Topical Thread - Can I make My Van Cooler

[nigelcro]

Hey Folks - not that it is hot or anything, but...

I have a converted T6.1 Highline panel van all fitted out to carry furry, four legged individuals. The A/C works pretty well if cranked up to the max and the passengers aren't suffering, but the interior isn't as cool as it could be. Obviously the A/C is designed for a vehicle with a bulkhead, so we are asking a lot of it to keep the entire volume chilled.

Question - If I fitted some sort of air extraction above the dog crates, either a non-powered spinner, a solar powered fan or a fully plumbed in extractor fan would this make things better, or worse? Perceived wisdom is that with A/C in vehicles it is best to keep the vehicle as sealed as possible. If I started sucking out the cooled air would I, in fact, be making the A/C work harder and therefore less efficiently? Would I be better off installing some fans internally to help the air circulate through the crates whilst keeping the cooled air on board?

Then there is the age old argument, fans actually make things worse. As they work they generate heat which actually warms the air that they are moving around, causing a net heat gain. (I used to have this argument every summer at work when someone brought a hoofing great fan into a small office).

Or, am I missing some way of upgrading the A/C?

Thoughts?

 

[DXX]

Short term; leave the van AC on re-circulation, keep all windows closed.
Long term; insulate the van, there is very little if any insulation as it leaves the factory.
If it’s a dark colour then it’s going to warm up quicker, hence dark coloured vans don’t make the optimal camper if you like a lie in.

 

[StratosFearXX]

Think I'd take a day off transporting dogs if it's 30° or more. S'pose it depends on budget though, there are refrigerated vans so any things possible.

And I'll take the bait, how does a fan heat the air (unless you mean the tiny bit of heat from the motor)?

 

[nigelcro]

Short term; leave the van AC on re-circulation, keep all windows closed.
Long term; insulate the van, there is very little if any insulation as it leaves the factory.
If it’s a dark colour then it’s going to warm up quicker, hence dark coloured vans don’t make the optimal camper if you like a lie in.

Van is insulated and lined and it is Pure Grey, so it could be worse...

 

[nigelcro]

Think I'd take a day off transporting dogs if it's 30° or more. S'pose it depends on budget though, there are refrigerated vans so any things possible.

And I'll take the bait, how does a fan heat the air (unless you mean the tiny bit of heat from the motor)?

We show, so if we are entered we tend to go. Crate fans, cooling mats etc.

Tiny bit of heat from the motor, over a long period of time can be significant???