Solar / Electric

[theladylibert]

:huh:  OK, I'm sorry about my lack of knowledge,  but here goes.  I finally got van.  For a variety of reasons I got a Chevy passenger van.   Since the passenger van has rear A/C and heat, i want to run that on solar.  Is this possible?  If so,  what kind of solar set up would I need?

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome theladylibert to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

"Since the passenger van has rear A/C and heat, i want to run that on solar. Is this possible?"

Short answer is no.

The AC compressor is driven off the vehicle engine. So you are out on that side. Also the heat for the heater is supplied by the engine coolant just like for the front heater so your out there to. To heat with electricity takes a huge amount of power so does running an AC I doubt your van has enough roof space for the solar to run these.

Sorry to be a downer.

Highdesertranger

 

[ldsreliance]

highdesertranger is right... it would be very difficult to run any heating or air conditioning in a van on solar.  You could run them in short durations if you had enough battery power and a good enough inverter and then slowly recharge with solar.  But we would be talking an hour or two, realistically.

 

[theladylibert]

Thank you two very much.  I appreciate your help,  even though that's not the answer I wanted!  I was hoping that unit would be a substitute for the add-on version.  I really appreciate the links you provided.  I have never been on a forum before, you've been very gracious.  Highdesertranger,  I  couldn't figure out,  how to reply to you, as there was no reply box after your post.  The link to the solar info looks to be very informative,

 

[Scott3569]

it is not just difficult as others say, it is impossible.. the heating and cooling system in a vehicle are dependent on the operation of the Engine.. with out the Engine Running it is impossible to separate the systems.. Well maybe Not impossible.. I mean enough money almost anything can be done..

I have a Dodge caravan, that I have just removed the rear heating a cooling system, Because it is useless if I want to be parked and not idle the vehicle constantly..

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

You could plumb the rear heat off a auxiliary hydronic heating system since it all relies on coolant being heated by the engine. But the a/c, you're out of luck in that department.

 

[XERTYX]

You could plumb the rear heat off a auxiliary hydronic heating system since it all relies on coolant being heated by the engine. But the a/c, you're out of luck in that department.

That certainly is possible... I looked into hydronic heating as I was planning to install a mini hot water heater as a load dump and it seemed like a good idea to use it for heat as well.

It's just not practical for a small system IMO. I spent a few days researching hydronic systems. It takes a hell of a lot of plumbing. And since the heater core has had coolant ran thru it already youd have to sacrifice a $200+ hot water heater that's no longer safe for potable water.

I would go with a diesel heater personally. Or an Olympian or whatever propane heater. Cooling I'd just go with a fan.

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

I installed a hydronic system in my rig. The system heats up a coolant loop just like the engine does. Any time you take heat out of that loop is done with heat exchangers, like a forced air heater core. For water heater I used a marine one where the coolant runs through pipes inside potable water heater tank. The fluids never mix. Works well, but lots of plumbing. I would stick with regular diesel air heaters unless you needed potable hot water, that's where a diesel hydronic heater shines.

 

[ldsreliance]

Has anyone tried one of these for air conditioning? If not, I might try to get a hold of one and do a review of it on my Youtube channel:

https://www.zerobreeze.com/products...jeRxB7463CBNM_NbJiogwK5zHMMY2fCcaAnIcEALw_wcB

If people have experience and it isn't of interest to this forum I will pass.

 

[Cammalu]

Bad link for me.

 

[highdesertranger]

It might blow cool air on you but how is it vented? If it dumps the heat into the same place that you are trying to cool, How could it work? Highdesertranger

 

[abnorm]

I watched a longer infomercial...........they now provide two hoses that exit the rear of the unit to exhaust outside your vehicle window

But the price I saw was $1700.................

 

[highdesertranger]

wow I didn't see that. thanks Doug.

1700 bucks dang.

Highdesertranger

 

[ldsreliance]

I watched a longer infomercial...........they now provide two hoses that exit the rear of the unit to exhaust outside your vehicle window

But the price I saw was $1700.................

Price on the website with the link I posted is $950 (without battery).  The price you saw for $1700 is with 2 of their batteries and that isn't bad for 1.7kWh of battery in a small form factor that works seamlessly with the a/c.

Yes that is much more expensive than, say, a window unit air conditioner.  But these are low production, low demand products for a very niche audience.  No offense.  If it works well for cooling then it would be worth every penny for me.

I'll email them and see if they will send me a unit for review.

 

[abnorm]

The Christmas Nightmare.................."Battery NOT included"

 

[bullfrog]

It really bothers me there is no BTU listing, lots of claims but how much air does it move and can it cool an enclosed space the size of a person? Physics still apply, right? If you can not run a small 5,000 BTU air conditioner off of a good sized battery bank with 600 watts of solar for more than a few hours does it make sense even a greatly improved system that is portable and weighs much less could do as well or better? I can buy a lot of units that make claims of cooling but have yet to find one that works as well as the one that came with my RV. For that price I can buy a generator, air conditioner and a wagon to haul it all around knowing it will work! Some problems we have yet to find "good" solutions for, air conditioning is one of those. It looks to me you would need several with the big battery packs to come close to what most people consider "air conditioning".

 

[highdesertranger]

I find the best solution for AC is to go to where you don't need it. For the price of that little toy I could make the trip to cooler climes and back for many years. Highdesertranger

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

The ZB Mk2 is a 2300 BTU unit.  In the shade it will cool an enclosed area the size of a twin bed (~25 sq.ft.).  Direct sun will add ~7000 BTU to 25 sq.ft.
So, blowing cool air on you in the shade or in bed at night, will work.

$1400 for AC + 1 battery.
24V Li-ion Battery is 840Wh = 35AH = 3 - 5 hours or 7 - 11 amp draw.
Will need ~28V from solar or a boost transformer to charge battery, or shore power.

 

[bullfrog]

Thanks Spaceman Spiff!

 

[jimindenver]

Do they list the watts required to run it? The reason I ask is because in searching for the lowest draw A/Cs I could use with my solar system I found a number of lower Btu units that pulled more than the 5000 Btu units I use.