Sportsmobile Custom Camper Vans - Heating and Cooling

Keeping Warm

An Early Morning Chill Run your van's engine, and the van's heater will quickly warm the Sportsmobile. At the same time, the van's alternator will charge your batteries.

If You Have A 110V Hookup or Generator A small portable electric heater will keep you very comfortable. Ceramic models work best.

Propane Furnace (O It's compact and installs under a seat/bed or in the bottom of a cabinet. It's very efficient and has been proven over the decades. A wall thermostat lights the furnace electronically. The furnace uses propane from the standard equipment propane tank. It's vented to the outside. If your tank has a 7.9 (5.5 if the Danhard is included) gallon capacity, it will run the furnace 57 hours if the furnace is on on half of the time. A two-stage regulator supplies very low gas pressure inside the Sportsmobile. Propane tanks and furnaces are manufactured, installed, and tested per strict RVIA codes. A propane detector is also included.

Keeping Cool

Sportsmobiles Are Extra Well Insulated Throughout. However, the van sides are steel, so they tend to heat up when it's hot. Here are some ways to help keep your Sportsmobile cool.

Sportsmobile Windows installed in the van sides and fixed tops have screens. Penthouse expandable tops have five extra large screened windows. So — if there's any breeze you will have cross ventilation. All Sportsmobile windows have either a light or dark tint.

Attic Fan (O) We highly recommend this fan if you have a fixed top. It's a powerful 12" 10-blade rotary fan that pulls fresh air through open windows. Very quiet, 3 speeds, uses 3 amps on "high' with 920 CFM. Reversible. Made of tough Lexan. Deluxe model includes a thermostat and rain sensor to close vent when it rains. N/A Penthouse expandable tops.

Windshield & Cab Doors Screens (O) These screens are very efficient in helping to reflect the sun's rays. They are made of white Fiberglass and will block 70% of heat gain. Roll up for storage. Plus they provide day-time privacy. You can see out but they can't see in. The cab doors will still open and close. And when you open the cab door window, you have screen ventilation. This option will also help the A/C to keep your Sportsmobile cool in hotter climates.

Of Course parking in the shade or facing your windshield away from the sun when possible will help.

Danhard 110V "Inside Mount" Air Conditioner

The Danhard Internal Mount A/C is popular for owners that have a Sportsmobile with the Penthouse expandable Top, because a roof mount cannot be used. The same information below for the roof mount A/C also applies tothe Danhard A/C.

With the Danhard A/C, a 2000 watt inverter and two 100 amp auxiliary batteries (one is standard equipment), you can normally run the A/C for one hour with van's engine OFF, provided the auxiliary battery system is fully charged. To lengthen this time, start the van's engine, then the van's alternator will add charge to the auxiliary batteries. This will add two hours or more of running time. If engine is ON, you can also run the van's dash A/C to cool the Sportsmobile more efficently.

When running A/C with no one in van, we highly recommend the optional temperature paging system.

Roof-Mount 110V Air Conditioner

Roof-Mount Air Conditioner
Sportsmobile uses the low-profile Carrier A/C with 13,500 BTU. It can be located front, center or rear of van. Overall height is 7.5" The A/C shroud is white. It can be painted to match van color (o).

Running Your 110V Roof A/C

When Parked – Engine Off

Requires a 110V hook-up at a campsite, a friend’s driveway, etc.

Or a propane generator (o). The Onan 2.5 Microlite generator at ½ load will run the van's A/C continuously for about 20 hours with an 8 gallon propane tank. If you run the A/C ¾ of an hour for 10 hours per day, it will run about 3 days. Cost $3,542.

Keep in mind, the temperature usually drops at night. Most customers say they turn their generator off around 8 to 10 pm. For more generator information, see main menu “Information” button, then “Systems Info”. Note: A generator can be added later if originally noted on your production order. The Attic Fan (o) is also very effective and will pull a draft through the Sportsmobile. Some owners order two.

For more info, see "Information" main menu button, then "Systems Info."

Running Roof A/C with engine off and no 110V hook-up or generator You can run the roof A/C about 1 hour, then you will need to turn off the A/C as your two auxiliary batteries will be depleted. To recharge the batteries, plug into a 110V hook-up for about 12 hours or drive for about 6 hours at 1,500+ RPMs (approximately 40 MPH). Note there are variables. Figures are estimated.

You will need:

Sportsmobile’s 2000 Watt Inverter to convert 12V power to 110V. Cost $1,281.
A second Auxiliary Battery for a total of 200 amps. $413.
Total cost $1,694.

When Parked - Engine On to Run A/C

The cab A/C can run for hours when parked with the engine at normal idle of 600 RPMs. The cab A/C will keep only the cab area cool.

You can run your roof A/C for about 3 hours when parked with your engine at normal idle – 600 RPM. After about 3 hours you would need to turn the roof A/C off so that the auxiliary batteries can recharge. See above for recharging. The van's starting battery is isolated with Sportsmobile's battery separator. Note: in some states it is illegal to leave your engine running in an unoccupied vehicle.

You will need:

The above Inverter and second Auxiliary Battery
Total cost $1,694.

To run your roof A/C for long periods of time you will need:

The above Inverter and second Auxiliary Battery. Cost $1,694.
The Ford/Chevy van’s optional dual 110 amp alternators in place of the standard 140 amp alternator. About $480.
Ford/Chevy “high engine idle control. About $410.

To run your roof A/C:

Turn engine on.
Set emergency brake so that the high engine idle control will function.
Set idle control for maximum output of the alternator or alternators and provide maximum charge for your auxiliary batteries and the van's starting battery. When driving at highway speed, the RPMs will be about 2500. When driving around town, keep in mind that when driving slow or stopped for signal lights your RPMs will drop below 1500 and you will not be charging your batteries at full capacity.
Turn on Inverter and then roof top A/C. For a faster cool-down, also turn your cab A/C on.
Note – the 2000 Watt inverter will run only one high-amp 110V item at a time, such as the A/C, 110V water heater or microwave.

You will also have enough amps to keep your batteries charged and run a 600 W microwave or a 1200 W microwave if you turn the roof A/C off. Plus other 110V appliances.

Fuel Consumption. The diesel engine will use about 1.5 gallons per hour idling at 1500 RPMs. Example: 10 gallons will run your roof A/C continually for about 7 hours. Gasoline engines will use about 20% more fuel.

When Driving

If you will only need to keep the interior cool when driving you will not need the “high engine idle control.”

Your cab A/C will keep the cab area cool. It will also keep the interior comfortable for most people, unless it's quite hot. There are variables.

To use your roof A/C, you will need the same options as above — except for the high engine idle control

To run your roof A/C, simply turn your inverter and roof A/C on. Most customers say they usually run both their dash A/C and roof A/C for the first hour or so when driving. They then turn the roof A/C off, as the dash A/C will then usually keep the Sprinter’s interior cool.

When driving over 40 mph, your RPMs will be about 2500. The alternator will keep your auxiliary batteries charged. Your roof A/C will be running off the 110 volts supplied by the Inverter. Plus your can run a 600 watt microwave, computer, etc. If you will need more amps for a 1200 watt microwave, etc., you will need to run your A/C off.

When driving below 40 mph and/or stop-and-go driving, your alternator will not be fully charging your auxiliary batteries.