After a day of fun summer activities, it can be quite a drag to return to your caravan in the heat. It is not uncommon to want your AC on while you’re out exploring. You might be wondering if your caravan can be run all day.
It wouldn’t matter if your caravan has an air conditioner unit that runs 24/7. Just adjust the thermostat to make sure your compressor is still able to cycle on and off. You must have sufficient power to keep your compressor running throughout the day.
You can also alternate between the rear and front AC units if you have two.
AC is a must-have in all our caravans. It is a must-have for any summer trip, considering the fact that caravans and trailers can quickly heat up in direct sunlight.
It’s not common to find an caravan without an AC unit. We will give you tips and information on how to use your AC effectively.
Here’s a quick overview of how an air conditioner works
The caravan AC is different from the house air conditioner, which produces cold air through its unit.
The caravan AC works by sucking heat and moisture from outside to create cold air inside your rigs using two AC systems. These systems are the compressor and evaporator.
When water is evaporated and then collected through a filter, an evaporator operates. Each AC unit is equipped with a fan that creates heat and ambient air.
The compressor system, on the other side, holds molecules of gaseous refrigerant together and then presses it to make it a liquid. It will then flow into a pipe to make it back into a liquid in the evaporator. This is how heat and moisture transform into cold air.
How to run an air conditioner in a caravan all day
A caravan AC unit requires at least 3,500 Watts to start, and 1,500 Watts to keep it cool and running. If you want to use your caravan AC unit all day, you’ll need sufficient power.
A thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature according to your preferences.
These are the steps to set up your AC.
- You will first need to adjust the AC unit’s cool setting to “high cool” (or “low cool”) This will adjust the fan speed and the amount of air that is blown into the caravan.
- Next, adjust the temperature to “cool”, or “cold”. The fan will only draw in outside air, but it won’t cool it.
- Next, select your preferred temperature. This can range from 73 to 77 degrees. The AC can freeze if it is set at a temperature too low or too humid.
That’s it! Easy, right? It’s simple, right?
Tip: Never lower the thermostat than 70 degrees. This can cause system damage.
It’s also a good idea to turn it on before you leave for work or to go exploring. This will allow your AC to cool off.
The temperature will remain the same from morning to night. Night is the best time to lower your thermostat.
Tip: It is important to mention again that you must be connected to a continuous power source. You can run your AC on an electric generator. Your neighbours will be annoyed if you run your generator for hours just to power the AC.