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Old 06-06-2022, 03:38 PM   #1
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Portable A/C units for van

Hi, Anyone know if there are any portable A/C's that work well in a van? Appreciate hearing any info or recommendations. My concerns are how big they are and what sort of venting is possible depending on window style. I’m thinking a modified window connection would be necessary. Wondering if anyone has seen or used a ‘chillwell’ a/c. Thanks

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Old 06-06-2022, 06:27 PM   #2
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Really depends on what you want. Some people like water coolers but there is no way I'd want one. I need something that kills the humidity as well as lower the temps. A few here have tried small 110AC window units while running a 2000w generator. Others have tried to use those roll around portables. I had looked into those for a cargo trailer project I just built but you have to exhaust the hot air. Roof type RV models require a bit more than what a 2000w generator can handle. In my research I've found a few true compressor driven portables that can run off a battery pack. One is called an Eco Wave Portable but I don't know about how or if it requires venting the hot air and/or water if it accumulates it. Some are designed for tents such as the eenour qn750 portable and another is Zero Breeze. Not sure how well they would work in a van. Good luck on your quest.
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Old 06-06-2022, 07:02 PM   #3
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portable ac's

Thanks for your info.
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Old 06-06-2022, 07:15 PM   #4
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If you get a portable A/C, try to find one with a two-hose setup -- a separate air intake and exhaust for the condenser. Single-hose portables take air to cool the condenser from inside the van and exhaust it outside, which means you're constantly pulling in outside air.


I'm putting together a cheap bucket-style portable evaporative water cooler (aka "swamp cooler") to try out on my next trip, but I frequently camp in desert areas with humidity in the low teens or even single digits. I don't have a generator and camp in places without electrical hookups, so this is pretty much the only form of cooling with a low enough power draw to be practical for me; the one I'm building will draw around 20 watts, which is reasonable to support with batteries. However, evaporative coolers have some important constraints; they're one-pass (you don't recirculate the air, you need to keep pulling in fresh from outside), they require quite a bit of water, and they only work when the humidity is very low.
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Old 06-07-2022, 12:16 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Orv View Post
If you get a portable A/C, try to find one with a two-hose setup -- a separate air intake and exhaust for the condenser. Single-hose portables take air to cool the condenser from inside the van and exhaust it outside, which means you're constantly pulling in outside air.


I'm putting together a cheap bucket-style portable evaporative water cooler (aka "swamp cooler") to try out on my next trip, but I frequently camp in desert areas with humidity in the low teens or even single digits. I don't have a generator and camp in places without electrical hookups, so this is pretty much the only form of cooling with a low enough power draw to be practical for me; the one I'm building will draw around 20 watts, which is reasonable to support with batteries. However, evaporative coolers have some important constraints; they're one-pass (you don't recirculate the air, you need to keep pulling in fresh from outside), they require quite a bit of water, and they only work when the humidity is very low.
Good info thanks
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Old 06-07-2022, 12:22 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by daveb View Post
Really depends on what you want. Some people like water coolers but there is no way I'd want one. I need something that kills the humidity as well as lower the temps. A few here have tried small 110AC window units while running a 2000w generator. Others have tried to use those roll around portables. I had looked into those for a cargo trailer project I just built but you have to exhaust the hot air. Roof type RV models require a bit more than what a 2000w generator can handle. In my research I've found a few true compressor driven portables that can run off a battery pack. One is called an Eco Wave Portable but I don't know about how or if it requires venting the hot air and/or water if it accumulates it. Some are designed for tents such as the eenour qn750 portable and another is Zero Breeze. Not sure how well they would work in a van. Good luck on your quest.
Thanks, checked out your recommendations. Wondering how to vent with various window configurations because the seal has to be complete.
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Old 06-07-2022, 02:44 PM   #7
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[QUOTE=dogsandcats;311729]Thanks, checked out your recommendations. Wondering how to vent with various window configurations because the seal has to be complete.[/QUOTE

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Old 06-07-2022, 03:02 PM   #8
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There is a new player in this market. It's called a Fresair and is supposedly a 'better' swamp cooler type roof air. Check it out, no affiliation btw:

https://fresair.com/
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Old 06-07-2022, 03:26 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by 86Scotty View Post
There is a new player in this market. It's called a Fresair and is supposedly a 'better' swamp cooler type roof air. Check it out, no affiliation btw:

https://fresair.com/

I actually have a Fresair and was going to install it but I came across the Cruise and Comfort AC.
I initially chose the Fresair since it was only 5 inches high and it could fit under my roof rack but the Cruise and Comfort will actually go inside the van and not on top which I really like, but pricey $4500.
The Fresair was about $1500.
I’m planning to post the Fresair for sale for $1200 just in case anyone here is interested, message me.
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Old 06-07-2022, 03:33 PM   #10
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Thanks for the update.
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