Solar Air conditioning.

An air condition that works with solar energyThe cooling of a space with an air conditioner is expensive and that is why this is one of the first functions to meet someone thinks just begun to deal with photovoltaics.portable air conditionBut soon finds out that economically not attractive at all to try to cover the operation of an air conditioner with a standalone photovoltaic system. Let's see why, considering first what stream consumes an air condition:A small air conditioner and even energy class A of 9.000 BTU consumes almost 1.000 Watt per hour of operation (1.000 Wh). So even for just three hours of use, for example during the three warmest hours of the day, consumption reaches 3.000 Wh (watt-hours). So having photovoltaic panels 600 Wp, deep discharge batteries about 600A and inverter with pure sine power of at least 3.000 Watt. Such a system costs about 4,000 euros but ... And this for just 3 hours of air conditioning!The only way for air to photovoltaic (relatively low cost) is the selection of a sufficiently smaller than 9.000 BTU air conditioner, which will thus consumes less power. But, as is natural, it is only suitable for very small spaces such as caravans, boats or cabins some very small rooms of similar size.Such an air conditioner with solar is here. I tried in practice one here will just describe my experience of testing. The specifications on the website of referral ...

The test of a small air conditioner with solar in practiceI must stress that try to cool an area is a very energy-intensive process, so should (must) do everything possible to facilitate the air conditioner does the job ... So:

    We care first for shading the area we want to cool (trees, awnings, etc.).
    If there are windows which gets sunlight, the scare with a suitable curtain.
    Place the outdoor unit in a cool spot with shade.
    Careful not exist losses from cracks, open doors, etc.
    Avoid using appliances that emit heat into the conditioned space!Once I realized that we do not have any of these problems the caravan would become the experiment, I proceeded to install the small portable air conditioner.

The installationThe installation of small portable air conditioner with photovoltaic was more than simple: The small outdoor unit has two removable flat "hooks" from which you can hang the outdoor unit from a window of the caravan. There are screw holes for permanent mounting, we also have the ability to simply touch it somewhere without a permanent fix ...

small air conditionerConnected to the indoor unit via a flat tire. Is this level that you can close the window after installing the air conditioner (leaving a very small opening a few millimeters that can easily be covered with a special film to windows or other junk instrument we have available - ie tape). Very handy ...The indoor unit and is placed in various ways such as our best serve, bearing in mind that the level of rubber with the vents has a length of about a half meter.

air conditioning air condition caravan for caravan, boat, small spacesFrom the above and from the small shape and weight of the two units (internal and external) is obvious the effort made to ensure that the air is indeed portable and moved / positioned with ease.The operation of the air conditionerThe photovoltaic system was already installed was enough to support the testing of the air conditioner. If there were, the requirements of the air conditioner to operate three hours are as follows (cost about 1,200 euros):

    Solar panel 230Wp about
    200A battery deep discharge
    Least 800W Inverter with pure sine
    Charge regulator 10A/24VI put the socket, press power ON and wait for the result (I admit with some suspicion) ... In less than five minutes but my surprise was evident! The room with two beds had become so cool that you felt the need to choose a lower speed fan in the air conditioner (but I isolate this area from the rest of the caravan closing the sliding door and thereby reducing the volume of air needed to cool in half) . There were two stairs adjusting air speed and temperature selection four stairs cooling. I left the second staircase temperature and fan speed and opened the sliding door to see the result in the entire caravan length 5.50 meters.The temperature after about 15 minutes dropped significantly, so you can feel comfortable inside when the outside temperature must have been around 34 degrees Celsius (unfortunately I forgot to take with me ... thermometer, so accurate measurements will be added here in the next weekend)! 

ConclusionMy own view is to avoid if we conditioners and apply natural methods to cool the house. But I understand that this is not always possible, and there may be health reasons mandating the installation of an air conditioner, even for a time of need ...The above solution conditioning is not generally the most economical, but it is the most economical solution conditioning using photovoltaics. In practice, does what it promises, ie cools very well a caravan 5-6 meters. The noise is not large, about works like a fan.If you would recommend? Undoubtedly yes ... if you absolutely must put conditioner! The installation was easy, gets the job done with the above, the cost is reasonable and is the only way for a solar air conditioning at a reasonable cost.