Ducted Air-Conditioning – The Expensive Alternative
The configuration of the A'van design allows a flow through breeze action to keep a van cool. We
are led to believe from the manufacturer that this is the optimum cooling system and like many other A'vanners over
the years we have accepted the status quo. A trip last year to Central
Australia changed that attitude when it was possible to literally fry an egg on internal metal surfaces.
Returning to base we decided to install ducted
reverse cycle air-conditioning throughout the A'van – YES that's
right – ducted air-conditioning, and HANG THE
EXPENSE.
In fact, indirectly this extreme action forced us to review our whole approach
towards storage in the A'van as the ducting took
up more space than anticipated. We had already previously
decided to get rid of the ‘hanging wardrobe concept' area at the front of the
A'liner as this was deemed a waste of
space.
With the A'van completely empty it was delivered to Lloyds Caravans P/L in Fyshwick during April 2007.
To also increase greater airflow we had also decided to replace the two fixed
sky domes on the front of the van with a set of opening hatches. These currently cost $650 each plus fitting. By coincidence
Lloyds were already replacing the roof of a 2006 Cruiseliner damaged in the Jan 2007 Canberra storm.
The smooth roof had been pitted, but the hatches were undamaged. By
accepting these hatches we halved our material
costs.
The underbunk reverse cycle air-conditioning unit is a Dometic ‘Truma' Climaster. It is a one-piece
pre-charged unit with no plumbing or connections required. This came with
three outlets. The basic unit
cost was $1980 plus fitting of $590
(April '07).
Technical Data:
Nominal Cooling approx. capacity... 2.2kW
Nominal Heating approx. capacity... 1.9kW
Recommended Generator capacity... 2.5kW
Weight approx... 32kg
Installed air-conditioning system under side seat with
three outlets
External air-conditioning showing rolled up road cover
Return air vent and one outlet
Ducting adjacent to water tank and battery
Control Switch with idiot proof precautionary safety knob
Avoids accidentally lifting wooden seat base and hitting air-conditioning
switch
Because the air-conditioning unit itself occupies
the space once used for the awning, ropes, hoses, etc the external
storage opening hatch door was relocated near
the door at the front of the A'van.
Summarising the following work was carried
out:
- Supply & fit air-conditioning unit with three outlets.
- Relocate outside rear hatch forward.
- Remove bubble roof domes and supply & install roof hatches.
Because we were not travelling again for some considerable time the A'van stayed
in the workshops for about 8 weeks.
This time frame suited us.
Storage in the past was based on plastic cube
boxes to fit a specific area. This equated to 4 boxes each end. We have now
substituted these boxes with ‘under bed' storage
units. The added advantage being that a dress, skirt or
trousers can be laid flat in the
bottom with no creasing or falling off the hangars in the hanging wardrobe.
Because the boxes are sealed, dust does
not invade the clothes.
With the removal of the ‘hanging wardrobe' I incorporated a very strong fixed shelf halfway up the inside of the
former wardrobe. This allowed access from top or bottom for made-to-measure
storage boxes. The bottom boxes are ideal for those items that we all
need to take, but may never use. When you travel north & south you
can easily get caught out with weather changes. The relocated external
front hatch door makes easier access
for last minute items that need to go onboard.
Restricted rear storage area with intrusive ducting
Extra ducting tape used in corners to alleviate accidental damage by storage
boxes
Front ‘former wardrobe' area showing fascia panel removed
for greater ease of sliding in storage boxes
Access now easy
Partitioned front storage area with two (2) under-bed
storage units in place
The location of the air-conditioning unit ensures that the A'van remains well balanced, with water tanks and battery
compensating on the other side. Thus there is no additional weight on
the tow-ball.
The major drawback to this installation is that the unit is NOT whisper quiet. But after a short time as the
A'van starts to cool down inside, you consider that this is a small price to pay.
Dennis Thornton