Running house AC from truck during Peak hours

[dirtdiver]

Gents,
Im out here in San Diego where my electrical rates are at $.10/KWh midnight to 0600 but then 4pm to 9pm are at ~$0.63/KWh. 0600-4pm is at ~$0.45/KWh. We have shifted our truck to charging starting at midnight but i was spitballing converting my 2 house AC units to a 240v plug. Insert a 240v plug/outlet between the AC unit beside the house and the breaker box. When all systems are normal the plug goes to the outlet and to the Breaker box as it does now. However, if I get home at 5pm and the house is super hot, unplug from the breaker box and plug into the truck. In other words use the truck as a battery to shift my AC to cheaper power. It probs wold not happen but a handful of times per year but it might take the sting out of running the AC at 5pm for 3-4 hours. What do you guys think of this?

steve

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[TaxmanHog]

Time shift the load to low TOU will save you money, but how much is the question, cost of the changes to the home AC wiring and the time to connect & disconnect, etc. I'm interested in how many amps your AC's pull on startup and steady run, would the trucks inverters handle that?

 

[dirtdiver]

Time shift the load to low TOU will save you money, but how much is the question, cost of the changes to the home AC wiring and the time to connect & disconnect, etc. I'm interested in how many amps your AC's pull on startup and steady run, would the trucks inverters handle that?

Yes good point. It is a cost trade - but for me to cut the wiring between the AC unit and the breaker to insert a receptacle/plug (if it is that easy) seems like something I could do with parts from home depot. You bring up a good point about the start up load. I hadn't considered that.

steve

 

[Firestop]

Gents,
Im out here in San Diego where my electrical rates are at $.10/KWh midnight to 0600 but then 4pm to 9pm are at ~$0.63/KWh. 0600-4pm is at ~$0.45/KWh. We have shifted our truck to charging starting at midnight but i was spitballing converting my 2 house AC units to a 240v plug. Insert a 240v plug/outlet between the AC unit beside the house and the breaker box. When all systems are normal the plug goes to the outlet and to the Breaker box as it does now. However, if I get home at 5pm and the house is super hot, unplug from the breaker box and plug into the truck. In other words use the truck as a battery to shift my AC to cheaper power. It probs wold not happen but a handful of times per year but it might take the sting out of running the AC at 5pm for 3-4 hours. What do you guys think of this?

steve

Don’t forget that you have to address the bonded neutral…otherwise, your truck’s GFI will trip……….

 

[chillaban]

It’s a bit of work but it’s doable. With your rate delta I think you will end up saving money but it’s a question of whether it’s worth connecting and disconnecting your truck and flipping transfer switches all the time.

 

[Amps]

cut the wiring between the AC unit and the breaker to insert a receptacle/plug (if it is that easy) seems like something I could do with parts from home depot.

It's not that easy. You can make it work correctly, though.

The Widowmaker a/k/a Suicide Cord.

https://www.consumerreports.org/hom...extension-cords-are-so-dangerous-a1189731437/

 

[Joneii]

Unless your house is really small, it is unlikely that the Lightning will power your AC unit. My RV ‘s AC is designed to run on 30 amps and it will when connected to my garage TT-30 outlet. However, the initial start up always trips the Lightning’s breaker. I am going to have to add a soft start device. That is just a small RV unit. I’m guessing your home unit needs more than 30 amps.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Im out here in San Diego where my electrical rates are at $.10/KWh midnight to 0600 but then 4pm to 9pm are at ~$0.63/KWh.

It sounds like you have the EV-TOU-5 rate plan (I do as well). SDG&E raised all rate plans on 1/1/23. and EV-TOU-5 is now ~$0.15 off peak and the on-peak rates are ~$0.51 (winter) or ~$0.82 (summer).

 

[Pitbull2o08]

It sounds like you have the EV-TOU-5 rate plan (I do as well). SDG&E raised all rate plans on 1/1/23. and EV-TOU-5 is now ~$0.15 off peak and the on-peak rates are ~$0.51 (winter) or ~$0.82 (summer).

I have it too. Don't forget the cost for delivery of each kwh.

 

[Tony Burgh]

Gents,
Im out here in San Diego where my electrical rates are at $.10/KWh midnight to 0600 but then 4pm to 9pm are at ~$0.63/KWh. 0600-4pm is at ~$0.45/KWh. We have shifted our truck to charging starting at midnight but i was spitballing converting my 2 house AC units to a 240v plug. Insert a 240v plug/outlet between the AC unit beside the house and the breaker box. When all systems are normal the plug goes to the outlet and to the Breaker box as it does now. However, if I get home at 5pm and the house is super hot, unplug from the breaker box and plug into the truck. In other words use the truck as a battery to shift my AC to cheaper power. It probs wold not happen but a handful of times per year but it might take the sting out of running the AC at 5pm for 3-4 hours. What do you guys think of this?

steve

I have a moderately high efficiency 4 ton a/c unit on 30 amp circuit. With proper capacitors my inrush is 26 amps with 19 amps running.
Measure power draws and plan accordingly.

 

[Bigisland Guy]

If you have a Southern Cal residence built post-1980 you might have the following situation: If you have central A/C the compressors usually has a 40amp min breaker plus the air handlers are usually on another breaker. So this is the first situation to overcome with only a 30A in the truck bed should you run into this. If you have A/C mini splits then you can make it work a lot easier with most of those types of units. Something to Keep in mind regarding A/C systems is that R410A refrigerant is going to be phased out and new compressors will most likely be needed. With the change in technology upcoming in A/C and bidirectional charging coming from companies like Emporia you might want to wait before doing the more extensive alterations. Good Luck

 

[dirtdiver]

It sounds like you have the EV-TOU-5 rate plan (I do as well). SDG&E raised all rate plans on 1/1/23. and EV-TOU-5 is now ~$0.15 off peak and the on-peak rates are ~$0.51 (winter) or ~$0.82 (summer).

yes I do have TOU5. Raising our rates?! Gosh there is something very wrong going on at SDGE.

 

[jk340]

Gents,
Im out here in San Diego where my electrical rates are at $.10/KWh midnight to 0600 but then 4pm to 9pm are at ~$0.63/KWh. 0600-4pm is at ~$0.45/KWh. We have shifted our truck to charging starting at midnight but i was spitballing converting my 2 house AC units to a 240v plug. Insert a 240v plug/outlet between the AC unit beside the house and the breaker box. When all systems are normal the plug goes to the outlet and to the Breaker box as it does now. However, if I get home at 5pm and the house is super hot, unplug from the breaker box and plug into the truck. In other words use the truck as a battery to shift my AC to cheaper power. It probs wold not happen but a handful of times per year but it might take the sting out of running the AC at 5pm for 3-4 hours. What do you guys think of this?

steve

Have you looked into solar and batteries? We have solar and batteries (Powerwalls) and do not buy electricity much of the year. Many months the electric bill has dropped from upwards of $600/mo. to $15-20/mo. In SF East Bay on sucky PG&E (another reason to have batteries!).

 

[Pitbull2o08]

yes I do have TOU5. Raising our rates?! Gosh there is something very wrong going on at SDGE.

This is why I’m setting up the HIS and can’t wait for ford to allow energy arbitrage.

 

[dirtdiver]

Have you looked into solar and batteries? We have solar and batteries (Powerwalls) and do not buy electricity much of the year. Many months the electric bill has dropped from upwards of $600/mo. to $15-20/mo. In SF East Bay on sucky PG&E (another reason to have batteries!).

Yes, Ive got a 10KW system already. I like the idea of tesla wall but I don't see how it would pay for itself.

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