A 12V air conditioner is the biggest load most van and camper electrical systems ever carry, so the battery bank decides how long you stay cool. This guide works out runtimes for OutEquipPro's 12V air conditioners on the three OutEquipPro 12V LiFePO4 batteries we stock, using only the current and power figures OutEquipPro publishes for each unit. It also shows OutEquipPro's own estimates, because they don't always match simple arithmetic.
How the numbers are worked out
- Usable energy: rated amp-hours × 12.8 V × 0.9. We assume 90% of a LiFePO4 battery's rated capacity is usable.
- Runtime: usable amp-hours ÷ the unit's rated current, or usable watt-hours ÷ rated watts where OutEquipPro gives watts.
- No charging and no other loads during the run: no solar, alternator or shore power, and nothing else on the battery.
A constant draw at the top of the range is the worst case. These units slow their compressors once the cabin reaches the set temperature, so the real average falls somewhere in between. Insulation, sun, outside temperature, humidity and your set point move the answer more than anything in these tables.
The batteries
| OutEquipPro battery | Usable (our assumption) | Max continuous discharge | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12V 230Ah | 207 Ah / 2,650 Wh | 200 A | 11.2 x 9.4 x 9.1 in | about 53 lb |
| 12V 460Ah Power Hub | 414 Ah / 5,299 Wh | 300 A | 20.6 x 11.3 x 9.8 in | about 128 lb |
| 12V 630Ah Power Hub | 567 Ah / 7,258 Wh | 300 A | 25.3 x 11.3 x 9.8 in | about 150 lb |
Discharge, size and weight are OutEquipPro's figures. Each of these batteries can supply more current than any OutEquipPro 12V air conditioner draws. The 460Ah and 630Ah Power Hubs add an Anderson 120A port and dual XT90 ports beside the M8 terminals.
Summit 2 12V and Summit Flex
OutEquipPro rates the 12V Summit 2 at 58 A in Turbo, 21 A in Eco and Sleep, and 50 A when heating. The Summit Flex is built on the same platform and lists the same 21 to 58 A range.
| Mode (rated draw) | 230Ah | 460Ah | 630Ah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo (58 A) | 3.6 h | 7.1 h | 9.8 h |
| Eco or Sleep (21 A) | 9.9 h | 19.7 h | 27.0 h |
| Heating (50 A) | 4.1 h | 8.3 h | 11.3 h |
OutEquipPro's own estimates for the same pairings: 230Ah, 3 to 4 hours at maximum cooling and 6 to 7 hours in Eco; 460Ah, 8 to 9 hours and 14 to 16 hours; 630Ah, 11 to 12 hours and 20 to 30 hours. Its Eco estimate assumes about 29 A rather than the 21 A in the spec table. For the two bigger banks its maximum-cooling estimates are higher than a constant 58 A allows, so plan with the lower figure and treat anything more as a bonus.
Glacier Pro 12V
OutEquipPro rates the Glacier Pro 12V at 22 to 62 A.
| Rated draw | 230Ah | 460Ah | 630Ah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full output (62 A) | 3.3 h | 6.7 h | 9.1 h |
| Lowest (22 A) | 9.4 h | 18.8 h | 25.8 h |
12,500 BTU mini split
The 12V mini split is rated 18 to 62 A.
| Rated draw | 230Ah | 460Ah | 630Ah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full output (62 A) | 3.3 h | 6.7 h | 9.1 h |
| Lowest (18 A) | 11.5 h | 23.0 h | 31.5 h |
Skyeline UM undermount
OutEquipPro rates the Skyeline UM at 750 W (65 A rated current) and publishes its own runtime table on the same 12.8 V and 90% assumptions. For a "realistic night" it assumes about a 65% duty cycle, roughly 490 W on average, in a reasonably insulated van on a warm night.
| Battery | Flat out (750 W) | Realistic night (about 490 W) |
|---|---|---|
| 230Ah | 3.5 h | 5.4 h |
| 460Ah | 7.1 h | 10.9 h |
| 630Ah (our calculation) | 9.7 h | 14.8 h |
OutEquipPro calls 230Ah the practical minimum for the Skyeline UM and recommends 460Ah for a full night with margin left for a fridge, lights and devices.
48V: the Summit 2 48V and the 105Ah battery
On a 48V system the Summit 2 48V draws 18 A in Turbo, 9 A in Eco and 7 A in Sleep. On the 48V 105Ah battery (94.5 usable Ah, about 4,838 Wh at 51.2 V) that works out to about 5.3, 10.5 and 13.5 hours. OutEquipPro estimates 5 to 6 hours in Turbo, 11 to 12 in Eco and about 15 in Sleep. More on choosing a voltage: Summit 2 12V vs 24V vs 48V.
Adding solar
Daytime solar shrinks the overnight problem. As a rough rule, the solar watts you need ≈ daily watt-hours ÷ (4 to 5 sun hours × 0.75). Eight hours of a 12V Summit 2 in Eco at 21 A is 168 Ah, about 2,150 Wh, which takes roughly 570 to 720 W of panels to put back on a good-sun day. Try your own loads in our RV solar and battery calculator.
Installation details that affect runtime
- Keep the battery close and use the cable OutEquipPro supplies (6 AWG with a 100 A inline fuse on the 12V Summit 2). A long, thin run turns battery energy into heat.
- Seal the gap between roof and ceiling with the supplied foam strips. OutEquipPro says hot air from that cavity drawn into the return duct can significantly reduce cooling efficiency.
- Mount the battery inside the living space: OutEquipPro's BMS stops charging below 32°F.
Frequently asked questions
Can a portable power station run one?
OutEquipPro says the Skyeline UM needs 65 A of sustained 12V DC, which most portable power stations can't deliver from their DC ports. For the Summit Flex and Glacier Pro it suggests either a LiFePO4 battery with a 100 A or larger BMS or a 1000 W or larger AC-to-DC converter on the power station's AC output.
Is 230Ah enough?
For a few hours of Turbo, or a mild night in Eco, it can be; it is the minimum OutEquipPro gives for the Skyeline UM. For hot nights, 460Ah or more is the safer plan.
How does this compare with a 120V rooftop unit on an inverter?
See can a lithium battery bank run an RV roof air conditioner for 8 hours off-grid for the 120V side of the question.
Every OutEquipPro unit we sell ships from our warehouse in Upland, California, to the lower 48 states. Not sure which one fits your roof or battery bank? Send us your roof opening, roof thickness and battery size before you order and we will help you choose. Browse the full OutEquipPro range.