Caravan's A/C's

Hi, R&J, you have not provided much information for any one to to help with your problem. I am not and AC tech, but suggest you have it looked at by one before you go to the trouble and significant cost of replacing yours.

Is the Van / unit under warranty ? as if so get it back to the supplier asap.

Good luck.

I am just about to install a reverse cycle inverter 2.5kw split system in my slide-on.
Standard household ACs are cheaper, better, less noisy, more efficient. The only thing is that you need at least 1.8 to 2m flexible connections between the outside and inside unit to avoid vibration transmission and of course a good mounting point for the outside unit.
I pretty much consider all so called Caravan units to be rubbish. Heron, Dometic loud, expensive, unefficient .. well you know it

good luck
gmd

You well may have one of the 'bad model'. Is it under warranty? If so, you should be able to get it replaced. Our old one is excellent, although it did break a gas line this year (now fixed).

Motherhen

Alll rooftop aircons are cons. Had Aircommand rubbish installed in our caravan and my brothers. 2yrs past rooftop aircons removed, roof and ceiling panel replaced. Fitted 2.6kw LG inverter split systems which power from Yamaha 1kva.
First came across LG split system bush camping at Christmas. Was like 43C and Aircommand would lower temp 8C to 35C useless. Spoke to couple before realised they had an LG inverter system. Saw the little Yammie and thought they must have a fan going. When spoke to the couple and said they must be bloody hot only with a fan going he poiinted to the split system nestled between the gas bottles and showed us the van was 22C. Stayed for a cuppa and decided then to turf the rubbish Aircommand on top. Sold the Aircommand for close cost of the LG split system and professional roof repair. Was something like $70 out of pocket. Best move made. LG heats the van in winter like magic. Another person met recently has new Lotus on order and getting fitting inverter split system as standard. Air handler going above bed in place two small cupboards fitted. Our next van will have inverter split system fitted as standard. The doom and gloom merchants told us the split system would fall apart the first week. Two years and 40k unit still looks and performs like new.

We are very happy with our Ibis (made by Aircommand).

Living in Canberra, it gets used for both heating and cooling and it is very effective at both. We are so impressed with it that we ordered another one for our new van to be delivered this week.

I agree...my Dometic roof a/c is rubbish...have had one replaced under warranty,,,but the second one i have had to pay for repairs.....would advise getting house split system.

Thanks so much for all your replies. Its overwhelming to get such a response.

Our unit is about 2.5 years old, unfortunately out of warranty. We have had the gas pipes crack, repaired and re gassed but still fails to cool the van. Very noisy also. The repairer said dometic a/c's are u/s. He recommended Air Command. But have heard both good and bad reports. Maybe a split level inverter unit is the way to go. Especially if you only need a 1kva generator to drive it.
As far as fitting one goes, I think maybe one that fits in the existing hole in the ceiling would save a lot of the work needed to replace the roof and ceiling panels. We could fit the outside unit in the front of the van with relocating the gas cyl's forward on the a frame.
Have any of you fellow caravaners done anything similar or am I right off the mark? If possible any suggested brands suitable for a van. One that can take the rough roads.

Rob.

We have had our new Traveller now for 8 weeks and the first morning we slept in it, it was -3 outside and not much warmer inside, we laid in bed and put the Ibis on with the remote control. It took 7 minutes to get the van to a cosy 25 degrees, and then we got out of bed. A good time to have a nice cuddle waiting for the heater to warm up. We had 40 degrees here yesterday, and the van was in the full sun, and locked up for the day. We went out and put the air con on and it didn't take long to cool it to 23 degrees, and to be honest it was a bit chilly in the van at 23 degrees, so we turned it up a bit. We are very happy with the Ibis and was advised against getting a dometic. I'm glad we go the Ibis. And very quiet too! Our van is 25 foot internal so it has a fair amount of space to heat and cool. But does it easy. Geoff's Honda 2.0i genny will run it as well for out bush.
Karen