Removing the extractor fan for an A/C unit

[Saxo Appeal]

Been thinking of swapping the extractor fan for an A/C unit, but may hold off on this.

Not sure how an A/C unit manages with removing cooking smells which an extractor fan will do (sort of) along with keeping the window open

Anyone know if the A/C has an extractor option?

 

[Buckman]

Been thinking of swapping the extractor fan for an A/C unit, but may hold off on this.

Not sure how an A/C unit manages with removing cooking smells which an extractor fan will do (sort of) along with keeping the window open

Anyone know if the A/C has an extractor option?

They don't have an actual extractor, but ours does remove cooking smells. Also if using on circulation only with a door open, it will help move the smells out of the caravan. We have dogs so air con was essential especially if visiting France.

We replaced our Dometic air con with a Truma about 2 -3 years ago and it came with a 5 year back to base warranty. Cost was £1750 for the Comfort and price has increased since.

 

[Saxo Appeal]

Thanks mate, yeh looking at the Truma as a replacement

 

[Buckman]

Thanks mate, yeh looking at the Truma as a replacement

Our Dometic only lasted 7 years befroe ti packed up altogether. Decided to scrap it as cost to repair was not cheap plus it gave us endless problems..

 

[Saxo Appeal]

7 years is still a good age, especially how things are made these days

 

[ProfJohnL]

7 years is still a good age, especially how things are made these days

I disagree. Most caravans are still around at least 10 to 15 years, and most appliances given the correct service and maintenance will still be quite capable of working (often beyond the caravans body remaining dry)

 

[Buckman]

7 years is still a good age, especially how things are made these days

it should have lasted a minimum of 10 years although it should have a life span that is a lot longer. Although it was maintained as per manufacturer's specifications, we still had endless issues with it.

 

[Mr Plodd]

To my way of thinking an Extractor fan actually extracts air (smelly or otherwise) from wherever. An air con unit on the other hand merely recirculates the air within wherever.

 

[Saxo Appeal]

See this is my ponder, do we get the A/C or not due to this

Something to think about

 

[otherclive]

Do aircon units have activated charcoal filters to remove odours.

 

[RogerL]

See this is my ponder, do we get the A/C or not due to this

Something to think about

What about an underbed AC, that way you can keep the extract function.

 

[Mr Plodd]

See this is my ponder, do we get the A/C or not due to this

Something to think about

Ask a company that sells/installs caravan air con?

 

[Buckman]

To my way of thinking an Extractor fan actually extracts air (smelly or otherwise) from wherever. An air con unit on the other hand merely recirculates the air within wherever.

That is correct, but if you have a window or door open the air is cleansed. We have an air con and have never had an issue with smells in the caravan. At night we have the bathroom vent open and also windows on night latch. A/C is only fan only.

Do aircon units have activated charcoal filters to remove odours.

I don't think so as no mention of it in the manual.

What about an underbed AC, that way you can keep the extract function.

We did look at that but if you have ALDE heating that means ducts need to install which means cut outs for vents. Also vibration from machine was not pleasant, but that was many years ago so may have improved.

We are very happy with our air con as no smells, cools the air when required and is quiet. I don't think any of the above posters have had air con permanently fitted in their caravans so are only making assumptions?

 

[Mr Plodd]

We are very happy with our air con as no smells, cools the air when required and is quiet. I don't think any of the above posters have had air con permanently fitted in their caravans so are only making assumptions?

I had aircon as a permanent fit on a motirhome, so speak from practical experience not assumption.

 

[Buckman]

I had aircon as a permanent fit on a motirhome, so speak from practical experience not assumption.

Then you should be well aware that smells are removed when the A/C is operating correctly. We have had air con in our homes especially in the kitchen and have never had an issue with smells. Maybe air cons in domestic premises extract?

However it is up to the individual whether to have one fitted or not. We definitely would never consider a caravan without an air con fitted as in a large caravan those portable ones are rubbish in comparison.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I don't think any of the above posters have had air con permanently fitted in their caravans so are only making assumptions?

Why do you have to own a product before your allowed to have a valid point of view about it?

The reason I do not own some products is becasue I have knowledge or experience to be able consider their pro's and con's and to make well informed opinions about them, I'm sure there are others in the same boat.

I wonder why I don't own a chocolate tea pot?

 

[Buckman]

I wonder why I don't own a chocolate tea pot?

Maybe it is because you like fudge things your way?

 

[Dustydog]

Practical Caravan Magazine make it mandatory that you own the caravan subject of their surveys.. As I don’t own a new caravan subject to their survey I cannot comment. 😎

 

[Martin_E]

If you are running air con with windows/doors/vent open/partially open then it works against the air con as air con works best in a sealed environment

 

[Mr Plodd]

By the sounds of it a cheap 12v fan position by an open window is what's needed if all you want is an extractor unit..
Far less outlay than aircon

 

[RogerL]

By the sounds of it a cheap 12v fan position by an open window is what's needed if all you want is an extractor unit..
Far less outlay than aircon

You may be missing the point - the OP's new caravan gets a roof-mounted extractor fan as standard - the OP's considering swapping it for an AC unit.

 

[Mr Plodd]

It was meant as a bit tongue in cheek!

 

[ProfJohnL]

The first compressor driven AC unit was created by Willis H. Carrier in 1902 in America to help stabilise the paper used in a printing press. As it chilled the air it also collected reduced the humidity in the air that passed through the system.

The basic principal has not changed but over time, smaller and lighter units have been developed and some have been adapted to work in caravans.

Regarding the removal of smells, some smells (but not all of them) are carried on droplets of moisture suspended in the air. As such as the moisture is trapped by an AC unit it will also capture some smells but this is not a primary function of AC units. Gaseous smells will not be trapped in an AC unit.

Some Caravan AC units may be designed with additional features, such as either having reverse phase change heating (running the AC in reverse to bring heat from outside in - Air sourced heating) or they may have electric heating elements to direct heat the inside air.

I'm not aware of any caravan unit that contains activated carbon filters, because the additional drag these filters would create to the air flow would reduce the effectiveness of the AC system.

See the manufacturer's specifications to know what features each system may have.

 

[Dustydog]

What is the make and model ,year of the OP unit?
An average Air con for a caravan is circa 33kgs. A hell of a lot more than an Omnivent.
Can the roof structure take the additional weight?

 

[Mr Plodd]

Or the amount of payload thats "spare"