- Oct 13, 2023
- 35
- 26
- Funster No
- 99,331
- MH
- Autosleeper Warwick
Can somebody recommend a 12v Aircon for a 6m campervan. A rooftop one I guess.
12v Aircon (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Gavin and Bigi
- Start date
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Most aircon units on vans aren't 12v. The power requirements are pretty high, so they run on mains voltage. Traditionally they've only been usable while parked up and connected to a hookup. With a lot of lithium batteries and a lot of solar panels and an inverter, you can run aircon off-grid, but it isn't easy.
There are some direct 12v aircon units, but the power requirements are still high.
Most people get by fairly well with something like a Maxxair. They work surprisingly well until it gets really hot.
There are some direct 12v aircon units, but the power requirements are still high.
Most people get by fairly well with something like a Maxxair. They work surprisingly well until it gets really hot.
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Check out this…https://totalcool.co.uk/shop/activi...rtable-air-coolers/totalcool-3000-white-grey/
Designed and made in the UK…very effective and just a little bit cheaper than having air con fitted!
Designed and made in the UK…very effective and just a little bit cheaper than having air con fitted!
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It's a swamp cooler. They're ok when it's dry. But when it's humid, they are no more effective than a normal fan.
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My current van came fitted with a Viesa Holiday 3 evaporative cooler, it works on 12v and draws water from the main water tank. Not sure if I would have bought one if it hadn't already been fitted but I do use it, mainly just as a fan. I'll try the evaporative feature properly next month when it heats up here in Spain! There's a newer version now, here's a link: https://viesaholiday.com/en/
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The evaporative ones are better than nothing but may not be at all easy to install because they need to be connected a water reservoir. You can get portable versions, though.
It may be better to fit an extractor van in a roof vent. Good for removing cooking smells/vapour too. Heat rises, to helping to rid the hotter air from the roof draws up cooler air from below. Don't expect miracles, though.
It may be better to fit an extractor van in a roof vent. Good for removing cooking smells/vapour too. Heat rises, to helping to rid the hotter air from the roof draws up cooler air from below. Don't expect miracles, though.
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Reflective screens on the windscreen, blinds across that face the sun, with a Maxxair sucking the hot air out can be very effective.
We were on a site for several days where it was in the low 30s during the day. The van stayed fairly comfortable. And it was fine overnight. Far quieter than an aircon compressor.
We were on a site for several days where it was in the low 30s during the day. The van stayed fairly comfortable. And it was fine overnight. Far quieter than an aircon compressor.
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- Jul 18, 2009
- 11,400
- 18,527
- Funster No
- 7,543
- MH
- HYMER B644
- Exp
- 2004
We run a Truma ducted unit on the move, 240v
Only have 105 ah lithium (soon to be 2 x 105)
But
Victron 50amp B2B
Victron 50amp solar controller
Victron multiplus inverter
Eurena 430w solar
Only have 105 ah lithium (soon to be 2 x 105)
But
Victron 50amp B2B
Victron 50amp solar controller
Victron multiplus inverter
Eurena 430w solar
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Bobby-gg
LIFE MEMBER
Brother in law bought a van with a lovely dometic aircon unit and a 2kw inverter fitted, thought he was the bee's knee's until they parked up for lunch switched on the aircon using the single 100ah lead acid and flattened it within an hour 
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I got one of these from Aldi a few days ago. With a punt if it works if not it’s going back. Works on 12 volt usb 
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we bought one of them of Ebay, it is quite good if not a bit noisy. I did drop one of the tanks when frozen and broke it though !I got one of these from Aldi a few days ago. With a punt if it works if not it’s going back. Works on 12 volt usb
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- Apr 6, 2019
- 3,947
- 7,811
- Funster No
- 59,702
- MH
- RV
- Exp
- FourWinds Windsport 6.8L V10
They are good at introducing lots of moisture and damp air
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I haven’t seen or heard of a roof top 12v version, but, there is a 12v model underslung, some in the USA have it. I think it originates from Asian market. There is a guy on Yutube documented a installation kit. Comes pre charged with gas.
Like this one
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It's 12volts, but it's still over 1000watts. Which means a lot of battery.
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Tombola
LIFE MEMBER
Kingingit fitted this one and said they'd do a review after a few weeks....review didn't happen, says a lot.
42 amp on startup for an hour's cooling then said to be 16amp per hour maintain.
42 amp on startup for an hour's cooling then said to be 16amp per hour maintain.
Indel B Plein Aircon 12V Air Conditioner Camper Campervan Motorhome Caravan VW | eBay
Indel B plein-Aircon 12V Air Conditioner. This air conditioner is ideal for cooling and dehumidifying the sleeping area of a vehicle, rather than the entire vehicle as with traditional AC air conditioning units.
www.ebay.co.uk
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DC compressors are the most efficient, once the cooling target is reached, they can throttle down the speed and reduce the power next to nothing. The above example will happily run on 350w but can boost to 1000w. Same as inverter AC.
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They are marginally more efficient. But don't most compressors convert internally anyway?
There's no getting away from the fact that it requires a lot of energy and power to run air conditioning.
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- Jul 18, 2009
- 11,400
- 18,527
- Funster No
- 7,543
- MH
- HYMER B644
- Exp
- 2004
First motorhome we have had without cab A/C
I did consider one of those Asian retro fit kits, like this one....
341.76ï¿¡ |BEU 450L 100 12V Universal Truck Car Auto Small Under Dash AC Evaporator Unit| | - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
But as We already had A Truma Ducted I installed, I thought it was best to make use of that.
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That is a good pointThey are good at introducing lots of moisture and damp air
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No they are usually ac motors with 2 windings, with start and run capacitors across the start winding to increase torque.
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Good point, hadn’t really thought about that, though if it is very hot and the space has some ventilation I don’t think it will cause any damp problems.They are good at introducing lots of moisture and damp air
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- Jul 18, 2009
- 11,400
- 18,527
- Funster No
- 7,543
- MH
- HYMER B644
- Exp
- 2004
This is with our engine off and a bit of solar. The A/C is on, freezer cycled off.
With engine running, we get around another 35amps
With engine running, we get around another 35amps
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Silver screen at the front, side screens on the sunny side works most of the time. Over 35 degrees, white towels draped over the sunny side windows ,(tuck them in the top hinge then close the window) and sprayed every hour with water works incredibly well. We took cats down to Spain when it was 38 and the van stayed beautifully cool.
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So roughly 500 watts? Which is a pretty hefty load of you're sustaining it for a few hours off grid. But as you've paired it with a good solar setup, it becomes manageable. You'd probably still only be able to use it for the peak of the day and maybe a burst before bed though, as the battery needs to recover, no?
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- Jul 18, 2009
- 11,400
- 18,527
- Funster No
- 7,543
- MH
- HYMER B644
- Exp
- 2004
But it’s about using it on the move for us
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