Air con removed and replaced with Heki

The air con fitted as standard on my Sussex was useless (according to the spec the model fitted to mine was suitable for vans up to 5 metres, as the van is 6 metres it should never have been fitted). I tried it last summer and it simply couldn't bring the temp down. These systems cannot be re-gassed, so it meant a complete replacement at a cost of around £1500.  Plus of course it needs hook up to work. So I've had it removed and replaced with a Mini Heki. The extra light is immediately obvious, the van having the black side windows and now with an extra opening rooflight the airflow should be much improved.

In the circumstances a good move. And re-gassing could not have helped CA1000.

You'll be able to feed the gulls through your new mortar hatch Paul.
Boaby

Well done Paul and before you put your wallet away you might consider adding some Mirrorguards to your van to compliment the overall exterior look and at the same time protecting your mirrors. Apologies, of course, I shouldn't tell you how to spend your money but recall the photo of your Sussex Duo and at the time thought it would look even smarter with white mirrors. Apologies again as off topic. Regards.

Best poss use of the space Paul
Have you gained enough roof area to increase the solar possibilities??
As none EHU users we always look for these options!!

We have the 2200 version fitted and it works really well. Almost an essential last year in Spain. With global warming knocking at the door it may be desirable in the UK soon.

IanH wrote:Best poss use of the space Paul
Have you gained enough roof area to increase the solar possibilities??
As none EHU users we always look for these options!!

No, footprint almost same as air con.

Paramedic wrote:Well done Paul and before you put your wallet away you might consider adding some Mirrorguards to your van to compliment the overall exterior look and at the same time protecting your mirrors. Apologies, of course, I shouldn't tell you how to spend your money but recall the photo of your Sussex Duo and at the time thought it would look even smarter with white mirrors. Apologies again as off topic. Regards.

I actually bought both the Milenco ones and the mirrorguard ones last year off eBay . Both were advertised as short arm ones which I assumed I needed but the van conversions need specific van ones so sold both sets to a member of this forum. I just went and bought some reflective stick ons for the mirror backs hoping oncoming traffic will see them before they hit me.

Anyone want a Dometic CA1000 for spares or repair. I'll be putting it on ebay.

Hi
Did you sell your air con...ca1000 no I don’t want it sorry,I’ve got mine collecting dust in garage,are they worth owt?
Dave h

How much weight did the aircon unit weigh, Paul. I wouldn't be surprised if the van handles better without that load up high. Also gives you more useful payload.

Cymro

tallslimdave wrote:Hi
Did you sell your air con...ca1000 no I don’t want it sorry,I’ve got mine collecting dust in garage,are they worth owt?
Dave h

Not put on eBay yet, will put on in the next couple of weeks so that I'm home when auction ends. Not sure if it will sell but service engineer who removed it says the circuit boards will be worth something if nothing else.

Cymro wrote:How much weight did the aircon unit weigh, Paul. I wouldn't be surprised if the van handles better without that load up high. Also gives you more useful payload.

Cymro

Don't know how the engineer got it down from the roof on his own as it took him and me to carry it into the garage. It weighs somewhere in the region of 23kilos.
Looking forward to having the new rooflight open when the temperature outside rises , the extra light is obvious as soon as you walk into the van.

That's quite a load, isn't it? I wise move, Paul, given that it's obsolete.
Cymro

Yes think they weigh 22/24kg ,plus big inverter/control gear to run off battery,,,waste of time/space!i watch with interest 
Dave h

Paulmold wrote:

Cymro wrote:How much weight did the aircon unit weigh, Paul. I wouldn't be surprised if the van handles better without that load up high. Also gives you more useful payload.

Cymro

Don't know how the engineer got it down from the roof on his own as it took him and me to carry it into the garage. It weighs somewhere in the region of 23kilos.
Looking forward to having the new rooflight open when the temperature outside rises , the extra light is obvious as soon as you walk into the van.

Does the Mini have an internal blind Paul? If so, you will need it when the sun comes out! I've got a Heki 2 in my van which has an internal blind and flynet but for some reason Heki suggest the blind pulled out half way only with the other half being the flynet. Seems a bit pointless as that doesn't do the job so i bought an internal reflective cover which covers the whole roof light from the inside. I can't find the link now but they are purpose made for all Heki models. Leave it off and the van is like an oven before long on a sunny day so you definitely need it covered when driving.

The mini Heki does have a blind. It's exactly the same as my front rooflight.

Bulletguy wrote:

Paulmold wrote:

Cymro wrote:How much weight did the aircon unit weigh, Paul. I wouldn't be surprised if the van handles better without that load up high. Also gives you more useful payload.

Cymro

Don't know how the engineer got it down from the roof on his own as it took him and me to carry it into the garage. It weighs somewhere in the region of 23kilos.
Looking forward to having the new rooflight open when the temperature outside rises , the extra light is obvious as soon as you walk into the van.

Does the Mini have an internal blind Paul? If so, you will need it when the sun comes out! I've got a Heki 2 in my van which has an internal blind and flynet but for some reason Heki suggest the blind pulled out half way only with the other half being the flynet. Seems a bit pointless as that doesn't do the job so i bought an internal reflective cover which covers the whole roof light from the inside. I can't find the link now but they are purpose made for all Heki models. Leave it off and the van is like an oven before long on a sunny day so you definitely need it covered when driving.

The reason they suggest the blind only to be pulled halfway is if it is hot and sunny and the blind is fully closed the trapped heat build up can distort the plastic Heki.

AndyRoyd wrote:

Bulletguy wrote:

Paulmold wrote:
Don't know how the engineer got it down from the roof on his own as it took him and me to carry it into the garage. It weighs somewhere in the region of 23kilos.
Looking forward to having the new rooflight open when the temperature outside rises , the extra light is obvious as soon as you walk into the van.

Does the Mini have an internal blind Paul? If so, you will need it when the sun comes out! I've got a Heki 2 in my van which has an internal blind and flynet but for some reason Heki suggest the blind pulled out half way only with the other half being the flynet. Seems a bit pointless as that doesn't do the job so i bought an internal reflective cover which covers the whole roof light from the inside. I can't find the link now but they are purpose made for all Heki models. Leave it off and the van is like an oven before long on a sunny day so you definitely need it covered when driving.

The reason they suggest the blind only to be pulled halfway is if it is hot and sunny and the blind is fully closed the trapped heat build up can distort the plastic Heki.

Ah that's true. I remember having to get an internal cover not long after buying the van as i soon found the van heats up very quick without it. The same thing could be knocked up from some radiator reflector or a couple of windscreen sun reflectors.

But the blind is made of reflecting material. I understand that Heki don't want to see a mini oven produced to distort the plastics used in the surround or the perspex.
I keep a small solar panel under my Heki and it is far too hot to touch in bright sunshine.

That is because it is designed to absorb sunlight if you put something reflective under clear plastic most of the energy would be reflected back into the air.

tallslimdave wrote:Hi
Did you sell your air con...ca1000 no I don’t want it sorry,I’ve got mine collecting dust in garage,are they worth owt?
Dave h

Well I put it on eBay this morning on auction starting at £50 for spares or repair. Within the first hour I had two watchers. Then someone offered £200, more than I thought it would make, so I accepted, arranged to meet midway, exchanged cash, all in 10 hours. He had been looking for a secondhand one and thought it worth a gamble. If he can't fix it, then it will be back on ebay. So yes they do have a value.

Paulmold wrote:

tallslimdave wrote:Hi
Did you sell your air con...ca1000 no I don’t want it sorry,I’ve got mine collecting dust in garage,are they worth owt?
Dave h

Well I put it on eBay this morning on auction starting at £50 for spares or repair. Within the first hour I had two watchers. Then someone offered £200, more than I thought it would make, so I accepted, arranged to meet midway, exchanged cash, all in 10 hours. He had been looking for a secondhand one and thought it worth a gamble. If he can't fix it, then it will be back on ebay. So yes they do have a value.

Looks like Dave H will be blowing the dust off his and sticking it on ebay now! Ebay does have it's positive sides and there are some really amazing bargains to be had. Not a motorhome or mh accessory but a Roller....but listen to the the story behind it, how much he paid, and the money the previous owner had spent on it just months before selling. Oh and this guy actually uses all his cars and drove the Roller to Arctic circle and back!

Yes as above,dusted down the ca1000,rigged it up,gave it a run,sold now on a well known auction site,good call,
Thanks Dave h