Hi, I joined the site a couple of months ago as a virgin, and have now just completed my first 'practice' trip. This included 4 states and a Territory, some 6,500 klms over a 2 and a half week period - so I'm starting to get the hang of it! One thing I noticed is that pop tops are not very warm in southern NSW and Victorian climates - even in Spring. My 2012 Jayco Star Craft came without the aircon option, so I'm looking to get one retro fitted as per the original. I have contacted the local service agent who assures me it can be done, but couldn't provide any indication of price. I was wondering if anyone out there has had this done and could give me a ballpark figure to expect?
By the way, the car (2007 Sorento diesel) pulled like an iron horse and never missed a beat the whole way - very impressed. Hardly felt the weight of the van except on steep hills, though fuel economy was obviously affected. Not bad for a 2.5 Litre jobbie!
Phil C said
11:45 AM Sep 18, 2015
Hiya woff,
Welcome to the forum.
I have a Jayco starcraft 20 footer caravan, it came with the Ibis air con, frankly I wish it other places. Its noisy and often causes electrical problems with water. I suspect it was not installed correctly when my van was built.
We have 2 things that keep us warm and other caravanners happy with us. First is the electric blanket which works well with our inverter at free camp. Second is the sleeping bag.
To keep us cool we have small 12 volt fans over the bed and in the middle of the van.
On seriously hot days, we are in the shopping centre, swimming pool or if in the sticks driving in an aircon ute. Last resort we fire up the air con.
To answer your question, and in my opinion, retro fitting an aircon into a pop top may not be the best of ideas despite what the agent has told you. I say that due to weight, vibration and wiring the 240 volts to get the beast working. Now I may be utterly wrong but its something I wouldnt try.
There are a few options available to you such as a portable aircon. My son in law had one that cooled his lounge room very nicely (the lounge room being larger than a caravan) so I wonder if that is a better option for you to consider. I believe its a bit less weight than the aircon on the roof.
All the very best for safe travel.
Woffking said
05:17 PM Sep 18, 2015
Thanks for your input Phil. Believe it or not I searched every available outlet in Wagga looking for a small fan heater or leccie blanket. Would you believe that between Big W, K Mart, Hardly Normal, Masters and Bunnings there was not a single one to be had, and I was told that had been the case for a few months. Being at this end of winter, they had sold out and will not restock until next year. Similar results in Melbourne. I will definitely look into other alternatives, though was looking at enhancing resale value by having a OEM fitment. A lot depends on the quote I get. Portable aircons will still have to be vented outside somehow if they are refrigerated ones. Anyone else had any experience in this area?
villatranquilla said
07:09 PM Sep 18, 2015
we had Roma in Melb install ours after contacting several Jayco dealers and a Windsor dealer - all who only wanted to sell us a replacement 'Ibis'. We bought the Mitsubishi Electric Reverse cycle from an electrical store for $800 and it cost $800 to get it fitted. Have just completed a complete circuit of Oz and have had no problems though we have only used it for cooling so far. We sacrificed 2 overhead cupboards inside and took one spare wheel and a generator box off the rear bumper where the external unit was mounted. Just love it - so quiet and efficient. We can run it with the Honda geni. For winter warmth we use an oil filled heater which is safe to leave on all night. Try Target or Harris Scarfe for electric blankets.
Sorry - just realise you are talking 'pop top' so my reply is probably not relevent
-- Edited by villatranquilla on Friday 18th of September 2015 07:13:02 PM
-- Edited by villatranquilla on Saturday 19th of September 2015 09:12:48 AM
Phil C said
07:41 PM Sep 19, 2015
Woffking wrote:
Thanks for your input Phil. Believe it or not I searched every available outlet in Wagga looking for a small fan heater or leccie blanket. Would you believe that between Big W, K Mart, Hardly Normal, Masters and Bunnings there was not a single one to be had, and I was told that had been the case for a few months. Being at this end of winter, they had sold out and will not restock until next year. Similar results in Melbourne. I will definitely look into other alternatives, though was looking at enhancing resale value by having a OEM fitment. A lot depends on the quote I get. Portable aircons will still have to be vented outside somehow if they are refrigerated ones. Anyone else had any experience in this area?
Gday again woff, I got a sunbeam leccy blanky from fleabay and yes the portable aircon is refridge and did need an outside inlet and vent (all in one).
Hi, I joined the site a couple of months ago as a virgin, and have now just completed my first 'practice' trip. This included 4 states and a Territory, some 6,500 klms over a 2 and a half week period - so I'm starting to get the hang of it! One thing I noticed is that pop tops are not very warm in southern NSW and Victorian climates - even in Spring. My 2012 Jayco Star Craft came without the aircon option, so I'm looking to get one retro fitted as per the original. I have contacted the local service agent who assures me it can be done, but couldn't provide any indication of price. I was wondering if anyone out there has had this done and could give me a ballpark figure to expect?
By the way, the car (2007 Sorento diesel) pulled like an iron horse and never missed a beat the whole way - very impressed. Hardly felt the weight of the van except on steep hills, though fuel economy was obviously affected. Not bad for a 2.5 Litre jobbie!
Welcome to the forum.
I have a Jayco starcraft 20 footer caravan, it came with the Ibis air con, frankly I wish it other places. Its noisy and often causes electrical problems with water. I suspect it was not installed correctly when my van was built.
We have 2 things that keep us warm and other caravanners happy with us. First is the electric blanket which works well with our inverter at free camp. Second is the sleeping bag.
To keep us cool we have small 12 volt fans over the bed and in the middle of the van.
On seriously hot days, we are in the shopping centre, swimming pool or if in the sticks driving in an aircon ute. Last resort we fire up the air con.
To answer your question, and in my opinion, retro fitting an aircon into a pop top may not be the best of ideas despite what the agent has told you. I say that due to weight, vibration and wiring the 240 volts to get the beast working. Now I may be utterly wrong but its something I wouldnt try.
There are a few options available to you such as a portable aircon. My son in law had one that cooled his lounge room very nicely (the lounge room being larger than a caravan) so I wonder if that is a better option for you to consider. I believe its a bit less weight than the aircon on the roof.
All the very best for safe travel.
we had Roma in Melb install ours after contacting several Jayco dealers and a Windsor dealer - all who only wanted to sell us a replacement 'Ibis'. We bought the Mitsubishi Electric Reverse cycle from an electrical store for $800 and it cost $800 to get it fitted. Have just completed a complete circuit of Oz and have had no problems though we have only used it for cooling so far. We sacrificed 2 overhead cupboards inside and took one spare wheel and a generator box off the rear bumper where the external unit was mounted. Just love it - so quiet and efficient.
We can run it with the Honda geni. For winter warmth we use an oil filled heater which is safe to leave on all night. Try Target or Harris Scarfe for electric blankets.
Sorry - just realise you are talking 'pop top' so my reply is probably not relevent
-- Edited by villatranquilla on Friday 18th of September 2015 07:13:02 PM
-- Edited by villatranquilla on Saturday 19th of September 2015 09:12:48 AM
Gday again woff, I got a sunbeam leccy blanky from fleabay and yes the portable aircon is refridge and did need an outside inlet and vent (all in one).
Good luck, bugga of a choice.