15K BTU on Solar Stats

[chrisski]

I am testing running my 15K BTU on solar in my RV off a SAMLEX 3000 watt PST 24 volt model inverter and two 8S 280 ah Cells (560 ah total). Here are some stats:

Watts From Battery: 1650
Watts From Inverter: 1470

I did this with the Micro Air Easy Start Micro Air 364:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VFDYQ4Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did the 5 start Learning Runs off a 3000 watt inverter Generator.

The first learning start was 30.9 amps, and the other 4 learning starts were between 16.2 and 16.5 amps.

When I switched to my Inverter, the Start went to 18 amps.

Whenever I ran the Air Conditioner, the 120 VAC amps were between 11.9 and 12.3 amps.

Not warm enough here to turn it on and keep it on, but I should see that over the next couple of days.

Here's some start up Data:

 

[Bud Martin]

Can you please provide the full model number of the SAMLEX 3000 watt PST 24 volt ? I would like to get more info about it, Thanks!

 

[chrisski]

It’s the SAMLEX PST 3000-24:

Amazon.com: Samlex America PST-3000-24 Samlex 3000w Pure Sine Wave Inverter - 24v : Automotive

Buy Samlex America PST-3000-24 Samlex 3000w Pure Sine Wave Inverter - 24v: Power Inverters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Bud Martin]

Thanks! So it is LF inverter since it weights in at 25 lbs.

 

[chrisski]

Thanks! So it is LF inverter since it weights in at 25 lbs.

I could not find whether the PST 3000-24 is a low or high frequency in the owner’s manual. My assumption is its a high frequency inverter since the 6000 watt surge is for < 8ms. 8 ms is about 1/2 of one cycle of AC. I thought short surge times were supposed to be high frequency inverters. The Micro-Air Easy start reduces the locked rotor amps. When the easy start was doing the first learn, it measured 30 amps. I never tried the AC on the inverter prior to installing the Easy Start.

SAMLEX is supposed to be a good inverter. I just wish I saw the words “High Freqency Inverter” or “Low Fequency Inverter” somewhere in the documentation.

 

[Bud Martin]

Most 3000W HF that I look at weighted in around 10 ~ 12 lbs.
My 3000W HF Reliable power is about 10 lbs.

 

[Bluedog225]

Thanks for the test report.

 

[chrisski]

Took me a long time to find good data on an RV wattage consumption rate for a stock 15 BTU air conditioner. I had been told to expect 500 watts, and found on a YouTube video by freeze framing to expect 1600 watts. When I turned it in today, I found it around 1650 watts.

I’m also thinking since an 8k mini split takes 500 watts, I would need two of those if I replaced my RV air conditioner. With 16k at 1000 watts, I’d have marginally more cooling at 1/3rd less power consumption. To me that does not look good for replacing these stock air conditioners in a fifth wheel.

 

[chrisski]

I ran the Air conditioner for three and a half hours today, and the solar kept up with power for the A/C.

Outside temp was 80 and I set it to 74. Ran most of the time, probably 90%.. For the most part my 2200 watts of panels kept up with the 1632 watts of production, but there was usually around 100 watts coming from the batteries, that recharged itself when the AC cycled off. As the day went on, the AC would cycle off more, but there was less solar output, but it still kept up.

I have another 350 watts of panels I put on the roof this weekend and may take the RV out next weekend and run the A/C again. I think my A/C actually runs a 10 degree difference to the outside temp. I’ll see if this holds true as it gets hotter out

Air conditioner start test 1:08. Numbers are Temp in F Followed by watts.

1:33 Stats
Outside Temp—(80f)
Battery temp— 77 F
Inverter—94 F (1537w)
Total Solar Production-1732 wat
Solar SCC 1– 96 F (439w)
SCC 2—99 F (832w)
SCC 3—90 F (459w)
Main bus bar—83 F
Battery busbar—78 F
BMS—82 F (-50 watts)

2:36 Stats
Outide Temp—(82 f)
Bat temp —81F
Inverter—95 F (1538w)
Total Solar Production —1560 watts
SCC 1 —96 F ( 377w)
SCC 2 —117 F ( 830w)
SCC 3—91 F ( 349w)
Main bus bar— 88 F
Battery busbar—82 F
BMS—84 F (-255 watts)

3:43 Stats
Outside Temp-(82 F)
Battery temp— 81 F
Inverter—94 F ( 1530w)
Total Solar Production –1170 watts
SCC 1 — 95 F( 291W)
SCC 2 — 103 F ( 650 W)
SCC 3 — 89 F ( 228 W)
Main bus bar-87
Battery busbar-82
BMS — 85 F ( - 770 W)

4:43 Stats
Outside Temp — (81 F)
Bat temp — 81
Inverter — 92 F ( 1530w)
Total Solar Production—841 Watts
SCC 1 — 94 F( 115 w)
SCC 2 — 105 F ( 600 W)
SCC 3 — 87 F ( 121 W)
Main bus bar 84
Battery busbar 82
BMS—82F ( - 800 W)

 

[Bvillebob]

I imagine that's a high frequency inverter, as I have their 4kw (4024) and 2kw (2224) 24 volt inverters and they weigh around 75 pounds each. Those are low frequency inverters.

Interesting to hear your numbers, I recently installed a 12K BTU heat pump for backup heat and haven't tried to run it off the inverters yet but sounds like the 4kw should be good to go.

 

[chrisski]

Too chilly for testing today, but cut up some reflectix and put it in all the windows today hoping in a few days when it warms up my temp difference is more than 12 degrees.