Use 208/230V in 120/240?

Greetings!

My question indirecty relates to solar in that eventually I will install solar but just for now I need to run all electrical off of shore power.

I am getting a minispit to install in my motorhome. I'm refurbishing my motorhome's electrical to be just like a house with 120/240V.

The top 3 minisplits I want require 208/230V single phase 60Hz. I'm told I cannot use them in my motorhome.

Is this true? If not, what do I need to do to make it work?

If you are setting up with an inverter that produces 'split phase' 120/240 (I'm guessing you mean 115/230, 110/220 etc) the split AC should be happy with the high voltage across the two line/live wires as that is essentially what it would be using if wired to the grid supply. Obviously you'd need an inverter that can supply the amps the split AC requires but that's nothing unexpected.

Maybe there were other concerns about those split units that make them unsuitable for mobile installations rather than the voltage. Ask the people that told you that for their explanation of why not.

*pointless rambling ahead*

How do they get 208/230? This comes down to how your service is supplied. If you are a single dwelling premises you'll likely get a 220VAC supply with a centre neutral that gives you 110 between the hot wires and neutral, 220VAC is across the hot wires. If you are in a multi-dwelling situation, apartments etc, you may find the entire building has a 3 phase power supply with a common neutral (wye configuration). Phase to phase is 208VAC, phase to centre neutral is where the 110VAC comes from. The load should work with either 208 or 230 just fine, it's built that way. Ovens, stove top elements, simple room heaters, water heaters etc will produce a little less heating power at 208VAC but that's it really.

gnubie said:

If you are setting up with an inverter that produces 'split phase' 120/240 (I'm guessing you mean 115/230, 110/220 etc) the split AC should be happy with the high voltage across the two line/live wires as that is essentially what it would be using if wired to the grid supply. Obviously you'd need an inverter that can supply the amps the split AC requires but that's nothing unexpected.

Maybe there were other concerns about those split units that make them unsuitable for mobile installations rather than the voltage. Ask the people that told you that for their explanation of why not.

Click to expand...

The concerns expressed had to do with proper phasing in that the 208/230V minisplit is made for overseas applications rather than how a typical 2 phase 120/240V American system is set up.

I do not understand what is being referred to with that explanation since European systems run on 50Hz while American is 60Hz. The minisplit is for 60Hz.

Lol, I'm very confused about it and would like to know if I can still install the 208/230V minisplit or if I have to downgrade.

208 volts normally refers to North American 3 phase power.
208VAC@60hz

Its my understanding that most appliances designed for >120VAC@60hz will run on either 240VAC@60hz or 208VAC@60hz.

Ceefiveceefive said:

The concerns expressed had to do with proper phasing in that the 208/230V minisplit is made for overseas applications rather than how a typical 2 phase 120/240V American system is set up.

I do not understand what is being referred to with that explanation since European systems run on 50Hz while American is 60Hz. The minisplit is for 60Hz.

Lol, I'm very confused about it and would like to know if I can still install the 208/230V minisplit or if I have to downgrade.

Click to expand...

208/230 suggests the unit is intended for use in a '110VAC' country (USA for example but not Japan), ie goes across the two hot wires for a split phase supply, or across two phase wires in a 3 phase supply. Buy a unit intended for distribution, sale, and warranty in your country.

208 volts wye "Y" is 208 volts from phase to phase, and 120 volts from any phase to neutral.