which sort of air conditioner for the van?

Submitted: Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 19:28

ThreadID: 42209 Views:7159 Replies:4 FollowUps:10

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gonebush SA

hi, we have just bought a second hand 17.6 foot poptop and are trying to diside about an air conditioner for it. we did price a (i think) conair which would end up being around the $3,000 by the time it was installed, so with that sort of money we were trying to justify it, would it be used enough? then on our last holiday we noticed a poptop the same size as ours that had one of those 1 h/p split systems dysigned for a house that cost around $499, and on talking to the owner of the van he had nothing but praise for it. the cost factor certainly sounds nice, and being a 1 h/p it isn't 3 fase power. Does anyone know why we shouldn't put one of these on our van? hoping some one can help with either good or bad reports of doing this. thanks from gonebush.

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Reply By: Member - John R (NSW) - Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 19:46

Reply By: Jimmy's - Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 20:44

Reply By: Jimmy's - Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 20:50

Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 20:50

Me again I forgot to mention I have been looking at the split systems and I was told that you need a plumber or refrigation mechanic to fire them up and this costs around $500.00 on top of the purchase price. Hope this helps.

Regards Jimmy's.

AnswerID: 221145

Follow Up By: Peter - Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 21:23

Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 at 21:23

Not sure about for a caravan but I installed 2 split systems at home. They came pregassed and once connected don't require any further gassing. It's pretty straightforward so I would be really enquiring as to a $500 charge. To have an installed system regassed etc only costs $99 (in Brisbane at least). My $350 Mistral split system did not cost me any extra cost to get it up and running
Peter

FollowupID: 481852

Follow Up By: fisho64 - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 02:38

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 02:38

the $500 is installation not gassing. Seems pretty standard for a household installation, but I would thinks its easier in a van?

FollowupID: 481887

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 08:35

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 08:35

firstly..i dont think any manufacturer will give warranty of any sort on their products which are clearly not designed for caravans or the like.

one needs to be licenced to join the refrigeration piping and including installation of such. The new Act is in place to prevent the accidental escape of refrigerant to atmosphere...this includes the piping which could be installed incorrectly by unqualified persons...also includes pre-charged piping!

most installs on this type of equipment based on a standard install back to back in a house would be in the order of $600 or more some cheaper some less...does not include electrical...also depends on how much work the guy has, the current climate ( summer) is it hot this week......ie in the cooler months you are sitting around scratching yourself cos of no work and will do some things a bit cheaper to cover immediate expenses...but in a heat wave when every one wants you NOW...well you can charge what you want.....get the drift

FollowupID: 481907

Follow Up By: pepper2 - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 10:04

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 10:04

All the installers have got together in my area when i had 2 split systems installed about a year ago the cost was $500 each and one bloke installed both in one day finished by 2.30pm nice money if you can get it.

FollowupID: 481913

Follow Up By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 10:32

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 10:32

There is another more sinister side to this story, let me share my experience. About two years ago bought an air con from a reputable seller on the Gold Coast (are there such animals?) anyway for reasons that escape me I had to get a local installer. The things goes bung (looked like a pile of oil leeked out) so I ring the supplier who's first response was it was an installation problem - so rang the installer who said it was a problem with the unit (sigh unseen). OK ring the supplier once more and get the third degree including having to quote the installers licence details. OK they'll be out to have a look.

This is the good bit, the guy shows up with a whole new compressor unit in the ute and proceeds to tell me that there is know the problem with these units. There is a design fault, there is a rigid connection between two parts and one can move when operating. So they have to retro fit flexible connections to alll these units. Had me beat why they felt it was OK to carry on with all the BS.

So the moral of this story is that without a proper install I could have been buggered AND the supplier will do anything to get out their obligation even if in the wrong - no suprises there hey.

Kind regards

FollowupID: 481917

Reply By: Flash - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 11:28

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 11:28

I have fitted a number of these domestic splits in vans.
They are TOTALLY superior in every single respect to the rubbish caravan aircons.
Caravan aircons are horribly Noisy, Expensive, Crude, Inefficient etc (You get the picture)
Don't believe the hype about them not standing up to movement etc- if installed properly, they'll handle movement just as well as a caravan aircon. (I've seen and heard of about seven caravan aircons which have failed due to corrugations etc- ie: they are NOT immune to vibration.)

My recommendation however would be to fit a good quality inverter system if you can afford the extra few dollars- they are totally superior. I went with a 2.6Kw Panasonic inverter in my latest van and it is brilliant. (Running or input power when flat out is less than 600 watts, and obviously much less when the inverter "throttles down" These work by varying the compressor speed rather than stopping and starting.)
A 2.6 Kw inverter air conditioner will even happily start and run on a 1Kva Honda genny.
I've posted a lot of info and pictures in the
Site Link

See photos, about page 3 or 4 for a lot of the detail.

If you are a good handyman you can do most of the install yourself, just paying for a "fridgy" mechanic to do the final connections ie: only 30 mins work and cost accordingly.
Cheers

AnswerID: 221203

Follow Up By: gonebush SA - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 16:45

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 16:45

hi, thanks for the info but i've been trying to find were you have posted the pictures and info on the air cond and can't find it, what heading is it under? thanks.

FollowupID: 481978

Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 22:07

Monday, Feb 12, 2007 at 22:07

Just click his site link and on the left click pictures then go to page 4 it is under the heading "Airconditioner Installs"
Wazzaaaa

FollowupID: 482067

Follow Up By: Flash - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 15:20

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 15:20

Here's the page,
But I think you need to join up to see pictures????
Site Link

Anyway any hassles you could give me your email and I'll give you more info...
Cheers

FollowupID: 482188

Follow Up By: gonebush SA - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 21:25

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 at 21:25

thanks i did find it and had a look, i'm pretty sure that's the way we will go. we did think about the $399 1 H/P ones on ebay but spending that sort of money on ebay worries me a bit, you never know.
and thankyou every one for your help at least we know it can be done. just got me stuffed as to why people would spend up wards of $3,000 when you can get the same if not better for under a grand.
thanks again from gone bush.

FollowupID: 482259