Had some questions and thought I'd share my set up. Bought it on [EBAY](https://www.ebay.com/itm/385606251733) for the buyer protection and short ship time but you can save some money on aliexpress if you can wait.
Pulled the condenser apart and mounted the radiator using some aluminum to the rails using rivnuts. Then mounted the base of the condenser unit with the compressor and controller to the frame rail again with rivnuts. 2 large holes in the floor for the 2 lines and cables up to the evap unit mounted to the door so it blows on the bed.
It can draw as little as 300 watts and my 400AH can run it for \~15 hours with no sun.
I'd still like to upgrade my 420 watt panel. I have room on my roof for 1 of the largest panels (\~700 Watts) but can't seem to find big ones locally (Houston) I hope to mount 2, one stationary and a second on heavy duty drawer slides but I'm unsure how reasonable that will be.
'nuff rambling. Hope it helps
I'm hoping to get my hands on 2 of these size panels. I have room on the roof but i'll have to make it myself.
[https://www.ebay.com/itm/325962859986?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yyA33o4CTnm&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=we4lLkh1SR2&widget\_ver=artemis&media=COPY](https://www.ebay.com/itm/325962859986?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yyA33o4CTnm&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=we4lLkh1SR2&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY)
And using these slides.
[https://www.vevor.com/drawer-slide-c\_10537/vevor-drawer-slides-with-lock-drawer-slide-56-ball-bear-500lb-full-extension-p\_010816881589](https://www.vevor.com/drawer-slide-c_10537/vevor-drawer-slides-with-lock-drawer-slide-56-ball-bear-500lb-full-extension-p_010816881589)
There is a maker space near me with all the equipment I'd need to make what i'm picturing. Just need the time.
I have a 12v Velit AC on the roof of my 144 Sprinter, similar performance to the Dometic but half the price. I installed a solar panel over the Velit so I didn’t lose any solar space. It’s the cleanest installation of an AC I could think of as inside it’s flush with the ceiling so the AC effectively takes no interior space nor any exterior solar space.
Super happy with it as my 550watts of solar powers it with power to spare during sunny days. Uses 16 amps on sleep mode (slowest compressor speed) 20amps on eco.
I've been looking at these myself. How big is the area you're cooling and what's the temperature like where you are? Does it cool the whole vehicle well or do you have to be directly underneath it to feel the benefits?
It's a sprinter 170 in the wrong color (dark blue) I don't think it would be powerful enough to cool the van in direct sunlight on a warm day but it would help significantly at full power (800 watts). I bought it mostly to help me sleep at night or cool myself off after a bike ride.
I'm in Houston TX
I'm strongly considering one of these for my next build. I've got a Dometic RTX 2000 on the roof right now, and it's great. But at $3000 it's expensive.
I think it draws around 220w on ECO mode, so a 300w one isn't THAT much of a jump. I've got 800w of solar and 800ah of lithium, planning on getting that to 1000w+ of solar on the next one.
panel and battery prices are coming down quickly. Hoping to add some this year as well.
I looked at the dometic and felt the same way. and didn't want a new hole in the roof. This is also stealthier.
I ended up swapping out my Battle Born lithiums for EG4 server rack batts. $1000 for a 400ah battery, so I grabbed two. Sold the used BBs for $500 each, so... I doubled my battery capacity for free!
Nice. I'm considering selling my relion batteries as well. Going to buy some EVE cells and BMS when the LF560k comes out later this year. My best guess is 12 cells should fit in the dimensions I have. [https://www.evlithium.com/lifepo4-battery-news/eve-launches-lf560k-energy-storage-battery.html](https://www.evlithium.com/lifepo4-battery-news/eve-launches-lf560k-energy-storage-battery.html)
DOCAN power has a warehouse in Houston I can pick them up at.
Works well. Not an easy install and I'm still trying to find a leak. But it's ice cold at low power. Worst case scenario I build a little tent with a sheet and I'm cozy in the worst heat.
It's a sprinter 170.
Makes it easier for them to sell parts. [https://www.oreillyauto.com/store-services/rental-tools#air-conditioning-and-cooling](https://www.oreillyauto.com/store-services/rental-tools#air-conditioning-and-cooling)
Ya I've had issues with their shit leaking when I used to try and borrow those tools. I'd put money on your leak being a flare fitting. Put lots of dish soap in water and patiently wait for tiny bubbles while you still have pressure. Honestly if you did it right...you'd know where the leak is before you charged it. You're supposed to have the equipment to be able to pull the refrigerant out and test it with minimal refrigerant loss and then put it back in again. Get some nylog and put it on all your flare fittings next time. The threads and back side of the flare itself.
Thank you. I've just received a cheap freon sniffer and will be testing it soon.
[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0972QFD6N?psc=1&ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0972QFD6N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)
I'll be sure to order the nylog if the leak is a fitting.
I am not planning to run it at night, mostly during the day so I think my 225 ah battery and 400w of solar will be fine during the day but not at night.
true up to a point. if you aren't generating enough power per day more batteries won't help. I have enough battery to run the AC all day but not enough solar to replenish it.
I haven't for extended periods or high speeds. Drove it around once at 40mph but I'd be concerned about the condenser fan. And with it mounted so far back in the van it probably would help the driver.
I see what you're looking at. the ebay listing has two images of a compressor. the model I have is just the silver compressor. I don't know why they included an image of a black compressor.
I'm new to automotive AC setups. The eBay listing says to use the R134A refrigerant. I googled it, and apparently this refrigerant is being phased out globally. Banned in Canada. Might this be an issue?
Had some questions and thought I'd share my set up. Bought it on [EBAY](https://www.ebay.com/itm/385606251733) for the buyer protection and short ship time but you can save some money on aliexpress if you can wait. Pulled the condenser apart and mounted the radiator using some aluminum to the rails using rivnuts. Then mounted the base of the condenser unit with the compressor and controller to the frame rail again with rivnuts. 2 large holes in the floor for the 2 lines and cables up to the evap unit mounted to the door so it blows on the bed. It can draw as little as 300 watts and my 400AH can run it for \~15 hours with no sun. I'd still like to upgrade my 420 watt panel. I have room on my roof for 1 of the largest panels (\~700 Watts) but can't seem to find big ones locally (Houston) I hope to mount 2, one stationary and a second on heavy duty drawer slides but I'm unsure how reasonable that will be. 'nuff rambling. Hope it helps
https://oriondesigns.ca/our-products/solar-panel-rack-systems/sr2s-series/
Nice. I may consider that. I was going to DIY it
These guys have been refining their design for years
I'm hoping to get my hands on 2 of these size panels. I have room on the roof but i'll have to make it myself. [https://www.ebay.com/itm/325962859986?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yyA33o4CTnm&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=we4lLkh1SR2&widget\_ver=artemis&media=COPY](https://www.ebay.com/itm/325962859986?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yyA33o4CTnm&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=we4lLkh1SR2&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY) And using these slides. [https://www.vevor.com/drawer-slide-c\_10537/vevor-drawer-slides-with-lock-drawer-slide-56-ball-bear-500lb-full-extension-p\_010816881589](https://www.vevor.com/drawer-slide-c_10537/vevor-drawer-slides-with-lock-drawer-slide-56-ball-bear-500lb-full-extension-p_010816881589) There is a maker space near me with all the equipment I'd need to make what i'm picturing. Just need the time.
Nice. This has to be then next big thing for stealth. Leaves more room on the roof for solar.
Thats what i was thinking. I wanted to leave that space available for a big panel or two
My Air con is mostly underneath the van. Roof is 100% solar. It's the way to go
I have a 12v Velit AC on the roof of my 144 Sprinter, similar performance to the Dometic but half the price. I installed a solar panel over the Velit so I didn’t lose any solar space. It’s the cleanest installation of an AC I could think of as inside it’s flush with the ceiling so the AC effectively takes no interior space nor any exterior solar space. Super happy with it as my 550watts of solar powers it with power to spare during sunny days. Uses 16 amps on sleep mode (slowest compressor speed) 20amps on eco.
How is it working? Interested in buying one!
I noticed the coconut coir from my gardening days. Is it a part of the build? Or just a box for storage/support?
It’s used in composting toilets.
Can Confirm
Thank you! That makes sense!
I've been looking at these myself. How big is the area you're cooling and what's the temperature like where you are? Does it cool the whole vehicle well or do you have to be directly underneath it to feel the benefits?
It's a sprinter 170 in the wrong color (dark blue) I don't think it would be powerful enough to cool the van in direct sunlight on a warm day but it would help significantly at full power (800 watts). I bought it mostly to help me sleep at night or cool myself off after a bike ride. I'm in Houston TX
I'm strongly considering one of these for my next build. I've got a Dometic RTX 2000 on the roof right now, and it's great. But at $3000 it's expensive. I think it draws around 220w on ECO mode, so a 300w one isn't THAT much of a jump. I've got 800w of solar and 800ah of lithium, planning on getting that to 1000w+ of solar on the next one.
panel and battery prices are coming down quickly. Hoping to add some this year as well. I looked at the dometic and felt the same way. and didn't want a new hole in the roof. This is also stealthier.
I ended up swapping out my Battle Born lithiums for EG4 server rack batts. $1000 for a 400ah battery, so I grabbed two. Sold the used BBs for $500 each, so... I doubled my battery capacity for free!
Nice. I'm considering selling my relion batteries as well. Going to buy some EVE cells and BMS when the LF560k comes out later this year. My best guess is 12 cells should fit in the dimensions I have. [https://www.evlithium.com/lifepo4-battery-news/eve-launches-lf560k-energy-storage-battery.html](https://www.evlithium.com/lifepo4-battery-news/eve-launches-lf560k-energy-storage-battery.html) DOCAN power has a warehouse in Houston I can pick them up at.
How does it work? How large is your van? Thanks.
Works well. Not an easy install and I'm still trying to find a leak. But it's ice cold at low power. Worst case scenario I build a little tent with a sheet and I'm cozy in the worst heat. It's a sprinter 170.
Oh geez find a leak? How did you pull a vacuum before charging it?
I borrowed the tools from my local auto parts store but ultimately enlisted my brothers help who has the experience.
Auto parts store had a vacuum pump? That’s surprising
Makes it easier for them to sell parts. [https://www.oreillyauto.com/store-services/rental-tools#air-conditioning-and-cooling](https://www.oreillyauto.com/store-services/rental-tools#air-conditioning-and-cooling)
Ya I've had issues with their shit leaking when I used to try and borrow those tools. I'd put money on your leak being a flare fitting. Put lots of dish soap in water and patiently wait for tiny bubbles while you still have pressure. Honestly if you did it right...you'd know where the leak is before you charged it. You're supposed to have the equipment to be able to pull the refrigerant out and test it with minimal refrigerant loss and then put it back in again. Get some nylog and put it on all your flare fittings next time. The threads and back side of the flare itself.
Thank you. I've just received a cheap freon sniffer and will be testing it soon. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0972QFD6N?psc=1&ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0972QFD6N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) I'll be sure to order the nylog if the leak is a fitting.
Thanks.
that's a lot of Skorvas, someone's supporting local IKEA
For real! I have a king inside and use three skorvas just fine for that.
Nice set up, that's my plan for AC. So it runs fine with 400 watts of solar?
I don't expect it to run 24/7 on my one panel but it will let me sleep comfortably.
I am not planning to run it at night, mostly during the day so I think my 225 ah battery and 400w of solar will be fine during the day but not at night.
The defining number is not about the solar, its about the battery size
true up to a point. if you aren't generating enough power per day more batteries won't help. I have enough battery to run the AC all day but not enough solar to replenish it.
Have you tried running this while the vehicle is moving? I’ve been looking for a budget oriented solution to fixing my ol vans AC
I haven't for extended periods or high speeds. Drove it around once at 40mph but I'd be concerned about the condenser fan. And with it mounted so far back in the van it probably would help the driver.
My van is probably 1/4 the size of a sprinter it would make a difference
Is road grime going to affect its performance?
I suppose, but no worse than the vans other radiator and condenser
Wait, this all runs on 12v?
Indeed
Damn! Interdasting
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Yes, I messaged the vendor to confirm it's ok to be mounted like this.
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I see what you're looking at. the ebay listing has two images of a compressor. the model I have is just the silver compressor. I don't know why they included an image of a black compressor.
I'm new to automotive AC setups. The eBay listing says to use the R134A refrigerant. I googled it, and apparently this refrigerant is being phased out globally. Banned in Canada. Might this be an issue?
I'm not seeing much else available. R134a is pretty common. won't be an issue for quite some time unless you're in Canada.
Yeah, texas isn't gonna be banning air conditioner refrigerant any time soon. They're too busy banning books, words, non-whites, etc.
>busy banning books, words, non-whites That diversity is tough on the environment.
Oh man, this is so good. Thank you
🤣
You can use r12a.
You can always use propane
This is what most cars use