How to Choose the Best 12v Air Conditioner for Your RV

When traveling in your RV, having a reliable 12v air conditioner is essential for staying comfortable on the road. Whether you're looking for the best 12v air conditioner for your van, car, or RV, several factors must be considered to ensure you make the right choice. With various popular brands like Dometic offering quality options, it's important to understand each model's key features and benefits before making a decision.

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A 12v air conditioner for your RV is crucial for creating a comfortable living environment during hot summer days. This AC unit is designed to run efficiently on battery power, making it ideal for mobile homes and vehicles. Whether on a road trip or living in your RV full-time, having a reliable cooling system can make all the difference in your comfort and overall experience.

Finding the right 12v air conditioner for your van or car can make a difference in hot weather. Here are some key factors to consider when making your choice:

By prioritizing what matters most to you, you'll be sure to find a 12v air conditioner that keeps you cool and comfortable on your adventures.

Popular brands like Dometic offer a range of reliable 12v air conditioners designed specifically for use in recreational vehicles. These brands provide innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of RV owners, ensuring that you can stay cool and comfortable wherever your adventures take you.

When understanding how a 12v air conditioner works, it's important to note that these units operate using the vehicle's battery power. They are designed to be energy-efficient and can provide reliable cooling for your RV without needing a generator or shore power. This makes them a convenient and practical choice for on-the-go cooling solutions.

12v air conditioners utilize the vehicle's battery power to operate, making them an ideal choice for RVs, vans, and cars. Drawing power from the vehicle's electrical system allows these units to provide efficient cooling without relying on external power sources. This makes them a versatile and reliable option for keeping your vehicle comfortable during road trips and camping.

Staying cool and comfortable in your RV shouldn't be limited to campsites with hookups. 12v air conditioners offer a fantastic solution for off-grid adventurers. Here's why a 12v AC unit might be the perfect fit for your RV:

One common misconception about 12v air conditioners is that they are not powerful enough to cool a vehicle's interior effectively. However, technological advancements have made these units more efficient and capable of providing adequate cooling even in extreme temperatures. Another misconception is that they are challenging to install or maintain, but with the right knowledge and guidance, installation and maintenance can be straightforward.

When choosing a 12v air conditioner for your van or RV, consider energy efficiency and power consumption. Look for units with high energy efficiency ratings to minimize the drain on your vehicle's battery. The Dometic 12v air conditioner is known for its excellent energy efficiency, making it a top choice for van and RV owners looking to stay cool without draining their power source.

The cooling capacity and BTU (British Thermal Units) rating of a 12v air conditioner are important factors to consider when selecting the best unit for your vehicle. A higher BTU rating indicates greater cooling power, essential for larger vans or RVs. The portable 12v air conditioner is popular for its impressive cooling capacity, making it suitable for various vehicle sizes.

Nobody wants a noisy and shaky air conditioning unit in their van or RV. When shopping for a 12v air conditioner, look for models with low noise levels and effective vibration control features. This ensures a comfortable and peaceful environment inside your vehicle while the AC is running. RIGID's Battery-Powered AC Units are known for their quiet operation, providing comfortable cooling temperatures without any disruptive noise or vibrations.

Regarding reliable and efficient cooling solutions for your RV, the Dometic 12v Air Conditioner is a top contender. With its powerful cooling capacity and energy efficiency, it's a popular choice among RV owners looking for a dependable 12v air conditioner. The Dometic brand is known for its quality and durability, making it a trusted option for those seeking the best 12v air conditioner for their vehicle.

The Dometic 12v Air Conditioner offers exceptional cooling performance while being energy-efficient, making it an ideal choice for van and car owners. With its compact design and powerful cooling capabilities, this unit is perfect for keeping your vehicle comfortable during long road trips or camping adventures. Its reliability and ease of installation make it a top pick among those searching for the best 12v air conditioner for their van or car.

A portable 12v air conditioner is an excellent option for those looking for added convenience and versatility. These units are designed to be easily moved from one location to another, making them perfect for RV owners who want flexibility in their cooling solutions. With features like adjustable settings and easy installation, portable 12v air conditioners offer comfort on the go without compromising performance.

In addition to the Dometic 12v Air Conditioner and portable options, other top contenders in the market are worth considering when choosing the best 12v air conditioner for your RV. Brands like RIGID offer innovative battery-powered AC units that provide complete electrical power, reducing fuel expenses and eliminating maintenance worries. These units also offer comfortable cooling temperatures without oil consumption or noise, making them an attractive choice for RV owners seeking efficient cooling solutions.

When it comes to installing your 12v air conditioner, you have the option of doing it yourself or hiring a professional. DIY installation can save you money, but if you're not confident in your abilities, it's best to leave it to the experts. Professional installation ensures everything is set up correctly and safely, giving you peace of mind while on the road.

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your 12v air conditioner running smoothly. This includes cleaning or replacing filters, checking for leaks or unusual noises, and ensuring all components function correctly. If you encounter any issues, troubleshooting them promptly can prevent more significant problems.

Proper care and maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of your 12v air conditioner. In addition to regular upkeep, consider investing in a high-quality unit like the Dometic 12v air conditioner for RVs or vans. Its reliable performance and durability make it a smart choice for those looking to maximize their investment in cooling comfort on the road.

RIGID's battery-powered AC Units offer an innovative solution for cooling comfort on the go. They have complete electrical power, reducing fuel expenses and eliminating maintenance worries. With comfortable cooling temperatures ranging from 0℃~30℃ and easy installation without drilling required on trucks with a hatch, RIGID's portable 12v air conditioner is a game-changer for van and car owners alike.

Remember always to prioritize safety when installing or maintaining your 12v air conditioner—whether for your van or RV—by following manufacturer instructions carefully and seeking professional help when needed.

Many RV owners have praised the Dometic 12v air conditioner's efficient cooling capabilities, especially during hot summer road trips. The unit's compact size and low power consumption make it an ideal choice for van and car owners. Users also appreciate the portable 12v air conditioner's versatility and ease of installation, providing comfort on the go.

Many users recommend Dometic 12v air conditioners for their reliability and performance. However, for vans and cars, a portable 12v air conditioner is a popular choice due to its:

Considering these factors, you can find the perfect 12v air conditioner to keep you cool and comfortable during your next adventure.

To make an informed decision, consider real-life experiences other RV owners share regarding different 12v air conditioner models. Look for reviews highlighting the unit's cooling efficiency in varying weather conditions. Consider RIGID's battery-powered AC units that offer complete electrical power, comfortable cooling temp, and easy installation without drilling the cab on trucks with a hatch.

With the best 12v air conditioner for your van or car, you can enjoy comfort and convenience on all your road trips. Whether a long drive or a camping adventure, having a reliable cooling system will make your journey more enjoyable.

RIGID's battery-powered AC units offer innovative features such as complete electrical power, comfortable cooling temperatures, and easy installation without drilling the cab on trucks with a hatch. Say goodbye to high fuel expenses and maintenance worries with RIGID's efficient cooling solutions.

Keeping your camper van cool can be the difference between an amazing off-grid experience and sweaty nights of frustration.

A common solution to temperature management in campervans and RVs is the ever-popular 12v DC air conditioner. These compact, energy-efficient units are specifically designed to run on your van batteries 12V DC power.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing, placing, and wiring 12V air conditioners, along with key power considerations and helpful tips to get you going.

Let’s drive in.

A quick guide to 12V air conditioner units

12V battery-powered air conditioners are low-voltage cooling systems designed to work on the 12V DC system of your van’s leisure battery. 

Unlike traditional high-voltage AC air conditioners, they can be run off-grid using standard electrical systems, making them perfect for enjoying a cool night out in the wild.

12V camper air conditioners are also designed for compactness and energy efficiency, making them ideal even for smaller campervans with tight spaces and smaller batteries.

As you might have guessed, they consume significantly less energy than their high-voltage counterparts, using small DC compressors to generate amazing cooling without needing shore power or dedicated generators.

To get the most out of a 12V air conditioner, you’ll need to take a few factors into consideration. Read on to learn more.

Placement

The right kind of unit for you will depend entirely on the unique nature of your build and your van’s layout. 12V air conditioners come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on where you intend to fit them. 

Common types include:

• 12V rooftop air conditioner. These are probably the most common type of unit seen in campervans today. They mount on your van’s roof and provide great cooling capacity without taking up valuable interior space. Keep in mind that bulkier units will affect the overall height of the vehicle and they can also affect aerodynamics (though this is generally marginal).
• Split systems. These are designed with a separate compressor unit that mounts externally on your van. Common placement areas for this are on the back doors or even the underside of your van. These are then connected to an internal unit inside your van. These are generally quieter and save roof space, but installation can be more complex.
• Portable/internal units. These compact units can be placed inside your van near windows or vents. They’re generally easy to install and can be moved around when you need to access things like storage areas. However, they do take up valuable interior space. 

Insulation

There’s no point splashing out on the best 12V air conditioner money can buy if your van isn’t properly insulated. Good insulation is crucial to keeping your camper van cool, and without it, much of the cold air generated by the unit will escape. This makes the unit work harder leading to increased power consumption, less running time off-grid, and increased wear. 

Conversely, proper insulation in your walls, floors, and windows will reduce your cooling needs and extend the life of your battery.

Ventilation

Proper airflow throughout your van is also vital to effective cooling. Be sure to factor in venting to your build, ensuring the vents are strategically placed to let cool air circulate efficiently. Without this, pockets of hot air can form around the van, reducing the effectiveness of your air conditioner.

Once these challenges are tackled, it’s time to move on to the fun part: electrics!

How to wire a 12V air conditioner: A step-by-step guide

Successfully wiring in your 12V air conditioner needs careful planning to ensure it works properly and compliant with wiring safety regs like BS Electrical standards.

Tools you’ll need:

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers and crimpers
• Heat shrink tubing and terminals
• Multimeter for testing
• Battery monitor (optional, for tracking power consumption)

Without further ado, here’s a step-by-step guide to wiring your system.

1. Calculate power demand

Before starting the wiring process, it’s important to assess the power draw of your air conditioner. The formula for this is A (Amps) = W (Watts) / V (Voltage).

You can use this to calculate current draw by dividing the watts drawn by 12 to work out the amperage of the system.

For example, a W 12V air conditioner will draw about 150A of power from the battery (W ÷ 12V = 150A). 

It’s crucial to make sure that the battery, wires, and fuses in your circuit can safely handle this load.

2. Select the proper wire gauge

Wires are rated based on how much current they can carry. This is calculated based on their cross-sectional diameter and the material they’re made of. 

We’ll assume you’re using regular stranded copper wiring due to it being the most common type, both due to its low cost and flexibility (which makes it great for stuffing behind camper van interior panelling).

Be aware, getting this wrong and using too small of a wire can lead to significant safety concerns including overheating and fires. 

For that reason, we don’t use the minimum possible sizes. Instead, we use thicker wires to increase the safety margin and avoid voltage drop.

For our example current of 150A, a standard gauge wire (SWG) of 8.mm is recommended for short distances of around 10 metres. For our transatlantic cousins who insist on the imperial system, that’s equivalent to 1/0 in American wire gauge (AWG).

3. Choose the right fuse

In addition to the right wire gauge, fuses further prevent your electrical system from fires when the current exceeds a safe threshold.

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That means the fuse needs to be rated lower than the power your wiring can carry, but higher than the draw of your air conditioner.

For example, for our 150A power draw, you should use a 200A fuse, with the wire being rated to around 250A to ensure safety.

These will be bigger than the standard blade fuses found in your glove box, which brings us to the next section.

4. Use a separate circuit

Most campervans will use a regular 12V fuse box for regular appliances like LED lights and a minifridge, but your air conditioner will usually require its own circuit due to the higher current that is drawn.

For units pulling more than 100A, you’ll need dedicated mega or midi fuses in their own fuse holder sat in between the wiring from your AC unit to the battery. 

Ensure this is easily accessible in case you need to replace the fuse in the event of a surge.

Here’s a simple 12V Campervan wiring diagram to help:

5. Connect to the bus bars and breakers

Bus bars distribute power evenly across multiple circuits. This is important as you’ll probably be powering more than one device from your 12V leisure battery.

Connect your air conditioners’ positive and negative wires to the right bus bars and install an appropriate breaker in the system for easy shut-off.

Logic would dictate that you need a 150A breaker for a 150A power draw, however, breakers can generally only handle around 80% of their actual rating. 

That means a 200A breaker is actually more suitable for a 160A circuit, ideal for the 150A power draw of our example air conditioner.

6. Final testing

Once you’ve got everything wired up, test your system using a multimeter to make sure the current readings are within safe limits.

Double-check for safety by ensuring there’s no excess heat coming from any of the connections or wiring after running the air conditioner for a few hours.

Once this is complete, you’re all set!

How to choose a 12V air conditioner

In addition to choosing the right 12V air conditioner based on placement, there are a couple of other factors to consider. These include:

• BTU rating. The cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit is measured in BTUs. This is essentially the amount of cooling power it can generate. The bigger your van’s interior, the more BTUs you’ll need. As a rough guide, small vans with a volume of 6 cubic metres might need a unit with 7,000 – 9,000 BTUs, while the biggest vans might need well over 10,000 BTUs.

• Energy efficiency. Choose a unit that offers the highest energy efficiency available for your budget. This is measured in what’s called EER (Energy efficiency ratio). The higher the EER, the more efficient the 12V air conditioner, meaning it will draw less power from your battery

What’s the difference between 12V and 230V air conditioners?

• 12V air conditioners. As we’ve discussed, these run straight from your van’s battery, making them perfect for off-grid camper van use. They’re also generally more energy efficient and use less power versus 230V units. However, there is a trade-off and 230V units are usually more powerful.

• 230V air conditioners. These units are generally more powerful and can cool bigger vans quicker. They need a 230V power supply to work which usually requires an inverter to convert the current from DC to AC. They’re more suitable for vans that can regularly recharge with shore power.

Battery and power considerations

Your battery’s overall capacity is crucial when choosing a 12V air conditioner as it dictates how long the air conditioner can run when off-grid. For example, a 12V air conditioner drawing 100 amps can run for 4 hours on a 400Ah battery in eco mode. For higher power modes this runtime would be much shorter. This is why a high-capacity battery bank is essential for powering a 12V air conditioner off-grid for extended periods, such as overnight use.

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are usually the go-to due to their high efficiency, low weight, and better discharge capability compared to traditional AGM batteries.

You’ll want the highest Ah rating LiFePO4 battery that cost, space, and weight can allow for to provide the highest runtime possible, especially when running an air conditioner off-grid for extended periods.

You can also adjust the power settings on many modern 12V air conditioners to suit your recharging situation, with many offering eco and power modes. On the eco setting, some can draw as little as a quarter of the power as when they’re on power mode.

It’s important to match this power consumption to your battery’s capacity to avoid depleting your battery too quickly. Let’s look at some common scenarios to get a better understanding of how this looks in real-world terms.

Scenario 1: Small air conditioner (500W)

• Battery capacity: 200Ah

• Usage: 1 hour/day

• Off-grid time: 4-5 days

Scenario 2: Medium air conditioner (W)

• Battery capacity: 300Ah

• Usage: 1 hour/day

• Off-grid time: 3-4 days

Scenario 3: Large air conditioner (W)

• Battery capacity: 400Ah

• Usage: 1 hour/day

• Off-grid time: 2-3 days.

Battery charging

It’s also worth considering how the battery will be charged. In general, there are three different methods to achieve this, which can be combined with one another:

• Solar charging. With the cost of solar panels dropping in recent years, it’s common for camper vans to convert sunlight into electricity to recharge leisure batteries. MPPT controllers are better for this as they’re more efficient than PWM controllers.

• Split charging. Split charging relays (SCRs) connect to your campervan’s alternator to charge the leisure battery while driving. There are also DC-DC chargers which are more efficient and ideal for newer vans with smart alternators. These can also cater to solar input to combine alternator charging with solar input.

• Shore power. This uses an onboard mains charger to recharge your battery by connecting to electrical hookups, such as those found at campsites. Alternatively, portable generators can recharge your battery. These are great as a backup when you’re off-grid and there isn’t enough sunlight.

For off-grid charging, solar is ideal and you can be more lenient when making your power calculations as solar panels will help offset the air conditioner’s power consumption during the day.

The exact number and size of panels you’ll need will depend on your overall energy needs and the amount of available flat space on your van’s roof. You’ll also need to factor in the additional power systems required to integrate solar charging into your setup.

Alternatives to 12V air conditioners

While 12V air conditioners are popular, there are alternatives available. These include: 

• Portable AC units. These run off a 110V or 230V power system and generally require an inverter to use. They’re not as efficient as 12V units but can be a good option if you normally stay at campsites where shore power is available.

• Evaporative coolers. These consume less energy than traditional air conditioners and work by pulling in warm air and passing it over water-saturated pads to cool it before recirculating. This works best in dry environments and isn’t suitable for travel in humid regions.

• Ventilation and fans. This also consumes much less energy than air conditioning units, relying on simple airflow increases through vents, windows, and fans. This method helps to exhaust hot air and bring in cooler air but won’t achieve anywhere near the same level of cooling as an air conditioning unit.

12V air conditioner pricing

Pricing for 12V air conditioners depends on the type of unit, along with its size and the brand you choose. As a rough guide:

• Portable 12V Air Conditioners. Typically cost between £400 – £ depending on capacity. Some are only suitable for small spaces and have limited power modes.

• Roof-Mounted 12V Air Conditioners. The most common type of 12V air conditioner, these usually cost between £ and £, with large premium units coming in at well over £.

• Evaporative Coolers. Generally more affordable, these cost anywhere between £500 – £ and are great for saving money in dry climates.

Installing a 12V air conditioner can drastically improve your comfort during hot weather adventures, and the wiring process can be a particularly rewarding introduction to electrical systems.

If you’re in the process of combing through forums and piecing together a shopping list of components, why not use Vunked’s simple builder to build the perfect kit for your project? You’ll receive full wiring diagrams and detailed installation instructions.

Take the stress out of camper van wiring with our online tool that helps you choose the right parts for your build. You’ll get every bit and piece you need, along with the peace of mind of knowing your system is up to professional wiring and safety standards.

FAQs

How do I maintain a 12V air conditioner?

Maintenance is key to keeping your 12V air conditioner working properly. Regularly clean the filters and inspect the wiring for any corrosion or damage and to check the refrigerant levels to keep your system running efficiently. You should also be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when doing your annual checks.

How do I maintain a 12V air conditioner?

Yes, you can run a 12V air conditioner off solar power. However, you need to make sure your solar system and battery capacity are in line with the energy requirements of the unit you choose. 

Large solar setups of 500W-W combined with a high capacity LiFePO4 battery should be ample to run energy efficient units during the day time. Just be sure to calculate your overall daily energy consumption and balance it with the amount of input your solar set-up provides.

What’s the lifespan of a 12V air conditioner?

The lifespan of your 12V air conditioner will depend on the unit’s build quality and how often you use it. It’s also important to maintain it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines to get the most out of your purchase. High-end units from reputable brands can last up to 15 years.