Portable A/C units for van

[dogsandcats]

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

[daveb]

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.

[dogsandcats]

Thanks for your info.

[Orv]

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.

[dogsandcats]

Originally Posted by Orv

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

[dogsandcats]

Originally Posted by daveb

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.

[hogasm]

[QUOTE=dogsandcats;311729]Thanks, checked out your recommendations. Wondering how to vent with various window configurations because the seal has to be complete.[/QUOTE

I made my filler with 1 1/2” pink foam board
3/4” plywood deck on door with an adjustable paint pole for the leg to the ground
Black van and it will freeze you out

[86Scotty]

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/

[absolutefreedom]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

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.

[dogsandcats]

Thanks for the update.