As summer heats up, RVers face the question of whether to run their air conditioner all day. The answer is yes — but only if the rig has a stable source of electricity like shore power or a generator. Otherwise, it’s a recipe for overheating and an inability to sleep comfortably.
Fortunately, plenty of manufacturers have roof-mounted air conditioners that can be powered off the 12-volt DC battery system and don’t require a connection to a power grid or a generator. The options aren’t nearly as limited as they were years ago, and DC-powered units are growing in popularity.
Dometic’s RTX2000 is a prime example; it’s designed specifically for the commercial trucking industry and uses the same technology as truck parking coolers to help fleet owners save on fuel costs by cooling the cab overnight instead of idling the engine. Dometic supplies mounting hardware, a power cable kit, and a roof cutout guide with the unit. The RTX2000 also comes in 13,500 and 15,000 BTU models, with or without a heat pump, as well as a non-ducted option for those who don’t want to deal with ductwork.
Another popular choice is the Truma Aventa Eco, which also offers both cooling and heating in one 13500 BTU package. The unit is a little taller than some of the other options, but it’s a popular choice with campers because it is a “set it and forget it” AC that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance or use of the fan. The Aventa is available through Pines RV Refrigeration, which is the supplier warehouse and shipping point for both reman’s and brand-new cooling units built by JC Refrigeration of Shipshewana, IN. rv cooling units