Community Forums

fry5family · 03-10-2023, 12:49 PM

I'm looking for information on a portable air conditioner to use in two circumstances -- 1) Sometimes we have to camp in locations where our two air conditioners can't keep up (50 amp power, 110v available on power pole); and 2) we have 1100w of solar and 824ah of lithium and would like a unit that is very energy efficient to take the edge off sometimes (we do have soft starts on our RV air conditioners).

"Just drive somewhere cooler" is not always available to us.

What portable air conditioner is working, or not working, for you?

Michael and Deborah Fry
2005 Monaco Knight 38PDQ and 2014 Honda CRV toad

TravelSolo · 03-10-2023, 02:06 PM

how do you plan on venting it outside?

BayRunner · 03-10-2023, 02:37 PM

I use this one in my truck roof top tent. Works well. When off grid, I’ve used an Ecoflow battery pack to power it for about 8 hours set on low.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09TD...b_b_asin_image

twinboat · 03-10-2023, 03:36 PM

Wow, $1000 for 3000 BTUs.

The bigger portables are 8000 to 12000 BTUs and a lot cheaper.

BayRunner · 03-10-2023, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Wow, $1000 for 3000 BTUs.

The bigger portables are 8000 to 12000 BTUs and a lot cheaper.

Depends on the intended purpose. If you want an A/C plug in type (110v) that using 500+ watts and weighs 40+ lbs sure there are cheaper. However, if you’re really looking for a true portable running on 12 volt that weights 20-25 lbs and only uses about 100 watts on average with dedicated drain tubes then I am not aware of any cheaper. I’ve used the cheaper A/C plug in ones from Lowes in a tent before and they are heavy, water fills up quickly and then shuts down (East coast humidity) and the thermostat didn’t work with a darn. You either have to crank it down and freeze or try to set it and get long periods of high humidity when the compressors not running.

The ExoFlow portable air conditioners are even more up to $1800.

Winemaker2 · 03-10-2023, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayRunner

I use this one in my truck roof top tent. Works well. When off grid, I’ve used an Ecoflow battery pack to power it for about 8 hours set on low.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09TD...b_b_asin_image

The pictures seem like a joke? Seem to imply you can use it in a room w/o venting or even outside?? That will ultimately heat the room up vs cooling. Yes you sit in front of the cool outlet but it pumps heat out of the opposite end.

BayRunner · 03-10-2023, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winemaker2

The pictures seem like a joke? Seem to imply you can use it in a room w/o venting or even outside?? That will ultimately heat the room up vs cooling. Yes you sit in front of the cool outlet but it pumps heat out of the opposite end.

I complete agree with you. It’s a typical import device with lousy marketing. You have to know what it is and it’s purpose to fully appreciate it. This pic is the best illustration and how I use it.

fry5family · 03-10-2023, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelSolo

how do you plan on venting it outside?

I plan to vent the unit through a slideout window.

BayRunner · 03-10-2023, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fry5family

I plan to vent the unit through a slideout window.

I will say that this particular unit is only good for small spaces such as a small tent. I don’t think it would make much impact on an RV.

Cat · 03-10-2023, 11:55 PM

I've used one in AZ Tucson. The key requirement is get a 2 hose portable. The two hose brings outside air in blows it through the condenser then goes out the other. Single hose are not very efficient. Do not get one. I used a 11,000 but on a Bounced with two roof airs and ran it off a inside plug and never tripped a breaker. I did also run a extension cord out of a window to the pedestal. I did this just as kinda backup. I was very happy with the portable. Mine also used the water from the condensation to help cool the condenser so I never had to drain water out. Hope this helps. Safe Travels

fry5family · 03-11-2023, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat

I've used one in AZ Tucson. The key requirement is get a 2 hose portable. The two hose brings outside air in blows it through the condenser then goes out the other. Single hose are not very efficient. Do not get one. I used a 11,000 but on a Bounced with two roof airs and ran it off a inside plug and never tripped a breaker. I did also run a extension cord out of a window to the pedestal. I did this just as kinda backup. I was very happy with the portable. Mine also used the water from the condensation to help cool the condenser so I never had to drain water out. Hope this helps. Safe Travels

This is what I am looking for. I have already decided on the two-hose option and I appreciate your confirmation. Weight of the unit is not an issue. What brand/model did you use?

Cat · 03-11-2023, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fry5family

This is what I am looking for. I have already decided on the two-hose option and I appreciate your confirmation. Weight of the unit is not an issue. What brand/model did you use?

I believe it was Everstar but that was awhile ago and no longer have the MH . I'm pretty sure I bought it from Home Depot- because they had them and Home Depot has Pretty good return policy.
I do know it was the two hose and it removed condensation by blow it through the condenser. It was also a heat pump --I figured what the heck might as well. I will say with the portable AC and my other AC I could set my temperature to any setting and would cool to that temperature and no matter what the outside temperature was 115f . And before I bought the portable the two AC on the MH would not keep up with the heat loads. I used it for several years and was very happy with the added Ac.

BayRunner · 03-11-2023, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fry5family

This is what I am looking for. I have already decided on the two-hose option and I appreciate your confirmation. Weight of the unit is not an issue. What brand/model did you use?

By chance are you located on the East coast area? Only asking because I do have a 5000 BTU unit I bought from Lowes and used only once. No longer have a need for it and I would give it to You if you’re anywhere near.

fry5family · 03-11-2023, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayRunner

By chance are you located on the East coast area? Only asking because I do have a 5000 BTU unit I bought from Lowes and used only once. No longer have a need for it and I would give it to You if you’re anywhere near.

Thank you for the thought. We are in Brooksville, FL now and heading to Davenport, FL tomorrow. You know now why we are looking into portable air conditioners!

Michael and Deborah Fry
2005 Monaco Knight 38PDQ