Autoclima U-GO Portable 12V Air Conditioner Unit
Autoclima U-Go Portable Air conditioning unit
Please also have a look at our more powerful rooftop AC unit here
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This uniquely designed portable vehicle air conditioning unit by Autoclima is the freshest model in the popular Fresco range. Smaller in size than its other Italian cousins, this 12V portable air conditioner lets you maintain the temperature that’s right for you, as well as cool down or heat up the cabin. Why not take this tiny but powerful Italian creation on your next road trip?
U-GO! is a versatile portable A/C suitable for any imaginable application, including Van, Van Conversion, Camping, Trucking and other. Thanks to its relatively low weight (19.5 kg), this beast of a conditioning unit can be easily moved around the vehicle (two handles and a sling ship with the kit). The compact size of this portable 12V air conditioning unit also means you can place it virtually anywhere in the cabin.
Please note, that unit will perform up to optimal unit operation temperatures, when outside temperatures are at 33°C or 91 °F, in extremely hot weathers unit can take longer to cool down evaporators
Key features of the Autoclima U-Go Portable Air conditioning unit
- This portable A/C is both featherweight (19.5 kg) and small in size (36 x 37 x 40 cm). As the unit comes with two handles and a sling, moving it around the cabin (or taking it to another vehicle) is a breeze.
- The U-GO! comes with its own tank to reduce water condensation. Any water dropping onto the compressor is immediately evaporated.
- The unit includes a snorkel kit and cables that connect to the battery.
- The U-GO! can be used not only when the vehicle is parked, but also while driving. When this 12V RV air conditioner is used on the go, it provides support to the primary onboard A/C unit.
- Perfect for cooling air on a warm day, the U-GO! Is also great for warming your vehicle on cool days.
- The cooling capacity is at 950 W (3250 Btu). The unit can provide 450 m3/h air flow.
- The kit includes timer and remote control.
User benefits of the Autoclima U-Go Portable Air conditioning unit
Do you own several vehicles or simply feel like sharing your gear with a friend on the road? Unlike some of the more cumbersome units on the market, the U-GO! is extremely portable. You can easily move your shiny U-GO! between different vehicles by simply removing the battery wiring harness and placing it in another vehicle. Want an even more hassle-free Plug&Play solution? Simply buy an extra set of battery wiring harnesses and install them on the vehicles you’d like to use your U-GO! unit on.
And as U-GO! is swappable across different vehicles means you can easily move this extremely portable 12V ac unit inside the cabin. The only limit is your imagination! Install it by your bunk, on the passenger seat, between the seats or any other place in the cabin. And the best thing about it? You don’t have to make any changes to the cabin or drill extra holes for hoses. You can use the U-GO! from the get-go.
If you are still on the fence whether the U-GO! is a good fit for you, you might want to know that this 12 volt portable air conditioner is not just great for your pocket, but also great for the environment. And as this Italian creation was designed to operate with the engine switched off, it reduces overall fuel consumption. Besides, the maintenance costs are low and the amount of the R134a refrigerant is limited.
Summing up, there’s any number of reasons – including portability and versatility – for why you should give U-GO! a go.
What the Autoclima U-Go Portable Air conditioning unit is suitable for:
- Caravans / Camper / Campervan
- Trucks
- Trailer homes and other types of mobile homes
- Recreational vehicles (RVs)
- Van / Van Conversion
Technical specifications
Voltage
|
12V
|
Weight
|
19.
|
Coolant used
|
R134a
|
Max Power Consumption
|
37A
|
Cooling Capacity
|
950W / 3250BTU
|
Controls
|
Remote and integrated timer
|
Ventilation speed
|
6 speeds (450 m3/h air flow)
|
Hot air function / Heating
|
Yes
|
5 Reviews
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5
Very simple to use
Posted by Katy Johnson on 31st Jul 2022
I thought this would be a lot of work to install in my camper van, but there really is no installation.
I am very pleased with this purchase.
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5
Nice unit
Posted by Alex Grachen on 28th Apr 2020
I need to wait until the summer until I can properly use it when it is super hot here, but overall looks really good and the service was very efficient. Will be using in my motorhome, I just hope all this madness with the coronavirus will be finished by then and we can all travel safely.
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5
STAR
Posted by Dwight mw van on 1st Jul 2019
Lifesaver! Ugo is cheaper and more advanced than SLeep Well from indelB.
Best choice for my van
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5
Best solution!
Posted by Quinn Cal on 14th Jun 2019
It might not be the most powerful, but does its job just perfect! Cheapest solution out there
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5
Great product
Posted by Sebastian on 13th Apr 2019
It arrived fast with Fedex, well packed and in great condition. Amazing product which I use with an Optima Blue Top battery and an off grid CTEK system in my Toyota Sienna.
Can't find anything like it in the USA or Canada. Autoclima US and Canada representative was of no help, luckily I found Heatso. Well done guys!
The Zero Breeze – A Legit 12-volt Air Conditioner for Trucks
As a trucker, you know how uncomfortable it can be to take a nap in your cab in the middle of summer. Hell, it’s hard enough to sleep comfortably at night even when temperatures cool down.
How about re-charing your batteries and taking a 20-minute power nap in the hot August sun? Forget it.
We have seen several portable air conditioners out there aimed at truck drivers, but to be honest, most of those are fickle and never last. Others are big and difficult to move around the cab, so they never get enough use to offset the price.
That’s why I was naturally skeptical of Zero Breeze, a portable air conditioner that’s marketed as both powerful and lightweight. But as it turns out, this is a legit 12-volt air conditioner that will keep your cab comfortable all summer long.
It’s not surprising that many people consider Zero Breeze the best portable air conditioner for truckers.
What is The Zero Breeze?
Shop ZeroBreeze.com
Zero Breeze is a battery-powered, 12V air conditioner that’s compact in size and light in weight. But don’t let its size fool you – this is a pretty powerful air conditioner.
Zero Breeze is an 1100 BTU A/C unit with a built-in micro compressor. This is a real-deal air conditioner – not just a fan that blows ice or water (i.e. evaporation air conditioners).
This 12V air conditioner is powered by an interchangeable power base with 54 sections 18650 lithium battery composition.
On a full charge, you can get about 5 hours of use on normal and 3.5 hours of use on full load.
The unit itself weighs just 12 pounds, so you can easily move it around your cab, or take it with you on the go.
Zero Breeze does not emit any harmful gases, and it can lower the temperature in the area by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Because this is a true compressor air conditioner, it does require the use of an exhaust pipe. But you can just snake this out of your window.
The Zero Breeze unit is available with and without a smart battery. I’d recommend getting the smart battery. Otherwise, you’ll only be able to use this unit when it’s plugged in.
How Does Zero Breeze Work?
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Zero Breeze uses a built-in compressor to cool the air. An exhaust pipe takes in fresh air, which is then cooled. The hose also vents hot air out of the room.
The unit itself has a control panel just about the vents. The panel allows you to choose between air conditioning and regular fan cooling. You can adjust the level of cooling with the touch of a button.
Beneath the control panel, you’ll find a button that you can press to pop the panel up and reveal a Bluetooth speaker. You can control the speaker function through your smartphone, and you can also control the play function through the control panel.
There’s a built-in LED light, too, which can change colors.
When you’re done with the unit, simply turn it off, remove the exhaust pipe, unplug, and you’re done. Setup takes just a few minutes, and cleaning up is just as quick.
When not in use, the compact unit is easy to store in your cab without taking up too much space.
Can I Use My Solar Power System to Run Zero Breeze?
What if you have a solar power system? Can you still run Zero Breeze? Yes.
There’s just one caveat: The system must supply stable 12V, 15A DC power. If it can, then you’re good to go.
What Models are Available?
If you’re looking for Zero Breeze for sale, you’ll find that the Mark 1 model is already available. This is the model that I detailed above.
But Zero Breeze has also just released the Mark 2, which is a new and improved model that will be shipping soon.
The Mark 2 has more advanced features than the Mark 1. It boasts a 630Wh battery system and a 5-hour running time. It’s still portable and lightweight, and it offers a quick 10-minute fast cooling effect.
With this model, you get maximum cooling of 30 degrees Fahrenheit with minimum noise output. This model has twice the cooling power, with 2300 BTU/h and 40% more cooling efficiency. It also includes an LED light as well as a USB-C port.
The Mark 2 uses a unique dual hose system that draws in fresh outdoor air and outputs hot exhaust air through another hose. The dual hose system allows fresh air to be regulated to eliminate negative pressure in the room while maximizing performance efficiency.
And with a noise output of 40-50 dba, this unit is ultra-quiet compared to other portable air conditioning units.
Again, you can’t buy the Mark 2 until after December 2019, but it’s going to be a decent upgrade compared to the Mark 1.
Shop ZeroBreeze.com
What are the Benefits of Zero Breeze?
Do you really need a portable air conditioner? Yes. Zero Breeze offers more benefits than you think.
Sleep Comfortably
With Zero Breeze, you can keep your cab cool and sleep comfortably. Keeping your rig on while you nap is out of the question, and idling isn’t enough to keep your cab cool.
But a portable air conditioner will keep you cool without wasting gas or your truck’s battery. It takes just a few minutes for this portable air conditioner to cool a cab, and you get hours of use out of a single charge.
Portable and Practical
Zero Breeze is both a portable and practical solution to your cooling needs. Weighing just 12 pounds, you can easily take this A/C unit anywhere you please.
The exhaust pipe can easily be placed in the passenger-side window, and you can place the unit anywhere you want.
True Cooling Power
This is a real air conditioner with a built-in micro compressor. Other portable air conditioners – i.e. evaporation air conditioners – are nothing more than just fans with water or ice inside.
Zero Breeze is a 1,100 BTU air conditioner, and the Mark 2 will offer 2300 BTU/h.
Easy to Use
Even though Zero Breeze is a true air conditioner, it’s still easy to use. All you need is ventilation (e.g. an open window), and you can use this A/C unit. The battery bank base powers the unit and gives you hours of use on normal.
There’s no water or ice to refill. Just turn on the unit, and enjoy cooler air.
Where to Buy Zero Breeze
Where can you get a Zero Breeze air conditioner? You won’t find this unit in big box stores or even home improvement stores.
If you’re looking to get the best price, you’ll want to buy directly from the manufacturer.
Along with the best price, you also get the warranty and guarantee when you buy directly from the manufacturer. You may not get these same protections if you purchase your unit from a third-party seller.
Shop ZeroBreeze.com
Air conditioner in the car from the cigarette lighter – TOP rating of devices!
Hot summer weather turns a car trip, especially a long one, into a nightmare if there is no air conditioning in it. The open windows of the car do not bring proper relief. Dust, flying insects get into the cabin. Traveling in a dirty car, being bitten by horseflies and mosquitoes – such conditions are unlikely to please people in the cabin. Not all cars traveling on Russian highways are equipped with an air conditioning system. These devices for cooling the air in the cabin are not in many cars of previous generations. Also, not every motorist can afford to purchase a vehicle with this option.
What to do in such a case – stop traveling by car in summer? This is impossible in the modern rhythm of life. However, manufacturers of climate control equipment, especially Chinese companies, have found a way out. A variety of devices appeared on the shelves of car dealerships, air conditioners in the car from the cigarette lighter, solving these problems.
In our article, we will consider the types of universal auto air conditioners, talk about the principles of operation of these devices, their advantages and disadvantages. We will also analyze the question of the eligibility of using such devices in the absence of air conditioning systems.
The principle of operation of stationary air conditioners for a car
Before getting acquainted with air conditioners from the cigarette lighter, let us recall the principle of operation of a stationary automobile air conditioning system. This will help us compare the performance of both kinds.
The operation of the standard air conditioner in the car does not differ from the operation of a household refrigerator. The driving force of the system is the refrigerant, freon. The gaseous substance absorbs the heat present in the cabin and gives it away, turning into a liquid, into the environment surrounding the car. The temperature inside the car is thus reduced.
The design of the air conditioner in the car includes:
- Compressor.
- Capacitor.
- Evaporator.
- thermostatic valve.
- Dehumidifying receiver.
- System lines.
As well as various additional components, which include sensors, relays, etc.
We will not go into the details of the conditioning process, about it a little later. The main thing that we want to show by this is that the system is a complex device with numerous components.
Based on this, seeing what miniature car air conditioners from the cigarette lighter are offered to buyers by managers in car dealerships, a doubt creeps in: is this product a mythical product, the benefits of which are inflated by enterprising marketers? Let’s deal with this fact in our article.
Autonomous car air conditioner device
Mobile air conditioners in the car of various manufacturers have a compact body made of impact-resistant plastic.
They are usually equipped with:
- Base, stand.
- Air ducts for cooling the passenger compartment with air currents.
- Fan.
These are the main components of mini car air conditioners. The composition of the remaining components depends on the developers of a particular company. Often, to simplify the control of the device, manufacturers add a remote control. This makes the device more significant, along with increasing the price of the model.
From the above, we can conclude that the designs of 12 volt air conditioners differ markedly in complexity from stationary models. This begins to suggest the effectiveness of devices.
As noted above, there are countless similar products: 12 volt mobile air conditioners. Let’s take a look at some of the more common types.
Dehumidifier plus air conditioner
A common type, judging by sales in stores, of an independent air conditioner for a car. Such devices are connected to the on-board network of cars through the cigarette lighter socket, they work with a voltage of 12 V. We note right away that 24-volt air conditioner models for trucks and commercial vehicles are also produced. The power of such car air conditioners usually does not exceed 150 watts.
Heating coil may be included. However, this component, you understand, cannot help cool the air in the cabin.
All the work of introducing coolness into the interior of the car is assigned to a conventional fan, duplicating the functions of a regular one.
However, it has the advantage that it starts working the moment it is switched on. The device circulates the air around it at the installation site. The standard fan drives warm air into the cabin from the engine compartment, the engine compartment, which enters there from the air intakes from the outside.
It is quite clear that there can be no question of moistening the air masses. Normal circulation takes place. If we take into account the power of such portable car air conditioners, it becomes clear: it is enough to blow the driver and front passenger. Moreover, the temperature of the air flow depends on the cabin conditions.
Air conditioning fan for cars
This view is a simplified version of the previous one. In addition to an electric motor with an impeller, there are no other elements in it.
In design – all the same base, perforated body. Sometimes a mini car air conditioner is fixed to the dashboard with adhesive tape.
Everything else about the operation of these devices can be read from the text about the previous view. This is not to say that this type of device has no advantages. They are available, you can find out about them at the end of the article. For now, we will continue to review the possible types of car air conditioners from the cigarette lighter.
Multifunctional portable air conditioner in the car
A similar annotation can be found in the instructions for using the devices. In fact, the “complex” device is still the same ordinary fan, made in the original case.
Car air conditioner, the price depends on the model
It can be equipped with adjustable air ducts for air flow, a spiral for space heating in cold weather.
This car air conditioner is powered by 12V, accessed through the cigarette lighter.
Autonomous air conditioner for car with water evaporator
This type of car cigarette lighter air conditioner kind of looks like an air conditioning unit, but from a distance. In the design of such models there are water heaters.
Electric air conditioner for a car
Based on this, the device has increased dimensions compared to its “colleagues”. It contains a separate container with water, which should be replenished as the liquid level drops to a minimum value.
Water is supplied at low pressure to the evaporator, which is a fabric filter. The latter is in the on position of the device in a wet state. The fan blows humidified air saturated with water vapor into the cabin space.
The device seems to bring freshness into the interior space, as if it performs the functions of a car air conditioner, but:
- Increased humidity appears inside the car.
- The interior temperature does not get colder.
- Soil is formed for the formation of fungi, mold.
- In places where the paintwork is damaged, there is a possibility of corrosion pockets.
How much such a portable air conditioner is needed for a car should be decided by the car owner.
Autonomous air conditioner for trucks
This unit also applies to vehicle air conditioners. However, such devices cannot be used in passenger cars. Auto air conditioners on the roof are designed to work with a current of 36 A.
Nevertheless, belonging to this group of goods makes us mention them.
These are real air conditioners in cars, the manufacturers of which are very respected companies in Europe, America, and not Chinese nonames.
The increased dimensions do not allow installation inside the machine. Only the control panel is displayed on the instrument panel. The housing, together with the filling of the air conditioner, is installed on the roof of the car.
Is it possible to install air conditioning in a car
These models are equipped with their own compressor unit, refrigerant, piping, as it should be in a “real” conditioner.
For fans of the modernization of their “swallows” we note. Attempts to install these devices in the car are doomed to failure. Yes, many models of autonomous air conditioners require 12 volts for a car. However, let’s not forget about the current strength acting in such devices.
Let’s take as an example the technical characteristics of the SW CUBE 12V truck air conditioner model to make sure of the seriousness of such devices.
Specifications |
|
Power Consumption (Max) |
432 W |
Cooling capacity (Max) |
3250 BTU/h (950 W) |
Power supply |
12 V |
Current consumption (Max) |
36 A |
Compressor |
SECOP BD350GH |
Refrigerant gas |
Environmental friendly R134а |
Ventilation power (Max) |
6 speed (450 s/m) |
Hose length |
3 to 4 meters |
Wireless remote control |
90 002 Yes |
Timer |
Yes |
Battery Protection |
Standard 0003 |
Hot air function |
Yes 002 Automatic evaporates outside |
Weight |
19. |
External dimensions HxWxD |
400 x 360 x 370 mm |
Package dimensions HxWxD |
705 x 405 x 385 mm |
Manufacturer’s warranty |
2 years |
Wiring with a standard gauge may not withstand increased loads, a short circuit will occur, which will result in a vehicle fire. In this case, the fuse, any other protective device, will not help.
Home-made air conditioner in the car
Our country is famous all over the world for its home-made Kulibins, who invent the most incredible useful and not very devices. More than once attempts were made to design a mobile air conditioner for a car, but they were all unsuccessful.
For clarification, we will have to return to the principle of operation of a regular air conditioning system with its compressor, evaporator, condenser and, of course, the refrigerant.
In addition to these components, the following important details are included in the design: dryer, expansion valve, piping.
All elements of the standard system are located in the front of the car: under the hood, the instrument panel across its entire width.
Briefly about the principle of operation
Consider the algorithm of the stationary air conditioning system:
- The compressor operates from the power unit of the car. Its purpose: to drive freon, this gas is used in systems in a closed circuit.
- The refrigerant initially enters the condenser where it is converted to a liquid. The heat is released into the environment.
- Then the compressor drives the freon through the channels to the evaporator, where it returns to the gaseous state.
- During this process, it actively draws heat from the space. Based on the fact that the evaporator is located behind the instrument panel, this space for the refrigerant is the interior of the car.
- Simultaneously with this action, cold is released, which is carried by the built-in fan throughout the interior of the machine.
- Then the freon returns to the compressor, a new cycle begins.
As it becomes clear from the above, the compressor device of the air conditioning system must be powerful in order to force the refrigerant to circulate through the circuit. To operate such a motor, a solid current strength is needed, which a cigarette lighter socket cannot give. Homemade products cannot allow the installation of such an engine due to current limitation.
You can buy air conditioning in the car from the cigarette lighter
Also, the problem arises with heat transfer. It turns out that the device will give off cold and instantly warm up this air, which makes the work pointless. Its efficiency will be minimal, possibly negative.
Advantages of the air conditioner from the cigarette lighter in the car
After reading the above, readers will be indignant, again the Chinese “hang noodles on the ears” of buyers with information about a useless product. Let’s try to partially justify manufacturers from China, such air conditioners in the car have their own advantages.
Let’s call them:
- Mobility of the device – it can be rearranged to any place on the dashboard or console.
- Compact dimensions – do not block the driver’s view when placed on the instrument panel.
- Versatility – can be installed on cars of various brands.
- Standard power supply – car network 12 V.
- Simple installation – just plug the power cord into the cigarette lighter socket.
- Ability to function when the power unit is off.
- The presence of a heating element in most models of 12 V air conditioners allows the use of the device for heating in winter.
And, finally, for someone it will also be a plus, the owner of the car gets the illusion that he has installed, albeit pseudo, but auto air conditioning.
Cons
Everything is clear with the minuses. No matter how hard the manufacturers of mobile air conditioners in the car try to advertise their product, embellish its capabilities, you can’t hide the truth. The benefits of such devices are minimal. About air cooling, freshness, prescribed in the prospectuses, you need to forget.
Buy air conditioning in the car
Even its actual function, ventilation of space, such a car air conditioner performs inefficiently.
Affects:
- Low motor power in the device.
- Minimum internal fan blade dimensions.
- The presence of a housing that limits the movement of air masses.
The air flow is circulated, as we have already noted, directly in front of the front row of seats.
What should a car owner do without an air conditioning system? Continue to languish from the heat in a sultry summer?
We will suggest possible options.
Independent solution of the problem
And yet there is such a solution, and more than one. The first is unpopular with car owners, it is rarely used due to high costs. This is the re-equipment of the car in order to accommodate the air conditioning system in it.
Only the presence of a regular conditioner will allow you to avoid stuffiness in the car interior, create comfortable conditions for traveling without time limits.
However, not only the increased price of such an arrangement is an obstacle to choosing this option.
Install air conditioning in the car
The design of the front car will have to be redone, which will also require costs. Not every owner of a used car will decide on such an operation.
Buying a new car “with air conditioning” is also not for every car enthusiast.
Nevertheless, there are still craftsmen in Russia, which means that there are also interesting solutions to the problem.
Homemade “under the car air conditioner”
The production of the first pseudo-air conditioner on a car will require a minimum number of parts.
These are:
- Reservoir with a lid that closes tightly.
- Fragment of plumbing fittings: an elbow from a plastic pipe.
- Fan powered by a 12 V power supply.
Now let’s look at the progress of work on the creation and launch of the manufactured design.
Required:
- Make two holes in the container lid.
- An elbow is installed in the first, a fan in the second.
- Before the road, the car owner pours pieces of ice into the tank, it will act as a refrigerant.
- During the trip, the fan connected to the cigarette lighter socket turns on.
Do-it-yourself air conditioning in a car
- Warm air from the passenger compartment will begin to flow inside the tank.
- Through the plumbing fittings, the air stream will exit the tank, being cooled. Its purpose is to lower the temperature inside the car.
This do-it-yourself air conditioner has some drawbacks. The design will be able to work effectively until the moment when the ice melts and the resulting water heats up. The cooling quality of such a “device” also leaves much to be desired. However, within one and a half to two hours, the cabin will become cooler. The time depends on the volume of the container and the temperature outside.
Almost a real “auto-condo”
The production of the second type of home-made air conditioner in the car will require more components and, accordingly, the cost of their purchase. However, according to the inventors, the costs are well worth it.
To equip this design, you need:
- High-quality cooler bag with thermal insulation walls.
- Car heater radiator.
- A good fan or two, such as in a computer processor unit.
- Pump (aquarium or car glass cleaner).
- Silicone tubing.
- Wiring.
- Plug for 12 V cigarette lighter socket.
You need to do the following:
- Cut holes for the pump, insert it, connect the silicone tube.
- We place a self-made mesh filter on the pump intake hole.
- We make a slot for the size of the radiator in the lid of the cooler bag.
- We insert the radiator into the opening from the inside, fix it.
- We install fans outside the radiator in such a way that the air flow does not go inside the bag, but into the passenger compartment.
- We put a silicone tube on the radiator and pump, combining the design. We install the second same tube on the outlet fitting of the radiator, lower the other end into the bag.
- Installing the wiring. We connect the pump and fans with wires, connect to the connector / plug. In this case, polarity must be observed, otherwise the devices will work in the opposite direction.
The following structure is obtained.
Ice is also used as freon in this “device”.
Ice cubes are poured into the bottom of the cooler bag, water is poured. The switched on pump pumps cool liquid into the radiator.
Heat exchange is carried out in it, water flows back into the bag, and coolness with the help of fans goes into the cabin.
This design has better performance, it can cool the interior of the car for a longer time than the previous DIY car air conditioner.
However, this device is not without drawbacks. The ice will melt sooner or later, the cooling process will end there.
The second, more serious minus is the bulkiness of the homemade product. A cooler bag of this size will require space. It is usually placed on the front passenger seat. This limits the number of seats in the car, and also spoils the interior.
Also, the owner of such devices before the road needs to stock up on ice on the road. A trifle that not many drivers remember.
Summary
Summing up, we can say the following: miracles do not happen in our time. A small plastic box with a fan cannot replace a solid air conditioning system. For those who continue to believe in the fables of advertising managers, we can advise you to buy auto-conditioners of this type with a higher power electric motor.
Such a device can then bring at least some benefit.
Acura
BMW
Chevrolet
Citroen
Ford
Hyundai
Jeep
Land Rover
90 002 Mazda
Mitsubishi
Opel
Porsche
SAAB
Skoda
Suzuki
Volkswagen
Audi
Cadillac
Chrysler
Dodge
Honda
Infiniti
Kia
Lexus
9000 2 Mercedes
Nissan
Peugeot
Renault
Seat
Subaru
Toyota
Volvo
how to choose and is there any benefit?
Residents of the metropolis are well aware of such a problem as traffic jams, associated with exhausting heat in the summer and a constant feeling of cold in the winter. Therefore, an important condition for a comfortable stay in the car for both the driver and passengers is the presence of an air conditioning system.
Many car owners today have the opportunity to purchase a portable device that can be installed in the car to create coolness – this is portable air conditioner from the cigarette lighter .
12V car air conditioners – portable climate control or a trinket?
The first mini gadgets of this type appeared back in Soviet times and were compact fans.
But they were ineffective in combating high temperatures inside the car, as they did not affect the air temperature, but only created airflow. Despite this, portable fans were in great demand among all categories of car owners due to the lack of alternatives.
The idea of creating a universal device for cooling the air inside a car turned out to be attractive, and a huge number of manufacturers became interested in it, who already at the end of the 20th century tried to create the first portable air conditioner for a car.
A wide range of compact cooling systems for vehicles is available today. It should be noted that in Europe and the USA such designs are widely used, as they provide comfortable conditions while driving. A number of countries have even introduced restrictions on the use of vehicles not equipped with air conditioning.
Design and function
An obvious feature of a portable air conditioner for a car is its appearance – it is a monolithic device, inside of which elements of the cooling system are installed. Installation of the device is quite simple. Car air conditioning from the cigarette lighter maintains a comfortable temperature inside the cabin.
The operation of the air conditioner is based on the principle of moving refrigerant through the system, which evaporates as it absorbs heat, and then, reaching the dew point, turns back into liquid form.
There are 2 types of car air conditioners:Compressor air conditioners
These systems are efficient mechanisms for both cooling and heating. Their operation is based on the cyclical circulation of a refrigerant that can quickly change from liquid to gaseous state and vice versa.
Advantages:
- High efficiency in ensuring optimal air temperature.
-
The presence of heating and ventilation functions.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to install due to heat dissipation outside the machine.
- Large amount of energy consumed.
Portable air conditioners
Such systems create a cooling effect with water. The principle of operation is as follows: water is transferred to the heat exchanger using a pump and begins to evaporate, thereby cooling the air entering through the fans; then the steam condenses, takes a liquid form and returns to the tank through pipelines.
Advantages:
- Low energy consumption.
- Possibility of operation when the engine is not running.
Disadvantages:
- Efficiency is related to the humidity in the cabin.
- Water tanks needed.
Efficiency of autonomous car air conditioners
Portable air conditioners can create a favorable atmosphere in the car interior. However, this will take a large amount of power, which is undesirable for passenger cars.
Therefore, a 12 volt air conditioner is often used, which creates a cooling effect, but it is not able to cope with high temperatures.
Another problem is the removal of heat generated by the air conditioner during operation. It must necessarily be removed outside the cabin, otherwise the efficiency of the cooling system will be low due to the heating of the device itself.
In order to increase the efficiency of the air conditioning system for cars, you can use devices equipped with cold accumulators as a refrigerant, installed in a container with a fan.
Benefits of a stand-alone car air conditioner
Lack of air conditioning in the car can lead to a number of problems, such as overheating of the driver and passengers in the summer and discomfort due to the cold in winter.
Installation of an independent air conditioning system in vehicles equipped with a sunroof is a simple procedure for specialists, and usually does not take more than 3 hours.
Maintenance of air conditioning systems of this kind is quite affordable from a financial point of view. It is also worth noting that a water-based air conditioner for a car is an excellent solution that does not require large energy costs.
Selection criteria and what they affect
The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing an air conditioner for a car is information about the manufacturer. It is worth giving preference to trusted brands. Such is Telair, for example. You should not try to save money by opting for cheap models from unknown manufacturers.
Equally important should be given to the characteristics of the device itself:
- Power.
- Consumed energy.
- Dimensions.
- Type of refrigerant used.
Be careful when studying the above aspects, so as not to purchase a conventional fan instead of a volt air conditioner.
What about the truck?
Portable air conditioners cannot be installed in the interior of the truck, since their cigarette lighter power is only 250 watts, while portable appliances require 1000 watts of power to ensure a comfortable temperature in the cabin.
The modern market offers the best solution for trucks – roof air conditioner. Car air conditioner Telair Dualclima 8400H is a rooftop monoblock 2.46kW, 230V, which is perfect for creating the optimal temperature in the interior of trucks. It has an optimal power consumption of 230 W, allows you to remotely adjust the temperature in the range from +18 to +30 ° C using the remote control. The device is easy to operate, easy to clean, has anti-icing protection. Can be installed on medium and large trucks.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that portable devices powered by a cigarette lighter and creating a cooling effect are not able to have a serious impact on the climate inside the cabin at high temperatures. To improve the efficiency of their functioning, it is worth using additional ice cartridges.
Roof air conditioners are an excellent option for creating a comfortable temperature inside trucks. They consume little energy and are easy to operate.
- Cut holes for the pump, insert it, connect the silicone tube.