12 Volt Rooftopac Keep Cool

Energy Efficient 12 Volt DC Powered Air Conditioners

One notable alternative to the standard rooftop units are newer products that run off 12 volt DC. For instance. This 12V Rooftop that we sell has all the advantages of a standard rooftop unit but is considerably more energy efficient (up to half the energy draw) so that you can run it from your batteries for much longer periods of time. Also, you don’t need to run them off an inverter – they can run directly off your battery/12 volt system and are therefore even more energy efficient than a 120 volt AC unit.

DIY Installation:

What to Consider

Tool

You’ll need a solid set of tools and the know-how to use them. This includes Saws, Drills for cutting through your van’s roof, sealants, and crimping tools for electrical connections.

Electrical

Understanding your vehicles electrical system is crucial. You’ll be wiring the AC unit to your power source and ground, so knowledge of voltage, current, and power consumption.

Cutting

Rooftop AC units require cutting a hole in the roof of your vehicle. Precision is key here to ensure the fit is correct and waterproofed. Knowing how to seal is also crucial to prevent leaks.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial for efficient operation. You’ll need to ensure that the AC unit is not obstructed and that there’s enough airflow around the unit.

Cutting The Opening In The Roof

The usual warning:

Measure twice, cut once. You’ll need a 14″ x 14″ opening in the roof to install the AC unit. I measured from the inside of the van as it was easier to figure out the exact position in relation to the structural beams in the roof.

Installing The Rooftop AC Unit

The installation of 12V AC unit is pretty easy. The whole unit is actually just two parts: The heavy AC unit which sits on the roof (best to have some helping hands wrestling the 60lbs up the roof) and the inside ceiling assembly with the air vents and controls for the AC.

The 12V rooftop unit is held in place with two bracket which you need to bolt from the inside of your van. You can build some kind of support from the inside between the sheet metal and the bracket if needed.

Tools Required:

Jigsaw with a metal cutting blade
Drill with drill bit
Screwdriver
Wrenches

How 12V Air Conditioners Work

DC air conditioners are marvels of engineering, designed to bring the comfort of a cool AC to the compact space of a motorhome, van, truck or any vehicle. But how do they work?

In a 12V air conditioner, DC from your vehicles batteries powers the unit. Because DC AC systems operate with a lower voltage than their AC counterparts, they consume less energy. This is crucial in vehicles where power resources are limited.

The ability they have to efficiently convert the 12V power into a cooling force, using compressors and refrigerant gases. In this, they mirror the basic principles of traditional air conditioning.

The compressor circulates the refrigerant through a closed loop which goes through these stages.

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Contact Us

keepcool@12vrooftopac.com