Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 19:45:48 -0600
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Portable air conditioning.
In-Reply-To: <696057D5-608A-48A4-AD48-519443E4E63D@yahoo.com>
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First hand experience with "Swamp Coolers".
They work by wetting a mat of some sort with a mist and blowing air
through it. The evaporation cools the air - but raises the humidity.
THEY DO NOT WORK IN HUMID CLIMATES!!!! Your vehicle will turn into the
Abominable Sweatbox!!
Only in very dry climates do they work well - Arizona, New Mexico, and
other middle western states.
If you can get your on-board AC to work - but it's set up to blow only
in the back area - you need a couple of strong fans to simply circulate
the air. that works. I cooled a whole house with a single window unit AC
by putting fans through out. Circulation is the key.
For camping, a small window unit with a frame to temporarily mount it in
the passenger window works - provided you have external power. If not -
you need a small generator - which of course may annoy the neighbors in
the campground, But you could rig yourself a small utility trailer to
carry a number of travel goodies - including the small generator. That
works - but still there is the noise. Some of the small Honda units are
pretty quiet, however. Honda has really worked hard to make them as
innocuous as possible.
John
On 1/19/2014 4:16 PM, Jeremy Stovin wrote:
> My family trip to San Diego last summer had hit a snag with family happiness due to lack of air conditioning in Lola, my '87 Westy. Made worse was the total lack of cooling of the Dometic fridge. 35f less than 90f is not very cool.
>
> So, thinking about replacing the fridge with a TruckFridge. Possibly installing it myself. Any feedback on that is appreciated.
>
> Regarding the air conditioning, I do not think I have the money to install an original or aftermarket A/C, especially it seems we have to choose to cool either the front or back, not both for the money.
>
> So, I am thinking of a "swamp cooler". I saw one online, a "GoCool 12V Portable Semi Truck Cab Air Conditioner For Camping Tent & RV Camper". It looks good, but do not find any reviews. Has anyone used one? Heard of it?
>
> Any other ideas?
>
> Being in Seattle, we can't seem to go for a big trip in summer without hitting hot hot areas. I think this summer, we may be going to Montana. (Any recommendations are welcome.)
>
> Thanks all!!
>
> Jeremy
>
>
> Sent from my iPad.
>
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