Summer in warwick xl

intrested to hear how owners have found summer temps in models with bonded windows.When deciding to go for one came to the opinion that daytimes I have the option of a mirad of opening doors,at night time have ample roof vents,probably wouldnt leave windows open even if they did. Cannot see any discussions on this so am i correct to assume the only issue is with owners of other makes without them?

As you know there were some very hot days this summer and I can’t pretend that not being able to open the windows wasn't a drawback. However, being able to open cab doors, the sliding door and the rear doors, as well as roof vents, gave us good airflow. I’d recommend carrying an electric fan if you have room.

It was more of an issue having the sun beating in through the open sliding door space and overheating the fridge (it probably won’t happen with the XL) but, overall, we prefer these windows to the acryllic opening type.

We now keep a small desk fan in our Rienza. Last summer we spent longer on sites than usual and even with the windows and door open it was uncomfortable without the fan. Fortunately we have plenty of room to keep it in the locker all year.

We were in Germany this summer and temperatures inside the van hit the high 30’s during the daytime. We were out and about most days but during the night felt secure enough on sites to open the side windows and get enough through-draft to be comfortable enough to sleep.  We don’t find the athermic windows a problem in terms of heat and much prefer the clean look they give to the van.  We do however keep the blinds cracked open slightly if we’re out for the day, to allow heat to escape from the glass windows.

The fridge was a different story and struggled until the temperatures got below its operating maximum of 32C.  It doesn’t help that the Kemerton’s layout causes the side door to block the fridge vents when fully open.  I plan to follow the lead taken by others on here and install a fan in the fridge housing to improve air circulation over the fins.

Tim

Why isn't anyone using the heating system cooling fans to cool their van in summer when on EHU. That's what they are there for. The fans don't only push out hot air through the vents in winter, they also push out a good measure of cool air in summer. On balance and within reason at night I have found this works well enough.

I realise that the wording in the manual is probably to cover themselves but it states using the cooling fan  ‘can lead to additional motor wear depending on frequency of use’.

Anyone have experience of long term use as I had decided not to use the fan in summer despite it’s obvious benefit as mentioned by Mindhyg.

Mindhyg wrote:Why isn't anyone using the heating system cooling fans to cool their van in summer when on EHU. That's what they are there for. The fans don't only push out hot air through the vents in winter, they also push out a good measure of cool air in summer. On balance and within reason at night I have found this works well enough.

We tried it, but found it made no difference at all to the internal temperature, as it does nothing more than move around air at the ambient temperature. It's not a very powerful fan either, so the air movement was hardly noticeable - if at all.

Different van I know, but I can't think there would be a lot of variation.

A friend bought a cooler last year that worked by evaporating water on a filter matrix. It wasn't this one, but it works on the same principle.
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They were pleased and said it was very effective, but I doubt if it was 12 volt or it would cane the battery.

Hope this is useful.

Homebase were selling these...

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At £1 so I thought for £1 I couldn't refuse. Plug into usb socket. Brilliant - as long as I sit two inches away.

Gromit wrote:

A friend bought a cooler last year that worked by evaporating water on a filter matrix. It wasn't this one, but it works on the same principle.
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They were pleased and said it was very effective, but I doubt if it was 12 volt or it would cane the battery.

Hope this is useful.

We borrowed a similar unit to use one night this summer. When next to it, the evaporation process on your skin makes you feel cooler but overnight it made no difference to the temperature in the van.

Peter Brown wrote:

Gromit wrote:

A friend bought a cooler last year that worked by evaporating water on a filter matrix. It wasn't this one, but it works on the same principle.
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They were pleased and said it was very effective, but I doubt if it was 12 volt or it would cane the battery.

Hope this is useful.

We borrowed a similar unit to use one night this summer.  When next to it, the evaporation process on your skin makes you feel cooler but overnight it made no difference to the temperature in the van.

I'm not surprised Peter. I did wonder if the actual reduction in temperature in the van was more illusory than real. (That's the crucial factor.)

Cooling the van by a certain number of degrees takes just as much energy as heating it by the same amount . . . broadly speaking.

You don't get something for nothing with these gadgets. The laws of physics have to be obeyed.

we have this function and I have used it a couple of times...

AFAIK, the 'vent' function (cool air) is only available on the later models with the CP plus control panel.

in order for it to work, both heating and hot water must be set to off.
only in this instance is the 'vent' menu option visible.
the fan speed (from memory) can be set at levels 1-10 and should provide a decent 'draught'....although the air is not 'chilled' in any way.

Hi, We've had an XL since May 2014 and have used it in mid 30s temps a few times and roof lights and doors provided more than adequate cooling ..
would agree about adding a fridge fan,we had problems in hi temperatures until we had one fitted and it's never an issue now- well worth the outlay.

Has anyone had a problem with leaving roof lights open with the concertina blinds closed?

Every time you open a door and forget the blinds, they try and exit the van via the roof vents, then you spend the next 1/2 hour getting them back in the runners!
Richard

I think the diagrams around the roof light show that you shouldn't close the blinds more than half way with the vent open.

rgermain wrote:Has anyone had a problem with leaving roof lights open with the concertina blinds closed?

Every time you open a door and forget the blinds, they try and exit the van via the roof vents, then you spend the next 1/2 hour getting them back in the runners!
Richard

No but, being well aware that what you found will happen, I never fully close the blind with the roof light open. 75% closed max and if I'm still getting blinded, I move.

rgermain wrote:Has anyone had a problem with leaving roof lights open with the concertina blinds closed?

So it's not just me then.

Thank you all for the comments. Now why didn't "we" think of leaving a gap.

Also pleased to read in a very kind way, we are not the only ones to have this happen and I must say not just the once, but maybe no more!
Cheers
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Richard