AirCon advice please, exhausting hot air

[gerrym11]

Hi all, happy New Year!

I have been looking at various air con solutions including 'cool my van', under bunk and roof ac units. For various reasons I am leaning towards a portable air conditioning unit(cost being one!). I would want to exhaust the warm air to the outside permanently rather than through a window. The ideal place inside means coming out in the gas bottle storage locker. Does anyone see a problem with warm air being directed at the gas bottles in the summer?


Thanks


Gerry

 

[two]

Yes, because the gas bottle area must be sealed from the van.

 

[gerrym11]

Of course!! Thank you. So obvious

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you can, try and have an inlet duct onto the condenser too, otherwise the warm air being blown out of the van is replaced by warm ambient air. Portables aren't very efficient.

 

[gerrym11]

Thanks, they can be efficient if they are sealed properly, hence wanting to have a permanent exhaust. For me a portable could well be more efficient as I can use it in my home also!

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[two]

It's not aircon but an extractor fan in one of the top vents can help rid hot air (it gathers up there) and draw cooler air in from below.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I had a portable unit at home and got rid of it, very noisy. I had a roof mounted unit on my last van and that was also too noisy, although not as loud as the portable. We have a roof fan now, much better.

 

[gerrym11]

Thanks, but I am fine with portable air-con. Really don't like the heat in an enclosed space and a fan just moves warm air around.

Cheers

Gerry

 

[Figaro]

If you can, try and have an inlet duct onto the condenser too, otherwise the warm air being blown out of the van is replaced by warm ambient air. Portables aren't very efficient.

Would`nt it just pull in air from inside the van (gradually cooled) , then blow the warmed air out through the exhaust ? (if he can find a route)

 

[MisterB]

although the 'cool my camper' type are usually hung out of the window, i see no reason why you cant fix it permanently inside the van inside a cupboard/external locker that can be opened to the outside when parked up. of course you lose a cupboard/locker or you make you own ?
a lot of thinking and head scratching but i am sure it could be done - after all many outside lockers are also accessible form inside a motorhome ...

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[Jev88]

Yes, because the gas bottle area must be sealed from the van.

I agree with you on that but have seen a number of DIY jobs in MHs where people have cut circular holes to allow them to reach into the gas locke without going outside to turn gas on..... ????

 

[Odd-no-more]

Thanks, but I am fine with portable air-con. Really don't like the heat in an enclosed space and a fan just moves warm air around.

Cheers

Gerry

A roof extractor fan, not just a fan. Try sitting in a confined space with a portable first

 

[Richard n Ann]

Would`nt it just pull in air from inside the van (gradually cooled) , then blow the warmed air out through the exhaust ? (if he can find a route)

Yes, the air that it pulls from inside the van and expels is replaced by outside air that probably comes in through the gas drop outs under the oven etc. If the van is airtight it can't expel any.

 

[gerrym11]

A roof extractor fan, not just a fan. Try sitting in a confined space with a portable first

I have, every summer

 

[gerrym11]

If you can, try and have an inlet duct onto the condenser too, otherwise the warm air being blown out of the van is replaced by warm ambient air. Portables aren't very efficient.

Not sure what you mean, it already has an exhaust for the warm air, I want it to draw its air from inside the van rather than outside.

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[Richard n Ann]

During the day I had our roof fan in a side window as it brings hot air in off the roof during the day (it's excellent at night though) then misted myself with water it's the next best thing to AC

 

[Richard n Ann]

Not sure what you mean, it already has an exhaust for the warm air, I want it to draw its air from inside the van rather than outside.

Imagine you're stood outside looking at the van, there's a duct poking out of the window blowing air out, that air is coming from inside the van, if air can't get back inside the van somehow to replace the air that's being blown out, the atmosphere inside the van will be slightly lower than atmospheric pressure, fortunately the fan in the AC would only Be strong enough to push a bit of air out until it stops, otherwise you'd die a hideous death in a vacuum like you would in space

 

[gerrym11]

Imagine you're stood outside looking at the van, there's a duct poking out of the window blowing air out, that air is coming from inside the van, if air can't get back inside the van somehow to replace the air that's being blown out, the atmosphere inside the van will be slightly lower than atmospheric pressure, fortunately the fan in the AC would only Be strong enough to push a bit of air out until it stops, otherwise you'd die a hideous death in a vacuum like you would in space

I can't imagine any motorhome would be air/watertight LOL

 

[Richard n Ann]

I can't imagine any motorhome would be air/watertight LOL

No it's probably not, that's why the portables are inefficient, they drag warm ambient air in

A proper split system just circulates the cool air inside and the outdoor unit uses outside air and they are totally separate apart from 2 copper pipes.

 

[Richard n Ann]

These will be good, they are variable speed same as the modern house AC systems, very quiet with no high inrush current on start up

RV Air Conditioners | Powerful, Quiet, Polished

Upgrade your RV comfort with smart design and powerful performance. Dometic Air Conditioners offer innovation, comfort, & sustainability wherever you roam.

www.dometic.com

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[gerrym11]

These will be good, they are variable speed same as the modern house AC systems, very quiet with no high inrush current on start up

RV Air Conditioners | Powerful, Quiet, Polished

Upgrade your RV comfort with smart design and powerful performance. Dometic Air Conditioners offer innovation, comfort, & sustainability wherever you roam.

www.dometic.com

Looks good, unfortunately I don't have the space on my roof.


Thanks

Gerry

 

[gerrym11]

No it's probably not, that's why the portables are inefficient, they drag warm ambient air in

A proper split system just circulates the cool air inside and the outdoor unit uses outside air and they are totally separate apart from 2 copper pipes.

Hmm, so actually the portable has an advantage then as well as a disadvantage. I like the idea that the portable a/c would bring in fresh air even if it has to cool it.
I think every use case is different. With me I don't have enough roof space for a split system or I would get one. I don't have enough room for an under bench system or I would get one. My choice really is portable or 'cool my camper'. As I am going to be on EHU nearly all the time, I think portable will be my best bet. I just need to find some way of venting the warm air out without using the windows.


Cheers

Gerry

 

[Richard n Ann]

Hmm, so actually the portable has an advantage then as well as a disadvantage. I like the idea that the portable a/c would bring in fresh air even if it has to cool it.
I think every use case is different. With me I don't have enough roof space for a split system or I would get one. I don't have enough room for an under bench system or I would get one. My choice really is portable or 'cool my camper'. As I am going to be on EHU nearly all the time, I think portable will be my best bet. I just need to find some way of venting the warm air out without using the windows.


Cheers

Gerry

What about putting a false locker door in the side? Just open it when you park up.

 

[gerrym11]

What about putting a false locker door in the side? Just open it when you park up.

Nice idea, thank you!

 

[EuroTrotters]

Truma Saphir.

very quiet, does the job.

otherwise, can you not vent out under the floor ?