|
Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off! |
|
|
25/2/2025 at 7:16am
Location: Worcestershire Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/6/2004 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 4107
Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 5 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 10 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
We had the air con fitted before we went to the Vendee as we have small long haired dogs. We have also used it on numerous occasions in the UK. We think it was worth every penny as nothing worse than a sleepless night due to high humidity.
|
25/2/2025 at 9:07am
Location: Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 07/2/2009 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 9917
Site Reviews Total: | 24 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 2 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
We have had the Truma Aventa on two caravans, and wouldn't be without it.
Mainly for 3-4 week holiday in the South of France, but have used it numerous times in the UK.
In the next couple of weeks we are getting a Truma Aventa Compact 2nd Generation fitted.
Look here for some prices.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
|
25/2/2025 at 1:08pm
Location: London Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/9/2015 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 2489
Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 6 |
|
I hate excessive heat, well, probably more the high humidity that often accompanies it, so air con is often appreciated, even in UK.
Not camped in southern France, but surprising how much hotter even central France can get compared to UK when I've been there!
For the occasional use necessary in UK, I bought a compact portable A/C unit rather than had a very expensive dedicated caravan unit fitted. It means I don't have to lug the extra weight around for most of the year when it's redundant. I did do a fair bit of measuring to ensure I could transport it and use it OK in the limited space of the caravan. It transports on the lower bunk of the convertible dinette/bunk beds (I never use either the dinette or bunk beds - bed bases without cushions are used as storage 'racking', and is used in the ample floor space opposite the door.
Vent hose goes out of the standard Heki type roof vent (I made a custom fit adaptor to seal it, to stop cold air escape/hot air ingress).
I bought this unit:https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/compact/electriq-compact https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/compact/electriq-compact
Only found cause to use it a couple of times since I bought it, but it worked really well, and did the job to my satisfaction. Unlike some portables, it's quite quiet running and doesn't trip in and out with a loud noise, so I can sleep through it fine. TBH, if you can keep the van cool in the day/eve, overnight doesn't require quite as much cooling as you may think.
When not in the caravan, it gets used at home - quite a lot, so good investment!
I did consider the 'Cool my Camper' split units, but between cost, weight (can be a struggle fitting/retrieving external part through a window), care of handling two units with a fragile umbilical linking them, questionable dehumidifying capability (compared to other types), and relatively low power/cooling capacity, I discounted it.
Don't bother with the water evaporation 'chilled' fan types - they don't really work under the circumstances where you need them most! They rely on the chilling effect of evaporating water, BUT when ambient humidity is high and nearing saturation point, evaporation barely happens, so it's just an ordinary fan then, blowing warm air around and trying to get your skin to do it's own cooling! Arguably as it's increasing humidity in the local area, it's probably making things more uncomfortable when not in the direct flow of air from the fan!
Any kind of A/C is not light weight! - Keep a close eye on your payload! A/C is quite power hungry, ensure EHU is rated high enough to cope.
If I were looking at a replacement caravan at any point, I'd give serious thought to a dedicated A/C unit, for the convenience and it's cooling/heating versatility, but current van is stretched on payload, and not inclined to invest so much money on an older van.
|
26/2/2025 at 10:10am
Location: Liverpool Outfit: Swift Challenger 560
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 05/7/2003 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 1967
Site Reviews Total: | 121 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 15 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 15 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 14 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 11 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 8 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 17 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 78 |
Site Nights 2023: | 75 |
Site Nights 2022: | 66 |
Site Nights 2021: | 57 |
Site Nights 2020: | 39 |
Site Nights 2019: | 68 |
|
During a very hot period several years ago we just bought a bag of ice and put it in a big bowl in front of our fan at night. The ice cools the air directly above it and the fan blows the cooled air around the van. It worked for us for the short time we needed it.
------------- Pixie
|
26/2/2025 at 7:08pm
Location: Near Alton Towers Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 23/2/2006 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3057
Site Reviews Total: | 11 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 3 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 2 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 11 |
Site Nights 2021: | 5 |
Site Nights 2020: | 9 |
Site Nights 2019: | 8 |
|
We were in the Vendee a few years ago during a bit of a heat wave, it was 41 degrees in the shade and even with every window and door wide open all night and fan on, it was terrible, we just don't get that kind of temperature and humidity in the UK.
I bought a second-hand roof mounted aircon for a bargain price from someone who needed a larger model for their new motorhome and it's been absolutely fantastic. My wife had breast cancer and the maintenance drug, Tamoxifen gave her hot sweats for 10 years.
Dave.
------------- Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.
|
04/3/2025 at 6:46am
Location: Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 07/2/2009 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 9917
Site Reviews Total: | 24 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 2 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
So what do you think martyjake, are you going for it?
Would be good to get some feedback re all the replies.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
|
04/3/2025 at 7:53pm
Location: West country Outfit: Mondeo
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 23/8/2008 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 4682
Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Our Dandy has a shiny white insulated PVC roof and only small windows in the walls. If we go out for the day leaving it shut up on a hot sunny day, it's like stepping into a fridge when we get back.
By contrast, our little modern 2 berth caravan has 2 huge roof lights, and huge windows all round. If we go out for the day leaving it shut up on a hot sunny day, it's like stepping into an oven when we get back.
The answer seems simple to me.
|
05/3/2025 at 8:46am
Location: Worcestershire Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/6/2004 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 4107
Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 5 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 10 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
It needs to be remembered that with any air con, if going out for the day one needs to make sure all windows are closed and blinds closed otherwise the air con will not be efficient.
|
|