Air conditioners
Can anyone give us an honest opinion?
we are going to keep our van for a long time and given we tour in some hot regions of Europe, we thought we might treat ourselve.
We are either looking at one of those 'Dometic' jobbies that sits on the roof OR one of the 'two piece' air conditioners that sits on the window and is portable (And can be left at home in the winter). We have Alde wet central heating so don't need the heater
side of things.
Has anyone any experience in these things? Opinions greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Comments
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Dometic B2200, roof-mounted, and will never again have a caravan without AC . Those who don't have them tend to complain they are noisy but that really refers to systems from years ago... Ours is acceptably quiet both inside and outside the van, especially
after reaching the rquired temperature and is necessary (for us) in the heat. We usually run ours a few times during each winter too and this keeps everything lubricated and in running order. If you can afford it, go for it and enjoy the coolness...0 -
Another vote for the Dometic B2200. The mutt wouldn't be without it. Having a double coat he likes to lie in direct path of cooled air. If he feels it's a bit warm overnight with the aircon off he will wake the wife by giving her a good nudge with his nose
or a vigorous poke with a paw until he feels he has her full attention and then swivels his eyes to the aircon position in the ceiling. Spoilt or what.Had two B2200 over the last 18 years - swapped from van to van. No problems with either. Used extensively in southern Europe often at 40c external ambient. Maintains a very comfortable temperature inside the 'van (now motorvan) - in Italy a few years ago
rice could have been grown at the corner of the 'van where the the (aircon) water ran off the 'van roof.0 -
I have very little 'air left to condition. Just use the shower gel.
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Not in the same bracket as a proper air conditioner but have you considered an Omnivent? Much cheaper and actually works quite well.
The trick is to close the door and all the windows except one. You leave that open about 2 inches. Set the Omnivent to pull the air from the caravan to the outside and you get a strong airflow from the outside through the caravan and out the vent. It works
surprisingly well especially at night when the heat drops outside and the 'van has stored up residual heat.0 -
We don't have aircon and from those that I've had the misfortune to be parked next to we never will. On a site in Spain May this year, temps around 24c so not hot. 3 British motorhomes arrived mid afternoon, they weren't parked next to each other. All had
aircon on their vans and the noise was awful, no one else had aircon on, there was no need for it as there was a good breeze, it was hours until bedtime so plenty of time for vans to cool down. thankfully they only overnighted.0 -
Ooh, thank you AD. I have been looking at these too but no one, apart from you, has mentioned them. I reckon we would only want them for a very short period of time every year (apart from last weekend in the UK when it got ver hot). Would you recommend?
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Thanks Fysh, yes, we have done the omivent thing and yes, in temperate conditions is great BUT, last year on our late summer trip I turned into a demon Because I was soo hot. The night time temp crucified me (must be becos I am over 21).
Fans, fans and even more fans did nothing to improve my discomfort.
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