Air conditioning options

[Hulk]

I’m looking for advice on AC options for my family in the back seats in the bidder of my van. On recent trips in to hot areas (Zion, Escalante, Grand Canyon..) they are getting very hot. The van AC in the front is just adequate for me and my co-pilot. I bought a nice oscillating fan at a truck stop. But does anyone have a portable or other AC option they can recommend?

Thanks fellow SMB people!

[IanF]

Factory rear A/C parts can be had from most junk yards, although it will likely need professional installation. And fitting the components into an already converted van may be a challenge.

There are new 12V roof A/C units that could be installed, but operation will depend a bit on your current electrical system and current roof - and I don't know if it's even possible on a SMB with a pop-up roof.

Some of the new portable units like a ZeroBreeze might work, but again - situation dependent for power over extended use.

Unfortunately, you're in a situation where the best options will be difficult to add after-the-fact. Rear A/C design is best implemented into the initial design.

[marret]

Agree with IanF.

For when you are stationary or moving? How will you power the AC?

Zero Breeze does work, but won't cool a van in the sun. It could cool a person or animal. They have available batteries.

Some have used window AC units, usually setting something up through a rear window.

You could try one of the portable room AC units.

The Zero Breeze and room units need a way to exhaust hot air.

[Hulk]

Thanks for the feed back. Yea know it's a no simple solution idea. With the pop top and solar on the roof. The roof top option is a no go. The Zero Breeze is what I found as the most viable option with an extra portable Jackery battery could work. I just have to work out side window venting.



I may stick to just giving my family the classic old ice packs like we used last summer ;-)

[WhitH]

Ecoflow has something that looks pretty similar in concept to the ZeroBreeze. I have affiliation or experience at all with either option just throwing it out there as another to look at.

[Scalf77]

You can check out Undermountac.com. They have a 12 volt system , it is becoming a favorite in the transit world. They do cater to the van world. No experience, myself, I have a rooftop one.

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by Scalf77

You can check out Undermountac.com. They have a 12 volt system

That looks like a well designed system, but with a maximum current draw north of 80A, it’s going to take a very robust battery / charging system to power it for very long. At the Mack’s canyon get together, a guy who’s name I forget had 900w of solar and a commercial mini split with the compressor/ condenser mounted under the van. The only real issue seemed to be the lack of ground clearance, but the system was capable of 24/7 operation on solar alone.