Anyone got any advice for fitting an air conditioner for the living space of a Ford Transit Van.

One option is the Truma reverse cycle ducted Aircondtioner;

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ekthomas/aircon.html 

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6486 

Another option similar to a house reverse cycle A/C;

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8846 

And another option van roof top A/C;

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=991_68 

See the different makes and models for rooftop A/C's here;

 http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=991_68_184 

Check out the Bus manufacturers for the underseat models as well if you don't want a roof mounted type.

GaryKelly wrote:

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Please don't get one of those things that stick out the window, Vic. Ew! Mine is a box that fits into a cupboard at floor level under the sink and is out of sight except for the fascia. Otherwise, the rooftop ones look quite neat.

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 Thanks Gary, I did have a Heron 2.2 reverse cycle put in under the table in my A'van camper trailer years ago, but hard to get to at the facia controls and a bit hot and cold on the legs if sitting at the table.   The under the bunk model shown in the first link on my first post fitted to an A'van camper trailer is a much better idea for that type of RV, wasn't around when I had the Heron put in..... 

Yuglamron wrote:

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Check out the Bus manufacturers for the underseat models as well if you don't want a roof mounted type.

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 Thanks Yugie,

Are they the same as the under bed/bunk one in the previous link I showed????

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~ekthomas/aircon.html 

Or are they something different????

Yes that's the sort of thing I was thinking of.

I have a roof mounted Dometic with roughly the same specs re heating and cooling and it cost around $3 K to fit so it looks like a better bet all round.

Thanks Yug, scroll down on this link and let me know which Dometic you have please if featured;

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=991_68_184 

Are all the workings (other than vents and controls) contained inside the roof unit?

Thanks

Vic

Hi Vic I have the B3000+ version with the Mood lighting.

Works for us as my partner has to have aircon and heating in the winter. It works well in both modes and is reasonably quiet both inside and out. I can run it off my Honda 2.5KVA generator if needed. I just have to have nothing else on when I start the genie up. After it's up and  running I can add other stuff.

I do have a small problem with the unit though.

Circumstances forced the fitting of the unit to the front of the RV due to solar panels on the roof. The layout of my RV has a toilet one side opposite the shower  and a passage between the two leading to the rear bedroom. Means that I have a limited airflow which was solved with a small marine fan which forces the air around more easily. With the unit you can direct the airflow to either the front or rear with a sliding control or half and half.

Just something to think of when installing ,ideally fitted in the middle would be best for me though not practical.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Trevor

PS With this unit comes a small remote which does all the settings Heating /cooling /fan only etc. No other switches on the unit itself.

It only protrudes into the RV around two inches in the old money and as the blurb says is also low profile on the outside .

Before fitting my clearance height was 3.0 Meters now I have clearance at 3.22 Meters so fairly low profile.

Thanks Trevor, much appreciated!

I have the room in the middle so it should be ok for that part.  Who fitted yours, a caravan or motorhome conversion place or someone else?

I hate the thought of having a hole cut into the roof, always worry's me things like that as to whether they have sealed the cut edges ok against rusting and also sealing around the unit itself.  I assume water from the unit (condensation) just runs onto the roof?

Thanks for the info on heights too.

Mine was fitted by Casey's RV's Steptoe St Bundaberg Qld.

They moved two of my solar panels wider apart on the alloy mounting frame to give room in the middle to fit the aircon unit. They picked up a 240 Volt feed in the roof and fitted the unit in around four hours. Cleaned up after themselves and I wouldn't have known the work had been done. Very clean and tidy. Husband and wife owners who are into camping themselves and very nice and friendly.

Yes the condensate just runs into a gutter around the roof which has a thermalshield paint finish so no problems in that area.

Must be around two years ago and have no problems or leaks. Just vacuum the filters once a month and wash them every two or three months.

Thanks for the info Trevor, love the name of the street they are in! LOL !

Reminds me of the TV series Steptoe and Son !  

When I return from my trip next week I'll take it over to Dove Campers and see what they say.....

I have to get a couple of overhead cabinets fitted too.....