Anyone using Haier products?

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;" align="center"><img border="0" hspace="0" alt="" align="baseline" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21Z499bI1iL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Well, it's time to order the air conditioner for the van...&nbsp; I'm going to go with a portable unit and one that uses r-410a freon...&nbsp; The cost&nbsp;is not much of a concern but I have a limited amount of space to place the A/C (bulkhead doorway) and the bigger ones just won't fit.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Here are a couple of considerations</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">*&nbsp; Very small space to cool... 6' x 9' and standard van height ceiling. (basically half the volume of a tiny room)... Also, it's well insulated.&nbsp; <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">*&nbsp; Electrical service is limited to 13 Amps&nbsp; (this one draws 8.5 Amps)</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>*&nbsp; I have an existing hole in the floorboard that would accommodate a drain tube if needed.<br></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">*&nbsp; The front of the van can be used to vent the hot air&nbsp; (likely through the window or I can install a vent in the roof if needed)</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">The A/C I am thinking about going with is a Haier Black and Decker 8000 BTU model.&nbsp; Various reviews say good or bad things about it but they are generally positive.&nbsp; I think it should be adequate to cool the very small space in the van...&nbsp; Though I'm not too worried about the price, it seems to be reasonable in cost.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>Any thoughts or recommendations?&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks!<br><br></p>

 

[She]

8000 btu's? Won't you freeze?

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">LOL.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I probably won't freeze... If this one is big enough to get it cold, I can always turn down the air a little.&nbsp; For $14 more, I can get a 10,000 BTU model that would help get the van get&nbsp;cold a little quicker.&nbsp; That would give the compressor a little rest.&nbsp; <br></p><p style="margin: 0px;">The&nbsp;fit would be so&nbsp;tight that I could set it in the bulkhead doorway with 1/2 inch clearance on either side!&nbsp; Another nice thing is that if I can keep the summer temp cool (75 or so), it would help the thermoelectric cooler keep the food colder...</p>

 

[She]

Ok as long as you don't turn into a popsicle LOL You are doing this on shore power?&nbsp;<div>Yeah that would be great...an added bonus to keep the food cold.&nbsp;</div>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Yep...&nbsp;The AC&nbsp;is&nbsp;definitely going to have to be on shore power... <br><br>I have&nbsp;15 amps available where I live (in Dad's driveway).&nbsp; Most of the places I camp and fish&nbsp;have&nbsp;electrical power for an average of $5 more than a non-electric space.&nbsp; If boondocking somewhere&nbsp;the Honda generator could always&nbsp;be fired up though it might rev up pretty good (and loud) with the current draw.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[GrayWhale]

I have a Haier small fridge that's about twice the size of a dorm, cubed fridge. Bought for $119 at Target and has been running constantly for over 7 years but inside a house. So not at portable A/C, but I think the brand is about on the lower end of your usual, made in China stuff.