Truma Saphir Comfort Ducted Air Conditioner

Specifications

SKU SAPHIR-RC-KIT

Brand Truma

GTIN 4052816024912

Product Category RV Air Conditioners

Operating temperature range 4°C to 43 °C

Best for Vehicle Length Up to 6.5m

Dimensions 400 x 290 x 628 mm (WxHxL)

Weight (kg) 23.5

Cooling Capacity (W) 2400

Heating Capacity (W) 1.7

Number of Blower Speeds 3 + Sleep Mode

Operational Voltage 240V

Current draw 4.2A (Cooling) / 3.7 A (Heating)

Maximum outlet airflow 380m3/h

Start-up Current 20 A (150 ms)

Single Phase Electrical Rating 230-240V

Remote Control Yes

Functions Integrated heat pump function, highly efficient, delivers exceptionally high performance

NOTE: see full product specifications & further product info in the Description section on this page.

Q & A

• I intend to run my Caravan Air Conditioner from a Generator as we will be staying in unpowered locations and my battery bank is not big enough to run the AC for very long. What size Generator do you recommend running my Caravan AC?

  The answer is quite simple, and it just depends on the Caravan Aircon model you have. If you have one of the newer Caravan Aircon models that include inverter technology within the compressor (such as the Dometic Harrier or Dometic Ibis4 Aircon models), then a 2000w inverter generator will be fine.

  If you have an Aircon model that does not include inverter technology within the compressor (of which there are many new and old Aircon models on the market that do not have inverter tech), then we would recommend a minimum 2200-2400w inverter generator. This is because the Aircon models without inverter technology in the compressor require a bit more power on start up.

  Please note that the above sizing advice does not take into consideration any other appliances running and drawing power from the generator at the same time as the Aircon is running.

  As a general rule, depending on the above criteria of Aircon compressor type, most of our Caravan customers will opt for a generator of around 2000 to 3500 watts in size. There are other larger inverter generator models available from 4000 to 6500 watts in size, but these are less commonly used by caravan/RV owners.

  Popular Caravan Generator models include:

  • Dometic PGE121 2100w
  • Cromtech Outback 2400w
  • Briggs & Stratton P2400w
  • Yamaha EF220IS 2200w
  • Briggs & Stratton P3400w
  • Engel R3000IE 3500w
• Can I run my Caravan Air Conditioner from my Caravan Battery Bank?

  The short answer is yes, it is possible. However, there are a few extra important things to consider.

  The main thing is how long you will be able to run your Aircon for. Let us take one of the more popular and energy efficient Caravan Aircon models on the market: the Dometic Ibis4 Rooftop Aircon: The peak power draw is around 1400w to 1500w. So, you could use a quality 2000w+ inverter (note that Caravan Aircons are 240V) with say a 200ah lithium battery and you will get around 1-2 hours Aircon run time, before you must recharge the batteries again. Depending on how you recharge your batteries (DC to DC charger, solar, mains power etc.), this charging will take time.

  So once again; you can do it with certain batteries & inverters if you are aware of how that will affect your battery storage and charge loss... and knowing how to manage that system.

  You can get a larger lithium battery system to run your Aircon for longer, but obviously this will cost more, so that needs to be considered. It is certainly a big recent trend that our RV customers are installing quality lithium battery systems to run their Caravans/Motorhomes etc. However, running an Aircon unit can be one of the larger power drawing appliances in your van, so it pays to consider your power system's capabilities and how long you want to run the Aircon.

  If you are just pulling up for short stops (1-2hrs) and you are doing a lot of driving, you can run your Caravan Aircon from your lithium batteries for this short time. Many RV owners do this, and as new Caravan Aircon models become increasingly energy efficient and lithium battery advancements evolve to be cheaper, more powerful, and even lighter, then we will certainly see this trend increase. However, currently the popular and often cost-effective choice to run your Aircon if you do not have access to mains power (i.e., free camping) is to use a small inverter generator. You can get a quality 2000-2400w sized inverter generator from around $1,000-$1,500 and these will run many RV Aircon units for 7+ hours before having to refuel.

  So once again, you can use a battery system, but it is not always the most practical option. For more advice on Power Systems to run your Caravan/RV, feel free to give us a call on: 1800 787 278.

• I'm looking at buying one of your Caravan Air Conditioner models for my 20ft Caravan. What do I need to know about installation and set once I get the AC unit delivered?

  Hi there, fitting and Install instructions come with each Aircon unit, but it is advised a qualified installer (electrical contractor) undertakes the installation.

• What are the noise levels of your Caravan Air Conditioner units? I'm looking for a quiet model.

  This is a commonly asked question by Caravan/RV owners; however, it is unfortunate that Caravan Aircon manufacturers do not provide dBA ratings in their product model specifications. 

  We can say that we only sell high quality Air Conditioners from premium brands in the RV industry. The only time we have encountered an issue with noise is when the install was not undertaken correctly which can cause a rattle. However, if you ensure the install is done properly, there will be no issues with any of our RV Aircon units being too noisy. 

  One other piece of feedback we can provide, is that the two latest Dometic Aircon models (Harrier and Ibis4) have inverter technology within the compressor, meaning any vibration is minimised. Our customers and our internal testing suggest that when these models are operating at high cooling mode, the noise level is very, very low, making them arguably the quietest Aircon models in the market.

• Does the Aircon unit come pre gassed ready to go or does it need to be charged?

  Hi There,

  Yes, the Aircon is pre gassed from factory and is ready to install.

• We are wanting to install an air conditioner in our pop top caravan and was wondering if a roof top or under bunk unit is better for our pop top application?

  Great question, you can install either a roof top mount or under bunk air conditioner although there are a few pros and cons of each unit in your application.

  Firstly, the roof top installation will be more time laborious as a hole has to be cut in the roof, 240-volt power has to be run and a H - frame will more than likely be required for structure and rigidity. There for the labour factor will be higher than having a under bunk unit installed and will be costlier on the hip pocket. Installing a under bunk unit is more cost effective all though you will lose a minimal amount of space as the under bunk is installed under your bed or dinette seating arrangement, under bunk units are usually a little bit more expensive than roof top units so it will all boil down to the owner's personal preference.

• I've got a Truma saphir installed in my caravan which was the best decision I've made since owning the caravan, it serves its purpose in every way possible in high and low ambient temperatures and could not be happier. Just wanting some advice on what size generator is suitable to run this unit?

  That's great to hear, the Truma Saphir is a superior unit and always gets the job done efficiently and economically. The required generator to start and run the Saphir is a Briggs and Stratton 3kva Invertor Generator which is compatible with all our Rooftop and Under Bunk Air Conditioning Range.

• We have a small Jayco caravan and are thinking of installing the saphir, we are a family of five and are just concerned because of limited space. The unit will have to be installed under the dinette, in our arrangement our youngest sleeps right on top of where we are wanting to install the unit, will the noise level of operation be too loud for someone to get to sleep?

  No, as the Truma Saphir is the quietest under bunk air conditioner on the market and even with the fan on high and the unit working at its maximum capacity it's still whisper quiet and you would not even know the unit is in operation. So, to answer your question yes it will be fine to install the Truma Saphir in your required position.

• Where is the best place to mount the Truma underbunk air conditioner?

  Picking a good location will help maximize storage space and the unit's airflow requirements.

  • Consider an area with good ventilation. The unit has a circulated air intake that pulls air from inside the van, a supply air intake and a supply air outlet that goes through the floor.
  • Consider where you plan to run your ducting. The shorter the ducting the more efficient the air conditioner will be.
  • Check beneath your vehicle is clear from obstructions as the intake and outtake pipes sit proud and need clearance
  • Keep in mind things like river crossings and ensure you have enough clearance. 
• Which air outlet should I use to connect the ducting?

  The Truma Saphir air conditioner comes with three ducting outlets. You do not have to use all the three, but do ensure you use the outlets closest to the edge of the unit for the longest ducting length. It is the most powerful outlet.

• What is the heating output like on this Product?

  The Truma saphir is a reverse cycle air conditioner rated at approximately 1.7 kW. (Note: Heating is not possible at an outside temperature of less than 4°C). The unit will always work more effectively in cooling mode compared to heating mode. Truma does sell a dedicated Truma varios gas heater. The electronic control panel from the gas heater can be paired with the Truma underbunk air conditioner. This allows you to control both with the one wall mounted control panel. There is also an "Automatic Climate Control" function, whereby you set the system to "Auto", then set your desired temperature and the CP Plus will automatically turn on the gas heater when it's too cold, or the AC unit when it's too hot.

• Does the Truma Saphir come with a 240V plug attached to the unit?

  The Air Conditioner has a 240V cable pre-wired in, but there is no mains plug on the end. An electrician or qualified electrical contractor may choose to connect a plug or hardwire to the van's electrical system. Ensure to check the regulations in your state for 240V electrical work and engage a qualified tradesperson.

• I have a 22 foot off road full height caravan and looking for a under bunk reverse cycle air conditioner, will the Truma Saphir suit my requirements?

  Yes, the Truma Saphir will comfortably heat and cool a 22-foot caravan as it has a internal cooling and heating capacity up to 6.5 metres.

• What is the maximum ducting I can use?

  The maximum length of ducting for a single installation is 15m.

• How is the Saphir controlled?

  The Truma Saphir can be controlled wirelessly with the Saphir remote control or the Truma CP plus control panel.

Reviews

Write a product review

Warranty

Warranty Period: 2 Years

Warranty Details: Please CLICK HERE for Warranty Information on this product

Delivery

• We ship Australia-wide with national road express freight companies such as Star Track, TNT and Toll.
• Small Items are sent with Australia Post via regular post.
• Delivery times are generally 3-5 days from day of dispatch for major cities (sometimes quicker). Please allow longer for regional and remote areas.
• Once your item(s) have been dispatched, we will provide you freight tracking information so you can track your delivery to your door.
• Items are fully insured during the freight process.
• Unfortunately we cannot deliver to PO Boxes.
• For further details on our Delivery Process you can visit our Delivery Page HERE.