is anyone using one of these AC units?

Rick Jay wrote:
StirCrazy,

You may have seen this on their website, but if not, here's a chart showing How Much Cooling Can Be Expected. I as looking for data about what the equivalent cooling capacity in BTU's would be for comparison, but I didn't see any numbers provided. I guess it would vary widely based upon the temperature and humidity, or it just doesn't make the unit look favorable in comparison.

I guess only you will really know or can estimate the range of temperatures and humidities you'll face. But looking at that chart, I don't think such a unit would provide much, if any, relief for the majority of the U.S. during the summer time.

One thing to remember, as Grit Dog was pointing out, is you not only have to cool the air in the RV, but everything that is inside the space as well. All of that holds heat energy. Getting the "air" alone 20 degrees cooler will not offer much comfort as that air will absorb the heat contained by the stuff inside. That's why it will take A LONG time to cool down a space.

You mentioned you would rarely be in a situation to use this and suggested that you'd have water at a campground to use it. Just a question: Would said campgrounds also have electrical hookups? If so, since this is going to be a rare occurrence, I'd ponder about putting in a smaller conventional A/C (maybe a used unit) and just plug in when needed. Or, perhaps one of those portable A/Cs you plug in but vent out a window. You'd have to store it when not in use, though.

Obviously if you visit campgrounds that don't provide A/C, then these ideas wouldn't work. :)

Good Luck, and please let us know what you ended up doing.

~Rick

no, no power whatsoever, that's why I have a 10-day reserve battery power in case the solar panel fails. What I meant by rarely in a situation to use it, is that usually I am up high enough in the mountains or in a cooler climate zone where you just don't need AC. but there is the odd time I am in areas where it is 100F or a bit warmer. Generally, it cools off quick at night so if you stay up lait enough you're fine but I'm not as young as I used to be for howling at the moon haha. according to your chart I can expect a 25ish degree reduction in air temp, and I understand what you are saying about it has to pull the heat out of the inside of the rv, so ya I would crack the two vents then run this full blast and within an hour or two it would be cooler in the camper as the cool air flow would also carry the heat out the vents.