We have decided that an aircon unit is required for our 40ft bus/motorhome. I am shocked at the price of so called "specialised units".
I propose to use a small 2.7kw kelvinator unit that is normally mounted in a window as this will fit below one of the seats in the bus.
We have a 6kv genset mounted in our trailer so power to run it will not be an issue(I hope)
What I need to ask you lot out there is:
1. Has this been done before
2. Any forseeable problems in doing this
3. Is this a good idea or should I bite the bullet and fork out $2000 for an under bunk unit sold by dometic
I would appreciate any advice.
Cheers
Robin
blaze said
11:13 PM Jan 3, 2014
We have a normal household split system invertor mounted in our 24 foot van. Uses half the power of a normal roof top van aircon unit and will run on a 2kva generator.
cheers
blaze
SnowT said
12:19 AM Jan 4, 2014
Hey robin..
Welcome.. to the mad house..
If you have a 40ft Bus.. Why not mount a Cheap Efficient split system on your Bus.. - As A suggestion have a Look at This Web- Site. It should pop up a list of Split system's in the Lower energy consumption range, with a good efficiency..
The power required to power one of these is in the 500-700w range..
- cost if you shop around about $700-1000 + fitting..
I'll not get into the way to not have to run a generator to power it up.. I'll just get jumped on..
It's a much better way to go..
A split system is far more efficient when compared to Window style unit's and a Ton better than the Normal RV/caravan Style and Far Cheaper..
So Just my Opinion Me I would/Will be going with a Split system..[Powered My way]
Juergen
bill12 said
06:09 AM Jan 4, 2014
I have fitted a small second hand sanyo, about 7000btu, in the back of my slide on, and if anything, its too efficient! went down to 18c last time I used it and runs easy on my 2kva genset. Cost $50.I have box aircons in the house, running on low tariff also. Bill
-- Edited by bill12 on Saturday 4th of January 2014 06:10:06 AM
Big Gorilla said
08:30 AM Jan 4, 2014
A small window unit will work fine. Your bus is 40 feet by about 6 feet wide. Total area 240 sq. ft. I would install a 1 HP unit. Some might say that is too large, but it wont be when you are parked in the sun in 30 degree temps. In cooler temperatures, turn down the thermostat... The split system suggested by SnowT would also work, but has to be installed and gassed up. Too costly. You'll pick up a cheap aircon at an Auction or in the Wanted to Sell column of newspapers.
robcer said
09:00 AM Jan 4, 2014
many thanks to all, I will go ahead and fit a window type unit
PeterD said
03:31 PM Jan 4, 2014
Big Gorilla wrote:
The split system suggested by SnowT would also work, but has to be installed and gassed up.
I have seen units around that come with the 2 units and the interconnecting pipes already charge up. This makes for very little extra installation than a window unit.
I'm not sure about mounting window units at floor level. You will need extra fans to circulate the cool air, otherwise you will have cold feet and hot heads. I think a split unit with the head mounted high and its swinging air distributor would be much more efficient.
SnowT said
04:12 PM Jan 4, 2014
Most Split system Already come Pre-charged with gas..
One of the most important thing's to do is the make sure that the system when it's all connected has the pipe's Vacuumed[ -ve pressure] so that there's no contamination Air in the pipes.
It's a simple job which does not take a lot of time.. the vacuum also helps to make sure that there are NO leak's..
Juergen
Big Gorilla said
04:41 PM Jan 4, 2014
PeterD wrote:
Big Gorilla wrote:
The split system suggested by SnowT would also work, but has to be installed and gassed up.
I have seen units around that come with the 2 units and the interconnecting pipes already charge up. This makes for very little extra installation than a window unit.
I'm not sure about mounting window units at floor level. You will need extra fans to circulate the cool air, otherwise you will have cold feet and hot heads. I think a split unit with the head mounted high and its swinging air distributor would be much more efficient.
I haven't seen the pre-charged split units and although connection maybe ok for you and I, some people don't have the know how with tools to accomplish that. With respect to Robcer. The window unit should be mounted as high as practical as cold air does sink and it will certainly be cooler nearer the floor than at head height...
Hi All
We have decided that an aircon unit is required for our 40ft bus/motorhome. I am shocked at the price of so called "specialised units".
I propose to use a small 2.7kw kelvinator unit that is normally mounted in a window as this will fit below one of the seats in the bus.
We have a 6kv genset mounted in our trailer so power to run it will not be an issue(I hope)
What I need to ask you lot out there is:
1. Has this been done before
2. Any forseeable problems in doing this
3. Is this a good idea or should I bite the bullet and fork out $2000 for an under bunk unit sold by dometic
I would appreciate any advice.
Cheers
Robin
cheers
blaze
Hey robin..
Welcome.. to the mad house..
If you have a 40ft Bus.. Why not mount a Cheap Efficient split system on your Bus..
- As A suggestion have a Look at This Web- Site. It should pop up a list of Split system's in the Lower energy consumption range, with a good efficiency..
The power required to power one of these is in the 500-700w range..
- cost if you shop around about $700-1000 + fitting..
I'll not get into the way to not have to run a generator to power it up.. I'll just get jumped on..
It's a much better way to go..
A split system is far more efficient when compared to Window style unit's and a Ton better than the Normal RV/caravan Style and Far Cheaper..
So Just my Opinion Me I would/Will be going with a Split system..[Powered My way]
Juergen
I have fitted a small second hand sanyo, about 7000btu, in the back of my slide on, and if anything, its too efficient! went down to 18c last time I used it and runs easy on my 2kva genset. Cost $50.I have box aircons in the house, running on low tariff also. Bill
-- Edited by bill12 on Saturday 4th of January 2014 06:10:06 AM
A small window unit will work fine. Your bus is 40 feet by about 6 feet wide. Total area 240 sq. ft. I would install a 1 HP unit. Some might say that is too large, but it wont be when you are parked in the sun in 30 degree temps. In cooler temperatures, turn down the thermostat... The split system suggested by SnowT would also work, but has to be installed and gassed up. Too costly. You'll pick up a cheap aircon at an Auction or in the Wanted to Sell column of newspapers.
I have seen units around that come with the 2 units and the interconnecting pipes already charge up. This makes for very little extra installation than a window unit.
I'm not sure about mounting window units at floor level. You will need extra fans to circulate the cool air, otherwise you will have cold feet and hot heads. I think a split unit with the head mounted high and its swinging air distributor would be much more efficient.
One of the most important thing's to do is the make sure that the system when it's all connected has the pipe's Vacuumed[ -ve pressure] so that there's no contamination Air in the pipes.
It's a simple job which does not take a lot of time.. the vacuum also helps to make sure that there are NO leak's..
Juergen
I haven't seen the pre-charged split units and although connection maybe ok for you and I, some people don't have the know how with tools to accomplish that. With respect to Robcer. The window unit should be mounted as high as practical as cold air does sink and it will certainly be cooler nearer the floor than at head height...