Split system Vs Rooftop a/c
Submitted: Monday, Feb 08, 2010 at 20:30
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Motorhomer
Have not heard of too many good things about rooftop a/c systems , they seem noisey and expensive and can have problems relating to roof bowing , leaking etc. Has anyone installed a small split system a/c in there ,motorhome / caravan and could tell me if a honda 20i generator would be sufficent for operation
Reply By: _gmd_pps - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 00:23
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 00:23
I have a Fujitsu Inverter 2.6Kw in my truck camper.
Fujitsu has the smallest outside units. I have installed it with flexible hoses all the way and only at the end a bit of copper to achieve a proper connection.
It draws 3.0 Amps 240V when cooling and around 65Amps 12V through my inverter. I do not run it on battery for long but I can up to 3 hours on one bank.
I recommend a Yamaha generator (much better than Honda). At this stage I have a Honda 30is but have tried a 2.0 Yamaha. Even a 1KW will run it but will struggle a bit when heating and runs on higher load all the time. a 2.0 is ideal, not even the 2.4 Yamaha is needed. At the moment it is apart again because I fit a box to enclose the outdoor unit when in transit. I have a R410 (Gas) unit and run low pressure hydraulic hoses at 1/4 and 3/8. The 410 units run at a bit higher pressure (up to 60bar at 40C) but the hydraulic hoses do that easy. I have a few corners in the installation and found the flexible hose much easier to install than copper, which will give you vibration when not combined with flexi hose.
I just cannot understand why on earth one would fit one of these overpriced, inefficient, noisy caravan ACs. If worse comes to worse I can run the AC for about 2 hours (to cool off in the evening) and have the battery bank charged the next day through the solar panels. Most of the time you would not even need half an hour.
Installation is easy since all units are pregased. You only need to vacuum the lines and open the gas.. done. I have vacuumed the gas and have to recharge when I have fitted the box and reconnect the hoses.
good luck
gmd
good luck
gmd
AnswerID:
403354
Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 16:55
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 16:55
you need a licenced fridgie these days to vacuum and let the refrigerant into the system.
FollowupID:
672907
Follow Up By: _gmd_pps - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 17:17
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 17:17
thanks schoolmaster .. I know that and have acted accordingly..
It's just a quicker way to write to say I instead of .. "......... etc" .. understood ??
have fun
gmd
FollowupID:
672911
Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 17:43
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 17:43
back in the old you one could do it themselves....
my reply was to just inform anyone who didnt know that you now required the
services of a licenced tradesperson
i'm gunna need a licence to clean my teeth if they get their way
FollowupID:
672916
Follow Up By: _gmd_pps - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 17:53
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 17:53
a license to breed would be a good thing !!
have fun
gmd
FollowupID:
672918
Reply By: DesF - Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 13:13
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 at 13:13
Hi, My mate has a split system in his 16ft windsor poptop, he mounted the unit on a frame outside at the rear and the inner head is in the over head cupboard about half way along . he lost 2 cupboard door space,
we go away each year in summer for a month or so and it works
well,
the unit is very quiet , he does not get any complaints from the other vans at the rear.
he camps in a back to back row at the park, been using it now for about the last 4 years and no worries yet.
I think it is a 1.5 westinghouse cooling only, I see you can buy them now for about $400.00, his was $700.00 and he fitted it himself and only got it charged by the fridgee.
Cheers Des.
AnswerID:
403419