| Author | Message | ||
| hojji firemaker (Hojjifiremaker)
Registered Member Username: Hojjifiremaker Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.38  Rating: N/A |
I am interested in installing swamp coolers on my coach rather than traditional air conditioners, that are very expensive to run and require shore power or my generator to be running, when parked. Turbokool makes a product that seems to be exactly what I am looking for, and will even run off my 12 volt solar panels. Besides the obvious concerns with condensation, have any of you used, or heard of anyone using a roof top swamp cooler on a coach conversion?  | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 742 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 72.146.79.100  Rating: N/A |
Hmm.. I just read their ad at http://www.turbokool.com/ and noted the line that reads: "Recommended for areas where the average relative humidity does not exceed 75%" I don't know where you plan to travel, but I seriously doubt that thing will do an ounce of good in or near Florida. The swamp coolers were around for a long time. They may do OK in a dry climate, but even in Massachusetts, the humidity would climb right up there during the summer. Adding more dampness wouldn't be prudent, but the thing won't function properly, if there isn't dry air. And adding damp air to a closed RV parked in Florida during the hot, damp seasons, is .... what's the word I'm looking for?? The price of that thing is also higher than what I'd expect for such low level non-technology. Only my opinion, of cuz... | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 262 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 70.208.186.81 Rating: N/A |
Yea, Hummmm.... Good Points John. I wonder how much water the sump holds? It would seem to me that it would need a hundred or so gallons to do any good in warm weather. Maybe the pictures of the unit on top of a dog house and small excavator cab is where it does best? Nick-   | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 421 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.210.169.165 Rating: N/A |
What JTNG says is dead on. Humidity is enemy of the swamp cooler, which BTW are for the most part, what we use in the third world. (desert SW NM). They add humidity to the air and consequently cool it. Many homes have both refrigerated air and swamp. No bueno por nada (No good for nothing) in humidity. BTDT. Have one now.....when the humidity hits above about 25%...turn it off. FWIW, IMHO....  RCB | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 636 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.30 Rating: N/A |
I would gueesstimate about 3-5 amps 12V DC per hour. 5 x 24 is a boodle of amps to replace daily , either BIG solar , or noisemaker with multistage charge V regulator. FF | ||
| JC Alacoque (Jc_alacoque)
Registered Member Username: Jc_alacoque Post Number: 80 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 72.45.68.242 Rating: N/A |
I installed one a couple years ago at the front above the driver in my '57 Courier 96. It didn't have dash air. There is a regular roof top AC in the middle for when plugged in or with the gen. I considered running another AC unit with an inverter but finally opted for the TurboKool. We live out West and do most of our travels were it is dry most of the time. It works very well. It blows directly onto the driver and front passenger while driving, then with a Fantastic fan on exhaust at the back, it draws the cool air through the bus. It works good too when parked. The solar panels will keep it going all day. It doesn't work very well at all in humid weather. I ran a 1/4" line to the cold water pipe to the bathroom sink to supply it, so I have the water pump on. For me the $800 was a lot less than another AC, and a big inverter that I still don't have in the bus. Also an experiment. We've used it 2 summers now and it works well in an old bus. JC | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 804 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 208.54.200.39 Rating: N/A |
In Nevada City it should work fine. As long as you stay in CA, AZ, NM, NV, WY, MT and eastern WA and OR you should be fine. In really dry places it is refreshing to get some moisture into the air, AC just isn't necessary there. | ||
| Tony LEE (T_lee)
Registered Member Username: T_lee Post Number: 44 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 41.214.137.132 Rating: N/A |
Swamp coolers only work (even in dry climates) if you constantly replace the air. This means having a window open at the opposite end of the bus. | ||
| Rod Bourland (Roddymc8)
Registered Member Username: Roddymc8 Post Number: 22 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 66.174.92.163 Rating: N/A |
Ah....that sure brings back memories....It was 1954 in the sunny side of Oregon. Pop bought this cylinder contraption that set outside of the passenger window on our 51 Oldsmobile...Dad was always an Olds guy, he just never wanted to pay extra for the AC, in fact he had an uncle who had AC but drove his car from southern California back to Oregon with a 50 pound block of ice on the front seat cuz he was sure using the ac would burn too much gasoline. Anyway I don't remember seeing his mobile swamp cooler ever mounted on the 1955 Olds but that's not important. The device was easy to install, you just set the supports on the edge of the glass and rolled up the window, kinda like those trays at A&W, with the discharge pointing into the car....just pour water in the gizmo, which would soak up a fiber mat, air would be forced through as you drove causing evaporation and emiting slightly cooler air into the car along with a considerable amount of road noise, fumes, etc. I think it was called a Rolloair, speedair, or something like that....I don't remember it cooling all that well, at least not enough to keep me from sticking to those clear vinyl seat covers he had on the back seat...I never could see the point of saving the upholstery for the next owner? but that's another story....maybe one I'd rather forget...but those were the days..weren't they ? | ||
| Rod Bourland (Roddymc8)
Registered Member Username: Roddymc8 Post Number: 23 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 66.174.93.101 Rating: N/A |
Sorry (Message edited by Roddymc8 on January 17, 2009) | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 326 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Clear vinyl seat covers!!! Boy does that bring back memories, and sort of ages us too does it not? | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 747 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 72.146.76.80 Rating: N/A |
Hey Rod.... Sure made that mohair stink, didn't it? Remember the old vibrator power supplies in the radios? Smack the damned radio to get it to work? Bzzzzzzzzzzz - - Alan Freed! Rock & Roll! Man~~~ gone. (kinda' makes me crave for an '04) |