 400ah of lithium IIRC.

At 90 degrees I’ve run my 15k penguin II pretty much pegged for 2+ hours with no issues with 600ah, and still had capacity to spare.

While running when it’s hot out, the AC will ramp up and peg at just about 1,800 watts draw from the inverter. (I have a multiplus 3k rated at 2,400 watts continuous output)

With a few other house loads (likes our ice maker, television, fridge on LP, etc) and inverter losses your drawing about 2,000 - 2,200watts or about 150-165 amps from the batts continuously (the AC compressor does not cycle often when it’s really hot out).

As a point of reference 3 hours at this load is 450-500 amp hours or 75%-80% of total capacity for my lithium bank, assuming your starting with 100% in the morning. Then things get dark ‘cause you’ve used all your capacity

However! Solar helps big time! When it’s nice and sunny out in June my panels will generate peak output of 600 to 800 watts (42-55 amps @14.2v to the batteries!) between 10.30a and 1.30p to help offset the power draw from the batts... extending timeframes / leaving some power for overnight.

We regularly run our AC for 1 hour + when stopped for lunch on the road, etc. it’s super convenient.

If it’s gonna be a really hot and long day, and we are at camp, and it’s not an annoyance to others, I’ll run my little honda 2000 on propane and pull 10-12amps from it as shore power, and use the hybrid function of the multiplus to supplement that with battery and / or solar energy to supply the AC. I can pretty much run all day in hybrid mode. I rarely get 15 amps @120v from my honda because we tend to camp above 8,000 feet so output is reduced on the genset.

Lithium rocks. And we like our little mini sonic ice maker which requires “always on” 120v house power who doesn’t like a nice cold cocktail after a long day of hiking or cycling

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

. . .
Lithium rocks.
. . .

Thanks for taking the time to provide all those details -- very helpful.

From our limited experience with small lithium batteries for tools and so forth, the new battery technologies are truly amazing.

Peter

[Fair_Enough]

Linden wood, the Greatlys gets the award for his/her answer for what I think you are asking. If you want to supplement 120vac via battery while running higher loads than the genny can make, a hybrid inverter can do this. Victron and Magnum makes these. I know Victron lets you set the shorepower (or generator) current limit and presents it to you real-time and graphically. You will need roughly a 3000/4000 watt hybrid inverter and enough usable A/h from your batteries for your needs. Probably looking at a fairly robust LFP bank. This setup is also good for moochdocking in a driveway where you might only have barely 15amps available. Clint

[Lindenwood]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

At 75 or so degrees outside troutboy ran his AC for about 3 hours or so on 400ah of lithium IIRC.

At 90 degrees I’ve run my 15k penguin II pretty much pegged for 2+ hours with no issues with 600ah, and still had capacity to spare.

While running when it’s hot out, the AC will ramp up and peg at just about 1,800 watts draw from the inverter. (I have a multiplus 3k rated at 2,400 watts continuous output)

With a few other house loads (likes our ice maker, television, fridge on LP, etc) and inverter losses your drawing about 2,000 - 2,200watts or about 150-165 amps from the batts continuously (the AC compressor does not cycle often when it’s really hot out).

As a point of reference 3 hours at this load is 450-500 amp hours or 75%-80% of total capacity for my lithium bank, assuming your starting with 100% in the morning. Then things get dark ‘cause you’ve used all your capacity

However! Solar helps big time! When it’s nice and sunny out in June my panels will generate peak output of 600 to 800 watts (42-55 amps @14.2v to the batteries!) between 10.30a and 1.30p to help offset the power draw from the batts... extending timeframes / leaving some power for overnight.

We regularly run our AC for 1 hour + when stopped for lunch on the road, etc. it’s super convenient.

If it’s gonna be a really hot and long day, and we are at camp, and it’s not an annoyance to others, I’ll run my little honda 2000 on propane and pull 10-12amps from it as shore power, and use the hybrid function of the multiplus to supplement that with battery and / or solar energy to supply the AC. I can pretty much run all day in hybrid mode. I rarely get 15 amps @120v from my honda because we tend to camp above 8,000 feet so output is reduced on the genset.

Lithium rocks. And we like our little mini sonic ice maker which requires “always on” 120v house power who doesn’t like a nice cold cocktail after a long day of hiking or cycling

Great info! Thank you

[Lindenwood]

Okay, the wife is pretty sold on the investment. I often have to leave for months at a time for work, and she would prefer to go home with the kids to be around our families. The ability to easily "moochdock" (I love that phrase!) for short periods is really appealing to her!