NEW RigidHVAC AC - Keeping Cool in Hot Temperatures with a Miniature Air Conditioner | VanLife

[@SilverCabin]

Portable Air Conditioner - www.rigidhvac.com/portable-air-conditioner Product: Compact & Rugged Portable DC Air Conditioner (with remote controller) Model Number: LC2810E-AC Voltage: DC 12V Refrigerant: R134A Capacity: ≥500W to 700W (2,387Btu) Digital Display Controller Weight: 11kgs (24lbs) L x W x H: 565*255*245mm (22.24*10.03*9.64 inch) Applications: Personal Cooling Body cooling; Laser cooling; Medical & Aesthetic; laboratory Equipment; Recycling Liquid Cooling; Small mobile thermal cooling system etc

[@crkonk]

Just bought a Rigidhvac and would like to know how you get cold air output. I set temperature display to 23P while I see 26.6 deg C detected cold air temperature showing on display. Fan at F5 setting. Fan sounds high for 5 seconds then sounds low for 60 seconds and cycles hi and low. Ambient room temperature is 25.5 deg C. Output air is not cold. Is there a trick to this? Sounds like your unit does not cycle. I enjoy your van exploits.

[@beyouvanlife]

So nice to have sponsors. The new addition to the van will make it a little more comfortable once you figure out power and venting. Happy air conditioner day to you.

[@SilverCabin]

Thanks. It is comfy and the next part is the power. It is about 500 watts but staying cool isn't cheap. The original unit I had worked well but this one is so much more powerful.

[@TheTravelLifeMama]

I really can't wait to see where the future of smaller air conditions is heading. I would love to see an efficient, compact a/c that does not take a tonne of juice. I am sure we will get there someday

[@3generations393]

Congrats James. Will be looking forward to your install & testing. 🙏✌🌎💞

[@williamley7380]

Good video bro. Definitely a game changer in the right conditions. Not sure if it would favor well in Florida, but it just might take the edge off as you said. This unit seems awesome but would definitely dedicate a separate battery just for that. Looking forward to a 2 month and 6 month review on it. Be safe and adventure on my friend.

[@SilverCabin]

It's a much more powerful unit than my first one. It's over 2000BTU and it's a different beast all together. As for power, you would be correct. It will need a separate battery or I need to upgrade my system. Overall, I tried in earlier this week and hooked up a makeshift vent and it cooled me off really well! More reviews coming. So far so good!

[@jamesmason7124]

Hi James it's James in the bus. Congratulations on getting the new AC unit. I have a idea for you, what do you think about venting the AC unit through the floor, that's what I would do if I was installing it. Hell I just wish that I could afford to buy a AC unit because it gets over 100 degrees here in the high desert of New Mexico and my fan is not enough to cool me down, think a oven with the door open and a fan behind it, lol . I hope everything is going well with you. Stay safe and God bless you and your family and America 🇺🇸

[@ziptie7112]

Kudos James. What is Cost? How many BTUs? biggest concern is how much power draw? I know you will figure it out as you go along. Look forward to it Thanks to the company & you for bringing it to us.

[@SilverCabin]

BTUs is just under 2,400 and it's much much more powerful than my original mini-AC! So, it's a bit more than a spot cooler. Largely depends on your insulation and location. For example, if you're out in Texas or Arizona, anything less than 2,000 BTU will not cut it. As such, my original mini-AC probably would not be strong enough. Cost is $1400 and it runs on 12v. As for power draw, the max working amps is 16A, 100AH battery can run around 5hours. In my opinion, that is really good. Not cheap, but will definitely take the edge off.

[@ziptie7112]

@@SilverCabin GREAT! Now how to power it? Size of battery and how to charge......maybe a separate 12v system just for the a/c? and on and on...

[@SilverCabin]

@@ziptie7112 I'll be doing additional videos as I find out more. For now, I'm planning out a way to install in my minivan. Lots to learn, but the times I used the AC, it was so much more powerful than my mini-AC!

[@Russellbeta]

Looks like a great little unit. Can you cool the space inside the van to a temperature colder than the outside on a hot day? What about when it's in the sun?

[@SilverCabin]

My original mini AC was more of a spot cooler and it worked well and took the edge off on hot sweltering nights. This one is much more powerful and it a major step up. As for cooling an entire van, you'd have to ensure it is well insulated like a fridge. Additionally, this takes up some major power as I'm discovering. However, no one said this stuff would be cheap.

[@Russellbeta]

​@@SilverCabin I got those points, but what I'm trying to understand is this: Typically a van gets hot in the sun, and usually the best people can hope for is to get the temperature inside the van to be equal to the temperature outside of the van. Of course the best way to achieve that is through ventilation with the outdoors, if however we would use air conditioning which has a high power draw it would only be worth while if we could get the temperature inside the van to be significantly lower than the temperature outside of the van, so my question is can it do that and to what extent?

[@SilverCabin]

@@Russellbeta it's a little over 2300BTU and the fan system is about 10x more powerful than my current unit. For a very small space I think it would be possible but it would have to properly vented. If I think of the van as one of those we'll insulated 12v fridges, then yes, the inside temp would be cooler than outside. For me, it's the power draw. As for a spot cooler, this unit is really really good. Even testing it outdoors, it cooled me off.

[@SilverCabin]

@@RussellbetaBTW, good question

[@ziptie7112]

@@Russellbeta Insulate well, ventilate, and park in the shade for maximum cool. Many people use only at night for sleeping. Never expect super cool while parking in 90 degree sun. .