Efficient AC System For DIY Camper Van Conversion With 12V Battery Bank

Published 05/13/2026

Products Featured in This Question

Velit 2000R RV AC w/ Remote - Ductless - 8,000 Btu - 12V DC - White - Complete System

(7)

$1829.00

GE Appliances HE RV AC - 13,500 Btu - White - AC Unit Only

(2)

$764.18

Ductless Install Kit for GE Appliances RV ACs - Air Distribution Box, Thermostat, Controls - White

(3)

$186.10

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

(11)

$178.96

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?