taying cool inside an RV is a prerequisite when traveling in hot weather, but it’s oftentimes easier said than done. While no one wants to endure a hot interior — especially when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep — an RV is essentially a big tube made of fiberglass, metal and glass, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise when temperatures inside that tube rise dramatically while it bakes under a hot summer sun.
And, while rooftop air-conditioners are commonplace on RVs today, their inherent design tends to limit effectiveness — especially on triple-digit afternoons. That’s why we’ve tested different add-on aftermarket products designed to maximize the efficiency of stock A/C units; we want to stay cool, too.
One of the newest products to address this situation is the A/C Connect from Kool RV (koolrv.com). The add-on product is claimed to elevate current air-conditioners to their full potential, bringing down the temperatures inside while curtailing some of the noise.
To understand why rooftop air-conditioners don’t perform better, you have to look at how these units are installed and operate. Most RV manufacturers have a set way of building ducted systems to distribute the cold air, using pathways through the ceiling that can be inefficient and zap the air-conditioner’s potential. For starters, there are typically too many right angles that slow down the cold air pressure. Add to that, intense heat from the sun is only an inch or two above the ducted pathways, allowing for heat intrusion that warms the flow of cool air.
Over the years, creative owners would use pieces of foam that were fit into that area to help direct the air flow into the ducting rather than down to the ceiling plate. It was a rather crude solution, but it actually improved efficiency. KoolRV’s A/C Connect mounts in the rectangular exit from the blower and into the plenum to eliminate turbulence and distribute 100% of the cool air. The design of the A/C Connect also increases the return-air cavity by 40%, which translates into cooler air going through the evaporator — more air in, more air out.
The A/C Connect is surprisingly simple-looking but there was a lot of thought (from personal RV experience) and research that culminated in an adapter that is made of 3D-printed plastic and heavy-duty flexible hoses. The device can be easily manipulated to fit tightly into the plenum and rectangular ducting inlets; the company supplies aluminum ducting tape that can be used to completely seal off any holes or cavities that cannot be predicted when performing the install. The flexible hoses compensate for differences in ceiling ducting techniques and locations used by RV manufacturers. The company also provides a fitment list of A/C Connect adapters, depending on the brand and model air-conditioner.
It was necessary to remove two of the tie-down bolts that run from the plate around the opening in the ceiling and secures the air-conditioner to the roof. This was to make sure the flexible hoses would clear the bolts. After ducting fitment, the bolts were reinstalled; there was ample room to prevent hose abrading. Tip: While you’re in there, use a bright flashlight to inspect the return air cavity at the evaporator to ensure the area is free of dust and oils.
Within 16 minutes, the humidity was lowered from 40% before the installation to 28% after. Temperature from the farthest register dropped 8 degrees compared to the stock A/C performance and the air felt colder. Inside temperature was definitely more comfortable. One thing to keep in mind is that other model air-conditioners may be configured differently in the plenum and may not produce the same results; the company claims that customers can expect at least a 6-degree drop in temperature at the ceiling registers.
The simplicity of the installation is impressive, as is the quality of the A/C Connect components. The real payoff on the $84.95 investment and maybe 1 ½ hours of time can easily be measured by a marked improvement in comfort level. And your body will thank you.