I've been eyeballing these units since they've appeared at our local Lowe's (sorry, no Home Despot - they've closed).
I've seen good and bad reviews on Amazon but am wondering if anybody's has personal experience with them.
I did make a tactical error and forgot to measure from the floor to the bedend where I'd secure it during transit. They cannot be laid on their sides and if they have been require several days upright before use.
My other reason for buying from Lowe's is that active duty and retired military need only show their ID and ask for their 10% discount.
I borrowed one from a friend when I went to VA last July. I thought it cooled the pup enough to be comfortable. I did have to "extend" the exhaust hose to vent it. I unzipped the canvas a few inches by the roof and stuck the hose outside.
That being said, I would prefer to get a window unit. The stand alone unit took up too much room inside and are usually much more expensive. I can hang a unit between my door and bunk end by rolling up a portion of canvas. I have also seen people sit it on a shelf outside and have it blow in through the screen. They had reflectix in the window and cut a hole in the reflectix to have the air blow in.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
I have an Apache Roamer, all ABS, no canvas. We did look into doing a window mod, but this seems much more favorable.
If it held up well enough in July, I'm good with that.
The room issue isn't an issue. It's just the two of us in a 16'6" box with double bed bunk ends.
LL, thanks for the info. You may well have sold it for us.
I forgot you had the hardside.....yeah, the stand alone unit sounds like a better option.
I ran it only at night and I only emptied it at the end of the trip. There was not that much water. We were out all day at the BSA Jamboree.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_211843.....ntity_sold|0&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl_Air%2BConditioners_4294859075_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_quantity_sold%7C0&facetInfo=#BVRRWidgetID
I bought this unit this past Friday. I have not yet tested it and when I do I'll write a full blown review.
As a retired military guy, Lowe's still offers a 10% discount. That more than makes up for the taxes Uncle Sam wants AND still gives me a bit of a discount.
I'd have put the picture up, but the computer at work doesn't allow me to access Photobucket. I'll try to remember to do so from home.
Are you sure you don't want to go the cheap route like this? $80.
[IMG]http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/48340/2057683680102103417S425x425Q85.jpg[/img]
Reflectix on the inside, older gizmo on the outside, clipped around frame of AC and edges of bunk. A space blanket/sportsmens blanket would work. Here's an inside shot: [IMG]http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/26671/2167486030102103417S425x425Q85.jpg[/img]
I forgot all about this thread....
I used the stand alone unit on a trip to San Antonio TX in June 2011.
It worked its tiny heiny off. It did make the Apache a little more comfortable, but, truth be told, wasn't the blessing I was hoping for. During the 4 day stay, it seldom shut off.
I think I emptied the evap tray out once. I probably should have done so sooner as it was F-U-L-L.
The exhaust hose vented out nicely to an unused bunkend window. Standing outside the Apache in front of that hose was like being in a blast of hot air. In that respect, it did its job.
I would recommend this unit with hesitation. It does take up valuable room, it is loud and needs to be reasonably close to an area for the heat discharge.
I like your method Thingette! I think I may go for that myself. How come you have it at the end of the camper though? Did you sleep right next to it? Why not the middle of the camper?
rabird, what's the wood for? Are you blowing through the screen too?
I just posted something about portable AC's somewhere else. Even though Steve is already set I'm going to share what I've learned in my experience over here in case someone new is reading this.
I had a portable AC for a couple years in my third floor, finished attic bedroom. Since it's only me, it was really difficult to put a window unit in my tiny, high up dormer window, and the portable AC seemed like the perfect fix. But here's what I learned:
:- They're LOUD, really loud, I used earplugs to sleep
😮 They're super inefficient (not that big a deal when you're not paying for electric at a campground though)
:'( they put out an awful lot of water. On really hot days my AC would put out 5 gallons of water in the 9 hours I was at work. I had to put a under-the-bed rummbermaid under my 5 gallon bucket in case I got stuck at work.
>:( Here's the worst part- They only last two or three years. I didn't know that, but when mine broke and I complained to people, it turns out a lot of people know they don't last long. That's a LOT of money to spend on something that only lasts a bit.
:reader: The biggest problem with using one for camping though is that it probably can't stand up in your closed up PUP, meaning either you transport it on your side and wait 8 hours to turn it on (you have to do that with fridges and AC's if they're on their side) or you transport in your TV, but they're heavy.
It's been a few years since I really did research on these, and hopefully they have improved, but I want to help others from learning the hard way like I did!
[quote author=MariskaHargitay link=topic=774.msg13043#msg13043 date=1335970066]
rabird, what's the wood for? Are you blowing through the screen too?
The wood keeps the reflectix in place and helps close the ends. Yep, through screen.
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In the past I had used various pieces of reflectix and stuff and lots of blue tape. I believe this was my first use.
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Bruce sleeps on that end. He likes it really cold. DD and I are at the other end. We like it cool, but not frigid. I also use reflectix in ALL windows/screen and Gizmos over the bunk ends. It makes a difference even in the daytime.
We try to be strategic with camp sites in the summer and get ones that are shaded to help the AC out. No worries about water run off. Shelf is aways positioned so it is slightly off level so the water drains away from the canvas. I'm working on making some reflectix with magnets that will connect to sandwich the front of the AC to the screen.
We also always try to put the AC on the non-awning side. Less heat to deal with if you want to be outside.
Oh, ok, thank you. I just wanted to check to see if your placement had to do with air flow or canvas or something.
Thanks everyone! It looks like my camping season has been extended!
Which reflectix is the one I want? http://www.homedepot.com/Refle.....38;19n=19n No stores around me carry it in the store, I have to order it online.
I think the $40 one. See if your local store can order for you. Might save you shipping. You should measure the length of the windows you are going to cover and see how much you need.
Also, check out popupgizmos bunk end liners http://popupgizmos.com/PSBL.htm. They might have what you need.
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