Air-con cons

We took our caravan to France several times around 8 years ago, staying on various sites, but mainly "Le Castels" sites...

We often found that the voltage was so low ( I had a voltmeter with me), that our fridge would not operate effectively and we ended up running it on gas.......

However I understand from comments on here that that is no longer a problem anywhere in France.....

I had a Truma Safir Compact fitted to my 7.5 van along with piping to have the cold air directed to the whole van.   the unit is relatively small, designed to go under a bed/seat.   It does need an exhaust hole and drain hole in the floor to remove the hot air and water.   It weighs around 22kg so eats into your payload, but worth the effort if you like air con.   

condensation - this is drained out, in my case under the van.
weight
power use on site - this particular model like others is designed to work on low amps.  But you will have to monitor other items on at the same time.  
servicing - other than cleaning the air intake filter, there is no maintenance.  Confirmed by email from Truma this year as I've had mine 4 years now.
warranty of the caravan being affected. - debatable, my view is as long as the warranty claim is not due to the fitting of the air con, I have no worries.

Its designed to draw a lower currant/amp than other types, including those that are free standing and have not yet had an issue with any campsites in europe so far.   Without referring to the documents, its below 1kwh from memory.    Its very quiet, even at night. 

You do have to follow the rule of having all doors and windows closed otherwise its trying to cool down the outside as well.

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

I agree David. The transcool is probably a much better option, although it won’t get as cold as a mains unit would as it works purely off evaporation. I have found it useful on the occasions I have used it.  You can add pure essential oils to the water reservoir so you can have eucalyptus, teatree, mint and others  which is quite nice. Just a point I learned last week at the show - I got talking to Transcool and the lady did underline the use of PURE oils - not those cheaper ones bulked out with chemicals. 

Having been touring in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy for many years and living in the South of France for 6, I would not bother with Air Con in a caravan.  A fan will do nicely if you feel that more airflow is required.  Certainly if travelling outside July and August don't bother.  Try to pitch where there is some shade in the afternoon.  The trick is to stop the sun shining inside the caravan and so during the day close blinds/curtains on the sun side (windows on vent lock) and any roof skylights (keep slightly open to stop overheating in the void).  Improving air flow may help but be mindful that you may just be circulating hot air!  At night open some windows and ensure that fly screens are down and not damaged. I have no knowledge of Transcool.  In the hottest time of the day, 1 - 4 pm do what the locals do and have a siesta keeping out of the sun; sitting uder a tree allowing any breeze to cool you was most satisfactory

Edit.  Forgot to add consider noise, it can be very annoying staying next to a van which has it's air con on all the time

We have the Dometic B2200, it is roof mounted and weighs about 30kg.

It is very effective,we have a large twin axle van,  draws a max of 4 amps, and is very quiet in operation on low fan.  

Neighbours would not hear it on the next pitch, but it is noisier inside the van than out.

The water extracted from the air comes out on the roof and runs off like rainwater.

Other than cleaning the dust filters inside the van, and ensuring the water outlets stay  clear, ours have never been a problem, the only regular maintenance is to run it for a few minutes every 2 weeks, if possible, to keep it in good order.

Our unit fits in a standard 40x40 roof vent and was purchased as a dealer fit option on the van.  They are fairly easy to fit, but I would leave it to a dealer if you decide to go for one, as working on the roof needs decent access.

The way we use it is to set it to run at about 22 degrees on low fan all day, that way the van stays cool.  Having  the windows shaded also helps, as does keeping the blinds closed when out.  Doing this, we find there is normally no need to run it overnight.

Some sites don't allow air-con during the night - we have stayed on one site where the motorhome next door to us thought it didn't apply to him, and after being asked two nights running to turn it off, he was asked to leave the site.

Edit. Forgot to add consider noise, it can be very annoying staying next to a van which has it's air con on all the time

I'll second that, we've had the misfortune to be in that position a few times and ended up moving pitch.  The site you stayed o, Val, sounds good!  We did have a MH which already had it on, but hardly used it, because of that reason, as we were very conscious of the noise factor.  Also, the fact that, for it to be efficient, you have to keep doors and windows closed, I didn't like.  I'd rather have the windows open and get some fresh air.

Post Deleted User; tried to post reply, nothing happened, then got a message saying something about the CAMC didn't send any data, so tried again and there it was, twice!

 

"Neighbours would not hear it on the next pitch, but it is noisier inside the van than out."

We've been on a terraced site where the caravan beneath us has had their air conditioning running all day while they were out - v annoying as it cut in and out disturbing the peace. Nearly as bad as a Diesel Heater, but not quite!