ideas needed - AC for 1966 Caravel

[alumfever]

Looking for ideas for AC in my 1966 Caravel. I do not want a top unit. Has anyone installed a window unit (not in a window) or a portable unit within your '66 Caravel or similar size / year camper? Would love to hear your stories! Thanks!

[AWCHIEF]

Do you plan on cutting the skin and mounting the unit in the side or rear. A couple of owners ago my Bambi II (virtually the same as yours) had a window unit mounted in the back window. The PO removed it and had a Coleman unit installed on the roof. I have a couple of old Polaroid’s of the window unit, looks really tacky and out of place. I could see maybe mounting one as low as possible in the rear with most of the unit actually inside the trailer with as little as possible sticking out. I think that someone here recently did that in a Bambi II and it did not look too bad at all.

[alumfever]

Thanks AWCHIEF...but I do not want to cut the skin or put it in a window. I am looking for ideas where folks have installed inside the trailer - venting out through a current opening - like stove, fridge, heater. Thanks so much for your thoughts! Angela

[rideair]

Take a look at this, should be what you need. You can make it can work in the front or back window based on how long you make the legs.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...t-41052-2.html


Enjoy,

[alumfever]

Thanks for your input Paul! I really want to have the unit inside though. Angela

[alumfever]

Paul, are you still part of DC WBCCI?

[Melody Ranch]

Put a low profile, Carrier if you can find one, or a Dometic Penguin. !5000....it works much better than a 13000. mount it top center and put a Fantastic fan in the rear hole. Your now set.

[HHaase]

I'm of the same mind where I'd like an AC in my '65 Safari, but hate the way they look like a puss filled blister on the top. The low profiles aren't bad, but still not to my liking.

I've been dabbling with the idea of a split AC unit, such as those used in tractor trailer sleeper cabs, but haven't gotten to the point where I'm ready to do anything. Heck, the airstream won't even be here for another week still.

-Hans

[rideair]

Shinysideup,

Still part of the WDCU, plan to attend a few rallies this year anlong with "The Bash".

Enjoy,

[Bunkroom]

There really isn't a good reason the two parts of the A/C unit can't be separated. In your car or truck with A/C this is how it is (with the big difference being the compressor is turned by your engine). You will need refrigerant lines between the two and perhaps some additional wiring.The "outside" part will have a fan with the outside coil. The inside part also has a fan and a coil.

Mini split systems are common in homes. They have self contained outdoor and indoor units. The outdoor unit could be mounted on the a-frame near the front wall. Or, perhaps you could customize a side or rear compartment with an intake in the belly pan to conceal the outdoor unit? They need lots of airflow, however. Many of the small ones are 115V and 15 amp or less.

The outside unit is 30" X 21" X 10" on a 9,000 btu unit I looked up. Total weight is 100lbs.

Untitled-10

Ductless Air conditioner, Ductless heat pumps, Ductless System, Mini Split systems, mini split air conditioner, mini split heat pumps GoDuctless.com


These are interesting too with two ducts to outside:

wall air conditioner - wall air conditioning

It is 39" X 26" X 12" so rather big. Heats and cools.

The roof top works well because it is easy to create lots of space to move lots of air around the outside coil in through the shroud. I suppose one could make the outside coil significantly lower profile on the roof by customizing it to be longer and skinnier. Thanks for starting the thread. it has me thinking!

[Jimbcole]

This was on another thread. http://www.climaterightair.com/image...ampers_ac1.jpg

I've been looking at either this or the portable units like the LG for my next project. I too want to keep the original roof line

[toastie]

Originally Posted by shinysideup

Thanks for your input Paul! I really want to have the unit inside though. Angela

Did a inside install on my 1955 22' Safari not wanting to put AC on top,
and very happy so far with the results, however, my inside was a blank
sheet of paper design. Also, owning a 1965 Caravel, I would HIGHLY
recommend putting the air on top, you have no room to go inside unless
you gut the interior with a total new design. Hope this helps.........

toastie

PS........great photographs

[TouringDan]

Brad & Angela

Let me first say that I love the Caravel, and I am real partial to the 66-68 models because I have a 66 TW.

I know that you said that you did not want to install it in a window, but I just completely my installation and testing yesterday and I am very sastified with the results. Here is the link:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...ml#post1171831

All I can say is that it works for me. The windows seem to be made for easy installation of an air conditioner. I bought a premium model AC unit with soft touch controls, a temperature gauge (when set on fan), a plastic bottom (a plus for mounting, just cut a slot in the bottom) and low power consumption (460 watts). I paid $139 for it on sale at Best Buy. I power it with no problems with my 1,000 watt Honda Genny.

The side window in my TW was a no brainer for location. I am not sure where it would fit the best in the Caravel. I cut the slot in the bottom pretty much where the center of gravity is, so no outside supports are needed. Again this makes for a real simple and well designed installation.

Dan

[Pam]

Hi, did you find a solution?

I have been thinking about alternatives to the traditional solutions for our '67 Caravel (in planning and design right now). I don't want a large outdoor unit or a roof top unit and interior space is at a premium.

I am looking for a small scale portable unit to stand on the interior floor and vent our the bathroom window. That idea came as I thought about a small-medium size room I have with it's own portable. It sits on the floor and my husband made a plexiglass panel that the in and out vents are cut into. The panel sits in the window opening and is clear in this case, but could be obscure in the trailer.

Air cooler vs air conditioner? I am thinking I need a conditioner to remove humidity.

Still looking.

[alumfever]

Hi! Thanks for all the responses! Well...at this point I am going to stick with what I have. The previous owner made a set up to put a window unit in the front window. It is pain to put in and take out, but once it is in it works well. We cannot travel with it in the window. Haven't found any other way that strikes my fancy. And cutting a hole for a top mount is out of the question as the shape of the trailer - for me - is one of it's best features! If I run across any ideas, I'll add it to the thread. And, next time the window unit is in, I'll take photos and share them. Thanks again for your input!

Angela