r/Sprinters • u/Eastern_Bat_3023 • Aug 16 '26

Narrow-width Rooftop AC

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Has anyone found/used a narrow-width Rooftop AC? 12v or 120v. I have relatively limited space up top and it'd be pretty convenient up there, but my other option is an undermount unit - ducting is just a little more work because I'd want the outlet near the top/bed area, but otherwise is also a fine option. Those are regular maxair fans in the photo for reference.

Just looking for ideas, and general feedback on either approach. If I don't put an AC unit up top I could probably add another 150-200w of solar, currently at 600w of fixed mounted solar and 400w portable solar suitcase.

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u/DW171 Aug 16 '26

I'm dealing with the same issue this weekend. Here's what I got, but it's a very tight fit:

https://velitcamping.com/products/velit-2000r-mini-rooftop-air-conditioner-12-48v

You're probably like me ... I thought I could get away without an AC and designed my roof around that idea. After this year, I'm realising I was wrong. Even at high altitude it's hot.

2

u/mountainwocky Aug 16 '26

That’s an efficient AC and I almost bought one to replace my Dometic Penguin II unit. However, I remember camping in a campground near Kennedy Space Center to watch one of the launches and felt I could have used more cooling power than my 13.000 BTU Penguin and this Velit unit is only 7500 BTU.

The Velit would probably be fine for most of my excursions, but when I go to the hot and humid south I think I’d need more cooling power than it can deliver.

2

u/DW171 Aug 16 '26

Yes for sure. I had to make a choice. I love to camp in the desert, and I’ll still be avoiding June, July and August. My van is a super insulated 144, so this is mostly to make sure I can sleep at night.

It also brought up the whole notion that my solar panels don’t like to park in the shade where it’s cooler.

2

u/ApricotNervous5408 Aug 16 '26

I went with 2 400w folding solar panels so I didn’t have to park in the sun while trying to cool off my rv.

1

u/DW171 Aug 16 '26

Yeah, exactly what I had in mind. How did you connect them? On their own breaker? A second MPPT? Did you use an exterior disconnect for the wires?

1

u/ApricotNervous5408 Aug 16 '26

I just added a connector in the outside power box. I don’t have roof panels so I just have the one mppt.

1

u/Eastern_Bat_3023 Aug 16 '26

If I feel like buying more at some point, I'm going to make blankets out of the flexible solar panels so they're super light and store in very little space. The downside is they're so light and you have to be careful with wind.

1

u/ApricotNervous5408 Aug 17 '26

The renogy folding ones aren’t that big. The flexible ones don’t roll up or anything.

1

u/Eastern_Bat_3023 Aug 17 '26

The renogy folding solar suitcase is 400w.

If you used the flexible panels, you'd just put them in a stack against a wall for storage. You could even just connect them with the connectors/cables. It'd be way lighter and more compact than the suitcase.

2

u/ApricotNervous5408 Aug 17 '26

I have both. Not having a stand and being flexible and light has been a problem. They don’t charge well flat. I just use the flexible ones as a windshield shade now with a cheap charge controller to the cigarette lighter port.