'69 Safari air conditioning

[Dixie722]

I finally found my first airstream. It is a 69 safari 23 ft. It is coming from Ohio, actually from an airstream employee family. Very nice, but NO A/C/ this is a real problem in Texas, so the first thing to do is add air to it. What I need to know is if anybody has recommedations for which unit to use. I have talked to camping world, their coleman mach 3 is 13,500 btu for around 800.00 the same unit at PPL is about 500, with interior kit, and a heat strip. i wanted to go the most efficient and low amp unit, so I can run the small Honda generator for the ac. Help me with your experience as to what to buy for it. thanks, Richard

[DKB_SATX]

You're going to need either a pair of the 2k Hondas or a 3k to run any rooftop AC. The more-efficient 13,500-btu rooftop ACs can reportedly run off the 2400-watt Yamaha "tweener" generator if you run the refrigerator off LP and don't have a heavy converter load while you're starting the AC. I have a 3k Yamaha and I'm very happy with it, it's quiet and it runs my old Armstrong AC just fine, but it's heavy at 150 lb or so.

[rideair]

I would suggest using a standard home window unit in the front window. If you do a searc here you'll see a few ways to do it. You can then make a cover that drapes over the window which will look like an awning to hide the unit. This type of AC will run off a single Honda 2000 watt unit, won't wreck the lines of the trailer and is easy to put in place (about five minutes to set up).

I've used this method for many year on a couple of different trailers and have had many folks do the same after seeing how its done.

Enjoy,

[Dixie722]

I had thought of that, and seen some installations. This is my first airstream, it is a classic and in great shape. I want itto look correct and look like it came that way. but I will remember the option.. thanks.