Inverter caravan air conditioners

Hey Ian

My old man had a split system mounted on his van.

He had a bracket made to fit on the steal bar across the back of the van that carries the spare tyre, and the had some one install it for him.

It looked solid enough and dad being a builder would have made sure the unit was solid, it didn't take up to much space either.

Cheers Steve.

these units are designed for moving vehicles.

However, others say they work and swear by them.

remember...no warranty if something goes wrong

Have you asked the question on the caravan or motorhome forums, while I've seen a few installed on both motorhomes and vans trundling along the road as well as heaps in stationary vans in parks I'd reckon that you could do as suggested and fit a cheaper unit and see how it goes.
Had an acquaintance who installed a small domestic ducted system in a Jayco Dove years ago and towed it right around Oz with no problems. Had its own power lead and took up all the space under the bench/bunk/cupboard in the RH front corner.
Looking at the cost of a caravan unit you could buy several domestic ones at full retail before you would be out of pocket.

IAN,
Saw one last week on a semi behind the sleeper cab,looked a bit odd and protruded over the lhr wheel arches on a bracket. Interesting to see how it went long term,semis are vibration kings!

Regards
Greg

Ian,i was looking at the Bushtracker vans the other week & they have the split systems instlled in there vans.Have a look on there website & then maybe you could contact them for further info.
Cheers Bob.

Site Link

Try the Caravaners forum (Caravanersforum@groups.msn.com) or Caravanforum (Caravanforum@groups.msn.com) - Both have many threads in them. On one of them reference was made to some fishing boats using them for some years - now there is some battering.

PeterD

I was considering the split system route for about $600 or so for a cheapie, but then Dometic had one of the "big" units on sale at the Brissie Show last year for $1000 dropped from $1800 (not from anything else).

It works a treat but it isn't reverse cycle but does have a great electric heater function. For the grand I was happier to use a "tried and true" installation than risk the cheapie.

BUT if the van I am building was for myself I would have been more tempted especially had the offer not come along at the right time.

I had seen a few van split system installations that looked OK and others that were shocking. The biggest issue was the mounting of the condensing unit in a location to prevent undue vibration and loading of the van and mounting the evaporating unit in a location in the van that was not in your face. That is one advantage of the roof mounted units. (the downside is the extra clearance you need and remember about just after you've cleaned the A/C unit up.)
I had been in the commercial fridge design business some time back and well built units can take the punishment of road conditions just like the dedicated units, but I am not so sure about the cheap imports (these usually run r22 gas as well and that is one reason why they are cheap as local manufacturers are not allowed to anymore)

I have also looked at the "cupboard" mounted units and have come to the conclusion they are just too expensive to be real. Too dear and not enough result. (and too noisy and take up too much cupboard space and look ugly........and too dear......)

PS your mention about dust is valid. I would use a good vinyl cover to protect the coils from stones etc rather than just dust. One well placed stone and you've lost your cool (and stuffed the environment a bit more).

Cheers Cam

I have installed half a dozen in vans.
They are superior in every single respect to the crappy caravan airconditioners, EXCEPT harder to find a place to install.
They are MUCH quieter, MUCH more efficient, more effective, cheaper, more reliable etc etc etc. I know lots of people who've had probs with caravan aircons, but no-one with a domestic split who's had a problem.
I have some photos posted in the Caravan forum:
Site Link
in the pictures section, about page four or five.

A 2.6KVA inverter unit will happily run on a 1Kva Honda on ecothrottle (only draws a maximum of 600- 700 watts depending on brand. (Much less most of the time!)
If you can find somewhere to fit one, you'll never look back!
Cheers

G'Day Ian,

After reading about this in a caravan forum, I checked out some vans at the recent show in Caulfield.

Two manufacturers were fitting Mitsubishi Inverter spilts into their larger vans, both 25' plus vans

Guess only time will tell

Regards

Rolande

I have recently installed a conia split system on my and my brother in laws caravan.
the outdoor unit is mounted on the draw bar with a vinyl cover over it for travelling.
the problem was finding a spot for the evaporator unit,finally after modifying the cupboard structure it was fitted and looks good.
piping was fed through front boot and up side walls in the interior,these were covered by a purpose made duct cover and the whole installation looks better than some of the purpose built duct sytems I have seen.
The conia unit although a so called cheap brand is in fact very well made,they are suitable for installation in lifts according to the instructions,I am sure the vibration on my van does not exceed this type of duty.
Like you I baulk at paying $2000 plus for a unit that is no different to a standard compressor unit,just marked up and taxed as a recreational piece of equipment.
Does it work though?it goes really well it fact the only problem I have is that it tends to cycle to much,I overcome this by leaving one of the windows open to load it up more.
If you can find the space go for it !
Regards