Air Con for AT Delaware HB Advice

[IanRJ]

Hi folks, looking for some advice on what to fit to my van, and where I can get it done whilst on the road.

Stupidly we hung off getting air con fitted before we left UK last week, and ended up with nothing.

We’re in the Black Forest at the mo and suffered with heat all across France, looks like it’ll be similar down through Spain. So looking to find a dealer in France or Spain (Portugal possible too) to fit a roof mounted unit. So a few questions for the gurus on the forum if I may?

My van is 8m, but being a high bed at least 60% of the back end bedroom is bed and storage space. Probably has the internal qubic space of a 6 or 7m van. I can close off the bedroom too, and I am hoping I can just cool each end of the van individually as we need it, living during the day and bedroom at night.

1. What size air con unit should I be looking at?

2. I have Alde wet radiator heating in the van. What would be the best type of aircon unit to work with it (is it necessary). Truma / Dometic?

3. Which model should I be looking at and will it be a straight swap for the fan light unit currently (standard fit) in the roof?

4. Any advice on a supplier / fitter somewhere on the route below:

Friedburg, Carcassonne, Irun, Portugal though I’d be happy to detour anywhere (that is safe) in northern Spain to get something fitted?

Your feedback (yes we are idiots for not fixing it before it became a problem) would be appreciated.

Cheers
IanRJ

 

[Richard n Ann]

I'd have to be really desperate to have it done in a foreign country, what about warranty? We're in Benidorm, it's 32°c and quite bearable with fans, pool and me pump spray

 

[TCG]

we replaced the centre omnivent with a domectic Freshlight unit. our friends with the same van fitted a truma unit in the same place, it has made the centre of the motorhome very dark as they have lost the centre hexi

 

[IanRJ]

I'd have to be really desperate to have it done in a foreign country, what about warranty? We're in Benidorm, it's 32°c and quite bearable with fans, pool and me pump spray

Thanks for that.

A. I’m desperate
B. I think any of the manufacturers will support warranty work in the circumstance?.?
C. I spend 50% (covid excepted) in Spain or on route there and back so could likely get back to the fitter twice a year at least!

I do know fitters in Malaga have a reasonable reputation, but it will be 25 days before I get there.

 

[IanRJ]

we replaced the centre omnivent with a domectic Freshlight unit. our friends with the same van fitted a truma unit in the same place, it has made the centre of the motorhome very dark as they have lost the centre hexi

Does the fresh light have a window in it?

What is the power of the fresh light ?

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[Richard n Ann]

Look for an air con with variable speed compressor. Known in the trade as 'inverter system' (nothing to do with 12v/230v inverters)
The inverter systems start slowly with no current inrush at start up, and they purr away quietly when running. They do do them... I'll have a search...

 

[Richard n Ann]

Dometic Harrier Inverter - Roof air conditioner

Dometic Harrier Inverter - The new Dometic Harrier Inverter raises the bar in efficiency and power for rooftop air conditioners. The Dometic Harrier Inverter has a variable speed compressor that is quiet when running at maximum speed and has a powerful cooling capacity – the most powerful in its...

www.dometic.com

 

[Neil S]

If you can wait until you get to Portugal
Camperserv on the Algarve are very good
www.camperserv.com
One of the owners is an ex-pat

 

[TCG]

Does the fresh light have a window in it? Yes

What is the power of the fresh light ? google is your friend

 

[TerryL]

Remember that you'll need a good electrical hookup to work any hab aircon worth having - and trying to run one off an inverter is to all intents and purposes simply not viable without lots of other requirements.

Check out the specs on the various websites to see what is going to work for you. The point about making it darker in the van is important if you fit it in the centre. The good news is, however, that they are a self-contained unit only requiring a 240v supply and a 400mm square "hole", a standard size for a roof vent. But they are quite heavy so watch your payload too. Any good caravan technician should have no problem fitting one.

Personally I'm just about to remove our Dometic B2200 unit as it's hardly ever been used, and replace it with a Maxxair Maxfan which, apart from being very light, has a reversible fan, a clear (well, smoked) panel to let in more light, and runs off 12v, the main reason as we hardly ever use hookups.

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[sallylillian]

I have 2 Freshlights as said Google for detail. They have the added advantage of fresh air powered venting without AC. The the glass light does not open and it creates a borrowed light experience so no where near as affected by direct sunlight. Try and take a picture this afternoon when I go down to the hutch.

 

[sallylillian]

Here are a couple of pics from the inside with the Freshlights that I have on my laptop.

 

[Neil S]

Remember that you'll need a good electrical hookup to work any hab aircon worth having - and trying to run one off an inverter is to all intents and purposes simply not viable without lots of other requirements.

Check out the specs on the various websites to see what is going to work for you. The point about making it darker in the van is important if you fit it in the centre. The good news is, however, that they are a self-contained unit only requiring a 240v supply and a 400mm square "hole", a standard size for a roof vent. But they are quite heavy so watch your payload too. Any good caravan technician should have no problem fitting one.

Personally I'm just about to remove our Dometic B2200 unit as it's hardly ever been used, and replace it with a Maxxair Maxfan which, apart from being very light, has a reversible fan, a clear (well, smoked) panel to let in more light, and runs off 12v, the main reason as we hardly ever use hookups.

the Truma Aventa roof mounted aircon units run on less than 6 amps so most European sites are ok

 

[TCG]

he is a snapshot of ours taken from below... you can see the amount of light that comes in. also very useful slider to enable direction of air flow

 

[sallylillian]

Roof top view

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[IanRJ]

he is a snapshot of ours taken from below... you can see the amount of light that comes in. also very useful slider to enable direction of air flow
View attachment 415080

Nice one. That looks like it blows to the front and the side, is that the case? I'm hoping to get something to target the living space day time and the bedroom at night. I think most of the (now rooflight types) have vents front and back?

 

[IanRJ]

I have 2 Freshlights as said Google for detail. They have the added advantage of fresh air powered venting without AC. The the glass light does not open and it creates a borrowed light experience so no where near as affected by direct sunlight. Try and take a picture this afternoon when I go down to the hutch.

Brill thanks.

 

[IanRJ]

Remember that you'll need a good electrical hookup to work any hab aircon worth having - and trying to run one off an inverter is to all intents and purposes simply not viable without lots of other requirements.

Check out the specs on the various websites to see what is going to work for you. The point about making it darker in the van is important if you fit it in the centre. The good news is, however, that they are a self-contained unit only requiring a 240v supply and a 400mm square "hole", a standard size for a roof vent. But they are quite heavy so watch your payload too. Any good caravan technician should have no problem fitting one.

Personally I'm just about to remove our Dometic B2200 unit as it's hardly ever been used, and replace it with a Maxxair Maxfan which, apart from being very light, has a reversible fan, a clear (well, smoked) panel to let in more light, and runs off 12v, the main reason as we hardly ever use hookups.

Yes I understand the electrical requirements pretty well thanks. Definitely want something I can run on small supply sites.

 

[IanRJ]

Dometic Harrier Inverter - Roof air conditioner

Dometic Harrier Inverter - The new Dometic Harrier Inverter raises the bar in efficiency and power for rooftop air conditioners. The Dometic Harrier Inverter has a variable speed compressor that is quiet when running at maximum speed and has a powerful cooling capacity – the most powerful in its...

www.dometic.com

Hummm. I'll take a look at that one too. Thanks.

 

[IanRJ]

If you can wait until you get to Portugal
Camperserv on the Algarve are very good
www.camperserv.com
One of the owners is an ex-pat

If I need to wait that long I'll check them out thanks.

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[TCG]

Nice one. That looks like it blows to the front and the side, is that the case? I'm hoping to get something to target the living space day time and the bedroom at night. I think most of the (now rooflight types) have vents front and back?

Hi, yes the slider allows you to direct airflow forward, backward or both.

 

[Speve]

If I need to wait that long I'll check them out thanks.

Make sure you book in withem early as they get ver very busy and you may have to wait a few weeks to get a slot.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Hummm. I'll take a look at that one too. Thanks.

I fit building AC systems and non inverter stuff these days is well obsolete. Noisy, starts with a bump and less efficient. Rather than stopping and starting the inverter compressor slows down and speeds up. Inverter systems in buildings started appearing in the mid 90's.

Seriously I wouldn't touch anything fixed speed

 

[IanRJ]

I fit building AC systems and non inverter stuff these days is well obsolete. Noisy, starts with a bump and less efficient. Rather than stopping and starting the inverter compressor slows down and speeds up. Inverter systems in buildings started appearing in the mid 90's.

Seriously I wouldn't touch anything fixed speed

I’ve had inverter AC in my house in Spain since 2003, but seems van inverters are pricy in comparison, and heavy on the power from what I have seen. But I’ll definitely review them . Thanks.

 

[IanRJ]

Make sure you book in withem early as they get ver very busy and you may have to wait a few weeks to get a slot.

Thanks Alan, but I hope to find a dealer before I get there so booking weeks in advance won’t be an option. At worst I’ll book in Malaga when I get to my base, but hopefully find something in the Carcassonne area or northern Spain.

Temps have cooled in Black Forest, but likely zooming up again in France and Spain.

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[Richard n Ann]

I’ve had inverter AC in my house in Spain since 2003, but seems van inverters are pricy in comparison, and heavy on the power from what I have seen. But I’ll definitely review them . Thanks.

If it uses more power it's perhaps too big for your application. They generally use less power than a comparable fixed speed system, and no surge at start up.

 

[Bessy765]

Currently in France, temp up to 41c at times most days around 38 c. Burstner Iexo A class 7.5 mtr have a Freshjet 2200. Will run from a 6 amp hook up without tripping supply. Had it fitted in the bedroom skylight for the following reasons. Quite noisy in operation, our van has small roof lights as it is, front one obscured by drop down bed and loss of centre one will reduce the already poor amount of overhead light source, find that having the bedroom cooled down better for sleeping. With the air flow directed forwards lounge is kept at a pleasant temp bedroom is cooled, noise is lower very pleased as this was a no cost option with the new van. On return to the UK having two 170 watt panels two 100 amp Lithium batteries and a inverter charger so will be able to run when no hook up available. Whilst not as long as when on hook up, if lots of sun = heat air con needed, lots of sun = more charge from Solar.

 

[Skyway]

Please be aware the fresh light involves cutting the roof as it is a bigger unit inside where all other models just fit into the skylight size have a chat with no cutting involved

 

[sallylillian]

Please be aware the fresh light involves cutting the roof as it is a bigger unit inside where all other models just fit into the skylight size have a chat with no cutting involved

You are correct in the size being larger than the Freshjet but it depends on the skylight, they are not all the same size. A valid observation but the Freshlight performs a specific function of bringing light as well as cooling and if you want both cutting a larger hole is neither here or there, especially when you bring the electrics into play which either option will need and present a more complex issue.

 

[Skyway]

You are correct in the size being larger than the Freshjet but it depends on the skylight, they are not all the same size. A valid observation but the Freshlight performs a specific function of bringing light as well as cooling and if you want both cutting a larger hole is neither here or there, especially when you bring the electrics into play which either option will need and present a more complex issue.

I was just worried about their warranty if you came to the roof it’s going to be void

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