Apologies if this has been asked - the Forum Search function doesn't appear to be working.
I have a 1999 15' Jayco Starcraft Poptop which currently has a Truma Saphir under-bunk aircond installed. According to the specifications it has 2.4kW max cooling power however over this past summer (with days well in excess of 40°C ) it certainly didn't cope, with my caravan inside temps going over 37°C (so I spent a few days sitting in my car, which was less than ideal ).
So, I am considering putting a Houghton airconditioner on my roof in the hope that it will work *much* better
Your thoughts/advice would be very much appreciated on:
the Houghton range of air conditioners... good choice or rubbish?
do Dometic/other brands of roof top air conditioners in a poptop van cope with +40°C?
Thanks for your advice/input!
-- Edited by NannyJam on Monday 12th of May 2025 02:51:34 PM
My four year old Dometic is being replaced this Thursday under warranty as it leaks in rain.
Speaking with Dometic, I was advised by them that they do not carry any spares and have upgraded this unit three times since it was released.
That doesnt bode well for even medium term support.
we have a Haughton belair in our caravan. It replaced an older Ibis aircommand 2 air con that had died. We had to go with the Haughton as there were no Dometics available at that time (middle of Covid)
Whilst it is a robust air con and is more efficient than the old Ibis, it is not an inverter type and clunks as it cycles in and out. It does hold 22 -24 degrees when outside temp is over 40deg at harvest time
We have a Dometic fresh jet in a recently purchased motorhome and it is an inverter type, doesnt clunk and is much quieter than the Haughton.
A friend just replaced his old Ibis air con with a MyCoolman air con, which is an inverter type and he is very happy with it.
You also need to consider the weight on the pop top roof and the extra effort that will be needed to lift it.
Regards,
Ian
-- Edited by nomadz on Monday 12th of May 2025 10:20:33 PM
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I should have included that the replacement is around 5 kilos lighter than the Dometic unit its replacing.
32kg vs 37kg
https://www.outbackequipment.com.au/webasto-roof-air-conditioner-cool-top-trail-24?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21873475391&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21877376632&gbraid=0AAAAADmLunRqjWMtbV5MME8WvCcwyA_6D&gclid=CjwKCAjw24vBBhABEiwANFG7y7CPid5BckaEB4Y9yU53TJKquRqBF0ILF6Zxii0Cu3-YmMg9QO6W_xoC-u8QAvD_BwE
Sue,
I have a Houghton H3400 air-conditioner on the roof of my motorhome. My previous caravan had an Ibis 4 on its roof. The Ibis 4 is a much better AC in my opinion. If I was you, I'd fit only an inverter AC. Perhaps Houghton make one. Mine is not inverter type.
Cheers,
Roy
Plenty of folks have upgraded from under-bunk to rooftop A/C in poptops for exactly the reason you mention under-bunks just dont cut it in extreme heat. The Houghton Belair 3400 is a solid choice for small vans like yours quieter than many and decent cooling even in 40°C+. Just be mindful of roof bracing and poptop clearance. Also worth considering insulation upgrades if you havent already.
My 16.5 ft Jayco Starcraft poptop has an ibis aircon, and if you sit directly in the air blast from the unit, it is OK - just. The big problem is the lack of insulation in the vinyl poptop extension - there is zero insulation value in it. When we bought the van, I wanted the A/C unit mounted in the centre of the wall. Because the salesman didn't know his ass from his nose, he said it couldn't be done, and it was mounted over the fridge, up the front of the van. The following year, Jayco mounted their A/C unit mounted in the centre... The air deflectors in the unit don't throw air very far back, and the beds didn't get much air - either heated or cooled. I made up a plywood box which clips onto the face of the A/C unit, and this then directs a reasonable blast of air to the rear of the van.
My only other comment about the caravan A/C units is their noise - inside and outside. At times, I feel I have to advise the local air traffic control because theymight think there is an unidentified aeroplane flying in their area! Not wuite, but they are noisy. By far the best A/C units are small domestic split systems. They are cheaper, but require some extra work to mount the external condenser unit
-- Edited by erad on Friday 11th of July 2025 09:38:25 AM
A few people on this forum have installed 2.5kW Mitsubishi split systems. The 2.5kW units are the most economical to run, & with half decent battery capacity, that's also an option, & both inside & outside are much quieter than the typical caravan system, & a lot cheaper.
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Another thing about mounting an A/C on the roof - you have to lift the A/C as well as the roof when setting up. They are heavy and the extra weight may cause problems with the gas struts holding the roof up.
The big problem is the lack of insulation in the vinyl poptop extension - there is zero insulation value in it.
-- Edited by erad on Friday 11th of July 2025 09:38:25 AM
+1 on this. This and this alone it is the main reason why, on a very hot day, where most A/C will have to work even harder to get to the desired temperature, the poptop, will have zero chance to achieve a comfortable temperature. If you are parked in the sun, then the game becomes impossible.. Proper insulation, should be your objective N.1 before even considering installing an A/C, no matter what brand or type..
Vinyl like glass does not insulate. If anything, it feels more like, it radiate the heat inside the vehicle..
Plenty of folks have upgraded from under-bunk to rooftop A/C in poptops for exactly the reason you mention under-bunks just dont cut it in extreme heat. The Houghton Belair 3400 is a solid choice for small vans like yours quieter than many and decent cooling even in 40°C+. Just be mindful of roof bracing and poptop clearance. Also worth considering insulation upgrades if you havent already.
I have two Truma Shaphir in my bus, and they can easily take the temperature down to 18° even in the QLD summer.. The insulation is far more important than where the A/C unit is mounted or the BTU output..
There are way too many variables in how to properly set up a vehicle so to have an A/C that performs satisfactorily, then just blame the type of A/C used..
