How good are caravan air conditioners

Hi there. Our caravan had a reverse cycle A/C when we bought it. We didn't really have an A/C on our wish list. But we found out very quickly how gresat it was to have, both in summer (Normanville SA in February) and then in winter (Bright in May). The downside is (a) noise; (b) cost and (c) something else to go wrong. Would not be without it!!!!!
Our's is a poptop caravan,with the A/C under one bunk, with the outlet in the floor. Julie, my wife, chose that bunk, before she realised where the noise was going to come from!

Have only had our van a few weeks but can report that the reverse / heating function (on the Aircommand Ibis) is great on a chilly morning ! While the cooling function will be a treat I'm sure, a cautionary word on the heating cycle - apparently all of the makes suffer from a tendency for the inlet side to ice up when employed as a heater on a frosty morning - so, below several degrees C, they won't run in heat cycle - it's a safety thing, to prevent a fire - when we need the heat most, we can't have it :-o). A budget fan heater for the floor fixes that anyway, but it's more stuff to carry !

we spoke to air command re the Ibis, and was assured that they have a defrost cycle ( element ) that comes on to prevent the icing up, and can work from zero degrees...... steer clear of DOMETIC, which we have, does not even work until ambient temp outside is 7 degrees, when we picked up our new van last november and we read relevant paper work on all appliances, that was the first we had heard ( or read ) that this R/C aircon does not work below 4 deg. WHY the hell not, that is when one needs heat is it not.... we are still trying to get windsor to come to the party and swap this piece of junk for the one we wanted in the first place and they refused to install

Guys,
What about a portable one . Storage could be an issue though.


Richard

We have a pop top caravan (535 Coromal) and considered having air con fitted when we bought it second hand. Decided to have our fisrt trip without it, including Darwin in early May 2007when it was very very hot.
We bought two 12 inch box fans for about $30 each which sit nicely on the upper shelf at whichever end any wind is blowing in from. They, (usually just one), have been more than adequate in keeping us comfortable, except on perhaps two days each trip when neighbouring vans airconditioning havn't been effective either.
On those days we spend a fair bit of time in the shade in the caravan park pool during the day, or at the shopping centre, and a movie at night.
On that first trip we also spent time in the Snowy Mountains when here was snow, and found that a $30 fan heater warmed up the van and kept it that way in about 10 mins.
The pop top is great for using the fans as it is so open and airy, they may not be as effective in a full van. Nowhere near as noisy as an airconditioner either. People said it would be hard to warm up the pop top, but we have had no problem.
Cheers

KenD
Bris

Caravan roof air conditioners are rubbish and expensive. Aircommand are expensive junk.
Fitted a Mitsubishi inverter 2600btu domestic split system on the A frame and moved the gas bottles each side. Fitted head under end of bed. Powers from Yamaha 1kva. Mitsubishi purchase and installation cost $947. Steel and welding to move gas bottles $64. Unit is quiet and works fantastic in heating and cooling. Talked to many caravanners who fitted domestic inverter system and as long as you buy big name brand and mount on front of van or A frame they dont break.

We have had our caravan (17' 6" full height Jayco) for about 18 years. I was fitted with an Air Command roof top air conditioner when we bought it. I can honestly say that we may have used it half a dozen times in the past 18 years on the cooling cycle and when it is cold we use one of those fan heaters. At times, when we first get up and boil the billy for a cupa, the heat from the gas stove is sufficient to warm the van. I wouldn't bother with one if I didn't have one and we live in W.A.

P.S. What is a crossover?

Richard,

The Quantum is a crossover made by Australian Offroad Campers that has an option where air-conditioning can be included.

Steve

Richard - from what I can see by reading this forum most people only use their air conditioning on rare occasions.

We are in the same boat as yourselves in wanting to get away from canvas but do not want to tow a large caravan.

In respect to the crossover vans Australian Off Road Campers have released their other model the Eclipse and there is another builder - Ozzie Off Road Campers and they build a van called Gunyah - looks like a close cousin of the Quantum and Eclipse.

We are about to order our Quantum but will have a diesel heater instead of air conditioning as it always seem to be cold when we go on holidays. A fan will be carries for those hot nights. If it really gets that hot a few nights in an air conditioned motel or cabin could be taken out of the $2,500.

All reports we get from friends who have pop tops is that it is ok with all the top open at night and a fan going.



A J

I don't have a van or a camper at the moment, we usually tent it these days.
But, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't caravan aircons require 240 volts to run them?

If so, what are the negatives to running a portable domestic reverse cycle air conditioner when required?
These are the ones that look like a drum on wheels with an inlet / outlet hose.
Cost is about $600.
I'm sure they could be secured in the back seat of a vehicle with a seatbelt (hmmm... bit dangerous maybe) but only taken when required. The other advantage is they could be used at home in a bedroom or such during the summer.

Tell me where I am going wrong.

Hi there Richard, sorry for the delay in replying we have been staying with friends in a "Valley of no reception" near Brunswick Heads. Now in Rockhampton.

Well we have made a decision. As a background, we have been discussing buying a caravan for over ten years but have not been able accept the restrictions inherent to towing a large bulk behind us as opposed to towing our present Aussie Swag camper trailer. But after a wet and windy trip last wet season we decided it was time to move out of canvas into a hard shell unit. So with the Brisbane C&C show coming up we left our home on the Atherton Tablelands for a trip of research to see exactly what is available and maybe make a purchase if we particularly liked a unit and a show special price applied. While down there we also scoured the used van market for a small offroad van with queen bed/dinette for 2 and preferred outside kitchen with no results.
On heading north toward home we decided to take a final look at the Eclipse in the factory in Caloundra. Steve Budden showed us the alterations underway The dinette is located as in the Quantum, the upright Waeco fridge is just inside the door and easily accessible from outside.

Your waiting for the decision Richard aren't you. It is the AORC Eclipse. The choice came down to the VistaRV or the Eclipse. We really liked the VistaRV I would be confident of towing it almost anywhere including the OTL Cape York but for our needs we felt the ventilation may not be adequate for the tropics and the outside kitchen could do with better storage of pots and pans etc. It was a difficult decision, 5 years ago we would have chosen the VistaRV but as we are in our low 60s ánd with my illness last week we decided to opt for the slightly more comfortable and roomier Eclipse. My wife liked the large storage area in the slideout kitchen.
The options we selected are , Hot water system, external shower fittings at rear, shower enclosure, 2nd 140l water tank, wheel upgrade and and we upgraded to the roll out awning over the standard gunyah style awning.
Steve also extended the show offer of the 120w solar panel/regulator installation.
So all we have to do now is find the $$$ and WAIT until late Nov for it to be built!
We will keep in touch.
Les

Richard
I have not received an email from you for over a week.

I had an email from Ian at Dreamtime he mentioned that he had met you. I advised him of our decision and the reasons for selecting the Eclipse.

We ordered the 16x8" wheel upgrade for $550. I replaced the factory 17"alloys with 16"steels when I bought the Patrol.

After we placed our order for the Eclipse I went back to add the inner spring mattress ($350) and I asked Steve to fit the internal and external TV antenna sockets. He did not mention an extra cost but I assume there would be.

I am thinking of asking for an external hatch to access the space under the left hand dinette seat, now that the door has been moved to the left there might be space. Or perhaps a cupboard door at the end of the seat that can be accessed through the main entry door. This will give extra storage for kitchenware and food. The Eclipse does not have as many external access hatches as the Quantum.

We are back home now and all is well.
Les