Last updated on September 26th, 2023 at 06:14 am
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Sometimes on truly sweltering days, just leaving the windows open isn’t enough to cool the RV. An air conditioner is key for traveling with the family in summer, but they tend to draw a considerable amount of power.
So you may be wondering; how long can you run an RV air conditioner?
It’s safe to run an RV air conditioner as long as it’s connected to a reliable source of power such as residential shore power, an RV park hookup, or a generator. If enough power is continually being supplied to your RV, you can run the RV air conditioner for as long as you like!
There are a lot of worthwhile considerations when thinking about RV air conditioning, from efficiency to the power required, and even the price point if you’re looking for a new AC for your camper.
Not all RVs are created equally and some are able to handle higher power drawing appliances than others due to various power setups, such as the length of time an AC can be used.
How Long Can You Run An RV Air Conditioner?
There are a few different things that affect how long you can run an RV air conditioner. Most RVs have an electrical system, but running such a power-heavy appliance like an AC can drain power fast! However, power is only the beginning of considerations to make with an RV air conditioner.
Energy Consumption: 50 Amp VS 30 AMP
Running an AC on a 50 AMP electrical hookup means less worry about overall energy consumption. This is because 50 AMP hookups are designed to handle the energy intake of even the largest rigs. Of course, having the right size generator helps, but it probably isn’t required for most folks.
For smaller rigs, 30 AMP hookups can power an AC as these campers typically only have 1 unit. This changes with bigger RVs with two AC units that only have singular access to a 30 AMP hookup. This likely won’t be enough power to support the AC units alongside the rig’s other electrical demands.
To combat this, a generator can be a good supplemental power source as it runs on the RV’s own gas supply rather than a campsite’s electrical power.
Gas Usage
Generally, running an RV AC using the generator alone won’t consume too much gas. In fact, just 6 gallons are enough to power most AC units for at least 24 hours. Of course, it’s possible to get even more out of this if you’re using an efficient air conditioner. Whether or not this is viable for you depends on your rig’s capabilities, the AC unit, and the amount of gas you’re willing to set aside for it.
Running something alongside the AC on a generator will use gas more quickly, so this is worth thinking about too. To avoid using excessive gas, a portable 3,500W – 4,000W inverter is a good way to separate the AC energy consumption from the RV itself.
Number Of Appliances In Use
It’s important to note when hooking up your RV to a portable generator, you’ll typically notice amenities in the RV beginning to switch over to the new power supply. For example, the refrigerator, which is normally powered by propane, will begin consuming the portable generator’s electricity. Using a fridge with solar power can help but it’s only one of many ways you can get creative.
In doing so, your RV will naturally begin to use up a lot of the generator’s available power making it impossible to start up your AC while hooked up to it. This isn’t a problem with the AC or the portable generator. You simply have to make sure the RV’s amenities are switched back to their normal power supply and not the generator.
If you want to avoid using up too much gas but don’t have access to a portable inverter generator, it may seem tempting to use the RV’s battery power to run the AC. However, this needs to be avoided as contrary to popular belief, even the best batteries are not nearly strong enough to support an AC for endless hours of use.
Temperature And Ventilation
Lastly, it’s also important to consider how hot and humid it is outside and inside of your RV. Your AC unit will have to work much harder and consume more energy in order to keep your RV cool which can reduce the amount of time you can run your AC.
If you haven’t cleaned the air filters and vents in your RV, then you can expect poor airflow and ventilation which in return will put more pressure on your AC unit and its longevity.
Why Can’t I Run RV Air Conditioner On RV Battery?
To power most AC units in an RV, 3,500W – 4,000W of power is needed, which is why a portable generator can be useful. To use the power from an RV’s battery, an inverter is needed, but most inverters that convert battery power into electricity can only do so for 1,000W – 2000W. This is far below the baseline needed to run an AC.
Trying to run the RV air conditioner on battery power is only possible with a substantial investment. It would either require an expensive luxury rig equipped with powerful inverters, or a huge power source supplementation such as solar energy. These options cost thousands and aren’t too practical, considering the fact that RV travel is supposed to be freeing and stress-free!
Trying to find the best combination of electrical power vs. gas-powered generators for efficiently running an RV AC all day can be enticing. However, the best way to ensure your AC unit is ready to operate as it should is to maintain it properly, giving it the love and care needed to keep working at its best.
How To Best Use An RV AC Unit?
The easiest way to increase your RV AC’s longevity and keep it running well for plenty of future adventures is to use it in the best way possible! Keeping your AC in tip-top condition means it’s ready to go whenever the occasion calls, and since the weather is so unpredictable, I like to be able to fire mine up whenever I need to and know it will most likely work perfectly.
Close Doors And Windows
Perhaps my most important tip is to keep the doors and windows closed while the AC is running. Ventilation is great for keeping an RV smelling fresh and cool on warm days. But for those brutally hot summers, open windows aren’t enough, and running the AC is the best option.
Keeping the windows open, although tempting, will actually only sabotage the AC. Bringing in constant hot air from outside makes the AC unit work excessively hard to try and keep the rig cool. Over time, this can shorten its lifespan, so before switching the AC on, close the windows and doors!
Clean AC Unit
It’s no secret that RVs can get dirty! This goes for the interior, exterior, appliances, underneath, and even the roof of your rig. The AC unit may become a bit dusty or dirty after a wild summer vacation, so it’s best to give it some extra attention and scrub it up nicely after returning home!
An area that can get pretty dirty is the coils of the AC, and as talked about in the video below, it’s essential to get them clean.
Yearly Service
Generally, RV AC units have a lifespan of around 6-8 years, with 4 being the shallow end. This can be increased with routine maintenance such as having the unit serviced once a year. While general maintenance and cleaning can be done independently, a professional can come and check all the parts of your AC unit you may overlook.
This is crucial as they may notice if anything small or easy to miss is awry, and fix it before it causes irreversible damage. All of these are important in increasing your AC unit’s longevity and keeping it running well all day.
Closing Thoughts
As long as your rig has a consistent and viable power source, be it a 50 or 30 AMP hookup, your RV’s built-in gas-powered generator, or a sufficiently powered portable generator; your AC can be comfortably run all day without any problem.
Knowing how long to run an RV air conditioner can be tricky, but hopefully, our breakdown has left you feeling more confident about your rig and the components within it. Your AC unit was built to handle long summer days. If you consistently maintain it and give it ample power, you’ll be more than ready to embark on your summer journey!