Installing the Fresair 12V Air Conditioner: Part 20 - RAM Promaster 2500 Van Conversion
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- Опубліковано 17 вер 2024
- Hi All, Its Marc and Tania.. Welcome back to the channel.
Today we tackled a really intimidating project for us……we installed the Fresair 12V air conditioner in the roof of our van. If you’ve been following along, you know that we had planned on using a portable AC unit, but it was going to take up a bit too much room….and we weren’t quite sure how we were going to vent it. So, we decided to just bit the bullet, spend the $$$ and install the Fresair Unit…..and we are so happy we did. It is amazing….quiet, low on power and works great to cool down the van. It’s going to be a game changer for the hot summer months.
In this episode, we’ll take you through every single step that we took to install the unit, including planning how and where to install it.
Hopefully, you will learn a few things about how to install your own unit.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below, and please give a thumbs-up if you enjoyed this video and found in helpful to you. Subscribe to our channel to follow along on our entire van build series.
Blessings to you :)
Marc and Tania
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Products we used in the episode:
Fresair 12V AC unit
Jigsaw + metal blades (we use Makita)
Drill + a variety of bits (We use Makita)
Utility knife to cut cardboard
Sharpie/Magic Marker
Lots of spare wood to build a frame
Construction Adhesive
Masking Tape
Metal File
Rustoleum
Paint Brush
Wrench or Socket Set
Caulk/Lap Sealant (we forgot to show this part in the video)
PREVIOUS VAN BUILD EPISODES:
Episode 1: Cleaning and Rustproofing: • Cleaning and Rustproof...
Episode 2: Removing the Partition Wall: • Removing Partition Wal...
Episode 3: Soundproofing the Van: • Soundproofing the Van ...
Episode 4: Installing CRL Bunk Windows: • Installing CRL Bunk Wi...
Episode 5: Subfloor (part 1): • Installing the Subfloo...
Episode 6: Subfloor (part 2): • Installing the Subfloo...
Episode 7: Subfloor (part 3): • Installing the Subfloo...
Episode 8: Scopema Swivel Seat Install: • Scopema Swivel Seat In...
Episode 9: Installing a Urethane Window: • How Not to install a U...
Episode 10: Installing a CRL Sliding Door Window: • Installing a CRLSlidin...
Episode 11: Insulating with Havelock Wool: • Insulating with Havelo...
Episode 12: Installing a MaxxAir Fan: • Installing a MaxxAir F...
Episode 13: Framing the Ceiling + Renovating the Headliner: • Framing the Roof and R...
Episode 14: Framing the Walls: • Framing the Walls: Par...
Episode 15: Building Bench Seats: • Building Wheel Boxes: ...
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Episode 17: Installing a Shore Power Inlet: • Installing a 30Amp Sho...
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The Fresair 12 volt is an evaporator A/C. Evaporator fans have been used out West for years and companies now sell little miniature plastic ones. All evaporators put water moisture into the air. Not good if you use your A/C on the East coast where the air is humid already. It's great if you live on the West coast where the air is dry. Test this out in Florida in the summer and I am sure the sweat will be dripping from your face and water droplets dripping on the inside walls! Better to buy an A/C with a condenser if you plan to use your RV on the East coast.
Well, I'd like to say you are wrong.....but I can't. This works on the principle of evaporation.......so the drier the ambient air, the better. I look forward to one day testing this unit in the southwest or west coast....where I think it will work very well. I think we will also get some good us in the Spring and Autumn months, which are less humid. But the summers in the southeast are brutal....
Well done. Very helpful.
Thank you for watching, Tucker :)
Being a Texan I definitely need an ac in my build. ( I'm not sure if this comment section is still monitored but i am Curious why you Decided to put the AC in the front and the Max air fan in the back I'm assuming your bed will eventually be in the back. I'm sure you have very good reasons because you guys seem like you really put a lot of thought and logic into your build
To be honest, we had planned on putting only the fan in at first so we stuck it right above the bed. Then later we added in the AC unit. But I think it's OK...the fan should help draw cooler air to the back of the van. This is not the greatest AC unit for southern states or any humid environment. We will likely have to carry along a portable AC unit for the warmer, more humid months...
Thanks You Guys Love from Turkiye =))
You are very welcome :)
I have really benefited from your Fresair 12V installation video. It has been quite helpful. One part that could have been made clearer was the process involved in removing the pine filter. It would have been useful for you to show the effort needed to unlatch the clips. It was more of a challenge than I had anticipated. For me, at least, I had to use a large "slot" screwdriver to push the tabs out of the way so I could lift the frame. Also, if you had mentioned that the tube is held in place by a glob of goo.... I was thinking the tube just slid nicely upward from below when you pushed it, and I wasn't sure why mine was held in place by a glob of goo. I went back and watched this video, and I see, that your tube has a glob of goo also. You just didn't mention it.
Thank you so much for your comments. I wish we had made that more clear to the camera. Glad you were able to get it figured out.
I will be curious how this works in a humid environment. I think these are great in a low humidity environment.
Just found the channel and subscribed 👍
I have to agree with you. The whole concept of evaporative cooling certainly becomes less effective at higher humidity levels.....but we wanted to have some form of AC in the van. My guess is that we will need to carry along a small portable AC unit or some type of RV dehumidifier for the super hot months in the summer.
And thank you for subscribing :)
@@marctania2349 I live in Charleston SC, lots of heat and humidity.
I put a 9,000 btu Pioneer mini split in my van and I love it.
They are very efficient.
I can run the AC/heat pump off the solar panels and still charge the batteries.
Without knowing where they are, we do know that it had just rained and it was cooling really well with the testing, so that’s something. 😊
Nice install and sounds very quite. Are you still pleased with the unit?
Hi David, We haven't had the chance to test it through the summer yet, but the unit is really quiet and outputs some seriously cold air. You certainly can hear the pump when it kicks in....not sure if its enough to disturb sleep....I guess we will find out soon enough. Very glad we installed it , though.
Hey! Really like your videos. You guys give a lot of good detail and most of what you've done is exactly what my wife and I have been doing. I installed my Fresair a week or so ago and had some leaking when I tested it.
I noticed on one of your other videos that Tania mentioned pollen catching on the underside of the Fresair. Does that mean you put a layer of caulk or some other sealant along with the foam? I'm brainstorming how to seal it up and would appreciate any advice!
Hi Andy, YEAH, We caked on some caulk to seal up underneath it....not an easy process as the units sits about an inch above the van. The caulk never really dried as it got covered in pollen....so we had this stick yellow/brown goop. So we got up there and pullet all out and cleaned around the unit with rubbing alcohol. We actually haven't put back ANY caulk around the edges and have had no leaking....even after some big GA rainstorms..I guess that big thick foam underneath is making it pretty watertight on its own.. One thing you want to remember to do....make holes in the ceiling so that you can always access the 4 bolts in case you need to removed the unit. That will keep you from having to remove ceiling planks later.
@@marctania2349 Thanks for the advice and the response!
Hey just found your channel, nice work! Subscribing, looking forward to seeing your build.😊
Thanks so much for following along. Hope our videos are helpful to you. :)
Hello Marc and Tania, I just watched your great video on Fresair 12 volt AC install. Could you please tell me where you purchased it and how much it was? Thank you Mike from the valley of the sun.
Hi Mike, So sorry for the late response. Im not sure I can completely recommened the Fresair unit. It works as designed. The problem is that it doesnt do a great job of heating in humid environments. Not sure where you are....it would probably work great in the southwest....but in the southeast....its just OK
Nice job, how many inches does this rise above roof and drop passed the factory crossbeams
hi Marc and Tania, I just came acrossed your video on how to do the AC. Very interesting AC system. Where did you buy it and how much it costs ? Does it use up water? Thanks for the videos.
It does use up water. The thing to remember is that it is based on evaporation. So, the efficiency decreases as the ambient air gets more humid. Not sure I see it being very good in the middle of sweltering GA summers.....but for somewhere like the southeast USA, its great
What is your overall opinion of this unit? Is the cooling adequate? About how many amps does it really pull?
Hi Tim, So sorry for the delayed response. We have not actually put it through much of a test yet....but it's not the greatest. Works pretty good in dry environments....but once you get some humidity in the air....its a bit better than a fan. We live in GA with massive heat and humidity. We certainly will be carrying a portable AC unit in the summer months. During the less humid times (outside of summer) we like it.
It does not cool the air. It will turn your camper into sauna. It's harder to breath a wet air. You'll feel hotter.
Well, I have ot agree with your comment. Not a great solution for humid environments. I does provide some cooling but not much on hot days.
Ohhh i want one. I couldn’t install it myself though, wonder who in my area could install it in my promaster for me…. 🤔. If anyone knows installers in FL… HMU
How long was the shipping?
I think it took about 3 weeks if I remember right. It;s worth the wait :)
Any updates on how well cools in humidity? Ive been installing Nomadic air conditioners and big Lithium systems. Its to expensive. I live and build vans in Florida. Very Humid. Id save a lot of $ even if I installed 2 Fresair. 1 for over bed and 1 over the kitchen.
Well, I can say that the Fresair never really blows ice cold air.....Even in the dryer days. When its really humid here in GA.....its certainly better than a fan but not a whole lot of cooling. I guess its expected in a swamp cooler. I have not seen the Nomadic but I heard the Dometic is fantastic. Our maxx airfan rocks. We havent slept in the van yet....so I guess that will be the true test of the Fresair.
Don’t expect any evaporative cooler to work above 50% relative humidity. Great for dry areas, not for humidity.
Are you still pleased with the unit?
Hi Bruno. Thanks for watching. It’s OK. It really depends where you live. This thing runs through evaporation, so it obviously gets less efficient as humidity rises. I can tell you that in the middle of an Atlanta summer, it’s pretty useless. However, If you live in a relatively low humidity climate, it’s going to work great. In a higher humidity climate like the southeast USA, I’d probably do 2 fans for ventilation and airflow instead. You can always carry a portable AC unit for those super hot days and just vented outside. Not ideal but it would work.
Have to say this is the poorest purchase we've made for our conversion. As already said below (and shame on us for not doing proper research) this unit is not worth the money. We live, and for now, mostly travel in Florida and this unit doesn't change the internal temperature of our van at all. If there wasn't a great big hole on roof, I'd rip it out. We've now started carrying a 120V AC room cooler which our Goalzero Yeti is able to power for most of the night. Hopefully when we start to venture further afield things will improve. But for now, Fresair gets zero stars and nothing but negative reviews from us........☹WASTE OF (A LOT OF) MONEY
Hi...and so sorry for the late response. I cannot completely agree or disagree with you.....the Fresair unit is working as designed. But its all based on evaporation. so humid environments, esp somewhere like FL arent going to see much from it. It does cool the van a bit but nothing like a condenser based unit would.