Air Con

[Allenaah]

After sweating like I don’t know what in Spain last summer I’m thinking of getting Air Con unit , seen a Truma one for around £1500, anybody got that one or can recommend one, I want one that will run of the 24v inverter set up I have , looking for advice

thanks

 

[Bessy765]

I presume you mean a 240 volt inverter. The current draw will be excessive unless you have sufficient battery bank. To give you a rough idea you will use app 26/28 amps @ 12 volts d.c. To produce to produce 1 amp @ 240 a.c. Allowing for inverter inefficiencies and voltage drop. Then you have to have the means to recharge you battery bank. To give you an idea, we have 700 watts of solar 2 x 100 amp lithium batteries and a 12/2000/80 Victron inverter charger which can run our Freshjet 2200. For reasonable periods of time providing you dont try to turn the van into a fridge. Standard lead acid should only be discharged to no less than 50% of their capacity. So 1 x 100 L/A will only give you 50 usable amps at best.

 

[tonka]

The Truma unit i just googled was 2400 watts. (2.4kw)..
So that over 10 amps on mains EHU and 125+ amps on 12v.. !!!
Not saying you cant do it via an inverter but would most likely cost more than the AC unit. Lithium batteries, solar, DC charger, large inverter etc.

Another factor is the noise, seen many posts where people cant sleep because of the heat, then fit AC and can sleep because of the noise

 

[daveclare]

We have the 2400w Truma. Our set up is currently 500w solar and 230ah Roamer. All of our sockets/AC run through a 3000w Renogy inverter. We had ordered an additional Roamer but had to come away before it could be delivered. We have the AC on a couple of hours a day. The shunt tells us it uses a fair amount of battery power. But it never presents a problem.

We're currently in Grimaud on a site. But not connected to EHU. Solar fills the battery by the end of the afternoon. Even after using the electric kettle or Air Fryer.

Well be happier when we have 460ah of lithium though.

 

[Jev88]

Just to show you how power hungry an air con unit is..... Many RV have two roof mounted units but you can't run BOTH at the same time unless on 50Amp EHU.
Yes 50!....... but then they use 120V AC so perhaps that equates to 25Amps on 240V - my knowledge endeth here......

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[Allenaah]

After sweating like I don’t know what in Spain last summer I’m thinking of getting Air Con unit , seen a Truma one for around £1500, anybody got that one or can recommend one, I want one that will run of the 24v inverter set up I have , looking for advice

thanks

Well I’m glad asked , so operating it from my set up is out of the Question, 2 lead 130a batteries and 200w solar panels which for the telly and other bits does me fine , I assume if hooked up on sites here and Europe the Unit would work ?

 

[daveclare]

Yes. But even then you'd have to turn it off on some sites when using the electric kettle or putting the water heater on.

 

[Allenaah]

Thanks for all your Replies you have been very helpful

 

[tonka]

Well I’m glad asked , so operating it from my set up is out of the Question, 2 lead 130a batteries and 200w solar panels which for the telly and other bits does me fine , I assume if hooked up on sites here and Europe the Unit would work ?

Depends on supply. Some European sites are know to give only 6amps for basics. So that won't work. Add in the fact a lot charge per KW so you have a cost there as well.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

We have the Truma Aventa and has been a dream since fitting it! Currently in Winchcombe with a temperature outside showing 29 degrees. Inside our truck…18 and just so comfortable. It has got a ‘evening‘ setting so the noise does not affect us sleeping inside or anyone outside to be honest.

Would not consider battery and inverters….it could not handle the power required I’m sure.
Purely used on Ehu only.

Looked at it before we made our choice, on a Motorhome unit dropping the temperature right down and thought just how much they had improved. Noise level really improved and has regard’s temperature…thought it like a fridge! Whilst not cheap…best few bob we have spent to date.

kev

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[Allenaah]

What’s the cost of Hook up nowadays,last year in Europe it was around 5€ extra

 

[Soycd]

You'll find that most sites in hot climates will be able to support AirCon. We have a Dometic Fresh Jet 2200 and have never had a problem in Italy, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia etc. Can't speak for Spain though. It was generally the startup that caused problems years back but they seem to have ironed that out with 'soft start' so even on a site with 5 amp connections its been ok.

 

[Gromett]

The Truma unit i just googled was 2400 watts. (2.4kw)..

I think that is the cooling capacity in watts not the power drawn in watts which is a lot lower. Check for the power consumption figures. Won't be as bad as that.

 

[Gromett]

The Truma unit i just googled was 2400 watts. (2.4kw)..
So that over 10 amps on mains EHU and 125+ amps on 12v.. !!!
Not saying you cant do it via an inverter but would most likely cost more than the AC unit. Lithium batteries, solar, DC charger, large inverter etc.

Another factor is the noise, seen many posts where people cant sleep because of the heat, then fit AC and can sleep because of the noise

Just checked and. 4.2A x 240v = 1,000Watts
OR
2.8A x 240v = 672Watts.

 

[tonka]

Just checked and. 4.2A x 240v = 1,000Watts
OR
2.8A x 240v = 672Watts.

View attachment 769670

Phew.. well spotted. See I know naff all about AC. . Just find a bar that already has it installed.

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[Orion]

We have the Truma 2400 unit installed and I’m considering fitting a 3000w inverter to run it when not on EHU. What I’ve found is that even using it in the ‘ventilation’ fan mode rather than full cooling, with the roof hatches open and the Truma lower fan venting as well, it’s enough to deal with some serious heat.

 

[Gromett]

Phew.. well spotted. See I know naff all about AC. . Just find a bar that already has it installed.

The same is the issue with heat pumps. People keep talking about the cooling power not the electric consumption. You are not alone

 

[Bessy765]

We have as previously posted the Dometic Freshjet 2200. This runs quite happily from our Victron 12/2000/80 inverter charger. Although we only have 200 amp of lithium with the 7000 watts of solar, we manage very well if the suns out enough to need the A/C it’s out enough to keep the batteries up. The trick is not to try and turn the van into a fridge. We find set at 22c it keeps the whole van (7.5 mtr A class) comfortable. We have it mounted in the rear bedroom with the fins pointing forward during the day then just shut the bedroom door for a little while before going to bed. This A/C runs quite happily from a 6 amp supply when on the rare occasions we are on hook up. And if there is only 4 amps available as we have found on some Italian sites we just set the inverter chargers input limit to 4 amps and let the batteries share the load. They are a bit noisy to use at night and to a point during the day, thats why ours is mounted at the back of the van. The power side to use off grid was not cheap but boy are we grateful when it is needed. From the outside it is just a light hum and even on closely packed sites not had any complaints just a few enquiries as to how can we run it when no hookup available.

 

[Soycd]

They are a bit noisy to use at night and to a point during the day, thats why ours is mounted at the back of the van.

Yes they can be. Apparently the Truma has a night mode setting, which makes it quieter.

 

[funflair]

We have as previously posted the Dometic Freshjet 2200. This runs quite happily from our Victron 12/2000/80 inverter charger. Although we only have 200 amp of lithium with the 7000 watts of solar, we manage very well if the suns out enough to need the A/C it’s out enough to keep the batteries up. The trick is not to try and turn the van into a fridge. We find set at 22c it keeps the whole van (7.5 mtr A class) comfortable. We have it mounted in the rear bedroom with the fins pointing forward during the day then just shut the bedroom door for a little while before going to bed. This A/C runs quite happily from a 6 amp supply when on the rare occasions we are on hook up. And if there is only 4 amps available as we have found on some Italian sites we just set the inverter chargers input limit to 4 amps and let the batteries share the load. They are a bit noisy to use at night and to a point during the day, thats why ours is mounted at the back of the van. The power side to use off grid was not cheap but boy are we grateful when it is needed. From the outside it is just a light hum and even on closely packed sites not had any complaints just a few enquiries as to how can we run it when no hookup available.

I agree with most of that but 7000 watts of solar is very impressive

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[EuroTrotters]

Just checked and. 4.2A x 240v = 1,000Watts
OR
2.8A x 240v = 672Watts.

View attachment 769670

I fitted the compact. But you can’t run off-grid without huge battery and solar.

I’m 20 mins from audenshawe Allenaah if you want y to come and take a look.

I’m in hospital at the moment so it will be a few weeks before you can come over.

 

[Raul]

The think with the roof mounted air con, is very inefficient, you want the external unit in the shade, not in the blazing sun. Thats why eats so much power. A house mini split, with the external unit on north side in the shade, will run 10-15mins at 700-800w then throttle down to as low as 350-400w, just to maintain the set temperature. And thats a even bigger AC.

I have seen a American dude on the tube, fitting and then operating, a underslung external AC unit, with double fans, all protected and sealed . It runs on 12v dc, no conversion needed, 9000btu max cooling and 800w max draw. I think the cost was about $1500 from china.

 

[Bessy765]

I agree with most of that but 7000 watts of solar is very impressive

Opps! 700 watts

 

[Bessy765]

I fitted the compact. But you can’t run off-grid without huge battery and solar.

I’m 20 mins from audenshawe Allenaah if you want y to come and take a look.

I’m in hospital at the moment so it will be a few weeks before you can come over.

I have 2 x 100 amps Transporter Lithium together with 700 watts of solar can manage around 6 hours if it’s warm enough to need the air con the suns out enough to top up the batteries. But again its as long as you don’t try to turn the van into a fridge. We still close the blinds on the sunny side. And cover the windscreen if its reallly hot.

 

[jongood]

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[Elsie2010]

After sweating like I don’t know what in Spain last summer I’m thinking of getting Air Con unit , seen a Truma one for around £1500, anybody got that one or can recommend one, I want one that will run of the 24v inverter set up I have , looking for advice

thanks

We have the Truma but only off EHU....very good at cooling and does this very quickly.
No air con will ever be quiet, we have the stand alone units in our house which are noisier I'd say than the fixed one in the van

 

[EuroTrotters]

The think with the roof mounted air con, is very inefficient, you want the external unit in the shade, not in the blazing sun. Thats why eats so much power. A house mini split, with the external unit on north side in the shade, will run 10-15mins at 700-800w then throttle down to as low as 350-400w, just to maintain the set temperature. And thats a even bigger AC.

I have seen an American dude on the tube, fitting and then operating, a underslung external AC unit, with double fans, all protected and sealed . It runs on 12v dc, no conversion needed, 9000btu max cooling and 800w max draw. I think the cost was about $1500 from china.

That’s what is good about the ducted units. It’s under bench

 

[Raul]

That’s what is good about the ducted units. It’s under bench

Yes, but the heat exchange unit should still be outside so the hot air does not get recycled to be cooled again. Unless it has at least a hot exhaust out.

 

[Raul]

We have the Truma but only off EHU....very good at cooling and does this very quickly.
No air con will ever be quiet, we have the stand alone units in our house which are noisier I'd say than the fixed one in the van

Stand alone ARE very noisy, in the house you want a proper split unit. That way the noise and heat is kept to the outside.

 

[Allenaah]

thanks for all the info, I’m going to purchase the 12v one from DC Conversions, that way my existing set will cope and no need for further expense,

regards to everyone for the comments