Off-grid post, 8-3-22

The last post was on July 22nd, on the subject of energy efficiency.

You can get portable a/c's, as mentioned. You can even get them to be relatively efficient, but not as efficient as the window units. But there aren't any window units I've seen that run on 24 volts DC. There are portables that can, and their power draw can be less than 300 watts. Now you're talking.

To get a machine with an EER of 12, and is 2300 BTU, like the one I've got my eye on, the energy draw would be only 2300/12, which is less than 200 watts. It is true though, that 2300 BTU can't do a lot of cooling. It would be best for an RV type situation. Can we do better?

The advantage of running on DC would be in greater efficiency in not having to convert to a higher voltage. It makes it more handy in using it with a solar power install that produces the 24 volts. That can be done, and is available.

These portable units seem to cost more. If it is because it is portable, or for some other reason, the cost is a sticking point. A wall unit with an EER of 12 can be obtained for far less. In fact, it may be less than 200 bucks. The conversion to AC will lower the efficiency. It'd be best to just run as much as possible of the DC output of these things because of the conversion losses.

If I can combine the output of the swamper and the portable a/c unit, maybe I can get the best of both worlds. I'm trying to maximize the cooling of this thing using a dehumidifier. An a/c might pull out a lot of water if a swamper is running, and the swamper can cool things down about 10 degrees below ambient. At least that's the result I'm getting. The amount of water collected from these portables is an unknown. The production of water is considered not a resource, but a nuisance. That is unfortunate. More cooling power could be obtained from a humidfier/dehumifier type synergistic device. If it isn't made, maybe it can be attempted here.

As mentioned, the water output is considered waste, but what if it were to be utilized in a compact machine? The way the water is minimized is probably through the exhaust air flow. But what if the air were to be re-humidified, and sent into the living area as part of the cool air flow? It is true that cooler air will hold less water. So, this may be a limited opportunity.

However, if the cooler air flow is warm enough, which it could be with a low powered unit, it may be worthwhile to do it. This is what I may be simulating, but with two devices running separately. I say "may be simulating", because I have not purchased and installed the portable unit. It is beaucoup dinero amigos. Thinking long and hard about that one.

That's all for now.