Portable AC unit for your van or small RV - Inexpensive Alternative
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
- We did not want the warm temperatures to keep us from our travels during the summer, so we researched several alternatives such as swamp coolers, fans, and the zero breeze portable AC unit. In this video, we will review an inexpensive AC unit for your van or small RV that works great during the hot summer months! We found a portable AC unit from Costco, similar to this one amzn.to/3A0flZS on Amazon. We have found that this portable AC unit for our van has been awesome and is able to drop the indoor temperature by about 20 degrees and we can easily remove it from the van when we don't need it in the cooler months. I highly recommend this inexpensive unit vs. the more expensive competitors.
Im starting my van conversion and I don't want to make another hole on the roof .This is a very good alternative. Thank you, very helpful for my decision
@@themagicoffarinacci9303 Just a different option. For us it’s great, because we only need it a few months out of the year. And when we don’t need it, we just store it in the garage. Have a good one!
Hey Jason! I have the EcoFlow Wave A/C and I vent out the same window as you, using your fantastic “yard sign vent plate” system! Thanks for the great ideas that make vanlife more enjoyable & fun!
That is awesome! I am so glad it was helpful. It has made a huge difference for us and we typically leave the (non-AC) vents in all the time to create additional flow. How do you like the EcoFlow Wave? Thanks so much for watching and supporting the channel!
An mini split AC was one of the first things I installed when I started building my van.
Good video 👍
Thanks so much for watching!! Yes, our first year, we just traveled based on the weather, but wanted to go to local beaches and lakes this year and has been a game changer as far as freedom of travel.
Wrap some reflectix insulation around the exhaust tube and it will work much better.
Thanks so much for the tip! Have a great weekend! 👍
Awesome!! I didn't even realize you didn't have AC on the roof! So you're right, soooo important for being in the south!
Right!! We tried it for a year, then decided we needed something, so we could still visit the lakes and beaches in SC.
AC is a must for RVers, these things aren't very well insulated, to hot in the summer and to cold in the winter.
Thanks for another great video Jason.
Too true, it has really helped us out! It makes the trip so much more comfortable!
We did a Seattle to Maine and back trip this summer and bought a portable AC as well. We actually stored it in the bathroom while driving as it was the correct size for it not rolling around. We also vented out the same window and luckily the precut plastic piece was the correct length to fit in between the zipped window cover and the window and the sliding glass closed the gap. But we kept the unit on the floor. But absolutely a game changer with the summer heatwave. Now back home I will change it for a smaller unit that I already have that is narrow enough to fit between the two front seats and actually blows air out the front of the unit instead of up. I am totally gonna borrow that vent plate idea for the front passenger window as we will have to vent out that now. Great content as always and safe travels!
Yes, the vents work out really well, let me know if you have any questions when creating yours. We picked up this AC unit spur of the moment, but really like the idea of having one that sits between the two front seats with a front ventilation. Thanks for commenting and sharing what has worked for you! Have an awesome day!!
What ac unit did you go with
LG unit from Home Depot. LP0621WSR is the model number, mid range can’t see the BTU size but it’s 8-10k I believe. I plugged it in the outlet by the side door shower or in other occasions just ran an extension cord out the window I vented it from.
Looks like a great system especially for the hot summer we are having!
Yeah! It has really helped us. Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you! Very useful
Thanks for sharing this alternative - Lauren and I have always wanted to build a van and were concerned about the summers in the south! This video is extremely helpful!
Glad it was helpful! thank you so much for watching!
Congratulations on passing the thousand mark . Nice to see you with this cool air conditioner . Have a great week end . Nancy
Thank you so much Nancy! I have appreciated your support to help me get there! Yes, we had to do something this year with this heat and it worked out well to allow us to visit the beaches and lakes in SC in the summer.
It's awesome to have an AC in RV. Thanks for the great suggestion 😊👍
Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you! Going to do this for my new to me motorhome that I’m about to hit the road with.
That sounds great! Have fun and thanks for watching!
Thanks for posting! Note to self.. only buy 59P with no pop top and AC or 59PX which comes with AC and pop top
If you want a built in A/C yes! But I love the length of the 59P and the pop top. So having a portable A/C that I can remove once summer is over is nice too! Thanks for watching and commenting! Happy Holidays! 🎄
So beautiful and great day friend 👍
Great video uploaded for sharing 🥰
I love that car. Full watched and full support 👍🔔👌🥰 Stay connected friend 👍
Thank you 🤗 Really appreciate your support!
Cool 😎 great idea 👍
Thanks so much for stopping by and watching! Hope you are doing well!
Hi and thanks, Carolina Campervan for sharing. Very informative and instructive.
I have no idea about RV, but this system is a must. Thank you. 🙋♀🙋♀🛶🛶
Thanks so much for watching! Our next video will have some shots of the water :)
@@CarolinaCampervan Yay!!! Look forward to it. I wish I could comment properly about RV. I thoroughly watched it though. 🙋♀🙋♀🛶🛶
@@ms.kayak7seas That is so nice of you, really appreciate your support!
Thanks Jason - looks like it would work great!
It does! Really helps in the summer heat! Good to hear from you and hope you are having a nice summer!
@@CarolinaCampervan I am Jason, thanks - I hope you and your family are having a nice summer of camping!
@@nhbomar We are! and the AC has helped ;)
Love your work man! Onr Day Im hoping to travel like this aswell
You should totally do it, it is awesome. You could take some of your awesome drone footage along the way and visit interesting places to eat ;) enjoying your videos as well. Thanks for your support!
That's an awesome post... AC is a must 🙂✌
Gotta have it in SC! Hope you are enjoying your summer and thanks for watching and your support!
Any advice why portable ac I have stops blowing cold air after 2 minutes and starts blowing hot air back into the van? I have a 400 buck portable with a predator generator.
Nice Job on the video.
Thanks Forrest! Really appreciate the support.
That looks great Jason. What is the name of the windows you use?
Hi Gregg, we have another video that shows how I made the window vents, hope it helps.
Awesome set up and AC. #59
Thanks so much! Have a great day! 😀
for those of us who lack in creativity, did you do a video on how you secured the exhaust vent to your corrugated vent?
This video may help, I use the vent system to put the exhaust out the window, hope it helps. studio.czcams.com/users/video6MKdhtmK0OU/edit
What kind of generator do you need to run this unit through the night?
What kind of generator????
We don't have a generator, we use shore power when using it.
We only use the AC when we have power at a camp site.
So what you're saying is to get the 59px.
hahah! No, I would still get the P. I love he Max Air fan and use that throughout the year. We just needed something to help out with the summer heat and this was a great option because it is portable and we just bring it when we need it.
Hey Jason, Just wondering how you drain the condensation/water?
I just place the a/c unit outside. There’s a drain plug in the back, so just unscrew and the water flows out. You can leave it in the van and drain with an included hose, but I just take it outside. Thanks
Are there any concerns about carbon monoxide with a portable a/c in a vehicle?
I haven't heard of any issues. Just be sure to properly vent the exhaust outside and you should be good to go! Thanks and have a good one! 😁
How do you power it in this video
We were plugged into shore power at a camp site. Have a nice weekend!
Hi Jason. How are you guys doing? Haven’t seen any videos from you for awhile.
Hi, We are doing good! Thanks for checking in and apologize for the delay in getting back to you. We just decided to take a bit of a break from filming while we are traveling. We did a NE trip in the fall and just got back from a trip to FL (Bahia Honda and Blue Springs) I hope you are doing well and Safe Travels!
Can you/do you, use this while driving?
No, we don't use it while driving. We just use the AC from the van. Cheers!
Where does the water drain?
I just move it to the edge of the van where the sliding door is and drain it outside. It can go a few nights without the need to drain. Have a good one.
Oh, OK, thank you!
How much power do you guys need to run this and could you run this off a generator like if you were way out with no power thanks
I’m not too sure how much power the unit pulls, but if you had a 2000 watt generator you would be fine.
@@CarolinaCampervanfor how long does it run on that 2000w?
Is there anything smaller than this? Way too big for my class B RV
I'm sure there are some smaller ones out there, but I found a decent deal at Costco so that's where I bought mine. Thanks and have a good one!
So I’m curious, because that is what I am thinking of doing so I don’t have to break out a window in my door for a window unit, could you also use it for heat in the winter time by leaving the exhaust inside?
I wouldn't do it just because I'm not sure if there is any bad exhaust that gets emitted. Sorry I'm not much help, but I would error on the side of caution. Thanks and have a great day! 👍
I assume it’s not rain proof?
We use it in the rain all the time. The vent system we created helps.
How cool do you think this can get a minivan in Las Vegas 110 degrees with no shade ?
I’d probably try to find some shade! 😂
I’m looking for a smaller one ?
Yeah, there are a few smaller ones on the market. We were going back and forth between a smaller one, but the price was more and we were not sure if it would cool like we wanted it to. This one works great, so will stick with it until it breaks :)
Do you need to plug in shore power to work thanks
Hi, Thanks for reaching out. Yes! You need shore power. You could also try another form of power such as a generator as well. We just tend to camp at state parks in the summer, so it is easy for us to plug in.
I have a Jackery 500W. Will that work?
I see you have seat covers on the passenger seats. I need those for my Solis 59P. Can you please tell me where you got them? Thank you!
Hi Lucie, Hope you are doing well. Here are the seat covers we purchased: Seat Covers: amzn.to/32IHDKv
@@CarolinaCampervan Thank you, for your fast reply and information! They are currently unavailable at amazon.com. I am from Canada. Lucky Amazon.ca. has the same and they are available. Ordering them now! Enjoy looking at your video. Wishing you a lovely day! Cheers! :)
@@luciegagnon6544 Awesome.....Enjoy your weekend! 😀
Don’t you have empty out thr water build up tank
Yep, there's a small drain plug on the lower back of the unit. I just wheel it over to the sliding door, unscrew, lean over gently and drain the water out. I do this every morning after running the unit the previous day/night. Thanks for the question and have a great day! 👍