Running Your Caravan Air Conditioner On 12V Battery Power

Picture this: a warm summer's day, a picturesque camping spot, but without a reliable power source to run your caravan air conditioner. That's where 12V battery power comes in. In this guide, we'll explore how you can keep cool and comfortable on your caravan adventures using the latest Dometic air conditioners range, along with essential accessories like battery bundles, inverters, power systems, and solar panels.

 

Choosing the Right Air Conditioner:

The heart of your cooling setup is, of course, the air conditioner itself. Dometic's new FreshJet 7 series offers exceptional efficiency and performance. With compact designs and CleanAir technology, they're perfect for maximising rooftop space and ensuring the air you breathe is fresh and pure. With their state-of-the-art inverter technology, the new Freshjet series 7 can drawdown your caravan’s temperature up to 41% quicker than old models.

 

The Power of 12V Batteries:

Running an air conditioner requires a reliable power source, and lithium 12V battery power is the perfect solution. These batteries are designed to provide consistent and stable power for extended periods, ensuring your air conditioner runs smoothly even in remote locations. Lithium batteries are lighter than AGM batteries, which means you can carry more battery power for less towing weight. The more battery capacity you can store, the longer you can run your air conditioner.

Enerdrive have the ePOWER B-TEC 300Ah Lithium Battery which is proving to be the game changer in off grid caravanning. Parallel two of these together and you have a whopping 600Ah battery capacity to not only run your air conditioner but have plenty left to run your fridge and lights! If you are limited for space, then check out the Enerdrive B-TEC 300Ah Slim Metal Case Lithium Battery, same great 12V battery performance, less space needed for installation.

 

The Role of Inverters:

Another essential when it comes to 12V battery power in your caravan to your air conditioner is an inverter. Inverters come in various sizes and capacities. They convert the direct current (DC) stored in your battery into alternating current (AC) that your air conditioner and other appliances can use. It's important to choose an inverter that matches the power requirements of your air conditioner.

Most inverters will need to be over 2600W to maintain the roof top air conditioners in today’s market. It is always best to speak to your retailer and size up your inverter to your exact needs. You are always better to have more than not enough when it comes to inverters. Enerdrive have a new addition to their inverter charger range, the Enerdrive 3000W 100A-12V Inverter Charger, it not only performs the role of an inverter but also an AC (240V) charger (100A). So, you can charge your system up at home to full capacity before taking off.

 

Harnessing the Power of Solar:

By harnessing the energy of the sun, you can recharge your 12V battery during the day, allowing you to run your air conditioner at night when not connected to 240V power. Solar is one of the key factors to running a successful system to power your air conditioner. You may boast a huge system of batteries in your set up, ensuring you have sufficient solar to fill these batteries back up is imperative. Enerdrive and Exotronic offer a range of high-quality solar panels designed to complement your power systems. Available in many configurations to suit your roofs real estate.

Limited for space on the roof? Then also consider portable solar panels to contribute to your 12V battery power system. Create your solar system to suit your needs, when it comes to solar more is always better. Your battery bank size is only with the investment if you have the solar power to replenish. Don’t forget, every solar set up needs a controller to regulate the charging of your battery from the solar panels, preventing overcharging and extending the lifespan of your battery.

 

Building a Comprehensive Power System:

To ensure your caravan stays cool and comfortable, it's important to have a well-designed power system. This includes not only your battery and inverter but also components like solar, charge controllers and monitoring systems to optimise power usage. Confused yet? At Caravan RV Camping we have taken most of the guess work out for you by offering pre-wired systems that are ready for you to drop into your van and get travelling.

Practically speaking, when utilising DC power to operate a caravan rooftop air conditioner while off-grid, it's advisable to allocate 1 to 2 hours of AC usage per day, or 3 to 4 hours for larger systems. The battery system serves as a means to power up your AC unit during the peak heat of the day or to swiftly cool your sleeping area before bedtime.

For instance, the new Dometic FreshJet Plus model typically draws around 65 Amps of DC power via an inverter during startup, and maintains a steady 60 Amps while in operation. With a 300Ah battery bank, two hours of usage will consume approximately 40% of your stored power. A robust solar array generating between 600W to 800W can replenish up to 150 Amps Hours of current into your batteries daily, assuming it covers your roof. With the largest unit in Dometic's range pulling around 125 Amp Hours in two hours of operation, you can enjoy these benefits on a daily basis. However, it's crucial to account for other appliances and keep a vigilant eye on your battery's state of charge by using a reliable battery monitor.

Our top recommendations for power systems: 

• Enerdrive 300Ah Solar Off-Grid 4x4 Bundle with 2600W Inverter

• Enerdrive 400Ah Off-Grid 40A DC & 60A AC Charging Bundle, with 760W Solar Panels

 

Pre Wired Boards:

Caravan owners are finding that pre wired charging boards are ideal for keeping installation costs down. Much of the wiring, fuse protection and layout has been done at a factory level. 

 

Our top recommendations for pre wired boards:

Victron

• Pre-Wired Victron Board B2 with 50A MPPT Smart Solar & Cerbo GX 

You can pair this with two 200Ah Exotronic Lithium batteries to establish a significant drop-in system. However, it's important to note that you'll still require a robust solar array, with a minimum capacity of 600W.

 

Enerdrive
 
Enerdrive offers a diverse range of eSYSTEM boards tailored for different applications. While the boards feature an impressive 2000W inverter, capable of starting and running Dometic Freshjet 7 Series air conditioners, we often recommend opting for the 2600W or 3000W inverters for an added power buffer, especially in situations where output may experience a reduction in higher temperatures. For an insight into Enerdrive eSYSTEM boards, check out our friends at Plenty of Dust! 

 
For a larger board designed to partner with a 2600W inverter, check out the eSYSTEM- J board from Enerdrive. This board has an increased inverter circuit breaker to handle higher current from a 2600W inverter. It is also equipped with a separate solar regulator to increase your solar yield while traveling and stationary. This would be an ideal board to partner with 300Ah – 400Ah of Lithium and 720W – 1000W of roof top solar.

 

There are multiple bundle options with various size chargers, monitors and 12V battery power. Call us on 1800 787 278 to find the best one for your application.
 
With the right setup, you can enjoy the luxury of a cool and comfortable caravan, even in the most remote locations. The Dometic air conditioner FreshJet range, paired with a 12V battery, inverter, power system and solar, will provide a comprehensive solution for all your cooling needs. Say goodbye to sweltering nights and hello to a whole new level of comfort on your caravan adventures!

Note: if investing in a power system to run your caravan aircon is not for you, the other option when camping off-grid is to use a small caravan generator to run your air conditioner. You can find out more about this option in our guide to portable generators. 

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DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.

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