Evaporative cooler

[Widge]

Hi
Has anyone tried using a household evaporative cooler in their camper, I am not talking necessarily about the usb cubes, but somthing a little bigger (2 or 3 times that size), I know they are 220v but low power so no problem for a small inverter, there seems to be quite a range under £100 but wondered what they are like. I am not expecting super cool van, but just to make it a bit more comfortable especially at night.

Dave

 

[Reallyretired]

They add humidity which will make you feel sweatier. I tried one at home and found it pretty useless.

 

[The Wino]

I've always thought they must be pretty useless as the air passing over will cool as the water evaporates but unless it's vented outside will condense again and release the heat in the motorhome. It would also make it harder to lose heat from skin evaporation. As they consume power there would be a very small heating effect from that. If it's really cheap you could try it a better idea than buying a transcool.

 

[The Wino]

Look at the price of this for a small fan and some blotting paper!!!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18428308...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[CazPaul]

I think in hot countries they have hung wet blankets at the windows for evaporative cooling.

Also when you get out of the bath/shower and stand there wet with the window open the cool you feel is evaporative cooling.

We had one in a previous Hymer, it used to be Hymer optional fit years ago, Trav L Cool it was called. We had a container in the wardrobe that we used to put cold water in, ice cubes too.

In Germany one year the system just blew hot air despite ice cubes being chucked in, it was that hot and the only relief we could get was putting wet flannels in the van freezer for 30 mins or so, then placing on wrists and forehead.

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[Richard n Ann]

For the past few years in Benidorm I've used a trigger water spray on myself and sit next to the fan. Even got a mini spray I took to the pool

 

[almichie]

Very much a mistake in any sort of camper/motorhome. As already said they evaporate water from a wick into air passing over it. Eventually the air inside end up at 100% humidity, and the walls will drip!

 

[CazPaul]

Very much a mistake in any sort of camper/motorhome. As already said they evaporate water from a wick into air passing over it. Eventually the air inside end up at 100% humidity, and the walls will drip!

I have to say that’s not what we found, it worked well the Trav L cool but when it got absolutely boiling hot outside it wasn’t effective.

Better to keep all blinds, windscreen covered and stop the van getting boiling in the first place, keep them all covered , keep the sun out and the Trav L cool was nice.

 

[Richard n Ann]

the walls will drip!

It will only condense on the walls if they are cold.

 

[almichie]

It will only condense on the walls if they are cold.

It will condensate if the surface is cooler than the humidity in the air.

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[almichie]

I have to say that’s not what we found, it worked well the Trav L cool but when it got absolutely boiling hot outside it wasn’t effective.

Better to keep all blinds, windscreen covered and stop the van getting boiling in the first place, keep them all covered , keep the sun out and the Trav L cool was nice.

Agreed, if the RH humidity is high already, the effect is reduced

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Have a look at Fiamma Turbo vent or maxxfan we have had both in different vans and kept us cool enough is South of France heat in august. Not aircon but next best thing and a lot cheaper.

 

[Widge]

My old camper, a 1981 Transit Pilote, had an Evaporative cooler in a pod on the roof that was fed from a separate water tank and pump Unfortunately I didn't ever find out what it was like as there were parts missing, and I failed to repair it, maybe being a specific unit on the roof it introduced less water vapour into the air.

Finally, I surgically removed it from the roof using a low railway bridge oops!!! Well I was lost, trying to follow the GPS round backstreets, it was early days of having a camper, I was also not feeling very well and lost concentration. Luckily, I didn't do too much other damage and it was quite repairable, although I did have to let all the tyres down to remove the camper from under the bridge.

 

[dazandandrea]

Quote "Also when you get out of the bath/shower and stand there wet with the window open the cool you feel is evaporative cooling."

Thats what i got arrested for