Solar AC - The Impossible?
There are those on youtube, some of those Van Lifers, Off Gridders on youtube that may give the impression that it is impossible to operate a compression based window AC unit using only solar panels.
The possible becomes impossible with them and hence with the rest of society. (It appears that in the last 10-15 years, the U.S. has become exactly that, making the possible become impossible).
But, NO, I believe the opposite, ..... the impossible,.....it becomes possible:
https://youtu.be/kmGx5RYQtt4?t=38
You can even operate a 10,000 btu compressor based AC utilizing a battery (with the capacity of a car battery):
https://youtu.be/8lOs5ua8kCQ
Though it can only be done for about 1 hour. Both of these videos show that it is possible to operate a compression based window AC unit from batteries. Though, what is needed are more solar panels in order to recharge the batteries at a rate fast enough so that the AC unit can run continuously. Another option is to have sufficient solar panels so that the AC unit can cool down the living space to the required temperature, turn off, and then by the time the temperature rises the batteries will be sufficiently recharged so that this cycle can continue as long as their is sufficient sunlight.
In fact if vacuum insulation is used, you may need to cool down one's living space only 3-4 times a day. This is mostly due to air leaks and human body heat. Most humans produce about 100 watts of body heat.
A typical 5000 btu air conditioner requires about 450 watts when the compressor is running, though it may require more power when the compressor turns on. In order to attain a more accurate measurement of the amount of power required one could connect the AC unit in question (make sure that the maximum power is below 1875 Watts) to the Kill-A-Watt power meter:
http://www.p3international.com/products/p4400.html
The Kill-A-Watt meter has a feature than measures the amount of current going into the appliance. This may be useful in the calculations to determine the capacity of batteries and the number of solar panels needed.
The possible becomes impossible with them and hence with the rest of society. (It appears that in the last 10-15 years, the U.S. has become exactly that, making the possible become impossible).
But, NO, I believe the opposite, ..... the impossible,.....it becomes possible:
https://youtu.be/kmGx5RYQtt4?t=38
You can even operate a 10,000 btu compressor based AC utilizing a battery (with the capacity of a car battery):
https://youtu.be/8lOs5ua8kCQ
Though it can only be done for about 1 hour. Both of these videos show that it is possible to operate a compression based window AC unit from batteries. Though, what is needed are more solar panels in order to recharge the batteries at a rate fast enough so that the AC unit can run continuously. Another option is to have sufficient solar panels so that the AC unit can cool down the living space to the required temperature, turn off, and then by the time the temperature rises the batteries will be sufficiently recharged so that this cycle can continue as long as their is sufficient sunlight.
In fact if vacuum insulation is used, you may need to cool down one's living space only 3-4 times a day. This is mostly due to air leaks and human body heat. Most humans produce about 100 watts of body heat.
A typical 5000 btu air conditioner requires about 450 watts when the compressor is running, though it may require more power when the compressor turns on. In order to attain a more accurate measurement of the amount of power required one could connect the AC unit in question (make sure that the maximum power is below 1875 Watts) to the Kill-A-Watt power meter:
http://www.p3international.com/products/p4400.html
The Kill-A-Watt meter has a feature than measures the amount of current going into the appliance. This may be useful in the calculations to determine the capacity of batteries and the number of solar panels needed.
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