Custom Air Conditioning Retrofit

[Centex]

Just FYI ....
Dometic Freshjet 3000 (UK website, yes 230VAC)
The companion Dometic Air Conditioner DC Kit DSP‑T 12, for mobile operation on a 12VDC vehicle or trailer battery

Prices are (ahem) impressive to say the least, even if you guestimate a deduct for the VAT included on that website.

[jphil23462]

Excellent but pretty shocked at the price. Lol. I think I'm in it for about $1300 which includes the price of the bumper mod. My unit specs are 720W A/C and 854W Heat. I see the Dometic unit is a bit more efficient at 594W A/C and 898W Heat. I'll mostly be using for A/C; therefore, looking at those specs.

[DWM3]

In looking at the UK site, there are significantly cheaper options than the FreshJet 3200. That one may be overkill anyway, as the description states that it is for lengths of 7 meters and above. I think the 2700 model might be about right if it were available in 120v.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by DWM3

In looking at the UK site, there are significantly cheaper options than the FreshJet 3200. That one may be overkill anyway, as the description states that it is for lengths of 7 meters and above. I think the 2700 model might be about right if it were available in 120v.

Keep in mind the climate and cooling expectation differences between UK/Europe and the US.

Looking at BTU ratings .... you might be correct for some US / Canadian users ... IMO doubtful for we Texans aspiring to a 5.0TA.

FWIW while in the pure speculation mode .... one European site I found indicated that the '3200' has been discontinued in favor of the slightly lower BTU '3000'. That could be a market-specific adjustment ..... just as Dometic would likely make IF they were to introduce something like these for the US market.

It'd be fun to have the choices in any case. Maybe someday ....

[DWM3]

Originally Posted by Centex

Keep in mind the climate and cooling expectation differences between UK/Europe and the US.

Looking at BTU ratings .... you might be correct for some US / Canadian users ... IMO doubtful for we Texans aspiring to a 5.0TA.

FWIW while in the pure speculation mode .... one European site I found indicated that the '3200' has been discontinued in favor of the slightly lower BTU '3000'. That could be a market-specific adjustment ..... just as Dometic would likely make IF they were to introduce something like these for the US market.

It'd be fun to have the choices in any case. Maybe someday ....

Good point. It's certainly cooler in many parts of Europe.

Just speculating, assuming you could actually get one of these here, wouldn't a 120 to 240 voltage converter solve the voltage issue?

Don

[Centex]

Originally Posted by DWM3

Just speculating, assuming you could actually get one of these here, wouldn't a 120 to 240 voltage converter solve the voltage issue?

Perhaps, but IMO cost and support issues would still be overwhelming in regard to installing a Euro-market 'major appliance item' like this ..... good fodder for fantasy only methinks, 'till there's a bona-fide US-market option.

[DWM3]

Originally Posted by Centex

Perhaps, but IMO cost and support issues would still be overwhelming in regard to installing a Euro-market 'major appliance item' like this ..... good fodder for fantasy only methinks, 'till there's a bona-fide US-market option.

Yes, but you can always dream . Looks like the new Coleman may be my best choice.

Don

[richm]

Hey, I'm keenly interested in AC and solar.
Everlanders use a Forest Air 8000 BTU 8.8 SEER

https://www.forestair.ca/en/fiche-produit-mini
He measured 800W peak power usage, and has enough solar to run it all day.


I've searched for Dometic AC efficiency specs and found nothing.
Has anyone measured a Dometic's continuous amperage or watts?




I'm just starting to explore this and I plan to build something, though I'm just starting out.

[padlin]

It says it's only available in Canada.

[rjbny]

Originally Posted by richm

Hey, I'm keenly interested in AC and solar.
Everlanders use a Forest Air 8000 BTU 8.8 SEER

https://www.forestair.ca/en/fiche-produit-mini
He measured 800W peak power usage, and has enough solar to run it all day.

That sure is an interesting unit. Sent a request to ask if they can be shipped to the USA.

More likely we'll do the roof mount install now that we're traveling into hot climates. Has anyone here done an install of a Penguin or similar themselves? If so, what sort of setup did you have for working up on the roof?

[richm]

I think there are plenty of alternatives to the Forest.
Here's another inexpensive one at Home Depot:

Emmerson 17 SEER 12,000 BTU

This is the highest efficiency I've seen.
Very expensive, but it's nice to have a range of options.
Carrier 42 SEER 9000 BTU.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by richm

I think there are plenty of alternatives to the Forest.
Here's another inexpensive one at Home Depot:

Emmerson 17 SEER 12,000 BTU

This is the highest efficiency I've seen.
Very expensive, but it's nice to have a range of options.
Carrier 42 SEER 9000 BTU.

Please note both of those require nominal 230Volt AC which is a key and significant difference compared to the Forest Air and the other mini-splits (e.g. certain Fujitsu and Pioneer) that a few on this forum have installed on Escapes with their nominal 115V AC electric systems.

But yes, there are other 115VAC 9k-12kBTU mini-splits to be found, some with SEER ratings to the mid-20s. Not sure of any with an interior air-handler as small as the linked Forest Air unit (also not sure if that works as a 'pro' or a 'con' in all potential Escape applications?).

[richm]

Originally Posted by Centex

Please note both of those require nominal 230Volt AC....

Good point. Need for compatibility for shore power and appliances is important.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by richm

Hey, I'm keenly interested in AC and solar.
Everlanders use a Forest Air 8000 BTU 8.8 SEER

https://www.forestair.ca/en/fiche-produit-mini
He measured 800W peak power usage, and has enough solar to run it all day.

This thread is long so you may have missed my earlier comparison of this Forest Air unit to my Fujitsu mini-split:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post201654

Originally Posted by Centex

But yes, there are other 115VAC 9k-12kBTU mini-splits to be found, some with SEER ratings to the mid-20s. Not sure of any with an interior air-handler as small as the linked Forest Air unit (also not sure if that works as a 'pro' or a 'con' in all potential Escape applications?).

That small interior form factor and air discharge design come at a price. The Forest Air unit on Low speed is roughly equivalent to my Fujitsu mini-split on High. I want to stress that the original point of this thread was to install QUIET A/C.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

...
That small interior form factor and air discharge design come at a price. The Forest Air unit on Low speed is roughly equivalent to my Fujitsu mini-split on High. I want to stress that the original point of this thread was to install QUIET A/C.

Fully understood. Personally I don't think the linked Forest Air offers a competitive set of features / advantages for our Escape RV's at all.

But, others (obviously not you) may have different opinions of course, no worries

[MyronL]

Dometic 11,000 Penguin II. You'll need the table, and a winch.

[richm]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I want to stress that the original point of this thread was to install QUIET A/C.

Ah, OK. I'm very interested in power consumption, and in running AC on solar for extended dry camping. Perhaps I should start a thread focused on running AC on solar.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by richm

Ah, OK. I'm very interested in power consumption, and in running AC on solar for extended dry camping. Perhaps I should start a thread focused on running AC on solar.

Just FYI links to threads / posts on the topic of jphil23462's mods which include battery/solar-supported AC operation (he may be the first here to make a serious run at that particular challenge):

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...0-a-18730.html

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post338361

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post342689

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Centex

Just FYI links to threads / posts on the topic of jphil23462's mods which include battery/solar-supported AC operation (he may be the first here to make a serious run at that particular challenge):

Or otherwise stated this particular challenge requires a serious run to the bank!

975W solar with MPPT controller, 400AH lithium batteries, 3000W inverter, 24V-12V DC-DC converter, 21.5 SEER mini-split and other misc electronics and wiring! This is one serious set up!!

[richm]

Here's some curious results about how noise and efficiency may relate.

In the video below, Advance RV concluded that the quietest AC was also the most performant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9aMANXybD0

Happy Campers doubled their AC output using contoured bends in the ducts. That reduced noise and increased flow rate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ryWU-yZ-X4

The effects of turbulence may be a small part of overall efficiency, but even so, it's curious how it's said to correlate.