I started answering along the same lines then realised Schwimms actually asked "I'd like to be able to run the fan of the (rooftop) AC unit... off of a battery bank."You are going to need a HUGE battery bank to run any roof top A/C System!
Sadly we do not have the option of picking a campsite to run the AC (it is the factory installed MB unit that requires the engine to run the compressor) that is our main dilemma, will the roof top vent fan keep up with the warmer climate we live in, or is keeping the AC a necessity? I would be curious to see if anyone has done any tests around running the AC in a well insulated van and how long the van remains comfortable after shutting it off, as well as how many degrees the fantastic fan can cool off the van?We have a Roadtrek on a Sprinter chassis. It came with both the rooftop AC and a Fantastic Vent roof fan.
IF you can avoid traveling in really hot climates.... We use the vent fan almost exclusively by having it on "exhaust" setting and cracking rear side windows. Very effective. There have been a few times we've been caught in unusually hot weather, however. In those cases, hit a campground, plug in, and live with the extremely noisy (but effective) rooftop AC. Otherwise the roof fan works very well.
I'm in a similar situation with a recently purchased 2016 with rooftop A/C that I doubt I'll use but hesitant to remove yet.I recently purchased a 2012 144 Sprinter with the rooftop AC unit for conversion to a camper van and had the same thoughts being discussed here. My wife and I are struggling with the question of "Should we remove the rooftop AC Unit or not?" We live in Texas, so AC in the summer would be nice, but already have 2 100watt solar panels mounted on the roof behind the AC and really no room to add a rooftop 12V Fan, or any more solar. So, the question at hand is.
What is more valuable, a rooftop AC unit that can only run with the vehicle on, or a rooftop vent fan that can be run at any time?
Currently mine are just mounted using Renogy Solar Panel Mounting Brackets straight into the roof and sealed with self leveling dicor rv roof sealant. While it does work, and has never leaked on us, I wish we had room for a 3rd panel and a fantastic vent fan, I am currently looking into affordable roof rack options that can help us accomplish this.I'm in a similar situation with a recently purchased 2016 with rooftop A/C that I doubt I'll use but hesitant to remove yet.
How did you mount your solar panels? I assume yours doesn't have the factory roof rack mounts?
Thanks in advance,
Greg.
I did find these, that seem promising and affordable.Currently mine are just mounted using Renogy Solar Panel Mounting Brackets straight into the roof and sealed with self leveling dicor rv roof sealant. While it does work, and has never leaked on us, I wish we had room for a 3rd panel and a fantastic vent fan, I am currently looking into affordable roof rack options that can help us accomplish this.
So did you just screw into the roof sheet metal with shortish screws without removing the headliner?Currently mine are just mounted using Renogy Solar Panel Mounting Brackets straight into the roof and sealed with self leveling dicor rv roof sealant. While it does work, and has never leaked on us, I wish we had room for a 3rd panel and a fantastic vent fan, I am currently looking into affordable roof rack options that can help us accomplish this.
Yes, here is an affiliate link to the mounts that I used, it came with screws that are quite long, but they did not interfere with my headliner since there is a large airgap above it. I went out to the van to snap this photo since we just removed the headliner to insulate. You can see they do not go lower the support beam in the photo.So did you just screw into the roof sheet metal with shortish screws without removing the headliner?
(affiliate links below)Great, thanks for that.