Sharp to Launch DC powered mini-split Air Conditioner
 

Hi guys, I found this on Slashdot. There's not a ton of info here, but still exciting none the less.

Sharp Plans to Launch DC-powered Air Conditioner in 2015 - Nikkei Technology Online

Very interesting! You didn't mention that the air conditioner was a mini-split!

-AC

What voltage?

Of which, every inverter drive unit or those retrofitted with a VFD can be easily converted to run from DC.

I wonder what voltage they are going to run it off of. Inverter systems already run off dc but it's up to 800 volts...

Here is another article on this subject. It has pretty much the same info in it. Has anyone heard or seen any other updates?

Sharp Corporation Launching DC-Powered Air Conditioner This Year | CleanTechnica

That's smart!
Saving inverter losses is a big deal, I imagine they'll have 24 and 48 volt models. I wouldn't think they'd use high voltage as most high voltage systems go down with the grid.

My system is 48V, I hope this is a trend to run houses on DC, with today's electronics it's so much nicer. I really like 48V, wire sizes aren't bad, nobody gets electrocuted and it's compatible with off grid systems.

Rob

Hopefully you are right and it'll run off those voltages but don't be surprised if the system still runs off of 400v or so.

40v or so is he cutoff between safe to work with and zappy.

Is it? For some reason I thought 48 was the cut off on that, I'll wet my fingers and go down a run them across my batteries... well, maybe not.... why tempt the Gods!

Rob

I will be watching and reading up on this one

As there isn't much 2015 left, I thought I'd Google search this topic and see if I saw an announcement from Sharp. I didn't find anything from Sharp and nothing more recent than an article in August on Clean Technica saying it was coming this year.

Anyone had better luck than me. I'd be very interested in a 48v DC mini-split in the 9000 btu - 12000 btu range, if it isn't made of unobtainium.