12 Volt Air Conditioner

Tabaz

Came across this company while watching a truck camper video.
https://www.cruisencomfortusa.com/

Here is the camper video where she mentions the 12V A/C at 2:25 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd6LSJjOawM

CrabTab

Interesting stuff @Tabaz. Scanning through the install .PDF the only power data I ran across was the need for 4GA wire and a 60Amp breaker for the smallest/minimal install. I wonder what that translates to in current draw or Watts during use. I couldn't see that for a tech spec during a cursory look at the web site, but I may have missed it.

Dutch061

Looks like 38 to 46 Amps draw @ 12 volts.

Brad

Tabaz

A quick glance at their website shows the smallest unit is 5,000 BTUs and costs $4,000.  It draws 29 "nominal amps" on low blower speed.  Interesting product.  Love the idea of a split system for quietness.  Not sure if the 5,000 BTU unit is an actual split system like the 8,000 BTU model (about $400 more).

CrabTab

Yikes! Power wise it seems Chief Brody's line 'You're gonna need a bigger boat' is appropriate...

manyman297

Dometic makes a pretty decent 12v system. RTX 2000 I think. 6200BTU or so. There are a few videos on YouTube. Looks like a regular roof mount unit but much lower profile and pulls 600w or so. Need a good sized solar bank and batteries. I really hope this is the way things move in the near future. 

Tabaz

And here is the Dometic mentioned above:
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/professional/truck-solutions/truck-parking-coolers/dometic-rtx-2000-262673

SubaruLou

@manyman297 and @Tabaz , I was just looking at those the other week after watching a van install on YouTube. I got all excited until I looked at the specs. The smaller 1000 unit weighs 53 lbs and only allows for an 8 degree tilt. The larger 2000 can have up to a 20 degree tilt but weighs a whopping 73 lbs. I don’t know the slope at the top of our T@bs, but isn’t 53 lbs too heavy a load for our roof?

Tabaz

Yes - it is WAY too heavy for a T@B roof!  Saw a T@B a few years ago with a roof-mounted A/C in place of the ceiling fan. Very noticeable sag in the roof.  It was not a pretty sight.

manyman297

I’d assume it would be too heavy. Usually when an RV is “prepped for AC” they’ll reinforce the opening. You’d have to do some serious modifications to the T@B roof to make it work. Plus you have to run the wiring. I wonder if they’ll make a ducted version like the cool cat?