How much solar power an batteries would i need to run 15K ac in a travel trailer?

how much solar an battery would I need to run a 15K air conditioner for a small travel trailer?

it depends how long you want to run it.
for 1 hour, the wattage is indicated on the sticker. (probably between1800-3000W)
you just multiply by the number of hours you want to run it.

another option is to make a custom cord to plug the RV in that allows you to access the individual wires. Then you can use a clamp meter to tell you how many (amps) watts it draws when its running. Clamp meter on amazon is like $40 and will double as a DMM if you dont already have one.

Totally depends on a lot of factors:
What is the expected use climate?
How much will it be used? All day, all night?

The MINIMUM I would use is:
2400W solar
5Kwh lithium battery

If you want to be able to use it a lot, I would go with:
3200W solar
15Kwh lithium battery

Assuming mostly sunny days in a southern climate, that setup would cover you about 80-90% of the time. But roof space and battery cost is the challenge.

schmism said:

another option is to make a custom cord to plug the RV in that allows you to access the individual wires. Then you can use a clamp meter to tell you how many (amps) watts it draws when its running. Clamp meter on amazon is like $40 and will double as a DMM if you dont already have one.

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Triplett AC Line Splitter and GFCI Outlet/Receptacle Tester with 5 Visual Indicators (ET200)

The link didn't work. I copy and paste from Amazon..you can search that.

Something like this on the receptacle to be safe if not comfortable splitting the wires or do it at the breaker panel.

Hi all. In a similar fashion, I was planning on 1000-1500w solar for my travel trailer, along with at least 2, if not 3, 24v 300a LiFePo4 battery banks, which I intend to build myself. Wondering about a couple of things. I'm assuming, I will need to utilize 1 BMS for each of the 3 battery banks? Also, in terms of solar charge controllers, I assume I just need one 40A controller? Or more than 1? Thanks all.

Some good info here. He got 3 hours on 2 105ah Lion Energy batteries. Very important to have the Micro Air Easy Start. My setup includes 320w solar, Victron MPPT CC, 3 105ah Lion Energy batteries and Giandel 2200w inverter. I can easily run AC 7+ hours in my truck camper. Recharge with solar, truck alternator or small Honda 2200i inverter gen. I'm adding more panels to set on ground, I'm running out of roof real estate. Also note my Honda 2200i small gen easily runs the air because of the Micro Air Easy Start

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That's great info. I have a Grand Design XLS 23BHE with a 15k btu AC, so this will prove helpful.

Awesome info, I rent trailers on Assateague island md, sunny all day mostly, have to turn generator/inverter off at 10pm . People would love to have ac all night. Right now I just have standard camper battery 12 v.

Famtraveler24 said:

Hi all. In a similar fashion, I was planning on 1000-1500w solar for my travel trailer, along with at least 2, if not 3, 24v 300a LiFePo4 battery banks, which I intend to build myself. Wondering about a couple of things. I'm assuming, I will need to utilize 1 BMS for each of the 3 battery banks? Also, in terms of solar charge controllers, I assume I just need one 40A controller? Or more than 1? Thanks all.

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Short answer:
1. yes, Good ideal to have BMS on each bank. so you can remove one for maintenance w/o power down if there is a need for that.
2. Yes, parallel the banks into the SSC. -- in your case, two SCC if you go 1500W.
3. No, 40a will not do at 24v @ 1500 W solar? The math shows like 62.5amp for SCC; 1500W / 24V inverter or battery bank = 62.5amp. So, you might want to look for like a 80amp if you do one SCC? So, for your questions, you can split into two 40amp SCC, this will do for two solar panels strings either wire them in series or parallels to max the voltage per controllers. You could take the VoC on the back of the panels and add them up and make sure it doesn't exceed the IsC (current) too per the controller.

Thanks. Very helpful. Possible then to also do 1 80A solar charge controller? I assume that is what you refer to when you say SSC? I'm still a rookie when it comes to acronyms.

Famtraveler24 said:

Thanks. Very helpful. Possible then to also do 1 80A solar charge controller? I assume that is what you refer to when you say SSC? I'm still a rookie when it comes to acronyms.

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For redundancy, I would use two 40amp or 60amp (SCC - Solar Charge Controller). Once you go 80amp, the price is expensive.

You can look at some of Will's DIY Solar Blueprints via the top links. He has some recommended Solar Charge controllers. He tested most of them. The final answer, easy of use, Victron or the ALL-In-One MPP Solar or GroWatts inverters to make things simple. The All-In-One could take 80amp on the SCC' MPPT inputs.

Have you checked out Will's videos? He is the owner of this forum and the YouTube videos? He pretty much tested them in his solar shed. You can start there to get up to speed and ask questions when ready over here.

Thanks. I have watched many of the videos and they are great. I'll go back and look at the controller section specifically. Again, appreciate the help.

Famtraveler24 said:

Thanks. I have watched many of the videos and they are great. I'll go back and look at the controller section specifically. Again, appreciate the help.

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You are welcome. I noticed I typed fast and make a mistakes on SSC it is supposed to be SCC. I typed too fast. Sorry for that confusion. I re-edit to fix that. Good luck.

Once you get pass the startup issue, a 15K btu 120 vac air cond draws about 13 amps run current. That is 1,560 VA. I say VA because power factor is about 0.87 so real watts is about 1360 watts. Losses on inverter is based on VA while battery power equals true watts plus inverter, cable, and losses due to VA. (have I confused you yet?)

Probably should use 1500 watts when compressor is on. Divide by 90% for inverter/cable loss is 1667 watts just for air cond. Should use a 24v inverter. Add in other load power needed simultaneously.

I think you should plan on supplying 25 amp startup surge with Micro Air Easy Start. That is preferably a 3 kW inverter but you might be able to rely on short overload surge on a 2500 watt inverter. With some extra misc loads, 3 kW inverter would be better.

A 100 AH 12v battery, using 80% capacity will give you about 1 kWH. Only two batteries (2 kWH) would give you about one hour, 15 mins of run time. 3 hours sounds bogus even including PV power contribution. 300 watts from PV, is about best case, and is about 20% of power consumed by air cond. Maybe forgot to mention it was colder outside then room being air conditioned.

I have seen a video on Youtube that said a Honda inverter generator can sync to another manufacturer's inverter generator without a parallel sync cable kit hookup. Just have to parallel the two AC outlets together, starting other inverter gen first before starting up the Honda. Honda's inverter will adjust its phase sync before putting out power. Conceivably could be possible to hook battery powered sinewave inverter in parallel to Honda. Anyone want to put up their Honda and inverter to try it? Not sure what might happen if battery inverter shuts down before Honda gen.

Thank you, a lot to learn.

This might be were an all in one fits your needs nicely. A 3kw 24v growatt as Will has shown in his video.

schmism said:

This might be were an all in one fits your needs nicely. A 3kw 24v growatt as Will has shown in his video.

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Sounds great, confused with all different acronyms, but what video is it?

its dual version at 48V but you'll get the jist. (you'll need just 1 unit)