Comparing 120V And 12V AC Unit For DIY Camper Build Off-Grid Use

Published 05/12/2026

Products Featured in This Question

GE Appliances HE RV Air Conditioner - 13,500 Btu - Ducted or Non-Ducted - R32 - White - AC Unit Only

(3)

$729.14

Non-Ducted Install Kit GE Appliances RV ACs - Air Distribution, Thermostat, Control - R32 - White

(4)

$191.68

Ducted Install Kit for GE Appliances RV ACs - Air Distribution, Thermostat, Controls - Black - R32

(15)

$194.97

Velit 2000R RV AC w/ Remote - 8,000 Btu - Non-Ducted - 12V DC - Gray - Complete System

(8)

$1829.00

Question:

I’m adding AC to a tiny cabin-on-wheels build, and I’m worried 15K might be more than I need. Is there a smaller rooftop option in this group that still feels like a real RV AC? I'm trying to draw less power too while off-grid. I have large battery bank - 4 12v 100ah lithium.

asked by: Ellis

Expert Reply:

Hey Ellis! For your setup, I’d actually look at the Velit 2000R # VE77QV before the GE Appliances HE # GE44FR. The GE is a solid 13,500 Btu rooftop AC, but it’s still a 120V unit, so running it from a 12V lithium bank would require an inverter and you’ll lose some power in that conversion.

The Velit # VE77QV is a complete ductless 8,000 Btu system that runs directly on 12V DC, so it’s a much better match for a 4-battery 12V lithium setup for off-grid use. It draws about 250–300 watts in Eco mode and up to 650 watts in Turbo mode. With four 100Ah lithium batteries, you could be in the range of roughly 13–18 hours in Eco mode or around 6–7 hours at higher draw, depending on heat, insulation, sun load, and how often the compressor cycles.

If you decide you want the more traditional RV rooftop route instead, # GE44FR is the smaller GE option at 13,500 Btu and is rated for a 15-amp circuit breaker. Just remember it’s the rooftop unit only, so you’d use # GE56FR for a ducted install or # GE46FR for a ductless install. For true off-grid cooling on your battery bank, though, I’d start with the 12V Velit. How large is the cabin space you’re trying to cool, Ellis?