My first trip in the caravan was in warm weather with 44 degrees in the van and 42 outside. I sought a little relief and headed to the nearest hardware store and got the Companion USB mini evaporative cooler. This wasnt much better than LeSquirt (laundry sprayer) and cost over $100.
Further more, the unit runs off a lead-acid battery which should be regularly charged.
LeSquirt ($5 - $15) did a good job and works better with a thin T-shirt on (sorry fellows no topless women around) as the T-shirt acts similarly to the old Hessian water bag. LeSquirt can be enhanced with a battery fan but you need to have a good relationship with the battery store as you are going to use a few. Next was the construction of a Esky cooler (25L) filled with a bag of ice. This worked quietly with a USB fan from Cheap As Chips ($10) powered by a solar charged lithium power pack. The ice and the power pack will work for many hours. A 90 degree elbow (75mm PVC from Bunnings) enabled the cool air to be directed and it measured 3 degrees cooler than surrounding air. I think this cooling effect would be independent of the humidity. I couldnt resist the TransCool as it comes in cute box with handle with two adjustable 45mm outlets. However, as many have mentioned, it isnt going to do much in humid air and it IS rather noisy quite noisy!!. I got a 3 degree temperature drop with it running on half-speed (not as cool on a higher speed). Remember, evaporative coolers are dependent on; the quantity of air passing through and the rate of evaporation. All personal coolers are poor in this respect. So, the order of bang-for-the-dollar is; LeSquirt (sans fan), Esky cooler ($50 for materials), TransCool ($280) and the Companion Evaporative ($120 or so). The last two have questionable effectiveness especially in humid air. All are personal coolers and cannot be considered as a air-conditioner.
STRETCH ARMSTRONG said
11:21 AM Feb 24, 2018
My preferred cooling method is to go jump in the lake! If you have one handy that is. Then return to chair and cold drink under shady awning. Repeat entire process when feeling hot again. Works for me! Warning do not drink and swim. It may lead to death or spilling your drink.
Rachmainov said
12:03 PM Feb 24, 2018
You are right BUT the operative word is "if there is a lake nearby".
Sometimes they are difficult to find away from towns. But if in a town then there could be a swimming pool. Trouble is that by the time you get back to the van it is time to turn around and go back to the pool.
JayDee said
09:49 AM Apr 7, 2018
I have tried the esky or the polly fruit box but the issue is when bush camping there is no ice factory around.
I have given thought to many alternative cooler, but in the end decided no further action.
So we spend the summer months at home until such times as some one comes up with a suitable product.
I have been saying for years, that we need an A/C similar to a diesel heater.
Our van A/C via a Honda E20 I struggles to handle the heat. And the noise is shocking. A/C about 11 years old.
Jay&Dee
-- Edited by JayDee on Saturday 7th of April 2018 09:50:59 AM
Ozlad said
08:58 PM Apr 13, 2018
Jaydee
There is a 12v rooftop aircon unit available, no idea how good it is but you can get some info here. dualbatteries.com.au/index.php
Review of personal coolers.
My first trip in the caravan was in warm weather with 44 degrees in the van and 42 outside. I sought a little relief and headed to the nearest hardware store and got the Companion USB mini evaporative cooler. This wasnt much better than LeSquirt (laundry sprayer) and cost over $100.
Further more, the unit runs off a lead-acid battery which should be regularly charged.
LeSquirt ($5 - $15) did a good job and works better with a thin T-shirt on (sorry fellows no topless women around) as the T-shirt acts similarly to the old Hessian water bag. LeSquirt can be enhanced with a battery fan but you need to have a good relationship with the battery store as you are going to use a few. Next was the construction of a Esky cooler (25L) filled with a bag of ice. This worked quietly with a USB fan from Cheap As Chips ($10) powered by a solar charged lithium power pack. The ice and the power pack will work for many hours. A 90 degree elbow (75mm PVC from Bunnings) enabled the cool air to be directed and it measured 3 degrees cooler than surrounding air. I think this cooling effect would be independent of the humidity. I couldnt resist the TransCool as it comes in cute box with handle with two adjustable 45mm outlets. However, as many have mentioned, it isnt going to do much in humid air and it IS rather noisy quite noisy!!. I got a 3 degree temperature drop with it running on half-speed (not as cool on a higher speed). Remember, evaporative coolers are dependent on; the quantity of air passing through and the rate of evaporation. All personal coolers are poor in this respect. So, the order of bang-for-the-dollar is; LeSquirt (sans fan), Esky cooler ($50 for materials), TransCool ($280) and the Companion Evaporative ($120 or so). The last two have questionable effectiveness especially in humid air. All are personal coolers and cannot be considered as a air-conditioner.
You are right BUT the operative word is "if there is a lake nearby".
Sometimes they are difficult to find away from towns. But if in a town then there could be a swimming pool. Trouble is that by the time you get back to the van it is time to turn around and go back to the pool.
I have tried the esky or the polly fruit box but the issue is when bush camping there is no ice factory around.
I have given thought to many alternative cooler, but in the end decided no further action.
So we spend the summer months at home until such times as some one comes up with a suitable product.
I have been saying for years, that we need an A/C similar to a diesel heater.
Our van A/C via a Honda E20 I struggles to handle the heat. And the noise is shocking. A/C about 11 years old.
Jay&Dee
-- Edited by JayDee on Saturday 7th of April 2018 09:50:59 AM
There is a 12v rooftop aircon unit available, no idea how good it is but you can get some info here. dualbatteries.com.au/index.php