Truma Saphir Compact air conditioning
Hello! We're new to caravanning, and after years of saving up we decided to take the plunge and buy an Elddis Affinity 550 2019 at the NEC show in October. I've tried to get up-to-speed by reading Rob McCabe's excellent book 'Make the most of your caravan", plus magazines, forum discussions, and watched many, many of the VLOGs out there.
One subject matter have doesn't seem to have much user discussion is floor level air conditioning. Unfortunately our Affinity can't take any kind of roof unit, hence the interest in a floor unit i.e. the Truma Saphir Compact. We're not 100% convinced we need one, but we want to travel in Europe at any time of the year, and it can get hot in the UK too! Apart from the cooling benefit, I'm also interested in the unit's air cleaning and dehumidifing claims. Anything that takes damp air out of the caravan must be good, right?
So has anyone got any experience of one of these? Does it keep a caravan cool in hot weather (I appreciate there will be many other factors such as shading and sun-screens etc.). We're not looking to turn our caravan into a fridge, just comfortable. What about it working as a dehumidifier?
Another member asked this question several years ago but there were no responses. I'm hoping a few more people out there have tried the Truma Saphir Compact and can help.
Best Wishes
Michael
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I remember a previous thread about this unit, but as you say, no takers.
it may not be a popular item?
the usual route for air con in a MH or caravan is by a roof mounted unit, usually replacing a rooflight....I'm curious as to why your van 'can't take any kind of roof unit'....any particular reason given for this? AFAIK, roof fitted units are just stand alone, just requiring power source....
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Using it as a dehumidifier may not prove effective if you’re thinking of keeping damp at bay during the winter. Caravans have vents and a dehumidifier is likely to try to dry the air in the world outside.
I don’t know the Saphir, MG, but will you have space to accommodate it and sufficient tolerance in your payload? The payload issue is one that frequently stops people having the rooftop units.
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Thanks for the super quick replies!
The lovely people at Greentrees tell me that Elddis have said the Affinity's roof is not rated for any kind of air con unit. The Crusader is, but I guess they have reinforced the roof to allow for this.
Interesting points about the payload - I will check that.
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FYI, the 550 payload is 153kg, the Saphir unit weighs 23.5kg.
what intrigued me more from the spec was this....
"Fully bonded roof for additional strength"
the Truma Avente Compact is only 27.5kg...what are the roofs made out of these days?
I guess you won't be walking on it to clean it?
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My advice would be to try without a/c before taking the plunge.
My experience of A/C on previous vans is (a) it was too noisy to use on site, (b) also too noisy at night. (c) power hungry so watch out on low amp connections.
I have found that I don't need aircon in the van, it is surprising how cool they are with all roof vents and windows open. OK there are some days it is uncomfortable but not many.
I also agree with above comments, you will need to be very careful loading with the addition 20Kg of aircon unit, I would advise you upgrade to max MTPLM = an extra 37Kg
Looks like you affinity 550 can be upgraded from 153Kg to 190Kg which is just a plate/paperwork change, not hardware. Even upgraded that is not much to play with for extended touring. (please check figures for yourself as I may be wrong)
Elddis only allows the following for MRO mass in running order
10Kg for 1 gas bottle, everything else appear to be out of the personal effects payload (load margin)
At least that is what is stated in the manual
https://elddis-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Handbooks/2018/2018-Affinity-Handbook.pdf
so out of your max of 153Kg as standard comes everything else.
10 Kg 2nd gas bottle if lightweight, 25Kg Battery approx 100Ah, Mains cable 4Kg, Toilet fluids 3Kg, Motor mover if fitted 30Kg, wastemaster 6Kg, Aquaroll 5Kg and that's the bare essentials.
No water in toilet flush or heater ( could add approx 15Kg) No awning, chairs table or other outdoor living accoutrements.
If you tow with a large car or lcv you can load most of this in the tow vehicle.
So thats 83Kg before you add bedding, clothes, cutlery, food, drink etc which can eat up 50 - 60 Kg or more.
I suggest you a weighbridge to check your van weights these are usually +/-20Kg. before fitting a/c to see if it is feasible with your loading requirements.
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...perhaps doesn't take his house to Spain
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We have a Truma Saphir unit under the bed in our Lunar. Although not quite as effective as a roof mounted unit it does nevertheless make a significant difference when in Spain and the ambient temperature is in the high 30s and the humidity is very high. It will drop the temperature to the high 20s but the big effect is on the humidity which drops dramatically. As a result the sweat on your body evaporates as soon as you walk into the van and you get a greater cooling effect.We have had vans without aircon and they can be very uncomfortable, we would be lost without it.
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Thanks so much for your replies, it has really helped us make a decision.
We won't be going for the Saphir, and instead we're going to upgrade the roof light to a Thule Omnivent - much much cheaper and much lighter. Hopefully the in-flow mode will help keep the caravan cooler when it's hot.
Plus we'll have more space, and considering we don't yet know what space we actually need, we think it's a prudent decision.
Best Wishes
Michael
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