sprinter camping ac choices

[gretchen]

Hey there.
I am new to this site and need help. I know nothing about rv conversions , just to warn you.
I got my new 2011 sprinter yesterday, and immediately took it to Atlanta Custom coach for a custom conversion.
I have the really expensive factory rear air option which is great but , now I need to figure out how have air conditioning when camping.
Is there a converter,inverter "thingy" contraption that will allow me to plug in and use this factory roof air? If not, then what are my options?
Can I add a second roof air, or would that compromise the integrity of my roof?
What camping cooling options do I have?
Thanks in advance.
Gretchen

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Hey there.
I am new to this site and need help. I know nothing about rv conversions , just to warn you.
I got my new 2011 sprinter yesterday, and immediately took it to Atlanta Custom coach for a custom conversion.
I have the really expensive factory rear air option which is great but , now I need to figure out how have air conditioning when camping.
Is there a converter,inverter "thingy" contraption that will allow me to plug in and use this factory roof air? If not, then what are my options?
Can I add a second roof air, or would that compromise the integrity of my roof?
What camping cooling options do I have?
Thanks in advance.
Gretchen

Welcome to our forums Gretchen....

Doesn't your shore power plug in work your AC unit now? You do have an outside connector? in the wall of your unit?

 

[gretchen]

My van is scheduled for conversion in 2 weeks, so there is no shore power yet.
That's ideally what I want though, but the company doing the conversion thinks I will have to add a second ac to be able to plug in. See I got the sprinter option of the rear ac. The unit is on the roof, but runs off the engine just like any other dash ac.
Thanks again

 

[Turtle]

The engine powers the compressor for that AC, so he's right, you'll need another AC for shore power.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Your welcome...glad to help....

You could also try The Unofficial Resource For Sprinter Van Enthusiasts

They have an RV section.

 

[Lawrence]

I'll add giving Ray Lawrence with EsparParts.com/Espar of Michigan a call when it comes to Sprinter ac/heat concerns:

800.837.3900 (say you heard it from ExpeditersOnline.com!)

 

[gretchen]

Thanks. I will call. Keep any ideas coming. I would like to NOT take up a bunch of interior room with a contraption, but I don't know if I can have 2 units on the roof. I would wonder about the structural integrity of the roof.
Gretchen

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Thanks. I will call. Keep any ideas coming. I would like to NOT take up a bunch of interior room with a contraption, but I don't know if I can have 2 units on the roof. I would wonder about the structural integrity of the roof.
Gretchen

Hey..TV companies put their big satellites up there...no problem

 

[LDB]

There should be a means to reinforce the roof adequately I would think. You should look into a fantastic fan and a window in the wall behind the driver seat with the tilt out bottom. It can be opened even in the rain and if you get the cover for the fantastic fan it can be used in all but monsoon conditions. The ventilation that combo gives will allow scores of hours without running the a/c when you otherwise would have to. Are you going to have a generator to run the a/c when shore power isn't available?

 

[gretchen]

Thanks.
I will have a generator for those times no shore power is available. I will look into the option you suggested.

 

[gregory]

Gretchen -

Depending on how you use your Sprinter, you may want to consider using solar instead of a generator, like Bill Allen:
Expediter Uses Solar Power to Eliminate Idling - Expedite NOW Magazine

AM Solar (Welcome to AM Solar_Your RV Solar Specialists since 1987) makes some good RV solar packages that include most components needed for a vehicle-mounted solar system (except batteries). Most companies that claim to make vehicle solar kits don't include many of the needed items, or use really poor quality components, but the AM Solar systems are an exception.

Bill also uses the Espar heater for camping (engine-off) heat, and both the Espar D2 Airtronic and Webasto Airtop 2000 are good choices for 12V diesel-powered camping air heaters that work well in a Sprinter. The Espar is around $2300 new, the Webasto as low as $895 (bunkheaters.com).

It's not aimed especially at expediters, but I've written a 172-page Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook that describes a lot of equipment options for Sprinters (Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook), including items like the CR Laurence and Seitz aftermarket windows, which are both available in North America for newer (NCV3) Sprinters.

Greg