Roof-mounted air conditioners are the commonest kind of RV air conditioner, however there are different prospects.
A number of producers, notably Winnebago, used to make use of basement-mounted AC models. It’s attainable that some stay on the street.
Sooner or later, mini-split programs will grow to be more and more standard as a result of to their glorious effectivity and varied set up prospects. 12-volt programs are additionally gaining recognition.
Having stated that, most RV air conditioners are roof-mounted.
How Do RV Air Conditioners Work?
120V AC (alternating present) units have lengthy dominated RV air con. This means that the rig should be both linked to a campground’s shore energy pedestal or powered by a generator.
Once you join your RV to shore energy, you’re bringing a supply of 120V AC electrical energy into your RV to energy your home equipment and electronics precisely such as you would at residence.
Some rigs have huge photo voltaic and battery banks (sometimes lithium) that may energy 120V air conditioners from the 12V battery financial institution. Nonetheless, the RV should embrace an inverter able to changing the 12V DC electrical energy out of your RV’s batteries to 120V AC energy for utilization with 120V home equipment, akin to an air conditioner.
DC-powered RV AC models have gotten more and more standard in its place. These could function solely on the 12V DC energy saved within the batteries and don’t require a connection to shore energy, a generator, or an inverter. Nonetheless, on the time of writing, they’re greatest suited to smaller RVs.
This is because of their lesser output (usually 7,000 – 10,000 BTU).
The RTX1000 from Dometic has 4,094 BTU (1,200 watts) and the BTX2000 has 6,824 BTU (2,000 watts). Every features a Turbo choice for quicker cooling, which requires extra energy. (Picture courtesy of Dometic)
Nonetheless, the number of 12V AC models is increasing on a regular basis, and 24V and even 48V variants are on the way in which!
RV Air Conditioner Varieties
Roof-mounted RV air conditioners are available in quite a lot of types.
Let’s take a look on the many kinds of rooftop-mounted RV air conditioners:
Low Profile vs. Customary Profile
The first distinction between an everyday RV AC unit and a low-profile unit is peak, because the title implies.
A regular air conditioner is taller than a low-profile air conditioner.
It’s value noting that Dometic now gives a “mid-profile” mannequin that sits halfway between customary and low-profile fashions.
The distinction between Dometic low, mid, and customary profile rooftop RV AC models is proven under. Dometic manufactured these models.
AC Items vs. Warmth Pump Items
Typical RV air conditioners merely provide AC, nevertheless warmth pump units could reverse the air con course of.
This signifies that the warmth pump is blowing heat air INTO the RV reasonably than out.
It’s value noting that a regular AC-only unit could embrace a “Warmth Strip” choice, which suggests it has a heating component (just like these present in small house heaters) that may be activated to permit the air conditioner to blow heat air as an alternative of chilly, with the built-in blower fan circulating air previous the heating component. Nonetheless, this isn’t the identical as a warmth pump.
Ducted vs. Non-Ducted
Non-ducted RV AC models are sometimes ceiling-mounted and supply quite a lot of ducting choices for guiding chilly air into the dwelling house.
A non-ducted model blows chilly air into the RV’s inside by means of an enormous decrease vent located proper beneath the air con unit. Heat return air is introduced in from the identical location. This vent is usually generally known as a “chill grill.”
A non-ducted AC system is just like a regular home window air conditioner in that it distributes cool air from a single spot within the RV.
Ducted RV AC is taken into account a higher-end system because it permits cool air to be distributed all through the RV. The chilly air is distributed all through the equipment by way of vents, very similar to central air con in a house.
This type of RV air con system is extra generally present in Class A motorhomes and high-end fifth wheels. Ducted programs transport air extra evenly and totally, making them best for multi-zone settings discovered on larger rigs.
An air con system could be totally ducted (each the output and return air are ducted) or partially ducted (the outlet air is ducted however the return air is taken in by means of the vent/grill immediately beneath the AC unit).
As a result of the airflow is funneled by means of ducts within the roof, ducted AC is normally quieter, nevertheless it will also be much less environment friendly than a direct-flow unit.
See our full publish on ducted vs non-ducted RV air con for extra data.
12V Air Conditioners
As beforehand stated, 12V RV air conditioners simply require 12V power to function.
As a result of 12V DC energy is accessible in your onboard battery financial institution, you possibly can run a 12V AC merchandise using the facility saved in your rig’s battery financial institution.
Air conditioners that run on 12V DC electrical energy make use of extremely environment friendly compressors which can be particularly constructed to work with 12V present.
Realistically, 12V RV AC models current a number of points as a result of to the distinction in voltage between 12V DC and 120V AC, in addition to the dearth of adequate energy to run them from a battery financial institution for an prolonged time period. Nonetheless, a number of at the moment are in the marketplace, and a few people (with numerous DC energy) discover them to be a terrific answer.
We should always point out that 12V RV AC models are sometimes inadequate for larger RVs, however they could work properly for smaller rigs like a Class B in case you have sufficient DC energy (i.e. a big sufficient battery financial institution) to energy the unit.
What Dimension Air Conditioner Does a Customary RV Have?
The cooling functionality of AC programs differ, so maintain this in thoughts when deciding on an RV air conditioner.
AC output is measured in BTUs.
A typical RV has 13,500 BTUs, nevertheless higher-output models (15,000 BTUs), such because the Truma Aventa Consolation, can be found. (For additional particulars, learn our Truma Aventa web page.)
The Truma Aventa Consolation is a roof-mounted air con system with a cooling capability of 2400 W and a heating capability of 1700 W, because of the built-in warmth pump. (Picture courtesy of Truma)
Selecting an RV Air Conditioner
The producer gives an AC unit with many (if not most) RVs. If it is advisable to substitute that unit, your greatest likelihood is to accumulate one that’s related in dimension, sort, and output (BTUs), since you already know what works together with your rig’s electrical and bodily configuration.
Nonetheless, if it is advisable to select an AC unit in your RV or in the event you’re constructing an RV, listed here are some inquiries to ask:
- Is there room in your rig for an air conditioner?
- What’s the supply of the electrical energy that may energy it?
- What’s an inexpensive cooling output (in BTUs) in your rig?
- What are essentially the most environment friendly AC models of that capability?
- Would you like a ducted or ductless system?
- Are you curious about aerodynamics? (Would you want a low-profile unit?)
- Would you like an air conditioner with a warmth pump?
All of those are questions to consider when deciding which RV air conditioner is acceptable in your RV and your journey and tenting model.
When utilized at the side of your RV air con system, a soft-start could be extraordinarily useful. We truly use (and adore!) the Micro-Air EasyStart.
See our publish and YouTube video on the Micro-Air EasyStart for extra data on this unbelievable gadget that reduces the primary energy surge crucial to start out an RV’s AC system.
In case you’re in search of a Micro-Air EasyStart for the upcoming tenting season, we’ll embrace a reduction code under the video.
Can You Set up a Moveable Air Conditioner in an RV?
Sure! A conveyable air conditioner could completely be put in in an RV.
Moveable variants have gotten more and more standard amongst van campers. However, as soon as once more, the principle concern is one in all energy. You need to have sufficient electrical energy to run any kind of AC unit, together with a conveyable one.
As a result of an AC unit consumes lots of energy, it is likely to be tough to run an RV AC unit with out shore energy or a generator.
And in the event you’re questioning in the event you can run an RV air conditioner on solar energy, we strongly advise you to learn our publish “Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner on Photo voltaic Energy?”
In the meantime, you possibly can learn our article on the very best transportable air conditioners for tenting.
Simply take into account that it’s essential to have the ability to energy it (for so long as you require cooling) and vent it to the surface.
Spoiler alert: Except you might have a large battery financial institution and charging mechanism, powering a conveyable AC machine would virtually definitely require connecting to shore energy or working a generator.
Is it protected to depart your RV’s air conditioner on on a regular basis?
RV air conditioners are constructed to run repeatedly in scorching situations.
You possibly can simply run your rig’s AC all day in the event you’re linked to 50A or 30A shore energy, and many individuals do.
It’ll be tough in the event you don’t have an everyday supply of energy.
You possibly can additionally run your generator all day, however relying on the place you’re tenting and the way a lot further gasoline you might have, this can be inadvisable.
However, can you permit an RV AC unit working all day? Sure, you possibly can… so long as you might have the required energy.
Widespread RV Air Conditioner Producers
Let’s check out the most well-liked RV air conditioner manufacturers in the marketplace at the moment, in addition to a consultant unit from every producer.
Dometic
Dometic gives roof, cut up, and under-bench air conditioners, in addition to quite a lot of equipment.
The Penguin II, for instance, is a low-profile (lower than 10′′ peak) kind with 13,500 and 15,000 BTU outputs, obtainable with or and not using a warmth pump.
We now have twin Dometic 15,000 BTU totally ducted models with warmth pumps which can be fairly quiet and able to effectively holding our 43′ motorhome cool in even the warmest temperatures.
Coleman-Mach
Coleman-Mach is one other well-known model within the RV air con business.
The Mach 15 is a wonderful instance of why RVers choose Coleman-Mach models, because it gives among the greatest cooling obtainable for an RV. Due to its large airflow, this unit is good for ducted programs in giant RVs.
The Mach 15 has a 1/3 HP fan motor, the most important utilized in an RV AC system, and gives 320 CFM (cubic toes per minute) of chilly air.
Furrion
Furrion is one other well-known model within the RV and marine industries, manufacturing high-quality air con programs.
The Furrion Chill is obtainable in two sizes: 14,500 BTU and 15,500 BTU.
The 14,500 BTU unit is greatest suited to small to medium RVs and gives efficient cooling at a low energy amperage of 14.6 rated amps. It’s applicable for small RVs with a single air conditioner or medium-sized RVs with two air conditioners (however bigger RVs with two models are extra frequent).
The 15,500 BTU unit is meant for bigger rigs, significantly these with just one unit (which, in fact, should deal with the entire cooling by itself).
RecPro
RecPro, a widely known model within the RV sector, gives a various vary of RV parts, furnishings, and home equipment, together with RV air con programs.
RecPro’s 15,000 BTU non-ducted AC unit with warmth pump, which gives each cooling and heating, is a favourite alternative amongst RV homeowners.
This unit’s opinions reward it for its “set it and neglect it” operation, which suggests you’ll use the provided distant to pick out a temperature in your RV that’s most snug for you, and the unit will maintain your RV at that temperature with its heating and cooling capabilities.
Truma
Truma is a widely known model in RV tools, and their environment friendly merchandise are standard amongst RVers who prefer to boondock (like us!) to make the most of their AC models and RV tankless water heaters. (We now have a Truma AquaGo Consolation that we like. It’s not precisely “tankless,” however reasonably “on-demand,” and it really works fantastically!
Once we first reported concerning the Truma Aventa, it was a extremely sought-after unit that was solely obtainable on a couple of new RVs.
Truma has since made their 13,500 BTU Aventa Eco air conditioner obtainable for aftermarket buy in america.
Which means that RVers trying to find a quiet, extremely environment friendly air conditioner can now substitute an present ducted or non-ducted rooftop AC with the Truma Aventa.
GE
GE has joined the RV air con market with rooftop AC models, together with the 15,500 BTU mannequin talked about under (mannequin # ARC15AACW), which within reason priced.
There are at present no Amazon opinions for these models, however we’ve included a hyperlink in your comfort in case you want to study extra. We all the time advise smart buyers to do as a lot analysis as attainable earlier than buying expensive objects akin to an air conditioner.
How you can Take care of Your RV Air Conditioner to Hold It Cooling
Lastly, we’d like to induce RV homeowners with AC programs to maintain them in good working order to allow them to maintain you cool for years to return.
First, learn our publish on RV AC upkeep and comply with the directions there.
In a nutshell, it’s best to carry out the next on a constant foundation:
- Examine your air conditioner and take away any particles, akin to leaves, grime, and so forth.
- Test your AC shroud for injury.
- Exchange or clear your air conditioner filter.
- Examine and clear the condenser and evaporator coils and fins for grime and particles.
- Test the drain gap for any grime or particles buildup and clear as wanted.
- Look at the wiring for any unfastened or damaged connections.
Once more, we now have directions for the entire above and extra in our RV AC upkeep web page.
Sustaining your air conditioner will maintain you and your RV cool!???
In case your RV air conditioner is damaged otherwise you’re tenting with out one, we suggest studying our piece on methods to keep cool in an RV with out air con.
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