Camping fan or air conditioner: what suits your caravan or tent
Fan, air cooler or camping air conditioner: what works on your pitch and with your power supply? Here you see the difference, work out what your campsite hook-up can handle and compare the Mestic SPA-3100 and SPA-5100. Order in spring: by July everything is sold out.
Sleep cool in your tent, caravan or motorhome
Fan, air cooler or air conditioner?
- Fan: moves air and cools through airflow over your skin. Uses little power, runs on 12 V or a battery, fits in any tent. Does not cool the room itself.
- Air cooler: blows air over water or ice and cools by a few degrees, mainly in dry air. Runs on 230 V, sometimes 12 V; raises humidity.
- Camping air conditioner: really cools, up to 10 degrees below the outside temperature, and dehumidifies. Needs a 230 V hook-up of at least 6 amps and space for an indoor and outdoor unit; only for caravans, motorhomes and large awnings.
How much power do you have on the campsite?
Campsites supply 6 to 16 amps per pitch. 1 amp is 230 watts: at 6 amps you have 1,380 watts. A 600-watt air conditioner fits, but not together with a 2,000-watt kettle. A fan uses 20 to 50 watts and works anywhere; on a pitch without power choose a 12 V or rechargeable fan.
The Mestic SPA series explained
| Model | Cooling capacity | Consumption | Suitable for | Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mestic SPA-3100 | 950 watts (3,100 BTU) | about 400 watts | Caravans up to 4.5 m, small motorhomes | Split unit: indoor unit on the wall, outdoor unit next to the caravan |
| Mestic SPA-5100 | 1,500 watts (5,100 BTU) | 550 to 650 watts | Caravans up to 6 m, motorhomes, large awnings | Split unit, with remote control and timer |
| Mestic MAC series (portable) | 2,000 to 2,600 watts | 800 to 1,000 watts | Large caravans and seasonal pitches with 10 amps or more | Portable, exhaust hose through window or roof hatch |
The split unit is the quietest option: the compressor stays outside, inside you only hear the fan. For a tent without a wall for the indoor unit, a fan or air cooler is more practical.
Which fan for tent and caravan?
- 12 V fan: on the cigarette socket or a power bank; for tent and motorhome without hook-up.
- Rechargeable fan: battery for 8 to 20 hours, often with a light; the handiest for the tent.
- 230 V desk or clip fan: for caravan and awning with hook-up; clip it to the tent pole or cupboard edge.
- Ceiling fan: for the awning, hangs from the ridge pole.
Order in time
Air conditioners and fans run short from June: with the first heatwave the Mestic SPA series is usually sold out. Order in spring or reserve in store. In our store in Roermond you can see the Mestic air conditioner running.
Frequently asked questions
Can a camping air conditioner go in a tent?
In a large awning with power and a wall for the indoor unit, yes; in an ordinary tent a fan or air cooler is more practical.
How much power does the Mestic SPA-5100 use?
550 to 650 watts; a 6-amp hook-up is enough if you do not run a kettle or heater at the same time.
Does an air cooler work in southern Europe?
Better than in northern Europe: in dry air it cools more. In humid air the effect is small.
Can I run a fan all night?
Yes, a rechargeable fan on a low setting lasts the night; a 12 V model on the car battery is best avoided without a battery guard. See all fans and air conditioners and the Mestic brand page.