Portable AC Article

[ZoNiE]

Folks, this is a pretty interesting comparison of AC units.
Linky Here

I'm not a fan of the hose type units, but if ya gotta use one, the Dual Hose unit makes the most sense... perhaps some insulation on the hoses and cabinet helps.

 

[BC Guy]

Here is Consumer Reports take on air conditioners.  They also do not recommend portables.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/air-conditioners/buying-guide

 

[John61CT]

Why bother with "the best" of a useless category?

"portable air conditioners are fundamentally flawed, and in very hot weather they can struggle to do the job at all"

 

[Cammalu]

I'm frankly surprised they are rated so terribly. When I first broke up my femur and had to go in a nursing home for a few months my niece brought one in to me and it cooled off the room very well.


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[GypsySpirit]

Have you seen this one? Looks promising. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1253665084/zero-breeze-the-worlds-coolest-portable-air-condit

 

[John61CT]

Lost too much gambling on Kickstarters, wait for it to hit normal distribution.

Lively debate here:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188841

 

[highdesertranger]

it was posted on here last year or the year before. highdesertranger

 

[tripper]

I have the one on the left, a Whynter, it works very well and has been running smoothly for years. It performs flawlessly through the Arizona summers.

 

[Weight]

Have two. Used one year for a few months. They do not work very well in a humid area. Shade in Arizona works well.

 

[H. Latham]

Their rating is not on point. Don't get me wrong the WHYNTER ARC-14S is a highly recommended portable AC but I believe that the HONEYWELL MN10CESWW is more budget-friendly and having a decent BTU capacity. Plus, its dehumidification capacity is very good (~ 70 pts/day). Here is a review of portable air conditioners that I found very helpful 

 

[Ticklebellly]

I notice one of the cons for the first listed appliance is that it does not have a heater option. Air con is basically just a thing that moves energy (heat?) from one space to another. Just put the device outside and mount the discharge to blow in. Best bit is the reduction in noise not having the unit in the room with you.

 

[tripper]

I have had the Whynter ARC 14s for many years in a house (5 I think) and it runs throughout most of the winter and summer here in Arizona. No problems at all, cools and heats well. I would not recommend it for a vehicle however, too big and too much power. I would consider it for a larger RV or bus.

 

[Fmodjr1913]

I do some contract survey photography work on the road for large retailers.  I've been sometimes getting horizontal and sleeping in my hatchback - mostly at Walmarts.  I have a portable Ryobi battery powered fan that does fine.  I try not to run the engine too much to heat and cool when the weather isn't being cooperative.  Anyhow, I'm looking to step it up.  I have experience with campers and converted a van in the past.  This time, I'm looking to convert a mini-van with comfy sleep, mobility and low profile being my priorities.  Walmarts imparticular don't seem to mind folks sleeping in their lots so I can bend a bit on the low profile. 

All this in mind, I'm trying to decide between installing a small gas powered roof ac or just getting a generator and putting a portable ac inside the minivan.  I want to emphasize that I will only be back there to sleep.  If I go with the portable ac, the best spot for the generator would be on the roof (I assume).  I'm also assuming there is a way to install it semi-permenantly under some plastic casing or something.  And then run a cord to the ac inside the van.  I'd rather not deal with venting the ac out a window every night so am wondering, as I consider all this, why not just vent though the floor - assuming I can find a good spot in the undercarriage to make a hole.  Seems like it would be easy, avoid the hastle of venting through window nightly, avoid rain through whatever I have rigged-up through the window and it will be stealthier.  I could also just move the generator to the roof nightly if needed - instead of keeping it there semi-permenantly.  I guess that would avoid anyone messing with it when I'm not around. 

Or do I just cut a big hole in the roof and install a tiny gas powered roof ac?  Do some roof ACs come with extra outlets?  ...Just for charging a phone or computer?  Any suggestions on roof ACs if I go that route?  Any suggestions on portable ACs if I go that route?  Generators?  Is installing an ac on a minivan roof a bad idea?  Any input on a minivan model?  The most popular all seem pretty close for reliability, cargo space, fuel mileage etc.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[user 423]

A generator running on the metal roof of a van would probably be pretty noisy.

Stealth? Don't think so.

 

[B and C]

I have seen one youtuber run a 1000 watt inverter generator at walmart. They parked in a corner and put the generator between the van and the curb. Bushes hid it well but not completely. He then locked it to the van.

Running an engine on the roof (even an inverter generator), I would think the vibrations would drive you nuts with the whole roof vibrating. Stealth would be gone.

 

[1shemp]

I nap much better in my recliner in July/August with the AC running.

 

[Fmodjr1913]

Yea, stealth is not the word. I'm just trying to do one better than a window unit hanging out of my my minivan somehow. I was thinking if I had the generator in some casing on a roof rack it might be ok. But might still be too loud. Just trying to figure it out. Maybe this Zero Breeeze is the way to go. The reviews seem ok for a tiny well insulated spot. But it sounds like I would have to change the battery half way though the night and it seems pricey for what it is. From experience, I know that drapping a blanket around me goes a long way to further insulate. Whatever the solution, it will be a super tiny and well insulated spot that I need to cool (like 6'x4'x3'). Maybe I should try doing it off a solar system or batteries??? Here's my ridiculous schematic to furter explain - https://www.envisia360.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/zero-breeze-design.jpg

 

[user 423]

Search the forum a little more. There are threads about having A/C running off batteries,solar,gennies,etc.

It's doable but would be expensive. Not practical for most of us.

There are many other ways to stay cool with fans, misters, swamp coolers, adequate shade, staying near the coast....

 

[Fmodjr1913]

Thanks! I'm doing contract work at Walmarts throughout the Southeast over the summer so trying to accomplish the impossible here I guess. Getting cool and comfy sleep while not having to leave the Walmarts where I am working is the goal. Both to avoid hotel costs and to avoid extra travel time/expense to better suited sleep spots since I will already be at the Walmarts. That is what I have been doing for the winter and spring in my hatchback and just wanting to kick it up a notch and try to manage the summer. Anyhow, I will search the forum some more. Thanks. https://www.envisia360.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/zero-breeze-design.jpg

 

[user 423]

Looking closer, the Zero Breeze thing is interesting. Maybe you could add battery capacity so it would run longer.

I would double-check reviews though to match your situation. S.E. summers...oooh.

How about this instead: