Keeping Warm
An Early Morning Chill Run your van's engine, and the van's heater will 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 gallon capacity, it will run the furnace around 57 hours. Cost $794.
Diesel Air Heater (O) uses diesel from the van's fuel tank. Very fuel efficient. Cost $2,791.
Keeping Cool
Sportsmobiles Are Well Insulated Throughout. However, the van body is steel, so it tends to heat up when it's hot. Here are some ways to help keep your Sportsmobile cool.
Attic Fan (O) We highly recommend this fan. It's a powerful 12" 10-blade rotary fan that pulls fresh air through open windows. Very quiet, 3 speeds, pulls 3 amps on high with 920 CFM. Reversible. Made of tough Lexan. Deluxe model, shown right, includes a thermostat and rain sensor to close and reopen vent when it rains. Install front, center or rear on roof.
Windshield & Cab Doors Screen (O)
Blocks up to 70% of sun’s rays, solar heat gain. Also provides daytime privacy and cab door window ventilation. White, vinyl coated nylon, rolls up for storage.
Rear Door Screen (O) provides lots of bug-free ventilation. Zips open. It is necessary to remove the screen when you close the rear doors. A rear screen can also be made to fit a specific area as shown lower right.
Cab Door Screens (O), top right, permit partial opening of cab windows.
Artic Cab Window Panels (O)
This is the best way to insulate your cab windows and windshield to help keep the heat out in summer and inside in winter. The bubble foil is laminated to curtain fabric. The panels “pop-in” to the side door windows and windshield. Roll up for storage. Additional cost option in exchange for standard curtains.
Danhard 110V "Inside Mount" Air Conditioner
The Danhard Internal Mount A/C (O) is popular for owners that have a Sportsmobile with the Penthouse expandable Top, as a roof mount cannot be used.
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 pets in the van, we highly recommend the optional temperature paging system. Cost $492.
Roof-Mount 110V Air Conditioner
Roof-Mount Air Conditioner (O)
Sportsmobile uses the low-profile, only 7.5" high, Carrier A/C with 13,500 BTU. It can be located front, center or rear of van. The A/C shroud is white. It can be painted to match van color. Cost $1,216.
Running Your Sprinter's 110V Roof A/C Prices eff. 3/28/08
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. A wall thermostat is included. 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.
Or a diesel generator (o) for diesel engines. 3.2K Onan. Mounts under the van. Cost $6,899.
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 your Sprinter for about 6 hours at 1,500+ RPMs (approximately 40 MPH). Note there are variables. Figures are estimated.
You will need:
When Parked - Engine On to Run A/C
The Sprinter's 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 Sprinter standard 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:
To run your roof A/C for long periods of time you will need:
To run your roof A/C:
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 1.25 gallons per hour idling at 1500 RPMs. The Sprinter’s fuel capacity is 26.5 gallons. Example: 10 gallons will run your roof A/C continually for about 8 hours. Sprinter’s Maintenance Monitor System, included with all Sprinters ordered by Sportsmobile, will advise you when to change the engine oil. The Sprinter’s engine is actually a little quieter than the Onan generator.
When Driving
If you will only need to keep the Sprinter's interior cool when driving you will not need the “high engine idle control.”
Your Sprinter’s 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 Sprinter's 220 Amp 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 a lot of 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.
