Van A/C 2 Year Update No Max Air Fan Midea Silent Inverter A/C

Forgot to mention:
On the hottest days over 90° a down throw stuffed into the pizza oven area front of the van to keep heat build up contained.
After over two years of air-conditioning my van I've discovered not need a max air fan and maybe don't want one. I'm able to put more solar panels on the roof and I don't have to listen to a loud fan when it's hot. This particular Midea air conditioner is by far the quietest air conditioner I've ever experienced.
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#vanlife #projectvanlife #solarpower #promaster #stealthvancamping #airconditioner

[@odd13579]

Nice, thanks for sharing! I really like those Midea inverter U-shaped units! I've noticed a new product in vehicle air conditioning -- a 12V DC auto HVAC compressor that costs about $350. It has the advantage of re-using the cabin comfort system that's already in your vehicle -- the front grill condenser, the front grill fan, the interior evaporator(s), and the interior fan(s). Obviously this isn't a simple change-over, because you have to recover refrigerant, break the AC loop, connect the DC-driven compressor, lubricate and charge the updated system, and then integrate the electrics, but this sort of mod avoids adding a whole bunch of weight, cut-outs, and space to do the same thing.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Yeah, I would like to try that that sounds like such a good solution

[@odd13579]

@@NoLimitVanLife Such a mod should be more efficient than an add-on. The vehicle condenser coils are usually in front of the radiator and tend to be very large, often with more than twice the area of the various add-on air conditioning options. The larger the condenser, the more efficient the system. The 12V DC compressor is actually an inverter-driven three-phase variable speed compressor, which also tends to be more efficient. A more efficient system puts less load on your batteries and should mean that your AC can stay on longer. I'm really surprised that we're not seeing this approach in the vanlife conversion community.

[@fbezza]

I enjoyed the video. Sun-energy harvesting is so addictive 😂 Greatings from Belgium !

[@NoLimitVanLife]

It really is addicting and crazy that I’ve been living life just like I did when I lived in a house but without an electric bill

[@harrythehandyman]

I will still choose midea u shape window ac over anything else. Because it is sold at Costco, Sam's and everywhere. If it quits working, get warranty replacement or buy a new one at $300 in no time.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Good to know Costco has it it really is the best air conditioner I’ve ever had

[@vanlifeadjustments]

Thanks for sharing, I am not quite at the point of getting panels. I still have plenty of time, a lot of info to process!! Def jazzed about it though!! 😀

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Shocking how durable and light these new cigs panels are

[@UGPVlogsLA]

Hey Dave! I’ve been looking at this A/C for my tiny house since it’s only 8x20. I can get obsessed over solar energy too, it should be mandatory that all of So-Cal runs on solar these days, otherwise, it’s criminal not too! 😂

[@SandVan]

Very cool 😎

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Thank you

[@williamirizarry1113]

Hello, I agree with you. This U-shaped AC is hands down the most efficient and cost-effective option available. Instead of cutting a whole in the door, I think removing the rear window and installing it there would be a better option. What do you think? if you sell the van just remove and replace the window. Perhaps some fabrication and bracing needed? I think a guy on you tube installs window AC units that way. A slide up window replacement would be perfect! I have not seen one though. :( Maybe go with a 48Volt off grid system. 48V wall mount battery and all-in-one inverter. 4000 watts of solar if possible. DC to DC perhaps not possible. Shore power may be tricky with the neutral ground bonding issue. One day we will have the perfect set up, but I agree with the U-shape AC. Installation is the challenge though.

[@quartamile]

48V DC mini splits exist, and they're likely more efficient (a few claim 19EER) than the aircon in this video.

[@daviddrrouin5797]

I think I would cover the skylight with thin pieces of insulation glued impressed together to hold shape.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

That’s what I did

[@oliverlloyd8762]

Another thing I would like to run by you. I would think it would be a better idea. Take a window air conditioner and mount it through the floor face up. The van would be much more stealthy and the AC would still work and drain without being seen from the outside.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

I love that idea although the air conditioner does need to remain flat it can’t be turned

[@DevoutFollowerofYeshua]

How about testing it in the humid areas with 115 degree heat index. 😎🌴

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Yes, I’m excited to do that but I’m going to need more solar panels

[@markrodrigue6913]

Thank God for this video!!!!

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Thank you so much it's great to know that it helped. I'm trying to get it out to as many people as possible

[@markrodrigue6913]

@NoLimitVanLife yes... I' had the ecoflow wave 2.. but I couldn't keep up with the demand of the heat inside a van...so I'm looking at this now

[@NoLimitVanLife]

@@markrodrigue6913 it seems like every month there’s more new air conditioner, designs that for you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars. My opinion any air conditioner that doesn’t have the condenser outside it’s a waste of time.

[@markrodrigue6913]

@NoLimitVanLife I'm seeing that.. yes your right about that too!!!

[@quartamile]

Thanks for sharing. So above 90°F it doesn't cool down the whole cabin?

[@davebean2886]

I'm considering an outside cover for our Midea for seasons when not used. I'm wondering if the tan waterproof material covers available on Amazon would be good or if the cover trapping moister might be problematic? Also there is a quarter sized hole in the bottom which may be to let water out - not sure - wonder if I need to cover this with a bug screen - hate to have a wasp hive get created. Or would the screen mesh cover be better. The placement is mostly protected from rain anyway. What do you use or thoughts on the need?

[@antigroundhogday]

Hrmmm... iterating on your design in the interest of stealth. I would cut the same hole in the rear door, but just put some fine mesh grating or a vent of some sort there and paint it white to match the van. Then I would build a sealed box (vented to the outside through that hole/grating I just made) just inside of that hole I just cut to house the condenser portion of the U-shaped A/C, then run the lines and fan/controls portion of the A/C through the sealed box into the conditioned living space. This would preserve more stealth, but keep the condenser portion separate from the fan and controls. Thanks for the idea!

[@NoLimitVanLife]

I like having the space in the van especially knowing that having the condenser outside it will work better and after a few years I believe people don't think anybody's in the van just because they see the air conditioner on the back. My van very much looks for work and I have some ideas to make it more stealth

[@antigroundhogday]

@@NoLimitVanLife yes, my solution takes up more interior space and efficiency for the stealth. My other idea is to use that Ivation unit with the flexible hose you referenced and if the hose is long enough, mount a hitch mounted cargo box and put the condenser in there, then run the lines to the fan inside the living space. This would preserve stealth as well and minimize holes in the van.

[@DavetheUberSlave]

@@antigroundhogday since the air conditioner, only works good below 85° unless you have enough power to run at 24 seven and closing the condenser should be fine. The only time I would wish the condenser was outside is above 85° because of the heat buildup of running the air conditioner 24 hours a day. That new air conditioner I found in this video you could put the condenser under the van but unfortunately you would have to have a big enough hole which is annoying since all that needs to go through is a couple tubes and some wires. The thing about the mydia U-shaped air conditioner is, it’s so quiet.

[@antigroundhogday]

@@DavetheUberSlave yeah, I guess you need a big hole because you can't cut the lines and just feed them through. I worry about getting clearance and protecting the condenser from rocks under the van, but certainly a stealth solution. If one could run the tubes from the Ivation just out the rear doors to a hitch mounted box for the condenser WITHOUT CRIMPING THE LINES then we wouldn't need to cut a huge hole in the van, just the hitch box to provide airflow to the condenser. Agreed?

[@hillarybarry5195]

Do you need a certain inverter type, or certain battery combination to run this & to handle the initial surge?

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Ambulance the max wattage of the AC is 700 W and it doesn’t surge on start up so I think 1000 W inverter will be fine. Pure sine wave to be safe.

[@DavetheUberSlave]

⁠ all I know about the inverter AC is it’s a new type of AC and that’s why it sips power at times but it definitely runs on AC current and you’ll need to buy an inverter to run it off of batteries

[@davebean2886]

Interesting - anyone know why the term inverter is used? The unit definitely is not fixed a each settings, the power used is constantly changing.

[@amuthanshan]

I prefer the Midea that you installed over the Ivation that you are thinking about. I had something similar to the Ivation (called the Eurom AC2401) which slowly leaks refrigerant and so I had to recharge every 2 years. The weak point of the design is the flexible pipes joining the outdoor and indoor units. Because of the nature of flexible pipes, the pipe joints eventually leak refrigerant unlike the rigid welded copper pipes of a u-shaped Midea air conditioner.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

The mydia air conditioner is the best air conditioner I’ve ever owned and because it’s so quiet I can’t imagine getting any other air conditioner. Also, it being an inverter AC it uses significantly less power than other air conditioners.

[@VTLibtard]

I see you moved the plate😮

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Yeah, it looks much better like this I think

[@charelldrivessocal953]

Have you considered wind energy to supplement solar?

[@NoLimitVanLife]

Yes, there are 3 foot wide wind turbines that way about 20 pounds and claimed to be 400 W but all I see people getting out of them is less than 50 W which is nice if the wind is consistent but maybe not worth the trouble

[@reapercrew618]

Dave how much more do u have to do before the van is completely done.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

At this point, I would like more solar and a second battery bank, but other than that, I just need to stay in that front part of the ceiling

[@reapercrew618]

Nice the van is looking great.

[@DavetheUberSlave]

@@reapercrew618 thank you

[@TheShadowVortX]

Hi! How is the door coping with the extra weight?

[@NoLimitVanLife]

People put spare tires which way three times more on the door so I’m not worried about that. Also I don’t open and close the door because I’m concerned with the shock on the parts in the air conditioner of shutting the door.

[@HoneyBerighthere-Saysarath]

1500 watts of solar input.. so much will shut your portable power unit down.

[@davebean2886]

Is there a way to plug our solar batteries into the Midea without first converting our direct current to alternating current with an inverter and then feed it to the Midea internal inverter to convert back from alternating 110 current to direct current. Or am I not understanding how to use our solar with the Midea. I do have a window unit and it works great with grid 110, just wish there was a model to more efficiently use solar charged batteries when available.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

I guess what you described is not possible. You’ll need to buy an inverter, but it may be a better option than buying an expensive DC air conditioner because even after converting from DC to AC to run the air conditioner the midea is so efficient it may be efficient as an expensive DC air conditioner. an efficient 1000 W pure sign wave inverter will run the air conditioner and isn’t expensive

[@davebean2886]

@@NoLimitVanLifeThanks for the reply. I'm speculating. Does the Midea really run off DC current (called an inverter air conditioner) and only accept AC current as input? I might be misunderstanding what an inverter air conditioner means. So far, we've been happy with our 12,000 BTU Media that we are using to limp along until the central air in our home gets fixed. I'm just wondering if in some cases, especially if hook up solar panels, might save a few bucks. I have a meter on our Media and on econo and low fan - it seems to do whatever it feels is required -- has quite a range of electric input from 2.5 watts to 260 watts so far with many levels between (all readings on economy and low fan). In fairness, it has not been very hot and today is the first 80 + day. We have an open space home with several rooms closed off and the window unit has so far kept our main area at 72 (by morning) to 74 to 75 by evening with the unit set at 74. Starting last Wednesday afternoon to Monday running continually has cost $1.77 ( at 14 cents / KWH) and is currently using 147 Watts with outside temp at 3:31 PM at 81 degrees and inside temp in the open space living / dining / kitchen at 73.4 degrees. My adjoining room office with the door open is noticeably warmer - but the computers are in there. Our home is well insulated with solar screens on the windows that mostly also have roof eave overhangs. We have solar shades hanging in front of our attached garage doors. Thanks for the video and reply.

[@oliverlloyd8762]

I have an idea I'd like to run by you. Instead of carrying all that extra weight and taking up space with a bunch of solar panels, why not just set up your battery bank so that you can charge off of Tesla superchargers? In most cases you could charge within an hour and you can even use that charger to run your devices while you're waiting to get charged.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

That would be amazing, especially if I had a system that could take in at least 50 kW

[@craftymulligar]

Says it's out of stock.

[@NoLimitVanLife]

They have them at Costco