Relief from summer days. ??????

JayDee · Guru

Relief from summer days. ??????

Radar · Guru

Interesting to hear the out come on its performance after the first summer.

Possum3 · Guru

Purchase is in USA dollars and units sent from USA - likely you wouldn't get it for next summer, assume delivery in 2021. Reading up on unit; it has to be replaced after 6 months use. Is it compatible to Australian power supplies? (240 volt or US 120 volt)

Possum3 · Guru

We purchased an Oz Trail unit at Anaconda www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZTRAIL-6-FAN-12V-240V-Rechargeable-Portable-Camp-Camping-Tent/231408819332
It is amazing; Oscillating fan, LED Light, Inbuilt battery, 12volt/240 volt power supply and charging - From memory, ours cost $179 but they are cheaper on E Bay ie $50.00, Read below;

Just noticed the unit here is 6 inch fan, ours has 12 inch fan similar to https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Coleman-12-FAN-12V-240V-LIGHT-Rechargeable-Portable-Camp-Camping-Tent-Battery/174440861195?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D229876%26meid%3Db927249f921b410ea75654dae0d9441a%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D231408819332%26itm%3D174440861195%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV4BBEV2bLowerCap&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

-- Edited by Possum3 on Thursday 5th of November 2020 02:56:05 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

Like a wet cloth does it do anything more than evaporate water with low humidity air?

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I worked in the design and manufacture of evaporative coolers for 25 years. We also had a NATA registered testing laboratory to test this type of product.
In my view this "Williston Force" would be a total waste of money. It can NOT do what it claims (even though it does not actually tell you either the airflow or the temperature drop it can achieve).
I suggest you buy a good quality fan for half the cost.
Cheers,
Peter

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

It looks like a glorified evaporative cooler, yes they will seem to "freeze" ie blow cold air on you if the conditions are right (temperature, humidity being low).
I'd stick to something like Possum mentioned or a Sirocco fan that we bought on special last year at RTM.

I bought a Lion brand cooler a few years ago that ran on frozen water sticks with a fan behind them - a total waste of $50, noisy, ineffective!

What do you use now, JayDee?

Whenarewethere · Guru

Tie a string from one end of the caravan to the other & hang up a roll of wet Chux wipes.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Good quality fully ducted evaporative air conditioners work extremely well and are very low cost to run, but need low to moderate humidity conditions.
Our home in Adelaide uses one and it is totally effective.
Despite some public disbelief they actually use them in Darwin during the dry season, particularly in large areas like supermarkets and then switch to refrigerated as the humidity increases.
These other things are gimmicks though.
Cheers,
Peter

dabbler · Guru

I much prefer an oscillating fan that pushes a large volume of air. Better still if it varies wind speed as it cycles. We use a Coleman rechargeable unit that can be powered and recharged with AC or DC. I've just purchased an Arlec 12v ceiling fan with remote for the awning but haven't used it yet. Mini evap coolers (I have a Transcool) just don't cut it.

JayDee · Guru

Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
It looks like a glorified evaporative cooler, yes they will seem to "freeze" ie blow cold air on you if the conditions are right (temperature, humidity being low).
I'd stick to something like Possum mentioned or a Sirocco fan that we bought on special last year at RTM.

I bought a Lion brand cooler a few years ago that ran on frozen water sticks with a fan behind them - a total waste of $50, noisy, ineffective!

What do you use now, JayDee?

Hi W-P ... We have one only Sirocco fan which direct air to the bedroom of the van. Also have 3 ceiling fans like these:-

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjo69LB6ursAhWRDisKHaYnBfwYABAMGgJzZg&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESQeD2FvfV5OAHcfc52DJQ_ZrcGzafWxXOd39eODali0hTga01zj_xQa6TM--S2kb6ScfL0j3WNRe_MAqWkwteQpkJ&sig=AOD64_3HdpJXxLyKzttrVd7HZSblMHh5_w&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiF3r7B6ursAhWPILcAHRWoBnoQ9aACegQIAxBm&adurl=

They are wired off of the ceiling 12 volt light power cords.

Thanks Possum . I have a look at your links.

I am still dreaming of the day when we will have a product similar to the diesel heater system.

I know I can hear you guys saying.... tell him he is dreaming.

We would bush camp about 70 to 80% of our travels. C.Parks if and when we have to.

I will just have to wait.

Jay&Dee

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

JayDee wrote:
I am still dreaming of the day when we will have a product similar to the diesel heater system.
I know I can hear you guys saying.... tell him he is dreaming.
We would bush camp about 70 to 80% of our travels. C.Parks if and when we have to.
I will just have to wait.
Jay&Dee

https://www.climatehvac.com.au/product/mitsubishi-heavy-industries-srk17zmp-set-1-7kw-reverse-cycle-split-system/

Some of the smaller more efficient aircons are now getting into the realms of possible for RVs with big solar systems.

The one above can draw as little as 250W power (20A @ 12V) to produce 900W of cooling. I know people installing them to run from solar/inverter/battery systems.

Cheers,

Peter

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

G'day Jay&D,
I couldn't open your link but to use ceiling fans, you must be short! They wouldn't be something I'd look forward to meeting at 3am in the morning, but then again I'm a bit tall! I can get through most standard doors.

When we were looking at the Jayco Campers, we were seriously looking at the Penguin but friends who had one said the bed was far lower than the bottom of the windows. So we bought the Eagle where the bed was at the same levels of the window flaps & so we progressed to the pop-top. Yes perhaps cooler in winter, but in summer it's ok with all the windows & vents open - unless in NQ where it's hot & humid & we have to use the airconditioner. Otherwise we just have the fan(s) on & lie on top of the beds.

I wish you well in your search for something suitable. I have at times wondered about those gel sheets/pillows as to whether they keep you cool on hot nights.

hufnpuf · Senior Member

Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
I have at times wondered about those gel sheets/pillows as to whether they keep you cool on hot nights.

I have some pillow slips from Aldi that have some fancy-schmancy NASA stuff inside supposed to keep you cool. The "cool" side is cool, but I run hot and it gets hot, it doesn't "generate cool". It's good for getting to sleep, or if you turn it over and then turn it back, it feels cooler.

For trying to keep cool, try a freezer brick for your feet (wrap it up so as not give to give yourself frostbite, and put a towel under to absorb the water as it melts). Again, it's a "get to sleep" remedy. If your feet are cool, you feel cool.

Evaporative coolers do work but as mentioned by Peter n Margaret, they only work when it's not humid. They work here in Perth, but over in NSW or QLD, I wouldn't bother. Also, any teeny weeny unit will run out of water pretty quickly, it won't last all night, you'd be having to refill it all the time.

Derek Barnes · Senior Member

We used a similar small evaporative AC unit called a Transcool, when we last went to Lake Mungo National Park. The humidity at the National Park was very low as everything was parched. The temperature was about 37 degrees in the shade and we certainly needed the AC unit. The unit worked well especially if you were in the air stream. We got the double benefit of a more humid atmosphere as well as a cooler one. The unit didn't lower the temperature to a completely comfortable temperature unless you were in the air stream. I think the unit did a better job than a simple fan would have. Our unit comes with an additional water reservoir so it can run for many hours without having to refill it. I will definitely use the unit when free camping in the outback.

JayDee · Guru

OK, Folks, try this link. Should work this time.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Portable-12V-Ceiling-Fan-3-Blade-0-7AMP-HQ-Caravan-Camping-For-Solar-Power-AU/121654777373

We are both around the 170 cm in height so this type of ceiling fans is not a hazard for us. One over the bed - one over the dinette, and one in the en suite.

Amazing how effective these small fans are in a small space.

But still waiting on the diesel type A/Con. I live in hope.

Happy days ahead for all of us

Jay&Dee