The video testing the Velit 12v AC is live! Using it in Mexico: ua-cam.com/video/Kpk1-zgdxaQ/v-deo.htmlsi=iAkTMYQqMPY9QGFi Technical review Check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/9Ifhc6g2j08/v-deo.html What do you think of the Velit 12v AC Unit? Now that the weather is starting to get warmer I'll be able to do a detailed test for you guys. Also, get $50 off the Velit AC with coupon MOTM Our Electrical System: ua-cam.com/video/3CwxyxBK5Rg/v-deo.html What do you think of the Velit 12v AC Unit? Now that the weather is starting to get warmer I'll be able to do a detailed test for you guys. Also, get $50 off the Velit AC with coupon MOTM Check out our other van-build episodes: ua-cam.com/play/PLfHkUGUkCAgzxf-EkF3-0foL8WLZecptt.html
All 12V systems have one thing going for them: ease of use/install. All low-voltage (12-48) systems have one thing working against them: current, which translates to low(er) efficiency.
Haha. The price. Im just going get a jackery box $600 and a $300 home depot home unit. And run the little tube thing out a window. 8 minute install. No cutting
We have used the ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
As I mentioned in a prior reply, installing a 2nd high output alternator on the Diesel engine will solve all 12 volt electrical capacity issues. When the batteries get low just run the van engine to charge the batteries fast or use as the primary 12 volt source. I have done this and it works great! Running an engine for extended periods of time has no adverse effect on the engine. No need for massive expensive batteries, reduces weight, requires less solar panels, saves much needed space, is very economical and dependable.
@@henrye718that can depend on the diesel engine. The problem is at idle, oil pressure is lower and the metal parts aren't getting as much oil. Modern Diesel engines solve this with variable displacement oil pumps, at idle they can pump out more oil pressure.
This is not only untrue, it's outright laughable. Diesel engines now require Diesel Particulate Filters, which can't complete an incineration cycle while parked. Average cost to replace a DPF on a Sprinter was $6,000 in 2020. It's likely double that now. There are people on the Sprinter forums who turn their a/c and van off when waiting for a train to cross the tracks because they fear another DPF replacement job. Even with gas engines, manufacturers like Ford explicitly state in the Workshop Service Manual that idling does not reach the proper temperature for required clearances, so you get blowby, clogged ports, and other long-term engine damage.
We're in South Florida where AC is a must. We installed a 12v AC that was only $700 and can run it all night at 70F with only 400ah batteries and it uses about 25% of that. Glad you found this one; there aren't many options for affordable units on the market.
Mabru (a marine AC vendor) now makers a 12v rooftop AC for van lifers and RVs. 12k BTU with a 30-55 amp draw. They recommend 500ah of lithium for an approximately 8-10 of run time (assuming no other load on the batteries, which is of course unrealistic). At the lowest draw, 300ah would last up to 10 hours, but realistically you'd want more than to have a safety margin and to account for other things pulling on the battery (fridge, lights, etc.) at night.
First of all, great series so far. I’m a bit behind, this video is 3 months old, but we’re currently planning our next build and UA-cam seems to know that. 😬 The whole idea of an AC unit in an “off grid” van is interesting and unfortunately fraught with a whole lot of misleading marketing. The fact is, it takes a ton of power to chill air, regardless of whether the power is 12 volts or 120 volts or a bunch of squirrels spinning the compressor. That’s just how the universe works. It’s definitely true that eliminating the need to run an inverter saves a bit or power- the inverter has its own overhead. But still, the three most common 12v AC units draw from 696 to 864 watts on high. That’s a lot of power. Take the Velit for example: they say max draw 60 amps or 720 watts at 12 volts. That would give it an EER of over 11, which is extremely good, maybe unbelievably good. 😉But let’s take their word for it. That means that, on a scorcher of a day, starting with a 100% SOC battery bank of 540 AH, or 6480 WH, the AC would flatten the bank in 9 hours, with nothing else running. Sure, solar will add some of it back, but you’d need to be harvesting an avearage of 720 watts the whole time it’s running, just to keep up, which means realistically an 800-900 watt array. Tough to fit on a van. But without replacing what you take out, you’re just going downhill. Of course, it really has a lot to do with your style of travel. If you’re driving every day or two, it may be fine. If your idea of “off grid” means running a generator, then no problem. And of course, plug-in camping renders all these considerations moot. I’ll admit, there are time I’ve wished I had AC in our van, and maybe our next van will have it (if Ford ever gets around to building it 😂). But if you’re considering it make sure you do the math and have reasonable expectations. Don’t just assume that just because it’s 12 volts it magically uses no power. Regarding the Mabru unit mentioned: the specs on the website would give their unit an EER of 16. 😮 12 is considered extremely high, what the best residential mini splits achieve. So take their claims with a grain of salt. Keep up the good work guys!
Agree, my only real caveat to that is I think ur being generous with the amount of solar you can ever expect to harvest from flat mounted roof PV even if he had the realestate for it, I think he will need to upgrade the alternator & run the vehicle AC to help reduce the load on 12v AC while charging the batteries simultaneously, trouble with that is the engine heat adds a lot more load to the AC’s as it is running and blowing hot air all under & around the van, bit of a catch 22 effect.
Inglés I installed the Openair 12 V from bergstrom two months ago and I'm delighted! The best purchase I could have made for my motorhome. I can finally enjoy the Summer with my Motorhome or the South of the country
Also, great timing for this video. Installing a 12V AC this spring on our van. I was going to go with the Dometic RTX 2000, however after watching this, I think I will be going with the Velit. Thanks!
I'm going to install it in the window... or maybe I'll take the thing apart and put it throught the back window of my pickup. Only thing is I got to recharge it with freon once I cut the pipes.
It is amazing what modern electronics can do. There are many 12 volt air conditioning units now that were not available a few years ago. Amazon has an amazing number of different units. Thank you for bringing these to my attention.
Do not plug into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket if you do not want to replace the socket. Best to go directly to the battery for high current demand portable air conditioning or electric heating device.
My 8000 btu window ac I put in a slide window was a Whopping $218. My 5000 btu window ac I put in the bedroom window, cost me $96. Both are better at cooling than the roof units they replaced. One 15000 btu living area and 12500 btu bedroom ac. Those prices are outrageous, and the 12 volt system you need to support it is also a very high price.
Hey Gerald, thanks for the comment! the 12v system you would need to run a window AC unit would be very high as well, this setup is for off-grid living not connected to shore power so power consumption is critical.
@@MathersOnTheMap i feel i must correct you here. The small rooftop unit should use a bit over 600 watts of power with the compressor on. A 5000-6000 btu window unit AC will ALSO use 450-600 watts of power. Only way you save money is if you DO NOT have like, a 2000w inverter in your van. Then sure DC is the only option. But if you have AC power then paying an extra 2K for a 12V DC unit after you already invested in an DC/AC inverter seems a bit expensive imo. The install is much cleaner though, i will give it that.
@@kalef1234 right I thought I agreed by saying you would need a similar 12v system to run a window unit… so the point of saving money by getting a window unit would still require a big battery bank/inverter. Sure you would save money over an rv/roof ac but a window unit in a van isn’t really practical or aesthetically pleasing
@@MathersOnTheMap appreciate the answer. I saw the small unit is now like 1600, much better but still pricy. I also learned about inverter power factor, so TECHNICALLY the DC i think could be more efficient
Nice job & install. I dont know why with a little more engineering they dont add a reversing valve so you can heat when needed as well, it would make them a lot more versatile for hot or cold climates. Look forward to seeing updates on how this all works out. Cheers
@@Handirifle reversing valves cost is very small & compressor based heat pumps are the most efficient way to move heat in or out of a room. Heat pumps are 2.5 to 4 times more efficient at heating a room than electric resistive elements, gas, oil & fuel based heating systems.
Waiting for you to do a bench test on this unit running low vs high. I read somewhere it runs 20a on low. Will order this as soon as I get confirmation. It’s a $1,300 savings over dometic RTX2000 after mounting Kit, & wiring.
I agree, it seems the only affordable AC is a 5,000 btu house window unit. It takes special skill to put them in vans, campers, but ENDGAME channel does some really nice very professional installations. He use some solar, and an all in one solar generator and it runs fine, dirt cheap to buy or replace
This is nice, planning on building my first van or box truck tired of paying crazy high rent, was planning on going with a 3000WH power station with Solar panels
The only concern I would have with the Velit design as shown, would be the wind vibrations loosening things over time. So I would end up being overly cautious with checking it every other month depending on my usage of the Van/camper for any loosening clamps or weakening adhesive/sealant. But at least it is easily removable when the time comes for that.
Great comparison video. I think ac is a necessity for Summers in the southern half of the USA. I run a mini split AC in my van, I think you should be able to run your ac overnight with no problem. I ran mine 24/7 all summer without shore power. 👍
Thanks Jackie! I would definitely agree, I remember coming home from Baja, we were in the Florida Panhandle in mid may and it was getting too humid/hot for us.
Love your chart but let's add one more row: Efficiency. As all are 12 volt systems, we need only divide the maximum BTUs by the maximum amp draw to see who delivers the most for the least. Dividing 6824 BTUs by 58 amps we see the Dometic provides 118 BTUs cooling per amp. Similarly, dividing the Nomadic's 11830 BTUs by its 105 maximum amp draw yields an efficiency ratio of 113 BTUs per amp. The Velit easily wins on efficiency, when its claimed 8000 BTUs are divided by its maximum 60 amps draw, the efficiency ratio is 133 BTUs per amp of electricity.
Good job bro, it’s more expensive than some other appliances but this looks clean and does the job cheaper than the other options you mentioned. Thanks for the advice!
Was just a matter of time before 12v AC units were available, just like 12v fridge units. If our standard AC unit ever expires, will replace with one of these.
@@kalef1234 Currently if you're boondocking, running only on batteries & solar unless you have a MASSIVE panel & battery array, improved inverter, etc, you are not running AC or microwave. If only needing 12v, much smaller panel & battery setup needed.
@@silaslongshot941 I'm shooting for 1000 watts of solar and a 24V 280ah lithium bank. So about 7kWh nominal of storage with an efficient Victron inverter. Hoping that's enough for 500W ac unit in really hot days
Perhaps testing the unit before you attempt installing it is a good idea? lol Or enjoy the experience of installing, and removing, the unit should you ever get one that is DOA?
You’re not wrong, but these days pre-install inspection comes down to this: Is the box banged up? No: Install it. If it looks sketchy? Maybe bench testing is a good idea. In any case, whatever roof AC you install is going to use that same 14” square hole.
That’s a lot of amps! I understand the high is probably starting surge and the low is fan only. Very courteous about running amps and a comparison to a conventional a/c running through an inverter.
It doesn’t have a start up surge. It’s a rotary compressor. Before it starts they equalize the high and low side and it’s run buy a inverter drive or variable speed so it starts with no load and ramps up gradually and varies the load with the fan speed.
133BTU per Peak Amp efficiency for the Velit Vs 113BTU for the Dometic and 112BTU for the Nomadic - so it is the most energy efficient for the power draw
More like at least 600 amp hours with at least a 400 watt array with at least 5 hours of good sun per day when using .. This would be my minimum suggestion for a setup that can be reliable and functional
Awsome videos! My wife bought this A/C for her van after watching your video. Have you found a cover in order to keep the snow and leaves out of the unit during the off season? Thanks and cheers from Nova Scotia✌️
Great timing for this video, we are at similar points in our build- just installed my roof rack on Monday (in the cold SJ weather) This looks like a great product, I was considering the Dometic unit until I saw this. I have a 144 so trying to conserve space on the top, did you look into the other AC unit they have coming out that mounts inside?
Thanks Matthew! I believe that have an inside unit as well, maybe reach out to them and see what they recommend? I think that unit is less powerful as the roof top unit though.
Haha. The price. Im just going get a jackery box $600 and a $300 home depot home unit. And run the little tube thing out a window. 8 minute install. No cutting
I, too, like the abilities of solar with alot of panels, 1,000 amp hours of battery juice, and a 5K watt inverter to power anything I want. But you forgot to mention that a generator can power an entire RV almost indefinitely as long as you have petrol or propane to power it.
Although Affordable is still a broad term, for me it would be far from it, the van i would want to add it to cost me half as much as the A/C unit and my budget pretty much limits me to whatever i can find second hand (looking for a portable house A/C unit under $200, as my inverter is big enough to run a small one). But i will say that one is one of the cheaper rooftop ones ive seen.
One day these units might be viable and dependable , I do this for a living and so far these 12vdc ACs are Garbage in hot climates! BTW, when welding steel I use 50 to 60 amps dc. With that said if something goes wrong, it goes bad fast.
Yo, got a real world question. Have you checked to see what the actual dBs are when the compressor is running? My coleman sounds like I am parked next to a busy airport runway and people say its only putting out 57 dBs. The listing for this says its 60 dB
I stumbled on your posting here while looking for a 12 volt mini split A/C unit which is about 1/2 of what you are promoting here but I wonder the difference hmmm
Errors: Much smaller battery banks can be used if your panels face partly east and west. This surrenders daily charge but increases charge duration, thus reducing battery hours. Also, all, 3 units are way too large for practical use. In humid heat, slowing the evaporator fan causes a more cold surface and better dehumidifying. In dry heat, only brute BTU displacement counts.
The way his neighbor is bundled up, it looks cold. He would die walking around with a jacket like that here in AZ. As far as the A/C, that's the advantage of an electric R/V. If Rivian made a R1S Overland edition, just put it in Camp mode. People who plan to live in their RVs are more worried about the cost to operate and maintain than range.
🤔 The unit was never run, tested, or evaluated for noise. It seems like the Velit exchanged a free unit for a product plug, and that’s what they got. The analysis of 12 VDC roof units at the beginning was good. 😎
Hey Vincent thank you! not sure if you watched the entire video, but I mentioned this video was filmed in December in New Jersey, and i couldn’t test it in those cold conditions. However I was able to test it out when it finally got over 80°F here’s the test video. ua-cam.com/video/9Ifhc6g2j08/v-deo.html I do have an affiliate relationship with Velit, if anyone who uses our coupon code we earn a commission at no cost to the buyer! Win-win 👍🏻
Heh watching your channel with heaps of interests, Looking at Velit for our RV's also can you tell me about your Solar and Starlink setup please. And your side mount surf board rack on the sprinter where did you get that from mate? love it would it fit a FIAT Ducato
Thank you! Check out our build series which breaks down those questions in full detail!! Every product in the van is listed in the description of our videos. Check out the van tour video, great place to start ua-cam.com/video/nCYI0rJm8Gk/v-deo.htmlsi=aci0_0N7XG4pD_WK
Wait, 1,600$ DC AC, that's considered affordable? to who, people who can afford to buy a 200k$ sprinter van to convert? I make 50k/year, I cant afford 1600$ for an AC. Yall are out of touch with the majority of RV/Van life folks. we dont have that kind of money to throw on anything without it hitting hard, or taking away from something else we could easily use.
There are options for 12 volt AC for large truck tractors. Using this model featured in the video depends on having space on the roof of your cab. Not just for the 14” square hole, but space on top for the exterior unit, and space inside for the air distribution panel.
How did the unit work during the summer? I am also in NJ and have a 115 volt RV A/C unit on my Skoolie and don't have A/C in the factory vehicle and tried to use it while driving but killed the batteries after a few hours.
You think this would be an easy install on a finished van. Have a max air fan I would remove to put this in. Not sure if it’s possible with the finished wood ceiling I have.
I’m not too familiar with it, but based on a quick google search it looks like it has 20k BTU’s and a bit too much overkill for a van, could be good for an RV though if you have a big enough battery bank looks like it draws a lot of amps! Thanks!
Great video! Quick Q. When in economy mode, was the a/c able to maintain the temperature in the van? Ie. Could you run it on low power over night? Thanks again.
I might put of of these my attic under some solar panels mmmm? cool when there is sun, idle at night...insulation a cool bank rather than heat soak .....hot moves to cold. The prob has been in usa not enough freedom for creativity so we fail to start.
so 6kwh in batteries..then you need at least 5 to 6 solarpanels on your van to be offgrid and us e the ac for 8hrs a night...where do you put those panels? or do you aldo run every day a small generator for a few hours..
Damn that is not that affordable I assume they are more efficient but you can get an 8000 btu window unit for like $400 and spend a little bit on more batteries and solar and plan on a bigger inverter
@@robertberin4872 not sure where ya got those prices but that sounds like a steal! However I’d go with at least 3,000 watt inverter plus you need additional battery capacity. Need to take account that you’re going to be running multiple appliances in addition to the AC in a real world scenario, charging laptops or tv’s etc. also need to consider the additional space for the extra batteries, plus where you would put a window unit practically. Every inch of wall space is extremely valuable
Can I install ac unit with curved front facing the rear. This will avoid having to cut ceiling support rib for ram promaster 2500. Not the extended base. Ty. I can install a separate wind faring if needed. Your opinion. ?? Ty my friend.
The video testing the Velit 12v AC is live!
Using it in Mexico: ua-cam.com/video/Kpk1-zgdxaQ/v-deo.htmlsi=iAkTMYQqMPY9QGFi
Technical review Check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/9Ifhc6g2j08/v-deo.html
What do you think of the Velit 12v AC Unit? Now that the weather is starting to get warmer I'll be able to do a detailed test for you guys. Also, get $50 off the Velit AC with coupon MOTM
Our Electrical System: ua-cam.com/video/3CwxyxBK5Rg/v-deo.html
What do you think of the Velit 12v AC Unit? Now that the weather is starting to get warmer I'll be able to do a detailed test for you guys. Also, get $50 off the Velit AC with coupon MOTM
Check out our other van-build episodes: ua-cam.com/play/PLfHkUGUkCAgzxf-EkF3-0foL8WLZecptt.html
All 12V systems have one thing going for them: ease of use/install. All low-voltage (12-48) systems have one thing working against them: current, which translates to low(er) efficiency.
Haha. The price. Im just going get a jackery box $600 and a $300 home depot home unit. And run the little tube thing out a window. 8 minute install. No cutting
We have used the ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
Love my Velit. First night, my 300 aH BB used 18% for Approx. 7 hours, outside temp 84-60F. Very well insulated 159EXT.
Where did you buy it I have semi truck I need one can you send me the link please
As I mentioned in a prior reply, installing a 2nd high output alternator on the Diesel engine will solve all 12 volt electrical capacity issues. When the batteries get low just run the van engine to charge the batteries fast or use as the primary 12 volt source. I have done this and it works great! Running an engine for extended periods of time has no adverse effect on the engine. No need for massive expensive batteries, reduces weight, requires less solar panels, saves much needed space, is very economical and dependable.
1hr idling = Approx. 30 miles of driving on gas engine, is it the same for a diesel?
Heyy. Make a video on it please!! 🙏🥺 there is no reliable info on double alternator for campers... Thanks!
@@henrye718that can depend on the diesel engine.
The problem is at idle, oil pressure is lower and the metal parts aren't getting as much oil.
Modern Diesel engines solve this with variable displacement oil pumps, at idle they can pump out more oil pressure.
@@MrClassifide I see, thank you.
This is not only untrue, it's outright laughable. Diesel engines now require Diesel Particulate Filters, which can't complete an incineration cycle while parked. Average cost to replace a DPF on a Sprinter was $6,000 in 2020. It's likely double that now. There are people on the Sprinter forums who turn their a/c and van off when waiting for a train to cross the tracks because they fear another DPF replacement job. Even with gas engines, manufacturers like Ford explicitly state in the Workshop Service Manual that idling does not reach the proper temperature for required clearances, so you get blowby, clogged ports, and other long-term engine damage.
We're in South Florida where AC is a must. We installed a 12v AC that was only $700 and can run it all night at 70F with only 400ah batteries and it uses about 25% of that. Glad you found this one; there aren't many options for affordable units on the market.
That is awesome! In South Florida as well and looking to hook up the same in my van build.
Hey Adventure Roadtrippers. What is the brand and model of the ac you installed?
What unit !!!!
Do you have a link to the AC unit you are referring to?
Hi what brand
Thanks for the video. Been trying to figure out what AC to upgrade with on the camper, now I've a good list to work from. Cheers!
Mabru (a marine AC vendor) now makers a 12v rooftop AC for van lifers and RVs. 12k BTU with a 30-55 amp draw. They recommend 500ah of lithium for an approximately 8-10 of run time (assuming no other load on the batteries, which is of course unrealistic).
At the lowest draw, 300ah would last up to 10 hours, but realistically you'd want more than to have a safety margin and to account for other things pulling on the battery (fridge, lights, etc.) at night.
Nice work, Alan!
. Wrong on RV amp draw. Compressor alone pulls 9-10amps when in the 90's. BLOWER motor on high pulls another 2.75 amps
@@chrisgrob8812 Is this in response to me or @jeffreygman
An only for a steep price, $5,800.
@@opelwasp Unless they recently upped the price, it's closer to $3k, but that's still a lot more per watt than an AC powered one.
First of all, great series so far. I’m a bit behind, this video is 3 months old, but we’re currently planning our next build and UA-cam seems to know that. 😬
The whole idea of an AC unit in an “off grid” van is interesting and unfortunately fraught with a whole lot of misleading marketing. The fact is, it takes a ton of power to chill air, regardless of whether the power is 12 volts or 120 volts or a bunch of squirrels spinning the compressor. That’s just how the universe works.
It’s definitely true that eliminating the need to run an inverter saves a bit or power- the inverter has its own overhead. But still, the three most common 12v AC units draw from 696 to 864 watts on high. That’s a lot of power. Take the Velit for example: they say max draw 60 amps or 720 watts at 12 volts. That would give it an EER of over 11, which is extremely good, maybe unbelievably good. 😉But let’s take their word for it. That means that, on a scorcher of a day, starting with a 100% SOC battery bank of 540 AH, or 6480 WH, the AC would flatten the bank in 9 hours, with nothing else running. Sure, solar will add some of it back, but you’d need to be harvesting an avearage of 720 watts the whole time it’s running, just to keep up, which means realistically an 800-900 watt array. Tough to fit on a van. But without replacing what you take out, you’re just going downhill.
Of course, it really has a lot to do with your style of travel. If you’re driving every day or two, it may be fine. If your idea of “off grid” means running a generator, then no problem. And of course, plug-in camping renders all these considerations moot.
I’ll admit, there are time I’ve wished I had AC in our van, and maybe our next van will have it (if Ford ever gets around to building it 😂). But if you’re considering it make sure you do the math and have reasonable expectations. Don’t just assume that just because it’s 12 volts it magically uses no power.
Regarding the Mabru unit mentioned: the specs on the website would give their unit an EER of 16. 😮 12 is considered extremely high, what the best residential mini splits achieve. So take their claims with a grain of salt.
Keep up the good work guys!
Agree, my only real caveat to that is I think ur being generous with the amount of solar you can ever expect to harvest from flat mounted roof PV even if he had the realestate for it, I think he will need to upgrade the alternator & run the vehicle AC to help reduce the load on 12v AC while charging the batteries simultaneously, trouble with that is the engine heat adds a lot more load to the AC’s as it is running and blowing hot air all under & around the van, bit of a catch 22 effect.
Inglés
I installed the Openair 12 V from bergstrom two months ago and I'm delighted! The best purchase I could have made for my motorhome. I can finally enjoy the Summer with my Motorhome or the South of the country
Also, great timing for this video. Installing a 12V AC this spring on our van. I was going to go with the Dometic RTX 2000, however after watching this, I think I will be going with the Velit. Thanks!
A far better option for a van, would be a Midea window unit ($379).
Wifi and Alexa capabilities and nearly 1/5 the cost.
I recently saw a 5k but Midea window unit at Walmart for
I'm going to install it in the window... or maybe I'll take the thing apart and put it throught the back window of my pickup. Only thing is I got to recharge it with freon once I cut the pipes.
It is amazing what modern electronics can do. There are many 12 volt air conditioning units now that were not available a few years ago. Amazon has an amazing number of different units. Thank you for bringing these to my attention.
Do not plug into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket if you do not want to replace the socket. Best to go directly to the battery for high current demand portable air conditioning or electric heating device.
This is a very fair and practical suggestion. Thank you for sharing.👍
This is amazing! we install our Velit AC unit tomorrow and this was a huge help figuring out the best way to install it!
happy to help!!!
My 8000 btu window ac I put in a slide window was a Whopping $218. My 5000 btu window ac I put in the bedroom window, cost me $96. Both are better at cooling than the roof units they replaced. One 15000 btu living area and 12500 btu bedroom ac. Those prices are outrageous, and the 12 volt system you need to support it is also a very high price.
Hey Gerald, thanks for the comment! the 12v system you would need to run a window AC unit would be very high as well, this setup is for off-grid living not connected to shore power so power consumption is critical.
thanks. same thoughts.
@@MathersOnTheMap i feel i must correct you here. The small rooftop unit should use a bit over 600 watts of power with the compressor on. A 5000-6000 btu window unit AC will ALSO use 450-600 watts of power. Only way you save money is if you DO NOT have like, a 2000w inverter in your van. Then sure DC is the only option. But if you have AC power then paying an extra 2K for a 12V DC unit after you already invested in an DC/AC inverter seems a bit expensive imo.
The install is much cleaner though, i will give it that.
@@kalef1234 right I thought I agreed by saying you would need a similar 12v system to run a window unit… so the point of saving money by getting a window unit would still require a big battery bank/inverter. Sure you would save money over an rv/roof ac but a window unit in a van isn’t really practical or aesthetically pleasing
@@MathersOnTheMap appreciate the answer. I saw the small unit is now like 1600, much better but still pricy. I also learned about inverter power factor, so TECHNICALLY the DC i think could be more efficient
Nice job & install. I dont know why with a little more engineering they dont add a reversing valve so you can heat when needed as well, it would make them a lot more versatile for hot or cold climates.
Look forward to seeing updates on how this all works out. Cheers
That would be amazing!!! I’m sure that will be available soon
Probably because a propane furnace is about 1/10 the price and 5-10 times more efficient.
@@Handirifle reversing valves cost is very small & compressor based heat pumps are the most efficient way to move heat in or out of a room. Heat pumps are 2.5 to 4 times more efficient at heating a room than electric resistive elements, gas, oil & fuel based heating systems.
and dont forget the inexpensive chinese diesel heaters.
Waiting for you to do a bench test on this unit running low vs high. I read somewhere it runs 20a on low. Will order this as soon as I get confirmation. It’s a $1,300 savings over dometic RTX2000 after mounting Kit, & wiring.
Need warm weather to test!!! May take some time
@@MathersOnTheMap completely understand. Just bought my conversion truck & getting things in order for spring.
I agree, it seems the only affordable AC is a 5,000 btu house window unit. It takes special skill to put them in vans, campers, but ENDGAME channel does some really nice very professional installations. He use some solar, and an all in one solar generator and it runs fine, dirt cheap to buy or replace
I'd love to see a long term review and if you have had any issues. Customer service experience, ECT...
This is nice, planning on building my first van or box truck tired of paying crazy high rent, was planning on going with a 3000WH power station with Solar panels
The only concern I would have with the Velit design as shown, would be the wind vibrations loosening things over time. So I would end up being overly cautious with checking it every other month depending on my usage of the Van/camper for any loosening clamps or weakening adhesive/sealant. But at least it is easily removable when the time comes for that.
Great comparison video.
I think ac is a necessity for Summers in the southern half of the USA. I run a mini split AC in my van, I think you should be able to run your ac overnight with no problem. I ran mine 24/7 all summer without shore power.
👍
Thanks Jackie! I would definitely agree, I remember coming home from Baja, we were in the Florida Panhandle in mid may and it was getting too humid/hot for us.
How much solar and battery do you have to run the mini split 24/7?
@@vsp3c 1,200 watts of solar panels and 900 amp hours of lithium batteries.
The mini split is run on the economy setting
What kind of mini split did you use j.g.?
@@ericcramer9858 a Pioneer 9,000 btu mini, it's a middle of the pack unit. A19.5 seer rating. Some are as high as 33 seer now.
Love your chart but let's add one more row: Efficiency. As all are 12 volt systems, we need only divide the maximum BTUs by the maximum amp draw to see who delivers the most for the least.
Dividing 6824 BTUs by 58 amps we see the Dometic provides 118 BTUs cooling per amp.
Similarly, dividing the Nomadic's 11830 BTUs by its 105 maximum amp draw yields an efficiency ratio of 113 BTUs per amp.
The Velit easily wins on efficiency, when its claimed 8000 BTUs are divided by its maximum 60 amps draw, the efficiency ratio is 133 BTUs per amp of electricity.
thanks for the info and code! installing mine early this week. Can't wait!
Neighbour is so cool! Nice dude.
Good job bro, it’s more expensive than some other appliances but this looks clean and does the job cheaper than the other options you mentioned. Thanks for the advice!
Thanks Mate! Yea it’s been working good for us
Was just a matter of time before 12v AC units were available, just like 12v fridge units. If our standard AC unit ever expires, will replace with one of these.
Why? Is it more efficient to bypass the inverter at the cost of materials needed to run 12V appliances?
@@kalef1234 Currently if you're boondocking, running only on batteries & solar unless you have a MASSIVE panel & battery array, improved inverter, etc, you are not running AC or microwave. If only needing 12v, much smaller panel & battery setup needed.
@@silaslongshot941 I'm shooting for 1000 watts of solar and a 24V 280ah lithium bank. So about 7kWh nominal of storage with an efficient Victron inverter. Hoping that's enough for 500W ac unit in really hot days
Please do a followup so we know how it works. I would like to know how much run time you are getting and the noise level when operating. Thanks
Perhaps testing the unit before you attempt installing it is a good idea? lol Or enjoy the experience of installing, and removing, the unit should you ever get one that is DOA?
You’re not wrong, but these days pre-install inspection comes down to this: Is the box banged up? No: Install it. If it looks sketchy? Maybe bench testing is a good idea. In any case, whatever roof AC you install is going to use that same 14” square hole.
Everyone one of these i watch doesn't test it in the summer, say what the outdoor temp is or say their van size.
We just pre-ordered a pretty, black one for the next shipment in April and used your code. Thanks for the video and $50 off!
You got it guys!!!
Nice. I think I would apply a little extra as well. No leaks!
Thanks to this video, I'm definitely putting this model at the top of my list
That’s a lot of amps! I understand the high is probably starting surge and the low is fan only. Very courteous about running amps and a comparison to a conventional a/c running through an inverter.
Going to be testing soon, can’t wait!!!!
It doesn’t have a start up surge. It’s a rotary compressor. Before it starts they equalize the high and low side and it’s run buy a inverter drive or variable speed so it starts with no load and ramps up gradually and varies the load with the fan speed.
133BTU per Peak Amp efficiency for the Velit Vs 113BTU for the Dometic and 112BTU for the Nomadic - so it is the most energy efficient for the power draw
Thank you for the video. Blessings to you.
be great if they could configure it for the sunroof of a Dodge 3500 for hotshot drivers.
Thanks for adding this video. Your I formation was relevant and concise.
It’s summer now how’s that AC working? FOLLOW UP VIDEO ?
Was wondering can the AC run on fan only mode so I don’t have to get another fan?
More like at least 600 amp hours with at least a 400 watt array with at least 5 hours of good sun per day when using .. This would be my minimum suggestion for a setup that can be reliable and functional
Purchased the VELIT with the promo code - Thank you 😊
Does it drip water from condensation?
Awsome videos! My wife bought this A/C for her van after watching your video. Have you found a cover in order to keep the snow and leaves out of the unit during the off season? Thanks and cheers from Nova Scotia✌️
Have a safe trip. And Thanks for the video. BTW Parenthood is a trip in itself.
Thanks Dave! We're having a blast down in Saint Martin, we're super excited for this next chapter!
Air conditioning largely depends on subtleties, to make big comfort and wattage gains.
Great timing for this video, we are at similar points in our build- just installed my roof rack on Monday (in the cold SJ weather) This looks like a great product, I was considering the Dometic unit until I saw this. I have a 144 so trying to conserve space on the top, did you look into the other AC unit they have coming out that mounts inside?
Thanks Matthew! I believe that have an inside unit as well, maybe reach out to them and see what they recommend? I think that unit is less powerful as the roof top unit though.
Excellent install and evaluation. I am interested in the weights of the 3 units?
Haha. The price. Im just going get a jackery box $600 and a $300 home depot home unit. And run the little tube thing out a window. 8 minute install. No cutting
I, too, like the abilities of solar with alot of panels, 1,000 amp hours of battery juice, and a 5K watt inverter to power anything I want. But you forgot to mention that a generator can power an entire RV almost indefinitely as long as you have petrol or propane to power it.
Yea that’s fair, we wouldn’t really use a generator though due to how loud they are and annoying to neighbors but it’s a fair point!
Nice installation video. I’ll be interested to see how much battery power it takes to run in real life. Have a wonderful trip!
Thanks John! We're excited to test it out and create some content for that.
Thank you save me time and headaches
Although Affordable is still a broad term, for me it would be far from it, the van i would want to add it to cost me half as much as the A/C unit and my budget pretty much limits me to whatever i can find second hand (looking for a portable house A/C unit under $200, as my inverter is big enough to run a small one). But i will say that one is one of the cheaper rooftop ones ive seen.
Thinking I should put that on my mega cab better then taking the whole dash out 😂😂😂
We all have that one neighbor LOL
One day these units might be viable and dependable , I do this for a living and so far these 12vdc ACs are Garbage in hot climates! BTW, when welding steel I use 50 to 60 amps dc. With that said if something goes wrong, it goes bad fast.
Yo, got a real world question. Have you checked to see what the actual dBs are when the compressor is running? My coleman sounds like I am parked next to a busy airport runway and people say its only putting out 57 dBs. The listing for this says its 60 dB
It's not bad, we're creating a test video, and ill see if I can test the sound.
decibels is just 'dB', never dBs because any suffix after dB then specifies a reference.
thats a pretty cool neighbor
There some that can be used as a heat pump or air conditioner they make them for semi trucks for about 800 dollars
So how did it do?
I stumbled on your posting here while looking for a 12 volt mini split A/C unit which is about 1/2 of what you are promoting here but I wonder the difference hmmm
Errors: Much smaller battery banks can be used if your panels face partly east and west. This surrenders daily charge but increases charge duration, thus reducing battery hours. Also, all, 3 units are way too large for practical use. In humid heat, slowing the evaporator fan causes a more cold surface and better dehumidifying. In dry heat, only brute BTU displacement counts.
We're debating if to replace our old energy sucking roof AC, let me know if you really like your Velit?
The way his neighbor is bundled up, it looks cold. He would die walking around with a jacket like that here in AZ.
As far as the A/C, that's the advantage of an electric R/V. If Rivian made a R1S Overland edition, just put it in Camp mode.
People who plan to live in their RVs are more worried about the cost to operate and maintain than range.
Absolutely outstanding! Full of great imfo
Hope there is a video in the Caribbean! How was the Philly market this year? I want to take my family there too !
There will be John! How’s the procedure go?
@@MathersOnTheMap procedure went great so far. Hospital staff was great and I am home recovering. Nurses were amazing! Thanks for asking!
@@jemjr1628 that’s great! Happy to hear, hope your recover fast!
Sweet
Thank you so much
Been hoping for something like this
You got it David! I can’t wait to test this thing out in proper conditions!
Great work. It looks great. Have a few Bushwacker’s for me. Have Fun.
Thanks Bill!!! Bushwacker’s! Haha I may be sticking to Carib’s
🤔 The unit was never run, tested, or evaluated for noise. It seems like the Velit exchanged a free unit for a product plug, and that’s what they got.
The analysis of 12 VDC roof units at the beginning was good. 😎
Hey Vincent thank you! not sure if you watched the entire video, but I mentioned this video was filmed in December in New Jersey, and i couldn’t test it in those cold conditions.
However I was able to test it out when it finally got over 80°F here’s the test video. ua-cam.com/video/9Ifhc6g2j08/v-deo.html
I do have an affiliate relationship with Velit, if anyone who uses our coupon code we earn a commission at no cost to the buyer! Win-win 👍🏻
@@MathersOnTheMap Thanks for the timely response. 😎👍
Heh watching your channel with heaps of interests, Looking at Velit for our RV's also can you tell me about your Solar and Starlink setup please. And your side mount surf board rack on the sprinter where did you get that from mate? love it would it fit a FIAT Ducato
Thank you! Check out our build series which breaks down those questions in full detail!! Every product in the van is listed in the description of our videos. Check out the van tour video, great place to start ua-cam.com/video/nCYI0rJm8Gk/v-deo.htmlsi=aci0_0N7XG4pD_WK
Nice installment
Thanks Ryan!
@@MathersOnTheMap You're Welcome!
AC units at home depot can be as low as $200. Honestly, these should be close to that price point in my opinion.
same thoughts
What is the quality like of those $200 Home Depot units though and where are they made?
Home Depot is a rip off
@@robertberin4872 Cheap AC is a rip off?
Wait, 1,600$ DC AC, that's considered affordable? to who, people who can afford to buy a 200k$ sprinter van to convert? I make 50k/year, I cant afford 1600$ for an AC. Yall are out of touch with the majority of RV/Van life folks. we dont have that kind of money to throw on anything without it hitting hard, or taking away from something else we could easily use.
It’s considerably less than the other 12v models currently offered. The prices will continue to come down over time.
I agree with you totally!!!! A lot people going to this life to avoid rent.
Recpro. $1,200 and I think is already a lot
@@maricotodiz4475recpro requires so much more power than this. Like 3000watts and 30amps
What about the Eco flow that's like $500?
I was wondering would this work on a semi truck?
100% just need a battery bank to supple the power
There are options for 12 volt AC for large truck tractors. Using this model featured in the video depends on having space on the roof of your cab. Not just for the 14” square hole, but space on top for the exterior unit, and space inside for the air distribution panel.
SUGGESTION: time for a lapel mic. Your audio could be a lot better.
he spent all of his $$$$ on the AC.
IMO Dometics new one is better 3000 W vs 2300W and Dometic does heating and cooling.
Awesome video!
Thanks Matt! Appreciate it
Could cool my garage with those. the van only needs 4000 btu. How about a 12v heat pump that covers heating and cooling.
Hola soy de Colombia dónde puedo conseguir ese aire acondicionado gracias
Code(código para ahorrar $50dolares...MOTM50..espero te sirva,
Great video. I’m excited to try this a/c unit.
Thanks Adrian!
How did the unit work during the summer? I am also in NJ and have a 115 volt RV A/C unit on my Skoolie and don't have A/C in the factory vehicle and tried to use it while driving but killed the batteries after a few hours.
You think this would be an easy install on a finished van. Have a max air fan I would remove to put this in. Not sure if it’s possible with the finished wood ceiling I have.
you would need to be able to fish the thicker wires to your battery bank, swapping the maxair for the ac would be the easy part i'd think.
Thank you
So are they going to turn it into a heat pump by putting one of those reversing valves in it to be able to use it as a heater also?
Nice work
Crazy prices 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
this would be a lot more useful if every mention of amperage or amp hours was converted to watts or watt hours.
How does a 12 volt system draw60-80 amps of power I have never heard this. My Bluetti runs 12 volt systems but only to 30 amps
A unit - be it an AC, a fridge, a TV etc will draw as much current as it needs. The bigger the motor and the load on it, the more current it draws.
Was there a reason you did not review any of the $700-$800 AC units? These name brads are out of a lot of people's budgets.
What about the RecPro Houghton A3400? Also how about noise level??? Great video
I’m not too familiar with it, but based on a quick google search it looks like it has 20k BTU’s and a bit too much overkill for a van, could be good for an RV though if you have a big enough battery bank looks like it draws a lot of amps!
Thanks!
Will that be good to use in a food truck?
Great video! Quick Q. When in economy mode, was the a/c able to maintain the temperature in the van? Ie. Could you run it on low power over night?
Thanks again.
I might put of of these my attic under some solar panels mmmm? cool when there is sun, idle at night...insulation a cool bank rather than heat soak .....hot moves to cold. The prob has been in usa not enough freedom for creativity so we fail to start.
They have it because it was free to them for this commercial
Terrell!!! 🎉 thanks for the comment! 🥳🥳
Sold!!!
so 6kwh in batteries..then you need at least 5 to 6 solarpanels on your van to be offgrid and us e the ac for 8hrs a night...where do you put those panels? or do you aldo run every day a small generator for a few hours..
Damn that is not that affordable I assume they are more efficient but you can get an 8000 btu window unit for like $400 and spend a little bit on more batteries and solar and plan on a bigger inverter
Batteries, solar, and inverters are expensive too so it’s not apples to apples
@@MathersOnTheMap 1 450 watt panel is $250 and 1 2k watt inverter is $200 so $450 + $400= $850
@@robertberin4872 not sure where ya got those prices but that sounds like a steal! However I’d go with at least 3,000 watt inverter plus you need additional battery capacity. Need to take account that you’re going to be running multiple appliances in addition to the AC in a real world scenario, charging laptops or tv’s etc. also need to consider the additional space for the extra batteries, plus where you would put a window unit practically. Every inch of wall space is extremely valuable
Can I install ac unit with curved front facing the rear. This will avoid having to cut ceiling support rib for ram promaster 2500. Not the extended base. Ty. I can install a separate wind faring if needed. Your opinion.
?? Ty my friend.
Thanks!!! I wouldn’t do that but I’d be curious if it works!
Are there window style 12 volt air conditioners that may be appropriate to use with solar without running through one or two inverters? Thanks.
Sick video edits 🎥 ✍️
Thank you Steven!!!