Ok, so just new to caravanning, looking at purchasing a MARS offroad 13ft.
My question is Aircon or no Aircon.
I sort of know what the answer will be, but they are so expensive.
FWIW we have been motorhoming for 25+ years. AC has rarely been turned on. To run it you have to be in a campground on power. We hate campgrounds. Or you have to run a generator. We hate generators. Current motorhome has no a/c.
Because you are buying an off-road van I'll assume most of your stays will be in the bush rather than caravan parks.
That being the case you will also need a generator to run the AC, most purchase a Yamaha or Honda 2kVA unit this will set you back around $1800. Additionally you'll need to carry petrol to run the AC and, from experience, I suggest at least 25L - I carry 35L.
However the main question you need to ask is; where in Oz will you generally camp and how well do you handle the heat?
If most of your camping will be in the Vic High Country in winter then I suggest a diesel heater and forget the AC :) However if it will be anywhere except Tas and in the summer then the only question is; how well do you handle the heat?
I have been nomad for almost two years and most of that time has been in Victoria and southern NSW. Over those two summers I saw a number of 40C days and was glad I had the AC so that around 3pm I could decamp into the van at 23C for about four hours rather than sit outside at 40C. However I also have a capable 12V fan and I could have survived sitting under the awning, with an extra reflective tarp on top, with that blowing on me.
It's a personal choice and personally I would always get one.
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Hi Dagtar, Put the word Blaux into Google. Their lithium powered evaporator might be plenty of cool air for your needs. Runs for 8hrs on one charge,and light weight.
Welcome from me also, let us know what you decide
I should add that I have no personal connection to this company other than using their product.
-- Edited by Magnarc on Wednesday 23rd of September 2020 12:32:52 PM
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My experience of portable evaporative coolers is that they are a very expensive way to buy a fan.
Where do you live, Mike? As I understand it, they are pretty much useless in humid places/qld, but good in places with dry heat. I used an evaporative cooler in my house for years, it was effective here, I really only moved up to a reverse cycle to get my floor space back, otherwise I was happy with it and quite surprised at how well it worked. It's sometimes muggy here, but not very often. If it's muggy, they just put more moisture into the air. I think they sell quite a lot over here, but for qld it's probably a non-starter. NT when it's humid as well. WA, south, maybe worth having.
I hate aircons. in broome in the wet season I used to sleep in the annex because the wife had the aircon going 24/7. never used very often in car I would just wind the window down
cheers
blaze
seems to dry me out, have had sinus peoblems since childhood and it makes it worse and any thing under 30 is cold/ strange when I am tassie born and lived most of my life here but lovedd the wet seasons up north, made me feel alive
cheers
blaze
Putting cost aside, let's say you really want it, can you fit it in with fuel & generator or very large battery, solar & DC-DC charger setup, & do you have enough spare payload for everything.
If payload & or space is an issue then price doesn't come into the equation.
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50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
We love our reverse cycle AC in the caravan. It is great to dry and heat the air in the caravan on cold winter days when the inside of the caravan starts to drip water from condensation on the cold surfaces (pop-up caravan). On a recent trip to Huskisson NSW the temperature got down to 3 degrees which is OK in the sleeping bag but too cold for me during breakfast. We turn it on in the morning before getting up and have it nice and toasty during breakfast.
The AC is also great during hot weather. For example at Mildura at the end of last year it was about 35 degrees outside but was beautiful and cool inside.
