Cool Only Air Conditioner

Hi Catmandoo,

A cool-only airconditioner might compliment a diesel heater, as you suggest. However we have a diesel heater (nice) plus a reverse-cycle a/c (also nice). The diesel can heat from below freezing temps whereas most a/cs need about 6 to 7 degrees ambient before they will be happy to operate in heater mode. BUT the a/c can dehumidify and, when we have had a wet spell and clothes etc. are damp, the a/c wins hands down in the heating stakes, drying things and is the favoured unit. Of course, unless you have a huge battery/inverter capacity, a/c needs 240 v, whereas the diesel only needs a modest 12 v source (plus the diesel of course). Both are a little noisy and capable of upsetting close neighbours. The diesel can smell just a little. Is the price so different to make the cool-only worthwhile?

Just my thoughts,
Mark

Many RVers are favouring small inverter splits systems instead of roof top units. Typically they are cheaper, quieter and more efficient.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

out of box thinking.

ice pak used on prime movers but damn noisy esp outside the cab.

alternative possibly more evaporate style evercool.

see a bloke at the caravan camping store uses a bucket full of cool water/ice slush has a little fan powered by either 12v or mains power and certainly cools a small space down.

There are a number of brands which use the compressor to cool only, and the heating portion is a simple element which you do not need to use, as opposed to a true reverse cycle unit.
I have no experience with them, but apparently the reverse cycle RV heating units can be problematic when the temps plummet a bit? Not something this QLD-er has to worry about too often.

Our 20 + year old Dometic caravan air conditioner is cool only, plus and element to use as a fan heater. I have never used the latter. A small fan heater on the floor is far more efficient at heating.

Not roof top,but how about one of these Close Comfort AC

Very low power draw of 300w.