Caravan air conditioning

Don't discount reverse cycle..... what if you are in a CP & want heat the van... use their power rather than than your diesel.... also think you will have a better selection with reverse cycle as far as brands go. Can't advise re current selection ..... sorry

My advice is ...do not get a rooftop Dometic style. They are next to useless as a heater, not a lot better on cooling, noisy, heavy, power hungry if using on a genny while freedom camping.

Most folk now are going to household split systems to address all the above problems for maybe 1/3rd the price. If mounted well there are no issues with them being 'mobile' as opposed to a fixed installation.

The only drawback is the sometimes difficulty finding the suitable spot to mount the head unit. If no overhead space then in front of the bed at floor level works.

Cheers Neil

Hi,
Try for a newer type such as inverter as the fixed speed compressers do make a lot of noise when they cycle off & on. May keep you awake at night. The Inverter type don't cycle, they have variable speed compressers & automatically vary according to your set temperature point. Plus cheaper to run if cost is an issue.
cheers
Geoff

Forget a roof top all together and go for a split system like in a normal house. Humpback Caravans in Port Wakefield have been fitting them for some time and they work fantastic. You can have the compressor ( normally outside part in a house) fitted to the rear outside of the caravan or mounted inside with access panel that opens when running. Not trouble with dust / rain and generaly weather. Nor travel vibrations either.

The last longer and cost less to buy. Lower running costs and are much more silent. You can also have an outlet in the bed room and another in the lounge room.

Hi I also have the same problem regardless of what poeple say the current RV airconditioners are junk period and I cant understand why people just accept that! a household split systerm is far superior to the RV air con's my new van will be 24 feet so you can see the problem I have ,every van manufacturer only wants to fit the AC or dometic, it took me ages to convince them to go to instant gas hot ! I would not accept the "norm" in hot water and Iam working on finding a solution to the air con problem as well If I can find a way to fit an inverter split this is the way to go and maybe some smart caravan makers will wake up to this as well
Jeff

I have a Dometic in our van , and i have also been in a van with the split system , and there is no contest , the split wins hands down , we will be going with that when /if we go to another van , have a look at'aussie by design' at port wakefield , sa, there is usually a van ready to go to its very proud new owner , that you could maybe have a look at . cheers lyn

Our roof top Dometic is useless at heating and cooling and it vibrates so much the van roof shakes. We took it to Dometic under warranty, assuming it had major problems, and they checked it out and said there was nothing wrong - that was as good as they get! We will never get another one. Friends just installed a couple of 12 volt fans and they are very happy with no aircon at all. We will do the same. We prefer sleeping with open windows and sitting outside anyway rather than being cooped inside with a noisy machine. Running an aircon with a generator all night in most places is likely to get you evicted and will certainly make you very unpopular and you can't always find camp spots where you are entirely alone! John and Lynne

Ahhh John and Lynne

A couple after our own hearts
Fresh air as it is intended and NO NOISE