Efficient AC System For DIY Camper Van Conversion With 12V Battery Bank
Published 05/13/2026
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I have a van conversion and want AC that can run from my battery bank without needing a big inverter. Would the 12V Velit be a better fit than a normal rooftop RV AC?
asked by: Dante
Expert Reply:
Hey Dante! Yes, the Velit 2000R # VE77QV is a much better fit for that kind of van build than a standard 120V rooftop AC. It runs directly on 12V DC, so you do not need to route power through an inverter just to cool the van.
It’s a complete ductless 8,000 Btu system with a remote, Bluetooth app control, and a low 7-1/8 inch rooftop profile. It draws about 250–300 watts in Eco mode and up to 650 watts in Turbo mode, so it’s much more realistic for battery-powered camping.
For example, if you had four 12V 100Ah lithium batteries, you’d have roughly 5,120 watt-hours of battery capacity. At 250–300 watts, the Velit could theoretically run around 17–20 hours in Eco mode, or about 8 hours at the full 650-watt draw. Real-world runtime will be lower depending on heat, insulation, and how far you want to discharge the batteries, but it’s still a much better off-grid fit than a 120V AC running through an inverter.
The GE Appliances 13,500 btu ac unit # GE44FR is still an efficient 120V option I’d compare it to, but it would still need an inverter and would likely drain that same battery bank in just a couple hours. If you go that route, you’d also need # GE46FR for a ductless install or # GE56FR for a ducted install. What size battery bank are you planning to use, Dante?
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Velit 2000R RV AC w/ Remote - 8,000 Btu - Non-Ducted - 12V DC - Gray - Complete System
- RV Air Conditioners
- Complete AC System
- Cool Only
- 8000 Btu
- Standard Height
- Single Zone
- Rooftop
- Non-Ducted
- Gray
- Velit
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