Quick Answer
A 2000W inverter may not be sufficient to handle a mini split AC unit, as these units typically require a higher power rating. The inverter would need to be sized larger than the AC unit's wattage to account for the startup surge and inrush current.
Mini Split AC Unit Power Requirements
Mini split AC units come in various sizes, but most residential units range from 12,000 to 24,000 BTU. To determine the required power rating, we need to convert BTU to Watts. A general rule of thumb is to multiply the BTU rating by 3.5 to get the approximate Wattage. For example, a 12,000 BTU unit would require approximately 42,000 Watts (12,000 x 3.5).
Inverter Sizing for Mini Split AC Units
To size an inverter for a mini split AC unit, we need to consider the startup surge and inrush current. These units typically require a surge current of 2-5 times the unit’s nameplate rating for a short duration. For a 24,000 BTU unit, the required surge power would be 84,000-120,000 Watts (24,000 x 3.5 x 2-5). A 2000W inverter would not be sufficient to handle this surge power, even if the average power rating of the AC unit is within the inverter’s capacity.
Battery Bank Sizing for Off-Grid Systems
When sizing a battery bank for an off-grid system that includes a mini split AC unit, we need to consider the total power draw of the unit, including the startup surge. A general rule of thumb is to size the battery bank to provide 2-4 hours of backup power at the maximum power draw of the AC unit. For a 24,000 BTU unit with a surge power of 120,000 Watts, we would need a battery bank with a minimum capacity of 240-480 kWh (120,000 W x 2-4 hours) to provide adequate backup power.
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