Best Solar Air Conditioner 2024 | EG4 Hybrid

Solar Power Hybrid EG4 Air Conditioning Unit complete install video. How many watts it uses, how to calculate max pv array, how to wire it up.
Affiliate Link: signaturesolar.com/eg4-hybrid-solar-mini-split-air-conditioner-heat-pump-ac-dc-12000-btu-seer2-22-plug-n-cool-do-it-yourself-installation/?ref=qvrynivn
Signature solar website: signaturesolar.com/?ref=qvrynivn
FREE Ultimate guide to off grid living: frugaloffgrid.com
00:01-00:42 Intro
00:43-01:51 Unboxing
01:52-05:43 My plan
05:54-07:29 Installing outside unit
07:30-07:56 Installing inside unit
07:57-09:16 Wiring and Lines
09:17-10:24 Turning it on
10:25-11:18 Using the remote
11:19-13:34 Initial thoughts
13:35-13:43 Closer look at outdoor wires
13:44-14:03 Closing the hole in my roof
14:04-16:53 Both AC and solar connected
16:54-19:59 How much it costs
20:00-22:47 Finalize install
22:48-24:33 How many watts
24:34-27:09 Calculate max PV
27:10-30:38 Final thoughts
#airconditioner #solarpower #offgridliving

[@FrugalOffGrid]

How'd I do? A lot of you asked me to cover certain topics, and I did. I'll be making a follow-up video, so leave your questions below. Here's my affiliate link if you'd like to take a closer look at one of these units. signaturesolar.com/eg4-hybrid-solar-mini-split-air-conditioner-heat-pump-ac-dc-12000-btu-seer2-22-plug-n-cool-do-it-yourself-installation/?ref=qvrynivn signaturesolar.com/eg4-hybrid-solar-mini-split-air-conditioner-heat-pump-ac-dc-12000-btu-seer2-22-plug-n-cool-do-it-yourself-installation/?ref=qvrynivn

[@shamayimshoresh7503]

You did awesome man and thank you for the thorough explanation of everything. And yes you do deserve it for all the hard work you've been putting in on your homestead all alone. It's rough work and you've been doing great.

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Thanks!

[@claztube]

GREAT 😊

[@matthewknight5641]

You did great bro

[@rickybobby1681]

Heck ya I'm gonna buy one soon thanks man update us on how it's working as the summer comes 😎

[@wendyshick6689]

A pretty sweet setup it's an air conditioner and also in heater😊

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Yes, I want even concerned about heat, but hey, free heat? I'll take it.

[@garywilson4396]

Another thing I’ve seen done in humid areas I’ve seen people reuse the water from the drain as a self watering solution for some outdoor plants

[@matthewknight5641]

I run a 9000 BTU 38 seer inovair mini split 24 7 from solar and batteries. It was kinda expensive for a 9000 BTU but it's been great for heating and cooling both. People underestimate how well the new minisplits actually are. Mine is in a 30 foot holiday rambler and is plenty big enough. I still have the propane furnace and a diesel heater but the minisplit is plenty good throughout most of the winter and I couldn't live without it during the summer. I have 2 solar arrays. 1880 and 1680 and hopefully soon I'll have another 3000 watt array. I'm now up to almost 40 kw of lithium batteries 280k cells and victron charge controllers. I'm using a 4000 watt 120,240 split phase sungold power inverter. I love seeing other people making a life that's using solar stuff. I use black rtv silicone alot. It's the best I've found but it's about 25 bucks a can on Amazon. If you want a permanent seal that will last bro it's a game changer in the world of silicon. Anyways thanks for the videos

[@silvanus1983]

serious power! wow

[@matthewknight5641]

@@silvanus1983 yes.. it really is some serious power lol . After I beat cancer I wanted to set up something to where if I was to ever get sick again I could still have a home and electricity and be comfortable. It's been an expensive hobby and a lot of work but it's finally done. Now days I'm in my semi truck mostly but when I get home time it's in the holiday rambler and completely off grid.

[@solartime8983]

2637 Watt mini-split. 40kWh batt. capacity is great!🗽

[@Hope-Lenders]

I really enjoy your channel! I used to live in Alaska so I can relate to a lot of your life experiences. That’s a great little unit! It will be worth every penny this summer!

[@TheCrawdadman]

Awesome video! Could have really used this video a couple months ago when I installed mine but we need more people like you to show others how it's done 👌🏼

[@rickthelian2215]

I’m sure you’ll be really more comfortable 😊

[@photocomstudios]

The timing of this video could not have been better. I was looking into this system almost a day before your posted this review. Thanks!

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Glad I could help!

[@claztube]

First a well produced introduction to this unit. EG did well when offering you to introduce this unit on your channel. ...and WAIT there's More below; I appreciate your 'rustic' construction and 'make-do' modifications. I spent about 9 years in Arizona* of which the majority I worked graveyard shifts at a food/fuel station and as well besides having a pooch for the latter four, I lived solo for peace of mind. The quiet time at night once I retired and still found I was up at night was precious. I have pulled out due to wanting change in my final years and I sit on land in Arkansas where I've been kitting out a 6' by 10' cargo box trailer for my quarters to escape any foul weather minus tornados, yuk-yuk... My construction is fairly crude, using what is left from my past sheltered world, a 23' x 8' w/small slide for dinette, of which I modified in the near nine years I reside in my Casa Shasta. Congratulations on your EG unit.🎉 * Near Oatman but in the valley to its east..

[@lynnmcbride7694]

Yes! You do deserve! Love your channel, you are a remarkable man! Sure enjoy watching and learning.

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Thanks a lot Lynn. 🙏

[@GratefulWarriorMom]

I have a minisplit on my little 21ft class c rv. Its amazing as it will get really cold or really hot and doesn't use much power at all. When i plug up to the grid, it only raises my electric bill by about $50 for the whole month! And that's using power for everything, heat/cool/lights, etc...

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Wow, I remember paying north of $100 to cool my small apartment. If you run it on solar only, it's free.

[@GratefulWarriorMom]

@@FrugalOffGrid Although I'm not crazy about having the unit hanging off the back end of my RV, I really believe the value is amazing compared to an RV roof unit, window unit or even central air/heat which is what I've always had. You're right, in that it's sooooo quiet. You can barely hear it. Also, here in southeast Louisiana, we have a VERY humid environment all year round and the electric heat helps dehumidify the air in winter and dehumidify the air in the summer heat. I'm pleased with it even though I don't like it in the back of the rig. I'm trying to figure out how to post a picture but I don't see a button for that.

[@Texas-Off-Grid]

Man thats an awesome solar AC! Looks like I need to start a new savings jar to get one!! 😂

[@skippyjl1]

Hybrid EG4 Air Conditioning Unit, that is one good looking functional unit.. Your review and instructions are excellent. Unit is quiet, that is awesome.. electric and solar👍🏻 ex review John.. this unit should make its way to many homes.. The price is not bad when you consider, how functional this unit seems to be. Texas is a good state and it has absolutely awesome companies 👍🏻 I will be sharing this information information with many.. good job good review👍🏻👍🏻 Enjoy your climate change😉

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Thanks. I really like this unit. I'm going to make some more videos to answer questions I've had.

[@matthewknight5641]

Id love to buy my dad one of the minisplits like you got that takes the panels. It would be a good way to get my dad into solar

[@Daedal71]

That's great. I'm excited to see an alternative that works. Congratulations.

[@yvonnerodriguez1032]

FINALLY!! A review for this system

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@theneverman]

You're gonna love that on a hot day! I'll have to catch up on your videos as I haven't watched you since the early days, I see you've got a lot going on there. I wish you well.

[@FrugalOffGrid]

It's been amazing, already.

[@redpillcowboy]

Thank you for this video, the timing is perfect. I just got a minivan and may have to sleep in it soon in Phoenix, although I'll probably start off with something smaller until I find a few acres

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Great! I'll be posting a few follow up videos with what I learn along the way.

[@gmass7238]

I would enclose the area the Van is parked under and make that a bedroom and small den ...

[@KenneyC001]

I have a complete solar system from Signature Solar and they have always been great. I had a 6500 watt inverter go out and they credited the purchase price to another unit and got it to me pretty quick. I am in AZ as well. This is a well timed review, for me, as I am looking to get one of they're big mini splits. I live in a fifthwheel rv amd with both of my acs running it pulls about 3600 watts. Thankfully my solar cam handle it during the day. I could spend alot to get more batteries or buy a more efficient ac. At a third of the cost of batteries, I think a mini split is the way I'll go.

[@jburbinski7057]

Well done sir

[@vanwhalen3719]

Awesome. Would love to get one of those sometime in the future!

[@linkn2192]

We have a similar type of A/C unit and I just discovered it has a heater too. 👍

[@TommyFraley]

My van has the driver side rear window out I'm thinking about a design modification to use the opening to feed equipment through and block off but keep it looking stealth off the back side of the van thank you for your videos helps out gives me good ideas and answered a lot of my questions

[@SuperSushidog]

I added an EG-4 28.5 SEER-2 12kbtu mini-split to my motorhome. I love it as it draws about 1/3rd the power of my 14.5k rooftop AC. I have a 5,000w Sungold Power all-in-one to run everything in my MH. We chose this particular unit because it supports up to 500 volts of solar power which was needed to accommodate our 400voc solar array, which is too high for the hybrid EG-4 mini split. My 48v 16.3 kwh battery and 4,400 watts of solar panels racked on my roof will run both my mini split and rooftop A/C while charging the battery bank during the day, even in winter. The 28.5 SEER-2 EG-4 has a huge head unit that's much bigger than their 22 SEER unit, making it a little more efficient. It's super quiet and cools as well as our 14.5k btu soft start equipped Furrion we have up front, but only draws about 1/3rd the power. This gives us 24/7 off-grid air conditioning and heat from the heat pump. We also have a 12v system on our motorhome. We started by building a 620-watt liftable solar array on the side of our 1999 National Tropical MH. Our side array makes a nice bedroom window awning too, practically lifting itself with a couple gas struts, and it's easy to clean, standing safely on the ground. Next, we built a 12v, 560ah LiFePo-4 battery using 8, 280ah prismatic cells and a Heltec 330amp (1,200a surge) BMS with a 5a active balancer. It fits perfectly under the steps of our MH where our old pair of golf cart batteries were located, while our 320ah 48v battery and 200a 48v BMS resides safely under our bed. We insulated the 12v battery compartment under our steps, cut a small hole in the step risers and installed a tiny computer CPU fan to keep this space at close to room temperature, so we don't have to worry about the BMS shutting down charging due to low temperature - or their life reduced from getting too hot. Our 12v system uses an 80A LFP converter/charger, a 1,000w Renogy inverter, a 50a Epever MPPT charge controller and a Lnex battery monitor. This gives us a total of 5,020 watts of solar to charge 23.5 kwh of batteries and 6,000 total watts of 120v inverter power. We have no need to hook-up to power pedestals anymore, as we easily run everything in our MH without it. We live full time in our MH traveling around the country a lot, visiting National Parks, and doing the tourist thing, mostly boondocking out west. We boondocked for 10 months last year, spending last winter in Yuma, AZ. We're visiting our son in NC now where boondocking spots are pretty rare. We found an RV park that is letting us camp in a spacious site without hook-ups for only $100/mo., saving us $500/mo. off their FHU rates. It's nice to have options. Take care. We hope to see you down the road one day.

[@rickybobby1681]

Freekin awesome 👌🏽 thanks

[@sologoinbrazy]

LONGER CONTENT PLZZ ❤!!! I love your videos & would to see what that would look for you!

[@mattr5857]

Great video, and really cool ac unit, pun intended haha. I’m digging the dual power and that it’s also a heat pump, those units have come a long way since I looked at them. I spent a little less on mine, but it can’t run on solar, and it’s not nearly as powerful as this one. It also looks like your remote is in English, mine came in Turkish 😂. The only benefit for me is being able to run it under the van, but on a homestead this would be ideal. I’d say you nailed it 🤙

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Yes, I completely understand going with the most compact and affordable unit. I also understand getting the best you can within a budget. At the end of the day, I think we're both happy with our installation. The heater draws a lot of power, but it will hugely offset fuel costs while the sun is out.

[@mattr5857]

@@FrugalOffGrid I agree, and I am a bit jealous that you can run yours on solar alone haha

[@fastheartmartvideos]

I love all your videos! They make me feel like peace is possible for "the rest of us". I am curious how that AC unit fan part looks on the outside of the van? Where is the fan unit typically installed on a vehicle?

[@rosecarter7384]

Congratulations great job ❤and they have a payment plan thanks for sharing

[@RastafariNation]

Nice video

[@chillymack2321]

They make d/c mini splits for 18wheelers.

[@harbormasterwvm]

No truly amazing project

[@jeremybryant882]

"Crossout" is my favorite online game. This is similar.

[@johnbarrett61]

Just found you , great job keep it up . Hope you are able to find a tractor co. to sponsor you wishing you the best

[@John-kl3ue]

You will sleep great on those hot nights now 👍

[@FrugalOffGrid]

I'm enjoying it today. I get cold fast lol.

[@GratefulWarriorMom]

Didnt you mention that you could win one? I can't find the link for that

[@FrugalOffGrid]

No, there is a power station giveaway on my website.

[@killaeffect8850]

Can you tell me how loud this device is?

[@Comatose_Era]

Awesome creative install. However, i dont know much about the eg4s but most mini splits want the inside unit to sit mostly level for drainage because the drainage tube connects to a tray on the inside and if its tipped forward it can pool at the front and leak out the door on the front. Its an easy fix for your set up if it does though just undo the bracket on the bottom and put a couple of 2x4 pieces in there to level it out. On a side note im curious to see how bad it affects your gas mileage. Like i said though great video.

[@SantiagoBlack224]

Love the build out only concern I'd have is the position of the condensing unit outside broad side forward it can become a sail catching air as you drive. You might want to order some vibration eliminator to put under the feet of the unit. The constant vibration with wear through the metal. But all in all I live the features and being able to connect directly to solar is a huge deal. Thanks for giving me something else to research foe my move.

[@aa999xyz]

the only thing I wish they would have rubberized hosing for connecting the two units?? That would make install that much easier

[@ozarksbrotherjerry4297]

Good review. Are you going to hook it up to your van's electrical system to use on the road?

[@FrugalOffGrid]

Yes, I showed how to do that in the video. It's already hooked up. It runs on the van solar system and the separate panel area on the tracker.

[@vanwhalen3719]

Would you mind sharing what kind of Quiet generator you used to run that roof top ac? I have a window unit in mine that I need to run off a generator sometimes.

[@FrugalOffGrid]

I had the WEN 56380. Depending on your needs you could get the smaller version.

[@vanwhalen3719]

@@FrugalOffGrid Thank Yiu for the recommendation! Live Well And Prosper

[@unitedstatesdale]

I wonder if the water that comes out is actually distilled water or can be used to water plants ??

[@FrugalOffGrid]

I thought about that as well. I haven't seen a drop yet.

[@Rockwell108]

@@FrugalOffGrid yeah, you’re in the desert so it might not drip hardly at all. Condensate is fine for plants but not for human or animal consumption without proper treatment. Legionaries disease is pretty serious.

[@sherkhead9638]

So I’m assuming the fan is good enough at night?

[@FrugalOffGrid]

For all but one month of the year. You can run the ac 24/7 if you want with a large enough solar system.

[@MA-jx6yq]

Good content here! Thx...

[@tarvindurbin5974]

How many BTUs is that unit Brother?

[@FrugalOffGrid]

It's 12,000 BTUs

[@tarvindurbin5974]

@FrugalOffGrid Cool..and WOW...That thing is Super Efficient...

[@KarlKarsnark]

Schaffe, schaffe Häusle baue. -German Prvergb (work, work to build your house.) This will be a game changer. I believe fellow KZbinr Will Prowse(sp?) has worked with these folks before in residental applications and has nothing but good things to say as well. Cheers!

[@FrugalOffGrid]

I think he's the first person I saw with one of these units.