An intro from Jake in sunny SW France (1 Viewer)

JakeLePeg

Free Member
Aug 8, 2010
13
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Midway Toulouse-Bordeaux
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13,098
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C Class
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2 Years
I guess like most people, I don't join a forum until I need to ask a question but, once logged on, am mesmerised by the number of interesting and varied postings together with their replies - great stuff.

I bought my first MH about two years ago and settled on a 2003 Autotrail 730SE which was in splendid condition and boasted the rear lounge which we had decided was a must.

Unfortunately, due to the heavy workload required on our house here, it got very little use and we decided to sell her.

However, due to medical problems (proved to be not serious) whilst holidaying in Thailand we decided that far flung holidays were now at an end and that we should be taking advantage of our glorious surroundings and take our holidays closer to home in a motorhome.

We have now purchased a 2001 Autocruise Impala, similarly equipped with the rear lounge and we are very happy with the standard of finish. We were keen to purchase this particular MH as it was equipped with aircon which is a real boon down here.

Little did I know that the aircon fitted is not quite what it seems. It is a Bycool Camper and works on an environmentally friendly evaporative process.

I am not sure if it is just my unit but it is totally useless as a means of cooling the air. We have thoroughly cleaned the system, fitted new filters and the whole issue is about as useful as a small hairdryer. Just to rub salt into the wound, it has now decided to switch itself on and off at random and, believe it or not, I can find no means to isolate it.

I have emailed Dirna SA (the manufacture) in Spain for assistance but to no avail. Googling "Bycool" produces minimum feedback and I am beginning to wonder if anyone else in the world has one of these units.

If you do, I would love to hear your experiences.

Hope to follow postings and, hopefully, contribute when I can.

Regards . . . . Jake

Growing old is inevitable - growing up is optional !!
 
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JJ

Mágica
May 1, 2008
19,230
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Quinta Majay, Pinheiro Bordalo, Portugal
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over 50 years
Welcome Jake... enjoy MHF.

I have a Travelcool system which works on evaporation too. It has a water container and a pump (12 volt) and a blower thingy (12 volt)... It is not an air conditioner... just a cooler and so I do not expect the same sort of performance as with a more powerful (and expensive) a/c proper.

It uses a lot of water in hot, dry weather but definitely cools the air a bit....

JJ

I expect you have already seen these but in case you haven't

http://www.tcmotorhomes.com/bycool_camper.htm

and

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Jim

Ringleader
Jul 19, 2007
36,197
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Sutton on Sea, UK
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Adria Panel Van.
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Since 1988
Hi Jake, stuck here in Wales we have no need for airconditioners, in fact I think I might put a coupleof logs on the burner if it does not warm up today!

Welcome to the Fun:thumb:

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haganap

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2007
12,712
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planet earth
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Carthago C Tourer
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I'm an oldbie MH number 9
Hi Jake, 10 days until we are off to the SW of France, down to Biaritz, Veiux Beaucout (spelling) and Soustons area..

Cant wait now, we love that area, but please answer this. We do have an air conditioning unit on our van, and we would just like to know,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
WILL WE NEED IT!!!!


Cant wait to go now, boddy boards and bikes packed and we are ready to roll.:thumb:
 
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JakeLePeg

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Aug 8, 2010
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Midway Toulouse-Bordeaux
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Thanks for the links JJ, the vehvac link could prove very useful. I have emailed them my problem so, will wait to see if I get a reply.

Jim in Wales - what can I say, guess someone has to live there - just joking, spent all my childhood holidays in N.Wales - wonderful. I also was born with nothing. Our family was so poor, even our servants were poor.

Haganap, Biarritz is beautiful, not too far from us, we are about midway between Bordeau and Toulouse. Nice wine country and just surrounded by 1000s hectares of sunflowers. Don't know if you will need the AC, think your dog might. Try this link for up to date weather conditions.

http://france.lachainemeteo.com/met...evision_meteo_biarritz_france_ville_560_0.php

Bonne Route - Jake
 

hilldweller

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Dec 5, 2008
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Macclesfield
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It is a Bycool Camper and works on an environmentally friendly evaporative process.

I am not sure if it is just my unit but it is totally useless as a means of cooling the air.

Pretty useless.

I bought one for my office years ago, under £100 was the attraction but it's no substitute for proper aircon. Yes it delivers a bit of cool air but also loads of water, that's how they work, that's the deal. They call them swamp coolers in the USA, not sure if it's for use in swamps or because it creates swamp conditions with all that water.

I guess the only plus for a MH is no compressor, just a fan so not too bad off battery power.

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Edgie

Free Member
Nov 5, 2007
96
5
Taunton Somerset
Funster No
783
MH
C Class
We just got back from S W France last night after a fantastic trip in our RV, weather is lovely and warm and no you don't need the aircon if you sit outside the van :thumb:
 
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JakeLePeg

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Aug 8, 2010
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The link to Vehvac provided by JJ has proved a godsend. Have just received a full and comprehensive reply from them (Len Stevens) with some useful tips to try and contact numbers in France and a contact name at the manufacturers in Spain and, what is particularly helpful, a copy of the original installation guide.

And, how about this for coincidence, Vehvac actually fitted this system to the camper.

So, if anyone needs the services of a vehicle aircon specialist, these people are obviously the guys to use. They are situated at Edenbridge, Kent a short distance off the M25.

Well done Len, many thanks indeed.
 

Parcverger

Funster - Campsite Owner
Aug 13, 2007
459
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Parc Verger - Limousin
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89
MH
RV
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8 years
Hey, Haganap, weather's glorious and the forecast is that it will stay that way for some time to come, so hope it holds for you. We have folk here at Parc Verger (www.parcverger.com) who know they have to leave to get back to the UK, but just cannot go, and each day off they go to the fishing lakes - they reckon the weather is too good to start their journey:ROFLMAO:.

One couple who have been here since February are off tomorrow to the UK, but they cannot wait to get back, and plan to be here from November::bigsmile:::bigsmile:.

Wherever you are going, have a great time!

Bob and Di

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JJ

Mágica
May 1, 2008
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The link to Vehvac provided by JJ has proved a godsend. Have just received a full and comprehensive reply from them (Len Stevens) with some useful tips to try and contact numbers in France and a contact name at the manufacturers in Spain and, what is particularly helpful, a copy of the original installation guide.

And, how about this for coincidence, Vehvac actually fitted this system to the camper.

So, if anyone needs the services of a vehicle aircon specialist, these people are obviously the guys to use. They are situated at Edenbridge, Kent a short distance off the M25.

Well done Len, many thanks indeed.

Hi Jake... Terry also posted this link (on the other thread you put up...) :winky:

JJ
 
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JakeLePeg

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Aug 8, 2010
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Oooops, a senior moment, I had completely forgotten I had posted my problem prior to introducing myself and had only been checking on this thread.

Have now thanked Terry.

Cheers JJ
 

cornishaich

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Apr 5, 2010
240
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West Cornwall.
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The link to Vehvac provided by JJ has proved a godsend. Have just received a full and comprehensive reply from them (Len Stevens) with some useful tips to try and contact numbers in France and a contact name at the manufacturers in Spain and, what is particularly helpful, a copy of the original installation guide.

And, how about this for coincidence, Vehvac actually fitted this system to the camper.

So, if anyone needs the services of a vehicle aircon specialist, these people are obviously the guys to use. They are situated at Edenbridge, Kent a short distance off the M25.

Well done Len, many thanks indeed.

Wonderful, this thread should convince anyone pay their £12 to join motorhome fun.
Well done all.:thumb:

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