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Darkspeed · 05-31-2011, 09:55 AM

My plan is to delete the roof ac and go with a mini split r-410a system.

Is the existing ac a standard size where it could be replaced with a off the shelf vent / fan?

If not I guess I would patch it with aluminum sheet.

Here is what I plan to replace it with - 9000btu in bedroom / 12000btu in living/kitchen area

LG air conditioner, LG heat pump, lg mini spit, lg Air Conditioner, lg ductless online wholesale direct from GoDuctless

vswingfield · 05-31-2011, 10:11 AM

Where do you plan to mount the outside compressor unit?

Darkspeed · 05-31-2011, 10:37 AM

I'm doing a frame from scratch with the addition of a grey tank, etc.. So I will be rebalancing the trailer. I plan on extending the A frame by 18" and building an aluminum enclosure for the outside unit.
I will run consult through the frame to the ac locations so lineset can be installed/ serviced without ripping anything out if it ever needs to be replaced. This way any condensation on the lineset will run out the conduit rather than accumulate in the frame.

wasagachris · 05-31-2011, 10:45 AM

Wow $2350 for an A/C unit. That's really expensive. You might want to talk to the manufacturer and ask them about using their product for a mobile application. I would suspect that the vibrations and bumps from travel might tear it apart.
There are basement model RV A/C's that are designed for mobile applications and they are a lot less money too.

Darkspeed · 05-31-2011, 10:59 AM

I have used them on mobile structures before without any failures so I feel comfortable with it. I did however use low durometer vibration isolators on the enclosures and braided flex whips to connect the outside units to the linesets.

For me there is an issue of sound and efficiency. The LG is very very quiet and when running on solar through a Trace inverter it is not super hungry.

**azflycaster** · 05-31-2011, 11:11 AM

Are these units 120volt? If not you may not find power where you park.

Darkspeed · 05-31-2011, 11:17 AM

240 , but I am set up to input 120 and invert 240 output

Aage · 05-31-2011, 11:39 AM

Wasn't that something like what SmokelessJoe put on his Argosy (among a zillion other hi-tech things)? I remember it was made by LG. It happened somewhere in this thread but it's so long I didn't have time to find it.

He put the compressor on the A-frame without extending it, since he also completely converted to diesel and was propane-free (no tanks).

Anyway, definitely worth reading Joe's thread, seein' as how yer lookin' to gussy up yer TT purty good there...

Aage · 05-31-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkspeed

240 , but I am set up to input 120 and invert 240 output

Wow, that must be SOME inverter! Got a link to it, by enny chancet?

Darkspeed · 05-31-2011, 11:51 AM

It is a Trace SW4024 has been running for 11 years and only replaced one breaker in all that time. 24v 4000w this has been powering my main loads and I have two smaller Trace units linked to make 240v.
I just took all this off my building and moved to Florida so it will get transplanted into the AS. Deleting the roof ac also gives me a lot of space for transplanting part of my solar array as well

Aage · 05-31-2011, 12:02 PM

Here's the info on SmokelessJoe's LG "Art Cool" AC and heat pump unit. First off, it's on this page on LG's site, although that's the 1200BTU one, no idea which one he put on his TT.

Plus Joe put many shots of it in his Argosy as he was building it. Here are a few, as it was going in:

Page 11, post#154 and page 13, posts #176 and 177 give you a good look at it.

He refers to his Argosy as being Diesel-powered, meaning he got rid of the furnace and cooker for diesel ones. Not cheap to buy, but waay cheaper to run and fuel is everywhere.

Aage · 05-31-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkspeed

It is a Trace SW4024 has been running for 11 years and only replaced one breaker in all that time. 24v 4000w this has been powering my main loads and I have two smaller Trace units linked to make 240v.
I just took all this off my building and moved to Florida so it will get transplanted into the AS. Deleting the roof ac also gives me a lot of space for transplanting part of my solar array as well

OK, that is one b-i-g momma of an inverter! You already have it I see, so no worrying about the cost, but size is considerable, isn't it? At least from the only fuzzy photo of it I could find.

The LG Cool Art is 120V single phase 60Hz, or 36VDC, which could mean you wouldn't need that Trace unit at all.

In fact you could wire your solar array to drive it directly, no? I am not an EE though, so I'm just blue-skying here...

Darkspeed · 05-31-2011, 12:36 PM

This is what they look like.
The art cool is only 35w, the outside unit is the energy hog 1250w

Jammer · 05-31-2011, 12:40 PM

Inverters are available in any size one might want.

There is a large inverter that takes 800,000 volts DC and inverts it to power most of Minneapolis' western suburbs. I'm not sure how big it is, hundreds of gigawatts, maybe more.

Inverters around 4kw are fairly common on yachts where it is common to have the main engine(s) running much of the time, providing 100 amps or more of DC, rather than an auxiliary generator. Also, with yachts, weight isn't as limiting as it is on Airstreams, so they can carry more batteries.

Darkspeed, best wishes for your project. I believe that the RV industry has reduced the quality of its offerings by having standardized on the 14x14" roof mount A/C port. Mini splits have few disadvantages other than cost.

Jammer · 05-31-2011, 12:42 PM

Anyway to answer your original question, yes the openings are standardized at 14x14" and you can fit a Fantastic Fan or a skylight (one of the custom ones) without much trouble.