Where and when we travel, generally we do not even take a fan with us. In our camper trailer. Earlier this year we did take a bulky fan, but have recently seen mini aircons, for under $100. I would not be expecting great things from such a unit, but wonder if anyone has had experience with such a small ?
Bicyclecamper said
06:17 PM Feb 24, 2022
They are not real aircon's, they are evaporated coolers, where you add cold water, and it supposedly puts out cool air. I got caught 20 years ago with the same con. To actually work you need to be in an dry hot area without humidity, otherwise, it puts out heaps of moisture. The one I did buy is a 12/240 volt thing, that is just okay in warm dry weather, but I would give those coolers an average of no more then 3 out of ten. Better off with a cheap 12 volt fan from Jaycar. This is what we have done for our camper/
PeterInSa said
06:35 PM Feb 24, 2022
Not $100, but $248 and can run off a Honda 20i Generator. have read of similar being used in Motorhomes, with the outlet out the door/window.
I often use mine rather than the AC plus I can sit outside and have it blowing on me.
Don't waste your money on one of those small, so called, "air conditioners".
PS. Shop around a bit and you may find the fan $10 or so cheaper.
Dougwe said
07:05 AM Feb 25, 2022
I fitted a Sirocco II 12/24v fan above my bed and love it. It's quiet and has 3 speeds but find low is plenty. It usually goes all night. They advertise here on the forum and the add is just at top of page.
Keep Safe out there.
peter67 said
08:31 AM Feb 25, 2022
Dougwe is so right. Sirocco fan has brilliant blade design, low speed very effective even 2mtrs away on a hot night. Draws so little power to do such a mighty job and marine grade construction, can't beat them. Did I mention really quiet as well?
hufnpuf said
09:11 AM Feb 25, 2022
I got a Companion rechargeable mini evaporative cooler for my small van. Bicyclecamper is right-evaporative coolers only work where you've got dry heat, which we get here in the west. They work well over here and they are cooler than just a fan. Forget it in humid climates, it'll only make things worse. The unit is small and easily fits in the cupboard. I'm happy with it but I'm familiar with evaporative coolers and I'm in the right climate where they work. As bicyclecamper said, it's not an airconditioner and doesn't cool the space like an airconditioner, it blows cool air on you.
One other low-tech way of keeping cool is to use "cold water bottles". Wrap an icebrick in a teatowel and put your feet on it. Works like a hot water bottle in winter. Again, probably no good in humidity because as it melts it wets underneath it. Stick a towel underneath.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:12 AM Feb 25, 2022
I fitted a fan inside the roof vent above bed . So it can (if wanted ) draw fresh air from outside in horizontal position . Runs fine off the light circuit .,
Bicyclecamper said
09:25 AM Feb 25, 2022
The problem is that the have canvass around their beds, like I have so it is either an crappy Evap. Cooler or a f portable fan of some sort, that they can set up. A Sirocco, would be pretty hard to set up on pull out beds., or in the caravan section, as the whole roof collapses.
hufnpuf said
10:01 AM Feb 25, 2022
The cooler I got can also just be used as a fan, you don't have to add water. It oscillates, but the unit itself doesn't move, so you don't need a lot of room to allow for the oscillation like with a "normal" fan that moves from side to side. It's got a small footprint so you don't need a lot of room for it. It might suit the restrictions of a camper.
Dick0 said
12:35 PM Feb 25, 2022
You can get good cooling results from a good fan.
There are plenty of alternatives available.
I use Ozito cordless products so bought an Ozito skin only fan. Runs off the 18v batteries but also comes with a 12v car adapter cable (similar to 12v TV's).
Mount it anywhere suitable inside and outside van. Powerful and quiet two speed operation. Very versatile. Low speed is adequate for comfortable cooling.
The fan blade measures 25cm in diameter. Price is excellent for the quality.
Other cordless tool brandnames have similar products.
I use a 12 volt fan which is mounted inside my campervan but also carry a Ryobi Fan which is part of the Ryobi range of tools that run off the same removable/rechargeable battery. It can also connect to 240 volt power. They have just released a "misting" version that is designed to sit on top a normal bucket of water.
Our mini evaporative cooler worked well at Lake Mungo, which has a very dry heat.
Aus-Kiwi said
08:18 PM Feb 25, 2022
Yea not much chop in humid !!!
Buzz Lightbulb said
11:22 AM Feb 26, 2022
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Yea not much chop in humid !!!
That's right but they can still be used as a fan. Just don't turn on the water evaporation option.
Izabarack said
11:53 AM Feb 26, 2022
Cardin Bob wrote:
mini aircons, for under $100.
Evaporative coolers dont do it for me and age seems to be making me more sensitive to high ambient temperatures. A proper Aircon based on a compressor and heat pump is a lot more expensive than $100. The smaller personal ones are quite effective, my experience, and are in the 300 Watt range. If the day is hot enough to need an Aircon, likely Solar will be enough to run that without effort. Depending on anticipated weather where Im going, I will carry a 1000 watt generator to run my portable air conditioner.
Aus-Kiwi said
03:52 PM Feb 26, 2022
I camp near clean swim able safe water . Once cooled ? Im
Fine .
Buzz Lightbulb said
11:30 AM Feb 27, 2022
This is a nomad forum. Surely one would travel to the location with the most suitable climate depending on the time of year? North in winter, South in summer?
Whenarewethere said
11:52 AM Feb 27, 2022
Not keen of the north in summer, but are quite happy with the south in winter. Like the cold as long as it is not raining. Usually winters are dry.
oldbloke said
12:01 PM Feb 27, 2022
Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
This is a nomad forum. Surely one would travel to the location with the most suitable climate depending on the time of year? North in winter, South in summer?
Yep. We just have an 8" rechargeable 12v fan. Last hours on slow speed.
If we're in for a really hot week just use 240v Air Con at a CVP. Works for us.
Where and when we travel, generally we do not even take a fan with us. In our camper trailer. Earlier this year we did take a bulky fan, but have recently seen mini aircons, for under $100. I would not be expecting great things from such a unit, but wonder if anyone has had experience with such a small ?
www.homeappliancesplus.com.au/products/devanti-portable-air-conditioner-cooling-mobile-fan-cooler-dehumidifier-white-2000w
Try this:
12V fan
I often use mine rather than the AC plus I can sit outside and have it blowing on me.
Don't waste your money on one of those small, so called, "air conditioners".
PS. Shop around a bit and you may find the fan $10 or so cheaper.
Keep Safe out there.
I got a Companion rechargeable mini evaporative cooler for my small van. Bicyclecamper is right-evaporative coolers only work where you've got dry heat, which we get here in the west. They work well over here and they are cooler than just a fan. Forget it in humid climates, it'll only make things worse. The unit is small and easily fits in the cupboard. I'm happy with it but I'm familiar with evaporative coolers and I'm in the right climate where they work. As bicyclecamper said, it's not an airconditioner and doesn't cool the space like an airconditioner, it blows cool air on you.
One other low-tech way of keeping cool is to use "cold water bottles". Wrap an icebrick in a teatowel and put your feet on it. Works like a hot water bottle in winter. Again, probably no good in humidity because as it melts it wets underneath it. Stick a towel underneath.
The cooler I got can also just be used as a fan, you don't have to add water. It oscillates, but the unit itself doesn't move, so you don't need a lot of room to allow for the oscillation like with a "normal" fan that moves from side to side. It's got a small footprint so you don't need a lot of room for it. It might suit the restrictions of a camper.
You can get good cooling results from a good fan.
There are plenty of alternatives available.
I use Ozito cordless products so bought an Ozito skin only fan. Runs off the 18v batteries but also comes with a 12v car adapter cable (similar to 12v TV's).
Mount it anywhere suitable inside and outside van. Powerful and quiet two speed operation. Very versatile. Low speed is adequate for comfortable cooling.
The fan blade measures 25cm in diameter. Price is excellent for the quality.
Other cordless tool brandnames have similar products.
A Link for information and pics is provided.
Ozito PXC Power X Chance 18V Hybrid Fan - Skin Only - Bunnings Australia
I have the Coleman12 inch rechargeable fan and just noticed Snowy's has one with a Lithium battery now.
Charge it up and completely portable with 2 speeds or leave plugged in to 12v. Runs for 4-6 hours.
Cheers Bob
https://www.snowys.com.au/rechargeable-lithium-ion-fan-12?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsebqq5ia9gIV2AkrCh3a3gIrEAQYAiABEgKQd_D_BwE
www.ryobi.com.au/products/details/18v-one-hybrid-fan-tool-only-r18hf-0
Our mini evaporative cooler worked well at Lake Mungo, which has a very dry heat.
That's right but they can still be used as a fan. Just don't turn on the water evaporation option.
Evaporative coolers dont do it for me and age seems to be making me more sensitive to high ambient temperatures. A proper Aircon based on a compressor and heat pump is a lot more expensive than $100. The smaller personal ones are quite effective, my experience, and are in the 300 Watt range. If the day is hot enough to need an Aircon, likely Solar will be enough to run that without effort. Depending on anticipated weather where Im going, I will carry a 1000 watt generator to run my portable air conditioner.
Fine .
This is a nomad forum. Surely one would travel to the location with the most suitable climate depending on the time of year? North in winter, South in summer?
Not keen of the north in summer, but are quite happy with the south in winter. Like the cold as long as it is not raining. Usually winters are dry.
Yep. We just have an 8" rechargeable 12v fan. Last hours on slow speed.
If we're in for a really hot week just use 240v Air Con at a CVP. Works for us.