As I’m sure you would expect, this portable air conditioner is a more significant investment than a turbo fan upgrade. Having air conditioning in your caravan or motorhome is possible via a number of different solutions. However, in that scenario, you have fridge vents to transfer the heat into the outside environment. The built-in air conditioning systems are more expensive but provide more useable living space. Where a portable air conditioner is in the hundreds of pounds a permanent built-in air conditioner is easily into the thousands of pounds. If you get a little warm in this sleeping bag, you can unzip the bottom to let your feet cool off. What is a Fully Serviced Caravan/Motorhome Pitch? Well, It Depends On Your Tow Car, Buying a Used/Second Hand Caravan in 2021? Cost: $$ Of course, purchasing an A/C for your camper is only half the battle. This means feeling the highs and the lows of the temperature, which can be difficult to get accustomed to at first. It can generate quite a bit of cold air and is efficient in doing so. So I had a search to see if I could find any applicable videos. But it is important to recognise the limitations of this portable air conditioner and any air conditioner for that matter. However, its less practical and takes up living space. Being comfortable will give you a much better nights sleep and make any long road trip go much smoother. If you are traveling in an area that is primarily hot, paint your van white, or at least the roof. Hence, if you visit Amazon through one of our links and decide to purchase a product we receive a small commission with no additional cost to you. The Truma Aventa Compact Plus is a roof mounted air conditioning system with 2200W cooling output and low power consumption to cool your vehicle quickly and efficiently, not to mention it’s available in cream or grey. Larger RVs (over 8 m) may need more than one air conditioning unit to cool the entire vehicle. First, the window when the air conditioner is fitted will always be slightly open. However, you will typically use a motor mover on every trip and many people now view motor movers as essential accessories. In Grahams set up, the interior box sat on the kitchen worktop. But even the best-insulated van doesn’t keep you warm overnight, it only slows down the cooling process, so other methods are necessary as well. 1. Therefore, the first question you really need to ask your self is, do you really need air conditioning? Wool Blanket – This is a 4.4 lb blanket, so you shouldn’t be shivering too much. The current price of around £750 is obviously a big benefit over a roof-mounted/built-in air conditioner which will cost into the thousands. The other solutions will … Now, many new caravans and motorhomes come with a ‘water ingress warranty’. On average UK warm spring and potentially even summer days the temperature inside the caravan/motorhome maybe just a few degrees above a temperature you would be comfortable with. Weighing only 12.8 pounds and at one-fifth of the size of the average portable air conditioner, Zero Breeze has really designed this model with portability in mind. There are a ton of options for heating and air conditioning your camper van when encountering inclement weather. Below, I now want to discuss each option in a bit more detail and with a few more examples/videos. In terms of disadvantages, there is obviously the cost. Sometimes a fan or a shady parking spot isn’t going to do the trick, which is why we recommend an air conditioning unit. For air conditioning a caravan, the most efficient air conditioners are reverse cycle units. Yes, the noise from the fans is a consideration. However, with air conditioning, you may only use it occasionally. Therefore the Truma representative discuses with Dan the option of the Saphir air conditioning unit which can installed under the seating area, with ventilation pipes running along/within the caravan cupboards/lockers. By going through this guide i am sure it has been answered in best possible way. Disclaimer: Hey! First, let’s discuss the benefits/advantages of roof-mounted air conditioners. To create, curate, and share the most comprehensive and inspiring van life adventures. This Enerdrive 12v Lithium Battery Setup will allow you to run your air conditioner and other heavy amp drawing 240v appliances without the need for a generator or mains power - making caravanning a lot more comfortable. And while yes it can get pretty warm here at Horton Common in the middle of summer, that’s not why they had air conditioning installed. We really do stress to new van lifers how important a fan is to your comfort, plus, it also aids when cooking inside to get rid of any smells. However, both portable and built-in air conditioning setups produce fan noise. Details about Dometic 640315C Penguin II campervan air conditioners. Hence, you only have to take the air conditioner with you when you will need it. 12 Sep 2020. That means that if you don’t wish to buy a brand-new AC unit every few years and don’t want to spend unnecessary money on air conditioning repair specialists, that you will have to dedicate some time to make basic maintenance a part of your routine. Definitely interested in hearing other ideas on how to cool camper van — please add a comment below. What is also interesting to note is that the Dometic Freshlight has the same cooling performance as the Truma Aventa Compact Plus. How To Jack Up A Caravan Safely & Securely – Jacks, Hints & Tips, Caravan Corner Steady Servicing and Replacement – Tips on Grease Etc, Best Caravan Towing Mirrors in 2021? It will bring down the temperature a few degrees, which is worth the money for most. Period. First, the portable air conditioner is not able to produce the equivalent cooling power to the built-in units from Truma and Dometic. Also, the fan noise from the unit outside hanging from the window may annoy your pitch neighbours. First, it will be conditional on an annual professional caravan service or motorhome habitation check. The Best Leisure Battery Chargers in 2021 for Caravans and Motorhomes. While that may not seem sufficient to some people, I believe that can make a big difference to a comfortable internal environment. With this unit, you will also need to cut a hole in the side of your van so the hose can let out the hot air. While yes, technically with a 12V to 230V inverter you could power these air conditioners from your leisure battery it wouldn’t last long. However, there is now another option from Dometic. Luckily, it’s pretty simple to install RV air conditioner units, and can be done with basic hand tools. Wear some warm socks to bed, a hoodie, and a beanie to keep your head warm. Having air conditioning in your caravan or motorhome is possible via a number of different solutions. hOmeLabs Window Air Conditioner. Also don’t be afraid to bundle up. Many cargo vans will have a built-in wall which will make this easier, but if not, you can install a rod or hooks to keep the curtain hanging. Therefore, instead of going for a portable or built-in air conditioner, you may want to consider a turbo vent. With a little creativity and elbow grease, even the penny pinchers can get by just fine. There are plenty of ways to stay cool in your van. One of the most important things about living in your van is staying comfortable. The above video does a good job of providing a brief overview of the different cooling options for a caravan/motorhome. Furthermore, as Dan shows in the video above its iNet compatible. On the other hand, if you have a smaller camper, there’s no reason to worry about controlling temperatures in multiple rooms and non-ducted air conditioner should work fine. Caravan Corner Steady Leg Locks – Suitable Security Protection? A big downside to this ac unit is it takes up a ton of space in your van. Furthermore, they run on 12V power therefore you can run turbo vents just from the leisure battery. If there is no room on your roof for an AC unit, or your roof is the wrong shape, an under bench air conditioner can be installed inside your vehicle. With a weight of just over 5kg, you could add multiple turbo vents if you had multiple roof lights without a significant impact on payload. Don’t be afraid to drive to where the weather is more suitable! Hate to break it to you but that is a fact. How much does the air conditioner weigh, and how much power does it consume? It is possible to run your air conditioner for extended periods of time while you free camp - purely from your 12v Battery. Secondly, as its portable, you could easily sell it on separately. And sure, van life has some trade-offs to living in a house, but being comfortable shouldn’t be one of them! You do also have to consider the impacts on payload and other issues such as weight distribution and caravan noseweights. However, you may even grow to like waking up in the cool crisp air and letting the sun slowly warm you as it rises. Say you burnt some toast and the fire detector is going off. And of course, our biggest piece of advice: if the weather gets chilly, be a snowbird and fly(drive) south! Truma Air Conditioning and Accessories . A rotating control dial adjusts the fan speed on the Turbo Vent: Image – Amazon.co.uk. Roof mounted air conditioning units can be used but many feel reluctant to spend £2,500 to have a 45kg a/c unit affixed to the top of their van and rightly worry about recouping their investment when selling or trading-in. It just so happens that the Caravan Vlogger aka Graham owns such a unit which he takes on trips to the south of France. Therefore, if the cost is a consideration, as it is for most people, they may just simply not be a viable option. Furthermore, they actually have a higher cooling capacity. Other Types of Air Conditioners for Camper Vans. With a maxium power draw of 3amps at 12V, that’s just 36W of power at maxium fan speed. Because Zero Breeze Z19-B Portable Air Conditioner is designed for campers, this model is also eminently portable. Even if you can afford these more expensive and more efficient built-in air conditioning units, please note their electric consumption. I’ve seen some camper van builds that use other types air conditioners in … Window ac units aren’t the easiest to install in a van, so here is a video which does a good job at explaining the install process. He later produced a video on the option he did choose. This is quite a bit more than their Fresh Jet 1700 above which is typically found for around £1,700. However, their cost is not insignificant at £2K+. The Advent Complete RV air conditioner is available in white or black and performs well so you can keep cool and relaxed in your motorhome. No matter how well you insulate your van, it will never have the same insulation properties of a house. The Truma brand offer s a range of air conditioning solutions for you and your camper vehicle.. Therefore, this is an option Dan didn’t decide to take. So what does the above tell us? However, if you do want it to blow cold air, it comes with an ice compartment. BTU: 12,000 Now, its likely the FreshLight is more expensive due to more expensive components. The outside box will just drip onto the ground. While I’m categorising these issues as disadvantages/cons that will depend on the specific caravan or motorhome. Furthermore, both the boxes of the portable air conditioner have condensation (condensate) traps. Well depending on the specific model you could be looking at a total install cost of between £1,500 to £3,000. Best battery for campervan electrical systems & power storage | What does a campervan leisure battery, aka house battery,... Read More. The best location will depend on your caravan’s layout. About Guchen 12V 24V DC Powered Parking Truck Air Conditioning Manufacturer. Fiamma also produces other caravan and motorhome accessories such as roll-out caravan awnings and motorhome awnings. Dometic Brisk II Polar White Air Conditioner, Cost: $$$$ Hence, why there are two boxes, one which sits inside and one which hangs on the outside of the vehicle. Rooftop – Roof air-conditioners are the most common type of AC used by people with RV’s. However, there are several compromises and obstacles to consider, beyond simply the cost. Overall, it’s a great unit for van lifers who aren’t staying in areas that get really hot. Another advantage of the Fiamma turbo vent besides just keeping cool is the benefit of rapid ventilation. There is an issue with a seal that runs across the caravan roof, but also a potential issue with the air conditioner and Dan existing solar panel. CamelBak 40oz Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Water Bottle – In the winter, fill an insulated water bottle with warm water and put it in your sleeping bag. They’re affordable, stealthy, they’re not clunky and won’t take up space, and they’re not difficult to install. The point remains though, the impact on the vehicles total weight and weight distribution does need to be considered. For instance, there is a portable air conditioner set up to consider which is a cheaper solution. However, as Dan had the installation carried out at his local dealership, they have provided a warranty for this work. As stated above, while a Turbo Vent will consume just 36W at 12V and can run from the leisure battery, that’s not the case with an air conditioning unit. Finally, you are going to lose some interior space. Watts: 460 when running. So while this solution appears to be the best option for Graham, it may not be the best option for you depending on your individual circumstances/needs. Guchen is an independent manufacturer fully devoted to design, produce, install and service of complete air conditioning system and components for 24V/12V DC air conditioner at the top quality, bring to the market customized services & project planning for automotive manufacturers, truck manufacturers, … The Dometic roof-mounted air conditioner FreshLight range features an integrated roof-light: Image – Amazon.co.uk. If you already have a Truma caravan heating system and latest control panel the air conditioner can be integrated into that same control panel. The main issue they were wrestling within their mind was the loss of the roof light. BTU: 5,000 The next step is the RV air conditioner install. We have a few guests who are repeat visitors to Horton Common every year who have air conditioning installed. Below is the power requirements of some of the air conditioners discussed above. A Fan-Tastic Fan is the key to keeping your van cool. The hOmeLabs Window Air Conditioner is one of the best-selling ac units. Now, while you may be familiar with roof-mounted air conditioners for caravans and motorhomes as you will see below they are not the only option. If your not comfortable in your home on wheels, you won’t want to spend any time in it, which will only make you miserable! Hence, it will pull out the hottest air hanging around the ceiling and in turn draw into the vehicle cooler air from ground level through the floor vents etc. Commonly, the reasons someone will opt for an air conditioner is if they also like to go touring around the European continent. (Or even worse, send you back to a house that doesn’t even move!) If you have a 3-way fridge in your caravan or motorhome, it works on the same principle. That, therefore, provides the option of remote monitoring and control with the Truma app. Horton Common Caravan Site - Lask Edge Road, Lask Edge, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8QS, link to How To Fit AL-KO Wheel Locks To Single & Twin Axle Caravans, link to How To Go Off-Grid In A Caravan/Motorhome - You Need To Plan Ahead, Introduction to Air Conditioning for Caravans and Motorhomes, Portable Air Conditioning Setups for Caravans and Motorhomes, Portable Air Conditioner Advantages/Disadvantages, Replacing a Roof Light with an Air Conditioner, Truma Built-in/Roof-Mounted Air Conditioners, Truma Roof-Mounted Air Conditioner Installation, Roof-Mounted Air Conditioner Advantages/Disadvantages, Conclusions on The Best Air Conditioners for Caravans and Motorhomes. A light-colored van won’t absorb as much heat. 12V Adapter Plug Socket with Eyelet Terminal. Small Portable – Portable air-conditioners are self-contained units that are used to cool a single room, with the advantage of being movable. However, van lifers usually don’t stay in areas where they are constantly hooked up to electricity so other solutions are needed. Cost: $$ BTU: 5,000 Watts: 460 when running. Just quickly turn the turbo vent to max speed. Whether you own a class A motorhome or a fifth wheel or a small pop up camper, air conditioner are very important while camping. With a cost of a few hundred pounds per turbo vent, they are amongst one of the cheapest options for reducing the interior temperature in a caravan or motorhome. If you only currently use your caravan within the UK. The maintenance and repair procedures for all these RV air conditioner devices are identical. It can also stay open while driving, while the fantastic fan cannot. Check out a few ideas below that work with your budget and space accommodation. So our first piece of advice on staying cool when the temperatures rise, is to drive where the cool comfortable weather is! Secondly, the portable air conditioner is not as efficient when you look at the ratio of cooling capacity to power use. It will typically be able to reduce the interior temperature to 6-7 degrees Celcius below the outdoor temperature. Air-conditioning in a camper van sounds like a great idea and there are many solutions available on the market. They offer the FreshLight which is an air conditioner which comes with an integrated roof light. In terms of pure cooling capacity/performance and efficiency, the most expensive built-in air conditioners from Truma and Dometic come out on top, as you would and should expect. Hence for a period of time, typically 8-10 years the manufacturer will cover the costs to repair any damage to the vehicle from water ingress/damp. Please also be aware, hortoncommon.co.uk is a participant in affiliate programs for Webgains Ltd, Awin Ltd and the Amazon EU Associates Programme. Main purpose of this article was to address the question “does air conditioning work with pop up camper or not”. I remember having a conversation with one guest to Horton Common in the past who was considering a roof-mounted air conditioner. Another air conditioning unit, which, I think, is really suitable for use on recreational vehicles is the Coleman RV air conditioner. So the last thing I want to discuss in this post is about the topic of power consumption with regards to portable and built-in air conditioning units for caravans and motorhomes.