The best rooftop van air conditioner recommendation?

[MartinaJ.]

The best rooftop van air conditioner recommendation?
it is not an easy thing to choose a rooftop AC for my van conversion. I am looking for a 12v system, any recommendation?

 

[DeMac]

RecPro by Houghton

Several decibels quieter
Moves more air per minute
More btu of cooling per watt
Heat & Dehumidifier included
*NOT the lowest price

We chose model A3800, with Heat & Dehumidifier

EDIT: Reread OP. Not 12v. Houghton is 120v. A quality 12v would be the ($expensive?) set up the factory installs. ProAir, Trans/Air, Carrier, Thermo King. Check out Eberspaecher

 

[kazetsukai]

RecPro by Houghton

Just looked at the specs, they are actually very good for the price!



OP, given it is a van and thus the space to cool, what you want might be doable. But as said it might be better to go with a 120V AC via an (efficient) inverter for the cost savings. You're going to want a lot of battery capacity and/or alternator tie-in for sure.


Even the most efficient 12V ones are going to be a significant draw. Have you considered split units?

https://sharkaire.com/12voltdc
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12v-24v-DC...tem-for-Motorhome-and-RV-Rooftop/264508682837

 

[DeMac]

I read that Houghton uses variable speed compressors (variable freq drive?) so the wind up load at start is also reduced. They are from Austrailia, where the efficiency standards are higher. There's a well documented install & review on the airstream forum here:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f240/overhead-air-conditioning-loud-121339-6.html

 

[ppcInfo]

how long is your bus?

the cooling capacity of the AC should be exactly fitted with your van compartment length. The above-mentioned AC units that with 2000-4000w COOLING capacity won't be a better alternative for a 6-9 seats van.

 

[ppcInfo]

a 12V air conditioner for van with large cooling capacity will definitely cost too much energy, therefore an auxiliary battery will be needed if you buy a 12V system.

Maybe you could have a look at this one?
https://www.guchen.com/mini-bus-van-air-conditioner/dc-10e-minibus-ac-unit.html
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BTW, do contact the sales to confirm the following information:
1. its cooling capacity
2. its exact application, for what kind of vans?
3. whether the heating function is available?
4. its energy comsumption
5. a littble bit info. on its compressor.