In daily use, air conditioners of different quality often affect our quality of life. In the life of RV travel, air conditioners as the core accessories of the car will also be linked to the quality of our travel.Let's take a look at how to choose RV air conditioners and how to choose the air conditioner that best suits your environment.
In order to let friends who are new to RVs understand the knowledge of air conditioners, we will first answer a few common questions about air conditioners, which will be more helpful for you to choose air conditioners
● What are the characteristics of excellent air conditioners?
Fast cooling and heating efficiency:
The cooling/heating speed of the air conditioner directly reflects the "heart" of the air conditioner: the performance of the
compressor. Of course, the efficiency of an air conditioner should be considered within reasonable conditions. For example, if the air conditioner has low power but the room is large, it cannot meet the efficiency of cooling and heating; and if the air conditioner continues to work at high power but the room is small, it will also cause energy waste. For RV air conditioners, it is not only necessary to look at the quality of the compressor in the air conditioner, but the most important thing is to choose a model that matches the length of your RV, which we can see in the parameter table.
No sudden changes in temperature:
The high efficiency of the air conditioner can reflect the good condition of the compressor to a certain extent, but it is not enough to show that this air conditioner is a "high-end product". The air conditioner is for people, and it is turned on for comfort. Whether it is winter or summer, the air conditioner must react quickly to maintain a stable temperature and avoid sudden temperature changes. With current technology, variable inverter RV air conditioners perform better than fixed-frequency air conditioners. They react quickly and save energy.
More power saving:
For RVs, power saving is more important. The energy efficiency label should be as high as possible, and variable frequency air conditioners can save the limited power reserves of a motorhome more effectively than fixed frequency air conditioners.
More silent:
Silence is also an important indicator of rv air conditioner system. For family homes, due to the large space, the silent problem is relatively less prominent. For RVs, in a limited space, the noise and vibration of the air outlet greatly affect the actual use experience. Due to different working principles, inverter RV ACs have better silent effects, making sleep easier
●What is the difference between fixed-frequency air conditioners and variable-frequency air conditioners?
Fixed-frequency air conditioners:
The compressor speed of fixed-frequency air conditioners is basically unchanged. The indoor temperature is adjusted by constantly "starting and stopping" the compressor. The on and off operation can easily cause the room temperature to fluctuate. Since the thermostat of the air conditioner is turned on and off too frequently, the wear on the air conditioner compressor increases; at the same time, it will also increase the power consumption of the air conditioner. It is mostly used in low-end and medium-end air conditioners in RVs.
Variable-frequency air conditioners:
A variable-frequency air conditioner is a control system that adds a frequency converter to the framework of traditional air conditioners and can regulate and change the compressor speed. The main unit of the air conditioner is automatically variable in speed; it can automatically provide the necessary cooling (heating) depending on the room conditions; when the indoor temperature reaches the expected value, the main unit runs at a constant speed that can effectively maintain this temperature, so attaining "non-stop operation" to ensure the stability of the ambient temperature.
●What do driving air conditioners and parking air conditioners mean?
Driving air conditioners are the air conditioners that come with the original car engine when it is started, and are used during the driving process of the vehicle. Parking air conditioners are car air conditioners used when the vehicle is parked. They are divided into heating and cooling air conditioners and single cooling air conditioners, as well as roof-mounted air conditioners and bottom-mounted air conditioners. Roof-mounted air conditioners are generally installed on the top of the vehicle, with the external unit outside the vehicle and the internal unit on the top of the vehicle. Roof-mounted air conditioners increase the height of the RV by 20-30cm. Most bottom-mounted air conditioners are installed under the seats, because they do not need to change the appearance, they are more suitable for friends who want to modify their cars.
RV Rooftop Air Conditioner
The picture shows the latest GUCHEN
Inverter RV Air Conditioner, one of GUCHEN’s premium models. It’s equipped with a GMCC inverter compressor that offers smooth, stepless speed control and reduced vibration. With GUCHEN’s specially designed compressor control box, the unit runs more evenly and quietly, reducing both vibration and noise. The airflow design and air outlet panel have also been upgraded to provide more even, gentle airflow while keeping noise levels low. This air conditioner is perfect for motorhomes, caravans, or campervans with an interior space of around 200 to 240 square feet, offering a cool and comfortable environment. And when the temperature drops, you can switch on its heating function for cozy warmth during winter trips.
Guchen Ecooler 2800A simple parameter is as follows:
| |
Ecooler2800A |
| Applicable Vehicles (meters) |
<7m |
| Input Voltage |
220~240v/Inverter 15-60hz |
| Cooling Capacity |
2800W |
| Heating Capacity |
3000W |
| Current |
7A |
| Product size |
920x765x220(mm) |
| Product weight |
33.7kg |
| Operating temperature |
-2~55℃ |
| Refrigerant |
R32 |
Let’s take this RV AC unit as an example to explore the structure and specifications of a roof-mounted air conditioner, along with key installation precautions.
The advantage of a roof-top air conditioner is that it is installed on top of the motorhome, reducing the space taken up inside the RV. Designed specifically for RVs, it offers better shock resistance. Since it is located in the center of the vehicle’s roof, the airflow is faster and more evenly distributed. Cold air sinks naturally, enhancing the cooling effect.
The indoor unit with a control panel and an air outlet device can be seen from the roof when entering the RV.
The dimensions of the RV camper air conditioner are 920 × 765 × 224 mm. On the roof, the most important measurement to consider is the height—224 mm—to avoid the unit sticking out too much and affecting the vehicle’s clearance. For the part connected to the vehicle body, a body thickness between 30 and 60 mm should be chosen to ensure proper installation. If you're replacing or modifying the unit yourself, make sure the opening frame at the top of the RV matches the size of the opening at the base of the air conditioner's outdoor unit.
When modifying the top-mounted air conditioner, the top must be waterproofed to prevent water from entering from the gap on rainy days. Generally speaking, the Rooftop RV Air Conditioners
are designed with a water guide groove, and the condensed water discharged from the outdoor compressor will not penetrate the car. In addition, in terms of appearance and structure, the top-mounted air conditioner is easier to replace and repair than the bottom-mounted air conditioner, but the indoor unit is on top of the RV, which will bring corresponding noise.
Some user feedback on this RV Air Conditioner after use:
◆The air conditioner cools down the car quickly, making it a comfortable space even on the hottest days.
◆The air conditioner runs so quietly that I often forget it's on. It creates a very pleasant environment inside the car.
◆The cool air feels great on my skin, and the temperature is always just right. It makes driving a pleasure, even in the heat.
◆The materials feel sturdy and high-quality. I can tell it's built to last, even with daily use.
Under Seat RV Air Conditioners
The under-bench air conditioner is typically installed beneath the bed or under the sofa seat in an RV. The bed board or sofa panel can be opened later for maintenance. One of the key advantages of a bottom-mounted air conditioner is its ability to reduce noise during operation.
Let’s take the Dometic FreshWell FWX4 as an example
Dometic FreshWell FWX4 Technical Data:
| Input voltage |
220-240V |
| Input frequency |
50/60HZ |
| Cooling capacity |
2000W |
| Heating capacity |
2500W |
| Indoor and outdoor unit size |
628x268x400 |
| Weight |
21kg |
| Highlights |
Efficient cooling; Air distribution options; Remote control |
As the only under-bench air conditioner in Dometic’s RV AC product line, the FWX4 is very compact and can be placed in a storage box. Its low-consumption feature allows it to start smoothly anywhere, and all functional components, including the air filtration system, can also operate normally under low air pressure conditions. The unit has three air outlets that can be evenly distributed to different areas of the vehicle, without needing to change the vehicle structure like a roof-mounted air conditioner. Since heat rises, a floor-mounted air conditioner can achieve better heating performance compared to a roof-mounted one. The switching between cooling and heating, as well as temperature adjustment, can be done via remote control.
Whether a under-bench air conditioner operates at its best depends on the correct installation location. It should preferably be close to the axle of the vehicle, usually installed on the side opposite the RV door. The hot or cold air is delivered through ducts from round outlets to different areas of the RV. If an infrared remote control is used, the infrared receiver should be installed near the air conditioner to ensure easy operation.
RV Air Conditioner FAQs
○ Why choose a dedicated RV air conditioner? Can’t a household unit do the job?
Many people are curious why home split or window air conditioners be installed in RVs when they are much cheaper? Indeed, some car friends have tried it when they were DIY, but it is not recommended to install it in mass-produced RVs.
The reason is simple: home air conditioners are designed for fixed buildings and do not have shockproof capabilities. RVs are inevitably bumpy on the road. Over time, the internal components of home air conditioners are likely to loosen or even damaged, which will not only affect the service life, but also pose safety hazards.
RV-specific air conditioners are designed for mobile environments, with a more compact structure and stronger shock resistance. They can adapt to various complex road conditions and are important equipment to ensure the comfort of the journey.
○ Does the shape of a rooftop air conditioner affect wind resistance?
This is a question for many users. In fact, you can rest assured: the overhead air conditioner has a negligible effect on wind resistance. It is compact and streamlined in design, and even if it is installed on the roof, it has very little effect on fuel consumption.
As for the center of gravity problem, there is no need to worry. The air conditioner is usually installed in the middle of the roof, and has little effect on the center of gravity compared to the weight of the whole vehicle.
The only thing you need to pay attention to is whether the height of the vehicle exceeds the height limit of the underground garage. If you often have to enter and exit the height-restricted area, you should focus on the height parameters of the air conditioner.
○ Is it necessary to bring a generator to power the air conditioner?
If you often stay at RV campsites, bringing a generator may not be necessary. However, if you frequently camp in the wild and rely on a generator to run your air conditioner, then carrying one becomes quite important. Just make sure the generator’s output exceeds the air conditioner's rated power to ensure it can start up properly.
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