Air Conditioning?

[TheBows]

Hello,

Just got our first motor home and there's a heat wave as you may have noticed. Can anyone recommend a cooling fan, not just one the blows the air around, or an actual air conditioning unit?


Thanks


Stephen

 

[Figaro]

Welcome to the forum.
Endless Breeze fans are very good if you can get one. They are from USA made by a company called Fan-tastic.
They are 12volt and use little power but are very good at moving a lot of air around.
We couldn't have coped with heat on current trip without it.
AC is usually expensive and noisey and only works on hook up.
Lots of other fans around too.

 

[Reallyretired]

If you have an inverter, a mains fan is a very much cheaper alternative to an endless breeze. We carry a largish free standing steel fan that is great and was about £20 bought in France. It produces such a strong airflow that we sometimes use it outside under the awning when it's really hot.

 

[scotjimland]

For an air-con unit to be effective you need to keep all windows and doors closed.. which kind of defeats the object of going away in the first place.. and as said, you need an EHU..

To keep the van as cool as possible, being in mind it will never be cooler than ambient, try to park in the shade, use thermal screens on the windscreen, close blinds on the sunny side of the van, open roof lights and windows wide, try to get a through draft,.. if you have an awning use it..

As said by @Reallyretired , A domestic 12in desk fan is excellent for moving air and blowing across your skin which due to evaporation of sweat reduces your body temperature..

then go and sit under a tree with a cold soft drink.. it takes time to acclimatise.. but it's better than sitting in a van with a/c running

 

[PP Bear]

https://transcoolgb.com/product/transcool-ec3f-portable-evaporative-air-conditioner/

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[Pia]

If the sun is shinning on the roof...DON'T open the skylights it will let the hot air in...it's best to try to keep the sunlight out so only open windows and blinds on the shady side of the van.

 

[Ivory55]

If the sun is shinning on the roof...DON'T open the skylights it will let the hot air in...it's best to try to keep the sunlight out so only open windows and blinds on the shady side of the van.

Some manufacturers say not to put the blinds up and trap the heat behind the windows and causing them to distort.

 

[Pia]

Some manufacturers say not to put the blinds up and trap the heat behind the windows and causing them to distort.

...ooohhh never heard that one...but I think we shall continue to try to keep the heat out of the van as best we can.

 

[p-c]

Hi
We sometimes position our endless breeze in front of a window, Kitchen, in the MH sucking/pushing the hot air out off the MH. Especially useful if cooking.
Also we are using a number of 6 inch usb fans. They use little power and if you have several you can get a spread of a gentle breeze. Sitting in front of one now.
Of course number one is enjoy the warmth.
Kind regards.
p-c

 

[tacr2man]

If you haven't got EHU , or are in situation where you can run generator , effective compressor type a/c isnt viable. The next best is evaporative , as it doesnt have the power requirement of other type. The other thing is that doors/windows need to be open for it to work , and it is smaller area , but personal space can be cooled . It is one stage better than just having a fan .

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[Richard n Ann]

We open all windows wide and put a towel over the window that's letting the sun in, works for us.

 

[suavecarve]

We use a 12 volt double fan to move the air about and then buy an aerosol can of water. I know, paying a euro for a can of water (if you can get it as cheap as a euro) seems ridiculous and i poo pooed the wife when she wanted to buy one, but i have to admit it is one of the best purchases we have made. Just spray it in your face every 20 minutes or so and it is bliss, keep in fridge.

 

[Richard n Ann]

We use a 12 volt double fan to move the air about and then buy an aerosol can of water. I know, paying a euro for a can of water (if you can get it as cheap as a euro) seems ridiculous and i poo pooed the wife when she wanted to buy one, but i have to admit it is one of the best purchases we have made. Just spray it in your face every 20 minutes or so and it is bliss, keep in fridge.

I fill old Autan spray bottles with water, works very well too

 

[Basildog]

...ooohhh never heard that one...but I think we shall continue to try to keep the heat out of the van as best we can.

There is a diagram warning sticker on nearly all motorhome and caravan windows showing not to fully close the blinds in direct sun , they are on this Hymer and I think all the window manufacturers say the same .
Yet more motorhome products that are almost useless

 

[scotjimland]

Window covers are a good way to keep the sun out AND get ventilation.

I made these for ours..

the material is.

the slip on and are held by elastic on the back

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[The Dotties]

Ever thought of a marketing opportunity?

 

[tonyidle]

Ever thought of a marketing opportunity?

We'd buy 'em!

 

[The Dotties]

We'd buy 'em!

I have pondered this post for a while, and I do think there could be a small market, certainly in popular sizes.
Wish I was clever enough

 

[scotjimland]

I have pondered this post for a while, and I do think there could be a small market, certainly in popular sizes.
Wish I was clever enough

Very easy to make.. only basic sewing machine skills required and if you have never used a sewing machine , soon picked up.

I use an old Singer, bought it years ago to make stuff for camping; stuff sacks, window awnings, blinds , cushions , bags etc etc .. then I got into refurbishing and collecting old Singer's until I had no more room .. had a house full.. some as early as 1890 .. so started selling them.. now only two left that are my 'working' machines.. can't beat an old Singer for basic sewing.. they last for ever and make wonderful stitches..

Lovely hobby, but not interested in making money from it.. but certainly a market, surprised Silver Screens or Taylor Made don't do them.

https://scotjimland.blogspot.com

 

[Riverbankannie]

Window covers are a good way to keep the sun out AND get ventilation.

I made these for ours..

the material is.

the slip on and are held by elastic on the back

View attachment 242595 View attachment 242596

That’s a great idea. I have some left over cheap silver screen material that I bought to extend our cab one over the front vents.
I’m off out to measure the windows to see if I have enough!

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[Riverbankannie]

That’s a great idea. I have some left over cheap silver screen material that I bought to extend our cab one over the front vents.
I’m off out to measure the windows to see if I have enough!

I’ve been out but I would like to have the windows covered whilst they are closed and MH parked up as it is at present. I have all the inside blinds almost closed but, as pointed out in a post earlier, that may not be good for the windows.
However I cannot figure out a way of attaching them when closed. Still will make one to be fitted on open window when away. Trouble is the side window behind the sliding door is sensibly a sliding window so would not work there.

 

[Pia]

Window covers are a good way to keep the sun out AND get ventilation.

I made these for ours..

the material is.

the slip on and are held by elastic on the back

View attachment 242595 View attachment 242596

These are fantastic how are they held on at the top?

 

[scotjimland]

These are fantastic how are they held on at the top?

Thank you ..

There is a broad elastic strap at the top, with a hook and eye one end ..

 

[Pia]

Thank you ..

There is a broad elastic strap at the top, with a hook and eye one end ..

@scotjimlland many thanks.

 

[MisterB]

I came up with the same idea to use on our static as its in full sun all day but we wanted the windows open to allow for the breeze. I think we'll be making some more for the motorhome but we used the 'pocket' end at the top of the window not at the bottom