Waeco Air conditioners

Waeco air conditioners are roof-mounted cooling units built for motorhomes, caravans and panel van conversions. Three models make up the WAC range. The WAC 2200 delivers 2200 W of cooling, the WAC 2600 delivers 2600 W, and the WAC 2600I matches the 2600 W output while adding 2300 W of heat pump heating. All three share a 400 x 400 mm roof cut-out, a 220 to 240 V supply and the same 805 x 722 x 230 mm rooftop housing finished in white. Each pairs with the WAC ADBL air distribution box, a 54 mm deep interior panel moving air forward and back along the vehicle.

What's the difference between the Waeco WAC 2200, WAC 2600 and WAC 2600I?

The WAC 2200 gives 2200 W of cooling for insulated vehicles up to 7 metres and draws 4.5 A or less. The WAC 2600 steps up to 2600 W for vehicles up to 8 metres, drawing 6 A or less. The WAC 2600I matches 2600 W of cooling, adds 2300 W of inverter-driven heating and draws 7 A or less.

The split across the range comes down to cooling output and how the compressor behaves. Both the WAC 2200 and WAC 2600 use conventional compressors with automatic, cooling, dehumidify and ventilation modes, plus a sleep setting for overnight running. The WAC 2600I uses an inverter compressor, varying its speed to hold a set temperature instead of cycling on and off, and its heat pump adds a heating mode. Rooftop weights step from 28 kg on the WAC 2200 to 30 kg on the WAC 2600 and 31.5 kg on the WAC 2600I, with the ADBL adding 3.5 kg inside the vehicle. Waeco is a German brand and has been part of the Dometic Group since 2007, with the WAC line positioned as the accessible rooftop option rather than a flagship.

Owners touring France, Spain, Italy and Portugal through July and August make up the biggest group buying rooftop air conditioning. Coachbuilt motorhomes between 6 and 8 metres account for most fitments, followed by panel van conversions on Ducato, Sprinter and Crafter bases where a 400 x 400 mm rooflight aperture already sits in the roof. Touring caravan owners fit them as well, particularly on seasonal pitches where the van stays in one place all summer. Dog owners value them for keeping the interior comfortable when the vehicle is parked up. Pairing a unit with thermal screens over the cab glass reduces solar gain and lightens the load on the compressor.

Two things decide the model: vehicle length and the electricity supply you expect to find. Waeco rates the WAC 2200 for insulated vehicles up to 7 metres and both 2600 models up to 8 metres, with a minimum floor area of 4 square metres across the range. Supply matters as much as length. A 6 A continental pitch gives around 1,380 W, so the WAC 2200 at 4.5 A or less leaves headroom for the fridge and chargers, while the WAC 2600 at 6 A and the WAC 2600I at 7 A suit 10 A and 16 A pitches. On price, the WAC 2200 is the entry point for shorter vans on tight supplies, the WAC 2600 sits mid-range for longer coachbuilts, and the WAC 2600I is the premium choice, where the inverter compressor and heat pump buy quieter running and shoulder-season heat.

Underestimating the payload hit is the most common mistake. A WAC 2600I with the ADBL adds 35 kg, and it all sits high on the roof, so check the figure against your MTPLM and ask your vehicle manufacturer to confirm the structure suits both the static weight and the loads generated while driving. Ask about your recorded vehicle height too, since the rooftop housing stands 230 mm proud. Fitting needs a roof thickness between 25 and 60 mm, with duct sections stacked to suit: one section for 25 to 35 mm, two for 35 to 45 mm, three for 45 to 55 mm and four for 55 to 60 mm. Leave 50 mm clear on all four sides, rising to 150 mm alongside any rooflight, aerial or solar panel standing over 60 mm tall, and keep the mounting area within 10 degrees of horizontal, centred between two longitudinal roof supports. Rinse the ADBL dust filter through the season and keep clear of automatic car washes once the unit is fitted.