
A campervan, also known as a camper, caravanette, motorhome or RV (recreational vehicle), is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation. Camper air conditioning works by removing heat from the air inside the vehicle, drawing in hot air, expelling heat outside, and pushing cool air back into the camper through air vents. The compressor works to circulate, heat, and compress refrigerant vapours inside the AC unit. When the vapours are pressurized at a high enough level, they will give off heat in the condenser. The condenser works to take the heat out of the air and push it out of the camper. Inside the condenser, the vapours are cooled down and turned back into a liquid. This liquid travels to the evaporator, which absorbs heat from the warm air inside the camper. This hot air is washed over the cool coils of the evaporator, and the temperature of the air drops. This cool air is then blown back into the camper through the vents.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Length | 20-32 feet |
Height | 10-12 feet |
Width | 8-9 feet |
Weight | 10,000-14,000 pounds |
Sleeping Capacity | 6-8 people |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 25-51 gallons |
Freshwater Tank Capacity | 20-50 gallons |
Grey and Black Water Holding Tank Capacity | 20-40 gallons |
Power Source | Battery, generator, solar panels, electrical hookups |
Amenities | Sleeping areas, kitchen, bathroom, entertainment, heating and cooling, storage, awning |
What You'll Learn
The components of an RV AC unit
Compressor: The compressor circulates, heats, and compresses refrigerant vapors inside the AC unit. When the vapors are pressurized at a high level, they release heat in the condenser.
Condenser: The condenser takes the heat out of the air and pushes it out of the RV. Inside the condenser, the refrigerant vapors are cooled down and turned back into a liquid.
Evaporator: The evaporator absorbs heat from the warm air inside the RV. The warm air is washed over the evaporator's cool coils, causing the air temperature to drop. This cooled air is then blown back into the RV through the vents.
As the refrigerant liquid in the evaporator absorbs heat, it turns back into a vapor and returns to the compressor to recycle through the system. This closed-loop system ensures that the refrigerant fluids are sealed within the tubing, continuously cycling through to expel hot air and produce cool air.
The energy-intensive process of changing the refrigerant between gas and liquid states requires a significant amount of power, which is why RV air conditioners need a lot of energy to operate effectively.
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How an RV AC unit works
An RV air conditioning unit works by removing heat from the air inside the vehicle. The AC unit draws in hot air, expels heat outside, and pushes cool air back into the RV through air vents.
The basic components of an air conditioner that make this process happen are:
- A compressor, which circulates, heats, and compresses refrigerant vapours inside the AC unit.
- A condenser, which takes the heat out of the air and pushes it out of the RV. Inside the condenser, the refrigerant vapours are cooled down and turned back into a liquid.
- An evaporator, which absorbs heat from the warm air inside the RV. The warm air is washed over the evaporator's cool coils, and the temperature of the air drops. This cool air is then blown back into the RV through the vents.
As the refrigerant liquid absorbs heat in the evaporator, it turns back into a vapour so it can go back into the compressor and recycle through the system.
The RV AC system is a closed system, which means that the refrigerant fluids are sealed up in the tubing, with no exit or entrance. They continually cycle through the system, expelling hot air and pushing cool air back into the RV.
RV air conditioners need a lot of energy. The unit used to measure energy in an AC unit is a BTU (British Thermal Unit). The more BTUs, the more powerful the AC unit will be. Most RV air conditioners have between 11,000-15,000 BTUs.
The longer the RV, the more BTUs are needed to cool it down. This is why longer RVs tend to have two AC units installed. If an RV is over 32 feet long, one AC unit is often not enough to cool the vehicle in warm weather.
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Powering an RV AC unit
RV air conditioners work by removing heat from the air inside the vehicle, not by creating cool air. The AC unit draws in hot air, expels heat outside, and pushes cool air back into the RV through air vents. This is achieved through a closed system, with the refrigerant fluids sealed in tubing with no exit or entrance. The fluids continually cycle through the system, removing hot air and pushing cool air back into the RV.
The compressor circulates, heats, and compresses refrigerant vapours. When the vapours are pressurised at a high enough level, they give off heat in the condenser. The condenser takes the heat out of the air and pushes it out of the RV, cooling the refrigerant vapours and turning them back into a liquid. This liquid travels to the evaporator, which absorbs heat from the warm air inside the RV. The hot air is washed over the evaporator's cool coils, and the temperature drops. The cool air is then blown back into the RV through the vents. As the refrigerant liquid absorbs heat in the evaporator, it turns back into a vapour so it can go back into the compressor and recycle through the system.
This process requires a lot of energy. RV air conditioners need between 11,000-15,000 BTUs, with longer RVs needing more BTUs to cool down. RVs over 32 feet long tend to have two AC units installed.
Power Sources
When connected to 50-amp electrical hookups at a campground, it is possible to run one or even two AC units in an RV. With a 30-amp hookup, it may be possible to run one AC unit if no other high-use electrical appliances are being used simultaneously.
However, boondocking (camping without any electrical hookups) will require an alternate power source, as the battery inside an RV will not be able to provide enough energy to run an AC unit on its own.
Generators
Generators are a common power source for RV air conditioners. To run one AC unit, a mid-size generator with 3000 watts is recommended. Alternatively, a pair of smaller 2000-watt generators could be used.
Solar Power
Full-time RVers with a considerable investment in solar panels, an inverter, and extra batteries may be able to run their AC from solar energy. However, this is a big upfront investment and requires careful calculations to purchase the correct number of solar panels, an inverter, and extra batteries.
Energy-Saving Tips
To help an RV AC unit run more efficiently:
- Ensure AC filters are clean.
- Use fans to circulate cool air.
- Park in the shade and use an awning to create more shade.
- Close doors to parts of the RV that are not in use.
- Avoid adding extra heat into the air by cooking outside the RV.
- Consider tinted windows or double-pane window options to better insulate the RV.
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Tips for efficient use of an RV AC unit
An RV's air conditioning unit works by sucking the heat and moisture out of the air to cool down the cabin. Here are some tips for efficient use of an RV AC unit:
- Know your AC output temperatures. Familiarise yourself with how your AC is working by determining the temperature of the air entering the AC unit compared to the outgoing air.
- Clean all filters regularly. Foam filters prevent dust and dirt from being drawn into the cooling fins, so cleaning them regularly will ensure the AC works efficiently.
- If you are using shore power, invest in a plug-in voltage monitor. During hot weather, electric overloads can occur, causing a drop in shore power voltage. If the voltage drops to 102 VAC or below, shut off one AC unit or turn off any other high-power appliances.
- Before reaching your destination on extremely hot days, start your generator and AC to pre-cool your RV.
- Close blinds and curtains on the sun-facing side of the RV, and extend awnings to shade the outside walls.
- When possible, position your RV in an easterly direction to avoid afternoon sun on the glass.
- When making a reservation, check if there are any spaces available that are shaded by trees.
- Keep all doors and windows closed so that the AC doesn't have to fight sources of exterior heat.
- Cook meals outside to avoid generating heat within the RV.
- If you are going out for the day, do not turn off the AC. Instead, set it on a low demand value so that you can quickly reduce the inside temperature to a comfortable degree when you return.
- When the AC isn't in operation, open roof vents to expel hot air and clear moist air from the shower area. Dry air feels much cooler than humid air.
- Turn on the AC before you go to bed so that your RV is already cool when you get up in the morning.
- Clean your filters. If cold air isn't coming through the vent, your issue may be that the filters/vents are clogged. Remove the grill, shake out debris, rinse with warm soapy water, and let it dry before replacing.
- Close the doors and windows. Opening a window might not be the best thing to do as your unit will be pulling in the hot air from outside.
- Cover windows with shades or reflective sun shades during the day to keep the sunshine out.
- Switch to LED lights, as regular light bulbs emit mostly heat.
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Alternate power sources for an RV AC unit
RV air conditioners are typically powered by shore power, generators, or batteries. However, there are alternative power sources available when these options are not accessible or feasible. Here are some alternate power sources for an RV AC unit:
- Propane-powered AC units: Propane can be used to fuel air conditioners when electricity is unavailable. These units generate cold air by burning propane, and they require a propane tank for installation or modification.
- Portable AC units: Portable air conditioners are self-contained units that can be used to cool RVs without shore power. They require a minimal amount of power from a generator or solar panels to run.
- Swamp coolers: Swamp coolers, or evaporative coolers, are eco-friendly alternatives that cool the air through water evaporation. They require little electricity and can be powered by generators or solar panels. Swamp coolers work best in dry, low-humidity conditions.
- Solar power: Solar panels can be installed on RV roofs to generate electricity and charge the RV's battery, which can then be used to power the AC unit during the day or store energy for nighttime use. Solar power is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option that reduces dependence on traditional energy sources.
- 12V DC-powered air conditioners: These air conditioners are more energy-efficient than traditional AC units and can run directly off an RV's battery/12V system. They are more expensive but offer longer run times.
When considering alternate power sources, it is important to choose the right generator or solar panel for your RV's specific requirements, as there are many varieties available on the market. Additionally, regular maintenance and thermostat control can help optimize energy efficiency and save costs.
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Frequently asked questions
A camper AC works by removing heat from the air inside the camper. The AC unit draws in the hot air, expels heat outside, and pushes the cool air back into the camper through air vents.
The basic components of an air conditioner are the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The compressor works to circulate, heat, and compress refrigerant vapors inside the AC unit. The condenser works to take the heat out of the air and push it out of the camper. The evaporator absorbs heat from the warm air inside the camper.
Camper air conditioners need a lot of energy. The unit used to measure energy in an AC is a BTU. Most camper air conditioners have between 11,000-15,000 BTUs. The longer the camper, the more BTUs are needed to cool it down.