12v Air conditioning vs mini Split

[baipin]

If you're going with a 12v or 24v unit, look for one with a variable speed compressor. The AC units tend to have these and they really help accentuate the efficiency that mini-split systems can offer as they don't need to turn on/off constantly, but rather throttle down to meet demand once a space is adequately cooled. DC systems seem to be single speed, however, aside from a few Chinese models I've seen. One example of a variable speed unit:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001913011295.html?

 

[Ferjablito]

Aire acondicionado de caja fuerte Zafiro Comfort RC y Compact - Just4Camper Truma RG-1Q313

Descubra los aires acondicionados de la caja fuerte Truma Saphir Comfort RC y Compact! Dimensiones reducidas y alta potencia de refrigeración. Conserva la luz de la linterna.

www.just4camper.es

I finally decided on this one

 

[SkiFreak]

I finally decided on this one

I looked at those a long time ago.
Sadly, the power draw from this model is quite high, so not really ideal to run solely from batteries.

 

[Ferjablito]

Which one do you use? No matter how much I look, I can't find low consumption.

 

[SkiFreak]

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (appropriate for this forum, but only a coincidence) make some 240VAC inverter AC units (around 1.7kW - 2kW) that only use about 350W.
Running through an inverter will lose you around 10% (because of inverter efficiency), but that is still way lower power consumption than any mobile AC I have ever seen.

 

[Ferjablito]

do you have a link please

 

[4x4tripping]

I did bought this portable split Aircon:

Eine portable Split-Klimananlage für Wohnwagen / Wohnmobil / Vanlife

Sparsame mobile SPLIT Klimaanlage für Camping, Wohnmobil, Wohnwagen und Reisefahrzeuge. Solarbetrieb möglich.

www.4x4tripping.com

I did review it too. It is runned by 110v/220v but just need 450Watt, it runs even on my Ecoflow River Pro.

Completely OK to cool down my 16m2 Homeoffice Room!

trippin

 

[SkiFreak]

do you have a link please

Google is your friend...

 

[Ultimark]

do you have a link please

We have two of these units, one in our kitchen, the other in our bedroom.

When idling along for heating in the bedroom in winter as it now here, ours uses somewhere around 200-250W to maintain 13ºC-18ºC. In the summertime with sweltering heat, keeping the room around 21º-23º with external ambient around 40ºC it pulls around 300W-500W once it settles down.

I have often thought if room was possible, this is the unit for a truck camper. I have seen one truck camper with one of these, but couldn't ask questions as their truck was unattended.

Avanti Plus® Series

The Avanti PLUS split system air-conditioner features high energy efficiencies and includes a number of energy saving features and functions.

mhiaa.com.au

The best performing range of air conditioners that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have, are these, they are called the Avanti Plus range.

Beware that Mitsubishi Industries, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are two different companies.

Mick.

 

[Ferjablito]

We have two of these units, one in our kitchen, the other in our bedroom.

When idling along for heating in the bedroom in winter as it now here, ours uses somewhere around 200-250W to maintain 13ºC-18ºC. In the summertime with sweltering heat, keeping the room around 21º-23º with external ambient around 40ºC it pulls around 300W-500W once it settles down.

I have often thought if room was possible, this is the unit for a truck camper. I have seen one truck camper with one of these, but couldn't ask questions as their truck was unattended.

Avanti Plus® Series

The Avanti PLUS split system air-conditioner features high energy efficiencies and includes a number of energy saving features and functions.

mhiaa.com.au

The best performing range of air conditioners that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have, are these, they are called the Avanti Plus range.

Beware that Mitsubishi Industries, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are two different companies.

Mick.

Thanks, I searched on Google but I couldn't find it. I understand that these splits are for domestic use, for a truck, or do you have enough space to place the external or complicated unit.
Thank you anyway.

 

[SkiFreak]

I understand that these splits are for domestic use

Yes, but numerous people have fitted them to expedition campers.

 

[Ferjablito]

The ********** is that it requires a lot of space and my Fuso is already almost full, and then aesthetically the external unit, unless it's a big truck, penalizes a lot.

 

[SkiFreak]

Sadly, that is the price you pay for an efficient AC that can run well on battery power alone.
I agree with your assessment and feel your frustration, as I have experienced the same when looking for a suitable AC for my camper.

The majority of RV and marine users are still using caravan parks or marinas, so shore power is nearly always available when parked/moored.
Because of this, there is no real market driver to make small, efficient and affordable AC units for people that want to be off grid in their vehicles.
Unfortunate, but that's the reality.

 

[glennm01]

Slightly outside the OP's parameters, but I've had great results with a cheap 110 volt residential 5000 BTU window unit mounted on my back wall. It draws around 400 watts when the compressor is on, and offers plenty of cooling for such a tiny space. I've heard some say that these units won't stand up to road vibrations, but after almost 2 years and plenty of rough terrain along the way, she's still going strong. And at around $200, I won't mind too much if I have to replace it every few years.

 

[Ferjablito]

Sadly, that is the price you pay for an efficient AC that can run well on battery power alone.
I agree with your assessment and feel your frustration, as I have experienced the same when looking for a suitable AC for my camper.

The majority of RV and marine users are still using caravan parks or marinas, so shore power is nearly always available when parked/moored.
Because of this, there is no real market driver to make small, efficient and affordable AC units for people that want to be off grid in their vehicles.
Unfortunate, but that's the reality.

After giving it a twist and rethinking, placing this mitsu air in my truck under the spars of the subframe is unfeasible since the external cold unit has to go in its vertical position, and I rule out having it visible vertically, with which I have to opt for another solution unfortunately.