RV Mini-Split Installation - Mobile On-Site Service Across Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile mini-split installation service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile mini-split installation service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Certified technicians. $299 service call. Same-week scheduling. Call (866) 437-4848.
12V DC Mini-Split Selection for Off-Grid RV Installations
Selecting the correct mini-split for an off-grid RV installation requires matching the unit's power consumption profile to the battery bank's sustained discharge capacity - not just its peak capacity. The three units our technicians install most frequently are the Fogatti INV-9000 (9,000 BTU, 12V DC, 42A max draw at 504W), the Houghton Belaire HB-9000 (9,000 BTU, 12V DC, 44A max at 528W), and the EcoFlow Wave 2 (5,100 BTU cooling, 6,100 BTU heating, combined 12V battery and 120V input, 1,100W max). The Fogatti INV-9000 and Houghton HB-9000 are inverter-driven variable-speed compressor units that modulate down to 5-7A at minimum cooling speed - critical for battery longevity. For LiFePO4 battery banks of 200Ah or more at 12V, the Fogatti INV-9000 is our recommended base unit.
Refrigerant Line Routing and Exterior Penetration Best Practices for RV Mini-Splits
The most failure-prone aspect of an RV mini-split installation is the refrigerant line penetration through the exterior wall or roof - RV skin materials expand and contract differently than the sealant and line insulation, and a poor penetration seal will admit water within 1-2 seasons. Our technicians use a 2.5-inch hole saw for the penetration pilot, sized to accept a 5/8-inch foam-insulated lineset with room for a foam backer rod seal. Interior-side seal: 3M 4000UV marine sealant bonded to the interior paneling and the foam insulation sleeve. Exterior-side seal: Dicor 501LSW self-leveling lap sealant on TPO and rubber roof areas, Proflex 7 on fiberglass panels.
Electrical Integration of 12V Mini-Splits Into Existing RV Battery Systems
A 12V DC mini-split pulls 40-45A maximum from the house battery bank - a significant continuous load that requires proper fusing, wire sizing, and connection to avoid voltage drop that degrades compressor performance. Our standard installation uses 8 AWG stranded marine-grade tinned copper wire for runs up to 15 feet from the battery bus to the indoor unit, with a 60A MIDI fuse installed within 18 inches of the positive bus connection per ABYC E-11 standards. Runs exceeding 15 feet require 6 AWG to maintain less than 3% voltage drop at maximum load.
Also see: AC & Heating Services
This page covers mini-split installation specifically. For the full range of ac & heating services we offer, visit our AC & Heating service overview.
Case Study: The Dometic Brisk II rooftop unit's compressor drew 1,600 watts at startup and 1,100 watts running, making it incompatible with off-grid battery-only operation. Owner wanted a 12V DC mini-split that could run directly from the battery bank at under 600 watts
RV: 2020 Coachmen Freelander 22XG Class C • Location: Manatee Springs State Park, Site 14 • City: Chiefland
Symptom: Owner converted to full-time solar boondocking and the existing Dometic Brisk II 13,500 BTU rooftop AC required 1,800+ watts to run - far exceeding the 1,200-watt sustained output of the 400Ah LiFePO4 battery bank when shore power was unavailable
Diagnosis: Technician measured existing Brisk II compressor draw at 12.8A running and 19.4A startup on a Kill-A-Watt meter. Battery bank: 4x100Ah Battle Born LiFePO4 in 2P2S configuration delivering 24V nominal, with a Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50 inverter/charger. Selected Fogatti 9,000 BTU 12V DC mini-split (model INV-9000) drawing 5.6A at 12V at minimum speed and 42A at maximum speed - within the battery system's sustained capacity.
- Electrical System Capacity Assessment: Measured battery bank voltage under 50A load: 24.8V. Confirmed Victron MultiPlus settings: charge current 60A, AC output limit 2,400W. Calculated that the Fogatti INV-9000 at 42A maximum draw left 196W headroom for lighting and USB loads within the 700W practical budget.
- Installation Location Selection: Surveyed the Class C cab-over sleeping area - 11 linear feet of available wall space on the passenger-side interior wall above the dinette. Selected a 16-inch-high x 36-inch-wide flush-mount position for the indoor air handler, with refrigerant line routing through the existing wet bath exterior wall penetration to minimize new holes through the fiberglass skin.
- Wall Penetration and Refrigerant Line Routing: Drilled 2.5-inch diameter pilot hole through the interior paneling and exterior fiberglass at the selected penetration point. Routed 15 feet of 3/8-inch and 5/16-inch pre-charged refrigerant lineset through the penetration with a 5/8-inch foam pipe insulation sleeve. Sealed penetration interior with 3M 4000UV marine sealant and exterior with self-leveling lap sealant.
- Indoor Air Handler Mounting: Mounted the Fogatti INV-9000 indoor unit wall bracket using four 1/4-20 stainless steel toggle bolts into the fiberglass composite wall. Connected refrigerant lines to the indoor evaporator coil using the factory flare fittings and torqued to 18 ft-lb. Connected 12V DC power leads directly to the battery bank positive bus and chassis ground, fused with a 60A MIDI fuse at the bus.
- Outdoor Condenser Mounting: Mounted the compact outdoor condenser to the passenger-side exterior ladder rail using the factory L-bracket kit and 3/8-inch stainless U-bolts. Positioned condenser to discharge air rearward, away from propane compartment and any openable windows. Connected refrigerant lines at the condenser service ports.
- Vacuum and Leak Test: Connected a Fieldpiece MR45 refrigerant manifold to the service ports. Pulled system vacuum to 200 microns and held for 15 minutes - vacuum held at 202 microns (no leak). Released factory refrigerant charge from the pre-charged lineset per manufacturer instructions.
- Commissioning and Performance Verification: Powered unit on and monitored amp draw at the 12V bus with a Victron SmartShunt: minimum speed draw 5.2A, maximum speed draw 40.8A. Measured supply air temperature at 57 degrees F after 20 minutes with outdoor ambient at 84 degrees F.
Outcome: Mini-split installed and operational in a single 5-hour visit. Owner confirmed the unit ran continuously overnight on battery bank alone drawing an average of 8.4A at minimum speed without depleting the 400Ah battery bank below 40% state of charge.
Time on-site: 5 hours 15 minutes • Total cost: $1,485 (service call + Fogatti INV-9000 unit + materials + labor) • Dealer alternative: $2,200-$3,100 (RV dealer quotes for 12V mini-split installation ranged from $2,200 for the same Fogatti unit to $3,100 for a Houghton Belaire system with dealer markup)
“I was skeptical that a 9,000 BTU mini-split would keep up with a Florida August night, but it kept the cab-over at 72 all night drawing almost nothing from my batteries. Best upgrade I've made to this rig.”
RV Mini-Split Options for Off-Grid and Campground Use
| Unit | Model | BTU Cooling | Power Draw (Max) | Power Draw (Min) | Voltage | Pre-Charged Lineset | Installed Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fogatti INV-9000 | INV-9000-DC | 9,000 BTU | 504W (42A @ 12V) | 67W (5.6A @ 12V) | 12V DC | Yes, up to 15 ft | $1,350-$1,650 |
| Houghton Belaire | HB-9000-12V | 9,000 BTU | 528W (44A @ 12V) | 72W (6.0A @ 12V) | 12V DC | Yes, up to 13 ft | $1,450-$1,750 |
| EcoFlow Wave 2 | EF-WAVE2 | 5,100 BTU cooling / 6,100 BTU heat | 1,100W (combined) | 200W (battery only) | 12V DC + 120V AC | N/A - portable | $950-$1,200 |
| Iceco IceZone | IZ-9KDC | 9,000 BTU | 480W (40A @ 12V) | 60W (5.0A @ 12V) | 12V DC | Yes, up to 16 ft | $1,250-$1,550 |
| Dometic FreshJet 1700 | FJX02A | 6,000 BTU | 430W (3.6A @ 120V) | 180W (1.5A @ 120V) | 120V AC | Yes, factory-charged | $1,550-$1,950 |
Signs You Need Mini-Split Installation
- ✓Verify battery bank's sustained discharge capacity before selecting unit BTU size - a 12V 9,000 BTU unit pulls 40-45A maximum and needs at least 200Ah LiFePO4 or 400Ah AGM capacity for overnight use
- ✓Measure available wall space for the indoor air handler before ordering - Fogatti INV-9000 indoor unit requires a minimum 38-inch wide x 11-inch high clear wall section with 6 inches clearance above
- ✓Plan the refrigerant line route before any drilling - minimum bend radius on pre-charged linesets is 6 inches; kinking a pre-charged lineset ruins it
- ✓Seal the exterior penetration with UV-rated sealant appropriate for the wall material (Dicor 501LSW for rubber/TPO, Proflex 7 for fiberglass) and verify from outside with a hose test before closing up
- ✓Install a 60A MIDI fuse within 18 inches of the positive battery bus on the mini-split's 12V power lead - this is the critical overcurrent protection for the battery system
- ✓Pull vacuum to 200 microns minimum and hold for 15 minutes before releasing the factory refrigerant charge - even pre-charged systems can develop installation leaks at the flare fittings
Mini-Split Installation - Pricing
Typical price range: $1,800 - $3,500
All calls start with a $299 service-call fee that covers the technician's trip to your location and the first hour of diagnosis. That $299 applies toward any repair you authorize - it is not an additional charge on top of the repair. Pricing shown is a national average range; your exact quote is provided in writing on-site before any work begins.
Mini-Split Installation - Common Questions
Straight answers from our mini-split installation service call log.
Can a 12V mini-split really run all night on a solar battery setup?
Yes, if the battery bank is sized correctly. A Fogatti INV-9000 running at minimum speed on a 72-degree F night draws about 5-8A at 12V. A 200Ah LiFePO4 bank at 80% usable capacity gives you 160Ah - or 20-27 hours at minimum speed before hitting 50% discharge. At maximum speed on a hot night, the same 160Ah gives you 4 hours. Most users run medium speed and get 8-12 hours from a 200Ah bank, which covers a Florida night from 10 PM to 6 AM with morning solar charging.
Will a mini-split installation void my RV's warranty?
The mini-split installation itself does not void the overall RV warranty - under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, manufacturers cannot void warranties for aftermarket additions unless they can show the addition caused a specific failure. We seal all penetrations to RV manufacturer spec and provide a 90-day workmanship warranty on the installation.
What size mini-split do I need for a 25-foot travel trailer?
A 9,000 BTU unit covers most 20-25 foot trailers in Florida's climate with one caveat: if the trailer has poor ceiling insulation or gets direct western sun exposure in the afternoon, you may need a 12,000 BTU unit. The practical test: if your existing rooftop 13,500 BTU AC cycles off within 15 minutes of reaching setpoint in moderate weather, a 9,000 BTU mini-split is adequate.
How is a 12V mini-split different from the Dometic or Coleman rooftop unit already in my RV?
Three main differences: power consumption, noise, and cooling mode. A 12V DC inverter-driven mini-split varies its compressor speed continuously based on demand, drawing as little as 60W at minimum speed. A conventional rooftop unit runs at full power or off - averaging 1,100-1,600W when running. Mini-splits are also significantly quieter (indoor unit 35-40 dB vs. rooftop units at 52-58 dB).
Do you remove the existing rooftop AC when installing a mini-split?
Usually no - we leave the rooftop unit in place as a backup and for resale value. The rooftop unit covers shore power situations and extreme heat days when the mini-split's BTU output isn't enough. The mini-split becomes the primary unit for off-grid and quiet campground operation.
How long does a mini-split installation take in an RV?
A straightforward install - one interior wall location, one exterior penetration, line run under 15 feet - takes 4-6 hours on-site. Complex installs with long line runs through existing cabinetry or on rigs where the electrical system needs upgrading can take 6-8 hours.
More AC & Heating Services
Other specialized repairs under ac & heating - all done at your location, no tow required.
Where We Provide Mini-Split Installation in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair runs mini-split installation jobs across these cities. Click your closest one for local-specific info, response times, and campground coverage.