Heat Chamber Test Results | The BEST Battery-Powered AIR CONDITIONERS for Vanlife

[@TommyTruckCamper]

Great comparison video definitely helped me make my decision

[@rackupgo]

@@TommyTruckCamper glad to hear it! Was there anything in particular that caught your attention most?

[@TommyTruckCamper]

@rackupgo just your thorough review in a controlled environment and the data points you choose.

[@rackupgo]

@@TommyTruckCamper understood, thank you for the feedback and thank you for watching!

[@CampoVans]

Awesome video! Thanks for all the data! Love to see a comparison that is objective like this one!

[@rackupgo]

You bet!

[@jeremyspecce]

I'd love to see this test again with 2 alternate variables: 1. Starting at a high humidity. In the Northeast humidity levels of 90% are not unusual. 2. Starting at an already reasonable temp for battery life. Maybe say 80 degrees and trying to maintain 70 degrees to see how long that would last. I also know the dometic at least has a number of modes, so i'm curious what mode that unit (and others if applicable ) were in for this test.

[@rackupgo]

Thank you for the recommendations on the test protocol! Regarding the operating mode for all of the units, they were placed in normal or Auto mode depending on the options.

[@JohnDoe-fk6id]

The humidity is absolutely key to how an air conditioner performs. Starting at 15% humidity is silly. You're not pulling any significant moisture out, until the air in the enclosure is above ~40% humidity, and the actual number of that point will vary from one air conditioner to the next. Starting at 80% humidity would have made a HUGE difference in the results. Here in FL summer, it's not uncommon to have an 85° day, with 80%-95% humidity. After rain? it's still 80° and 99% humidity

[@Zyzzyx42]

Would love to this testing done with the split units like Cruise n Comfort and others; see how they compare to roof mounts.

[@rackupgo]

@@Zyzzyx42 stay tuned!

[@Zyzzyx42]

Woohoo! My current van was built 9 years ago, 12v a/c was rather slim then, got an Indel Cube, maybe 3000btu, and... its not done well. Last year we finished her new van with a 120v roof unit (RecPro?), rated 9k, and... its ok. I'll be building my second van next spring and looking at 48v units; interested in split setup but dunno if the cost is worth it over roof mount.

[@bnrlabs5923]

Would love to see how the RecPro stacks up

[@rackupgo]

You are in luck! These will be included in our next round when testing 48V A/C models. Stay tuned as we should have those results early next year with a results video to follow.

[@stinson87]

Great video! I personally have a 33ft fifth wheel, but being able to have supplemental cooling for down the road is a nice option. We have the majority of the RV 48v though, I wish they started designing more versatile voltages. But for a van, 12v is really the way to go for a simple and robust system!

[@rackupgo]

@@stinson87 agreed! There really are pros and cons to any system. That’s why we ask specific lifestyle questions when helping customers find the right products for them

[@WalkerNFaith]

Great and concise information on the available 12 V systems. I’m biased, but after having purchased and using the Dometic, Velit and Nomadic X2 (not X3), I can confidently say the Dometic outperforms the other mentioned units. My second favorite is the Velit and it is close. Like the rep of Dometic more!

[@rackupgo]

@@WalkerNFaith glad you enjoyed the video. It’s great to hear some real-world experience, as well! Thank you

[@jeremyspecce]

thanks for your persona experience.

[@evguenistrok1695]

Well done! Answered all my questions. Surprises by the performance of the Nomadic. Will order RTX 2000.

[@rackupgo]

Glad we could help with your purchase decision! That was exactly what we were looking to do with the results of these tests. We're often asked "how does X A/C compare to Y A/C" and prior to these tests it was subjective. Our next focus is on 48V models. Are there any other products besides A/Cs that you'd like to see similar comparison tests on?

[@4X4DMAN]

AWESOME.

[@rackupgo]

No, you are.

[@ralphmedema2633]

Have you tested the Mabru 12v unit? Would love to see how it compares to these units.

[@rackupgo]

Unfortunately it didn't make our short list. It hasn't been a unit that's been a topic of discussion for the majority of our retail and wholesale customers. If we start to hear more requests for the Mabru we will certainly find some time in the chamber to get it tested. Our next round of tests will be focused on 48V models, so stay tuned!

[@nell.is.otherppl]

@@rackupgo Second the request for Mabru info!

[@blackfootmechanical5413]

I am comparing the dometic and vellit for my service rig, I had not heard of the other brands but it's surprising the most expensive unit was the word performing

[@rackupgo]

@@blackfootmechanical5413 it was a surprise to us, too, but it’s just further confirmation that we have to do the extra work to verify! We hope this video is helpful in your decision making process. If you have any questions about the Dometic RTX or Velit unit, please reach out to us. We have in-house tech support when you need us.

[@AllenKrughoff]

Is the 48v comparison video coming soon?

[@rackupgo]

The tests are still in process. We're hoping to have all the results and the video released early next year.

[@andrewarmstrong7310]

I found mine on eBay for $587 with shipping for the WHOLE set-up. It works well and is nice and cool inside the van. Time will tell if I purchased the right one.

[@rackupgo]

Sounds great!

[@jeremyspecce]

what did you find on ebay? which unit?

[@ryanrodriguez70]

Did u test the Gree ac unit?

[@rackupgo]

@@ryanrodriguez70 we did. Here’s the link for that one: rackupgo.com/blogs/buying-guides/optimizing-comfort-and-efficiency-a-comparative-analysis-of-gree-eco-cool-vs-nomadic-x3-rooftop-air-conditioners

[@rhombusvt]

You should take your dry bulb temperature and humidity data and calculate enthalpy, which is a measurement of total energy in the air. That would be interesting to see and it should show the amount of energy each unit has removed from the chamber. This will also compensate the data trends for any starting condition variations. Send me the data and I can do the calculations.

[@rackupgo]

Great suggestion! We did perform the enthalpy calculation and the results aligned perfectly when ranking the units based on the time to reach set temperature and humidity control. The RTX came out on top followed closely by the Velit, then the Turbo Air II, and then the Indel B, and finally the Nomadic X3 coming in last.

[@bkk6211]

Can you make any comments on how the voltage of the unit would affect the performance? Some units are 24v and there are also 48v units available.

[@rackupgo]

Voltage alone doesn't necessarily have an impact on performance unless the components also increase in capacity. Higher voltage units can take advantage of greater available power and build in higher capacity components to achieve more cooling power. Efficiency (how well the unit converts the power into cooling power) will ultimately depend on the components used and how well the system is designed. The benefit of a higher voltage unit is that the wire gauge is able to be decreased. This allows for easier running of the wire, higher voltage units have a lower current which leads to less heat in the wire, and less weight as a result of the smaller gauge wire.

[@Some_guy_with_JP_for_initials]

With that poor of a performance for the X3, do you have any concerns that you had a bad unit? Otherwise that's criminally over priced with unrealistic specs 😂 Also, thank you so much for the detail of your testing and oresentation. This is an amazing analysis and really helps in decision making!

[@rackupgo]

@@Some_guy_with_JP_for_initials thank for your comment! We’re glad you enjoyed the video. Regarding your question about a defective unit, unfortunately we’re receiving feedback all around the country of underperformance. We were recently called in by a professional van builder to swap multiple units out: check out this video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKLLm5JoatKXqtU

[@Some_guy_with_JP_for_initials]

@@rackupgo Thanks for the quick reply. Checking out that vid & others on the channel now. Just discovered your channel today & I really appreciate all the research & info you're sharing all around.

[@dishcleaner2]

I wish dometic did 48v like velit. I might make my system 12v just for the power savings of the rtx 2000

[@rackupgo]

@@dishcleaner2 they are launching a 48V soon!

[@rackupgo]

@@dishcleaner2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGrGnmCFbtWaY5osi=--he91s25qSMgHXI

[@dishcleaner2]

@@rackupgovery cool! It looks like it uses more power compared to the rtx 2000 though.

[@rackupgo]

@@dishcleaner2 decidedly, when it’s on constant high output, yes, it will pull more power as it has twice the cooling capacity, but power draw is all relative in many scenarios. When an a/c unit is designed properly, it will scale up and down based on the cooling capacity necessary to maintain your set temperature. So, where the RTX may be working harder to maintain, the new 48V Freshjet would be able to scale down, thus reducing the power draw

[@dishcleaner2]

@@rackupgo thanks for the info. I'll keep my eye out for it. It makes sense theoretically, but I'd still like to see an in depth video testing out its efficiency in comparison to other models.

[@masonjeffers]

How would this compare to a mini split?

[@rackupgo]

The units tested are rooftop units

[@samuelfox8126]

Mini splits are 2-3x more efficient.

[@ryanrodriguez70]

Looking at ur run time chart and it says 14 hours on 600amp hours. There’s no way in gods green earth u can run 14 hours on those batteries. Idkn maybe I’m missing something but I only get about 4.5 hours on a cool day

[@rackupgo]

@@ryanrodriguez70 which a/c unit do you have? What batteries and what capacity?

[@Jsdrider81]

I have a 280AH 24V Lithium Battery System with the Velit 24V AC in my Sprinter, and 14 hours seems pretty accurate.

[@rackupgo]

@@Jsdrider81 definitely.

[@jeremyspecce]

please update your comment. we'd love to hear your real world experience!