I have recently been getting lots of adds for Portable Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners.
They sell for around $400 and are rated at 14,000BTU.
Has anyone had experience with them in the tropics?
mezza56 said
12:16 PM Jan 19, 2018
I bought one from Harvey norman a few years back for my father during a heat wave in SA , unless you sat right on top of it , then it was pretty well pathetic . It was a good brand and a larger cap unit .
Eaglemax said
12:46 PM Jan 19, 2018
We arrived in Darwin in May 2016. One month too early in that the hot weather was still present.
We went to bunnings and purchased a portable unit shop soiled for $200.
Best 200 bucks we ever spent. Faced the back to the screen door. Bit noisy but lovely!
Yuglamron said
01:35 PM Jan 19, 2018
Bought a 14000 BTU unit reverse cycle from Kogan three years ago. Used in an old Qld'r in the bedroom. Room was four meters square with sixteen foot ceilings in Esk Qld. Took half an hour to drop the temp to comfortable temps. Only problem I had was knocking out the condensation drain tube when moving the unit around. Never cold enough to utilise the heating cycle. Would recommend them.
madaboutled said
02:12 PM Jan 19, 2018
Had one in our old caravan (16 foot Millard), I ducted the outlet through the floor. It worked perfectly and cooled the van down within minutes even on 40+ degree days. It also ran off the genny. Downside was it was a bit noisy in the van but that little inconvenience was nothing compared to the benefit of keeping cool on hot days. At that time we where doing country markets, fairs and festivals every weekend mostly in Queensland. Bought ours from Bunnings from memory it was an Arlec brand.
Roving-Dutchy said
02:22 PM Jan 19, 2018
The problem you may have if in Caravan is that it must stand upright even if not running, or the oil in the compressor can end up in places where it is not supposed to be and can take along while to drain back into compressor once the unit is stood upright.
Cheers
David
Cupie said
07:19 PM Jan 19, 2018
Thanks ..
So far mostly encouraging. One of my XMAS day guests mentioned how well hers was going in her unit & that got me thinking.
My AC is 20 YO and we have rarely used it. I'm not sure if it is OK. Have to take off the cover to check it out. The main problem has been that the fiber glass canopy has distorted over time & it fowls the large external fan. I might have to work on that.
I am reluctant to spend the $s on a service just to find out that it needs replacing. I expect that it will need re gassing with a modern gas. I think that I can get one of these portable ones for the price of a service/regas.
Keep the replies coming.
I'll have a talk with a local accredited A/C service mob before I make a decision.
Warren-Pat_01 said
08:18 PM Jan 19, 2018
Cupie, room air conditions running non stop (under thermostat control) gave around 13 years in my Telstra days. After that there was high risks with fires. They do need washing out (reverse flushing with a hose - that requires removal) from time to time depending on air they work in.
Gus1949 said
04:45 PM Jan 20, 2018
My son has one he uses in his 12ft x 12ft bedroom and it works brilliantly. Obviously it needs to be vented outside and the drip tray has to be emptied. Frequency depends on the outside humidity. Best to run a drain tube through the floor if you can to get ride of the water.
Cupie said
06:15 PM Mar 11, 2018
Thanks all for your comments.
Once the rain stops I will get on top of the van have a look at my A/C to if there is a problem. Then one of these units will be on the options list.
I have recently been getting lots of adds for Portable Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners.
They sell for around $400 and are rated at 14,000BTU.
Has anyone had experience with them in the tropics?
I bought one from Harvey norman a few years back for my father during a heat wave in SA , unless you sat right on top of it , then it was pretty well pathetic . It was a good brand and a larger cap unit .
Bought a 14000 BTU unit reverse cycle from Kogan three years ago. Used in an old Qld'r in the bedroom. Room was four meters square with sixteen foot ceilings in Esk Qld. Took half an hour to drop the temp to comfortable temps. Only problem I had was knocking out the condensation drain tube when moving the unit around. Never cold enough to utilise the heating cycle. Would recommend them.
Had one in our old caravan (16 foot Millard), I ducted the outlet through the floor. It worked perfectly and cooled the van down within minutes even on 40+ degree days. It also ran off the genny. Downside was it was a bit noisy in the van but that little inconvenience was nothing compared to the benefit of keeping cool on hot days. At that time we where doing country markets, fairs and festivals every weekend mostly in Queensland. Bought ours from Bunnings from memory it was an Arlec brand.
Cheers
David
Thanks ..
So far mostly encouraging. One of my XMAS day guests mentioned how well hers was going in her unit & that got me thinking.
My AC is 20 YO and we have rarely used it. I'm not sure if it is OK. Have to take off the cover to check it out. The main problem has been that the fiber glass canopy has distorted over time & it fowls the large external fan. I might have to work on that.
I am reluctant to spend the $s on a service just to find out that it needs replacing. I expect that it will need re gassing with a modern gas. I think that I can get one of these portable ones for the price of a service/regas.
Keep the replies coming.
I'll have a talk with a local accredited A/C service mob before I make a decision.
Thanks all for your comments.
Once the rain stops I will get on top of the van have a look at my A/C to if there is a problem. Then one of these units will be on the options list.