Van Heating, Cooling & Ventilation
Cabin temperature is the difference between a van you use twice a year and a van you live in. This hub covers the whole system: what makes cold air, what makes hot air, what moves it around and what keeps it inside.
Work in this order. Insulate first - a Thinsulate shell costs less than a compressor and pays back forever. Ventilate second - a brushless roof fan pulls the hot air layer off the ceiling for a few amps. Then heat with a diesel or gasoline air heater, which is the only practical way to stay warm overnight without a shore hookup. Cool last, with a 12V or 48V rooftop unit sized to the battery bank you actually have.
Start at Van Insulation, then Van Air Heaters, then 12-Volt Air Conditioners. Replacement ducting and louvers are here too.
