Air Conditioner advice

Diversteve · June 23, 2018, 11:05:51 AM

And did I mention quiet? This unit is so quiet i thought it was not working!
I was able to sell my old rooftop unit for $400.00 so the total price was very reasonable.
We are starting our third year of camping and still are impressed with the setup.
The heat pump is amazing, warms the little trailer very quickly.
i expect to hear of more installations like this or at least a rooftop unit with the inverter tech.

Paul · June 25, 2018, 12:39:22 PM

That is really cool! I have the same kind of minisplit heat pump at my home. I have 3 of them they work really well. Interesting to see them on a trailer!

nhlakes · June 25, 2018, 07:47:56 PM

did you patch the roof with aluminum or create a big skylight?

Diversteve · June 25, 2018, 08:41:41 PM

The opening is the standard roof opening for an RV.
i installed a new vent.

Merlin · June 26, 2018, 12:06:23 AM

Wow, just what I will be looking for when it comes times to replace the noisy, inefficient Coleman Mach 8 AC (hopefully sooner rather than later). Thanks for the inspiration

Whipfinisher · June 26, 2018, 04:59:14 PM

Neat. I would love to replace my loud AC too.

GrampaKilt · June 27, 2018, 02:29:49 AM

Two long time camper fixtures seem ripe for retirement. One, as I have just learned in this forum topic, is the traditional AC unit. The other has to be the pathetic absorption refrigerator in favor of efficient/reliable 12V (or dual fuel with AC) compressor models. I look forward to following the path both these improvements take to become mainstream in trailer outfitting. GK

nhlakes · June 27, 2018, 06:52:51 AM

Quote from: GrampaKilt on June 27, 2018, 02:29:49 AM
Two long time camper fixtures seem ripe for retirement. One, as I have just learned in this forum topic, is the traditional AC unit. The other has to be the pathetic absorption refrigerator in favor of efficient/reliable 12V (or dual fuel with AC) compressor models. I look forward to following the path both these improvements take to become mainstream in trailer outfitting. GK

Another is radiant floor heating from companies like Alde which combines the water heater and heat system. Uses much less energy. This seems like it has great potential from what I have heard so far. Great for those of us who camp in cold weather - especially with alum floors!

DavidM · June 27, 2018, 10:34:48 AM

Quote from: GrampaKilt on June 27, 2018, 02:29:49 AM
Two long time camper fixtures seem ripe for retirement. One, as I have just learned in this forum topic, is the traditional AC unit. The other has to be the pathetic absorption refrigerator in favor of efficient/reliable 12V (or dual fuel with AC) compressor models. I look forward to following the path both these improvements take to become mainstream in trailer outfitting. GK

I dont think that 12v inverter/compressor refrigeration will soon become mainstream like it has for boats. For most boats, absorption wont work because of heeling. Absorption requires a fairly level system.

An efficient, well insulated 12v system requires at least 50 amp hours daily to run and often more. That much current will draw down my single Group 24 battery below 50% in about 16 hours where normally it lasts for 3 days.

Yes, absorption requires lots of heat but on propane i can go more than 30 days on one tank and plugged into ac at the rv park, it will go forever. It would take a ton of batteries to last that long or a couple hundred watts of solar pnels sitting in the sun, something i have never done.

So i believe absorption will be the standard refrigeration for rvs for along, long time.

David

Popup2012 · June 27, 2018, 02:10:40 PM

While camping at Inks Lake State Park here in Texas last year, I saw this same unit on a Airstream RV. The owner said the installation was quite easy.

ADR · June 27, 2018, 08:04:37 PM

Quote from: DavidM on June 27, 2018, 10:34:48 AM
Quote from: GrampaKilt on June 27, 2018, 02:29:49 AM
Two long time camper fixtures seem ripe for retirement. One, as I have just learned in this forum topic, is the traditional AC unit. The other has to be the pathetic absorption refrigerator in favor of efficient/reliable 12V (or dual fuel with AC) compressor models. I look forward to following the path both these improvements take to become mainstream in trailer outfitting. GK

I dont think that 12v inverter/compressor refrigeration will soon become mainstream like it has for boats. For most boats, absorption wont work because of heeling. Absorption requires a fairly level system.

An efficient, well insulated 12v system requires at least 50 amp hours daily to run and often more. That much current will draw down my single Group 24 battery below 50% in about 16 hours where normally it lasts for 3 days.

Yes, absorption requires lots of heat but on propane i can go more than 30 days on one tank and plugged into ac at the rv park, it will go forever. It would take a ton of batteries to last that long or a couple hundred watts of solar pnels sitting in the sun, something i have never done.

So i believe absorption will be the standard refrigeration for rvs for along, long time.

David

A couple of years ago I recall seeing an announcement of a new RV fridge that was both absorption AND 12V compressor. That seemed like a great idea- use the 12v when it is plentiful or needed for extra cooling and the LP when 12V is an issue.

Wonder what happened to it? Will have to dig. I'm also curious about the helium fridges out now too.

Steve Sanders · June 28, 2018, 08:17:17 PM

Quote from: ADR on June 27, 2018, 08:04:37 PM

A couple of years ago I recall seeing an announcement of a new RV fridge that was both absorption AND 12V compressor. That seemed like a great idea- use the 12v when it is plentiful or needed for extra cooling and the LP when 12V is an issue.

Wonder what happened to it? Will have to dig. I'm also curious about the helium fridges out now too.

Probably prohibitively expensive. That would be two completely separate refrigeration systems in one box.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

ADR · July 12, 2018, 08:25:50 PM

Here is one example of the dual cooling source fridge>
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/products/food-and-beverage/mobile-refrigeration/rv-boat-and-truck-refrigerators/dometic-super-hybrid-_-31009

Merlin · July 12, 2018, 09:24:10 PM

Quote from: ADR on July 12, 2018, 08:25:50 PM
Here is one example of the dual cooling source fridge>
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/products/food-and-beverage/mobile-refrigeration/rv-boat-and-truck-refrigerators/dometic-super-hybrid-_-31009

But......almost $2800 including shipping. An interesting idea, however.

ADR · July 13, 2018, 06:31:38 PM

Its high alright. Maybe the price will come down if they become popular.

I love my 12V compressor ARB chest I keep in the van.

I also have a 12V compressor NovaKool in my truck camper.

No doubt LP is more efficient if one is stopped overnight in a camp spot.
But - I especially like the compressor type for traveling- it's nice to stop without worrying about the fridge being off level and damaging it.