How to Air Conditioning Our Eagle Outback Camper

With the larger jayco pop tops I know they offer the option of roof mounted A/C but you have to get it factory fitted as they install an reinforcing frame in the roof. The only way I could see it being achievable may be if you made up a frame that sat on top and went across the roof using the strength of the edges? But you would have to look closely at the domectic units to see if this would work. Also when the compressor cuts in they can vibrate a bit which would be amplified by the pop top type roof.

Good luck

Jim

Thanks Jim, however I think you mean a larger pop top our camper is an Eagle Outback Camper which is the tent type with the 2 beds out each end.
The dometic air cons come with a H frame and the top of the camper is solid.
I have heard that there is more of a propblem with the struts in windy conditions and would like to find out how others have combat that problem?

I have been told we would have to have the top taken off and D's welded on each corner and tie it down.

I wondered if you could just screw a frame on top and tie it down with that?

Thanks Sue-Anne

Hi, Happy Eagle,
I saw a Jayco Camper fitted with a household type split system reverse cycle air conditioner when we were in Katherine last July.
The compressor unit was mounted on the draw bar of the camper.
I dont know how the head unit was mounted but I would think it would be on the front wall of the camper just below the slide out bed.
Heard the owner comment that in Darwin the outside temp was in the mid thirties while the temp inside the camper was in the low teens.
You can get a small one of these units much cheaper than the rooftop units and I would think it woud be much easier to mount on a Jayco than a roof top unit.
Regards DS

Howdy,
We had a jayco swan, we had it fitted with the dometic ducted system.
It worked o.k.
My option would be to go the roof mount 2200.
Works very well from what i have been told.

Cheers.

The unit we fitted was a dometic climaster ducted system the following link will show the system - www.dariocaravans.com.au/page.asp?parentid=6&parent2id=27&productid=700
The main unit will fit under your front seat and the air is then ducted around via 63mm tube, If you go this way i would advise strongly that you get the fitter to ducting with a refrigerant type closed cell foam insullation.
It conmes in 2m lengths and slides neatly over the ducting, this will increase the efficency to a large degree.
The unit is a little noisy but i insulated around the unit under the seat and this helped as well.
I ran the ducting x 2 around in the lounge and bought them up in each corner of the lounge above the back rest, this blows air up into the bed and lounge area.
the third duct I ran behind the fridge ( lagging here is critical due to the heat) then ran through the kitchen cupboard, behind the robe pointed towards the bed.
If you wish to call me i can explain further 0419644954.
The unit worked well, the problem with ac it needs to fall from as high as possible to call the air as is does not rise due to the hot air above.
Some ac is better than no ac.
Hope this helps.
As I said though my option would be a roof mount B2200, the issue with the winder is easily fixed, where the pulley system fixes to the floor of the van you need to replace the coach screws with bolts.
The cable is very strong the week point is the fixings they just tear out of the ply. This is the way to go as the air handler in the roof blows to the front and to the rear cooling the van very quickly, the aftermarket install is very easy and is a cheaper option.

Cheers