Electrical Shop Rec in San Diego Area

[Swimmer]

We purchased a used Class C recently and I would like to upgrade the electrical system:

-LiPo Batteries
-Solar
-DC-DC Charger
-Larger Inverter

My goal is to size the system to run the Air Cons.

I would prefer to avoid the dealership if possible and work with a smaller company that specializes in electrical and can work with me on the specs.

-->Does anyone have any companies in SoCal (San Diego/Orange County)?

-->Or, if you had good results with a dealer?

[SafariBen]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

My goal is to size the system to run the Air Cons...

That puts you in extreme territory in my opinion. You're looking at maxing out the square footage with solar, huge battery bank, and probably changing out factory rooftop A/Cs for minisplit or more efficient units.



If the goal is to run A/C, how long? and what reliability are you looking for? and is generator use considered?


If you don't get a good suggestion here, I might look at Northern Arizona renewable forum, NAZ. and be prepared to drive a ways to drop off for the work.

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by SafariBen

That puts you in extreme territory in my opinion. You're looking at maxing out the square footage with solar, huge battery bank, and probably changing out factory rooftop A/Cs for minisplit or more efficient units.



If the goal is to run A/C, how long? and what reliability are you looking for? and is generator use considered?


If you don't get a good suggestion here, I might look at Northern Arizona renewable forum, NAZ. and be prepared to drive a ways to drop off for the work.

Its wired for Solar, but no panels up there now.

Air Con usage is Nov-May, but in the Desert or other areas, and only for a few hours in the afternoon.

The RV is still at the dealer (I pick it up next week), but I believe the Air Cons are about 1K W units. So we would run 1 of the 2 units, not heavy as noted.

It has a noisy, 1 Cyl, gasoline Gen so trying to minimize its use, but will do as needed.

Also, there is no Inverter, so 2KW inverter is plan.

Use Case - 3 to 21 day trips, often off grid and no shore power.

[SafariBen]

Excellent, that's not quite so extreme. I can't offer any better suggestion unfortunately. Locally there are several solid solar installers that do grid tie solar, they won't touch off grid. There are a few hippies that do off grid, but I doubt they'd want to touch RV's and wouldn't have the relevant experience anyway, but they'd be where I'd look none the less. From what I've heard, if it didn't come from the factory, I would not have any bricks and mortar RV establishment touch a solar install or battery conversion.

[Swimmer]

Agree, it can be hit or miss with the brick and mortar shops especially when involving electrical. Talked to one shop that said yes-yes-yes, we can do that, but was hoping to find a smaller outfit of a couple Techs who have the skills and care about the finished product. First world problems.

[HaloThere]

OP: Have you considered getting a Honda generator and running it off your Class-C gas tank?

I don't think you have the room for all the solar and LiFeP04 batteries just for starters.

Can you tell us if you have storage under your bed?

What about a usable 14x24" cabinet under a window... where you can hide a portable AC... and then exhaust the hot air out a 5" hole... which you can cut in your side wall... and paint a plastic dryer vent to make it look OEM.

Adding a portable AC is economical and efficient. However, a mini split install is better. Do a search on Class-C mini split installations and see what you can find.

For $350 you can get a GE-6000-BTU Portable AC that will only draw 9A. Plus these portable AC have built in soft start kits, which roof top ACs don't have.

Also, fyi, any pre-installed RV solar kit (wire) is not going to work very well. It's a sales gimmick if you ask me.

How may 200W solar panels do you think you can put on your roof anyway?

24V is cheaper than 48V systems too and since you can't install a ton of solar, just stay with 24V components and LiFeP04 batteries.

OP: What type of refrigerator do you have?

[Swimmer]

I pick up the rig next week. I am an RV newbie (only rented in past).

Not sure on panels. TBD.

Don’t want a portable gas gen. The rig has a gas Gen, 1 cyl, that is loud.

Portable air con wil look at that, thanks.

The Mini Splits are interesting. This guy does a good job explaining his system. Only confusing part was the current draw for a 12V Li system. His V/A meter noted 30 and 45 amps at low and medium cool, but the spec sheet says 80A. Does anyone on here have one?

Link below:

https://nomadicsupply.com/nomadic-co...Ev_JN7KWeKvNRk

[Duner]

Redlands Truck and RV in CA do a variety of aftermarket upgrades including solar. I've used them for the past 15 yrs for warranty work, repairs and upgrades.
They stand behind their designs and service. Give them a call and see what they think about your requirements and if it is doable and the approx cost.
909.792.0314

Happy Trails,
Bill

[Wildwoods22]

I have had all my RVs serviced at South Coast RV Service Center in Chula Vista. Except for warranty work on the new rig being done at La Mesa RV. When I upgrade to LiPo next year I’ll get quotes from both.

[SafariBen]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

The Mini Splits are interesting. This guy does a good job explaining his system. Only confusing part was the current draw for a 12V Li system. His V/A meter noted 30 and 45 amps at low and medium cool, but the spec sheet says 80A. Does anyone on here have one?

The better newer A/C compressors are variable speed, so they can run at max at similar efficiency to a single stage unit, or they can run at reduced speed, but obviously with the same size heat exchangers and ducting, for high efficiency. Not that different than my RV has 300hp, but it gets much better mileage at 50mph and under 100hp.



Someone recently mentioned a window A/C from HD for under $200 that was variable speed and ran at 400w on a lower setting, so the tech is very accessible, just not common in roof top units, as far as I know.