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07-25-2016, 09:30 PM
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#1
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1951 Flying Cloud # 7080
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Aurora
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 13
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Has Anyone Used a Freestanding Room AC Unit?
Need to put ac in my 51 FC , but don't want it on the roof. Has anyone tried a freestanding unit like the wynter(?)14,000 BTUunit? Seems like you could vent it out a window, and then remove it when not needed. Any thoughts? Thanks -E
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Eric & Amy Rutkowski
Aurora, OH
WBICC # 7080
Always Welcoming Boondockers 10-15 minutes off Ohio Turnpike
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07-25-2016, 09:55 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1978 25' Tradewind
Metro Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,524
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Here's the problem with those: Since they blow room air outdide, that same air must be replaced with air that drawn in through cracks, holes and vents. Clearly, this hot outside air being drawn in cuts down the overall effectiveness a bunch.
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"Between what matters and what seems to matter, how should the world we know judge wisely?" - E.C. Bentley, Trent's Last Case
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07-25-2016, 10:55 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
Cerritos
, California
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 151
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Dual hose units are more efficient since it does not use pre cooled indoor air to remove heat from the heat exchanger.
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07-25-2016, 11:10 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
1976 Argosy 26
Fair Oaks
, California
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 166
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I will be attempting the use of a Dometic split system designed for a sleeper cab on a big rig . It is rated at 10k BTU so it might be a little small for my Streamline Duke project . From the little bit of research I have done , my Yamaha 2000 should have no trouble running it . I have also heard that some people run it on 24 volts (two batteries) . Install is a long way off so I am just throwing out the idea.
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07-26-2016, 05:01 AM
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#5
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1951 Flying Cloud # 7080
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Aurora
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 13
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The unit I'm looking at is a two hose unit, so it has an intake air source
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Eric & Amy Rutkowski
Aurora, OH
WBICC # 7080
Always Welcoming Boondockers 10-15 minutes off Ohio Turnpike
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07-26-2016, 05:35 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Ebro
, Fla Panhandle
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,212
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I'm using one now while pet sitting at my sister's place.
This is my first time using this sort of unit. While it does help cool the room somewhat, it seems to be fight itself in the process. This one is a single hose model, so may not be the best example.
A lot of heat radiates off the back of the unit into the space being cooled reducing its effectiveness, plus this one is quite noisy.
After checking this one out for a few days now, I'm thinking a window mounted unit would allow most of the heat and noise to be vented outside.
I realize the effort of mounting it and the look of one hanging in a window is not appealing. But probably a better way to go for comfortable cooling.
Cheers Richard
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07-26-2016, 05:41 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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With a window AC the hot part of the unit is already outside. That is why they are popular and fairly efficient.
Using this kind of unit inside a room is very inefficient.
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07-26-2016, 11:46 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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These free standing a/c units don't cool as well as window units, split systems, or roof a/c units.
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2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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07-26-2016, 11:50 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Franklin Park
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 181
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AC Stand alone
I've used a stand alone unit on my camper (Some Other Brand)
And I thought it worked ok
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07-26-2016, 11:58 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1972 29' Ambassador
Boynton Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 568
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I'm installing a 14K BTU portable as a second A/C. I would say that it works almost as good as the 15K Dometic DUO THERM Brisk II in the roof. I have a separate 30A electrical feed (with cord) for it. So when I want to run both A/Cs, I plug a Y-connector into the 50A plug, and run twin 30A cords to the trailer.
My Dometic is being replaced under warranty as I write this, so I haven't yet tried the whole thing out. I could easily see using twin portables, and not having to deal with that ugly unit up on top. But then I'm a campground guy, not a boondocker...
I know what tevake means about radiating heat. I got some 6" A/C insulated ducting to wrap around the exhaust hose. I removed the propane furnace vent, and custom fabbed up a grill for it.
Hopefully this weekend I'll be the coolest cat in the campground!
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07-26-2016, 12:32 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Lynnwood
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 311
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Be cautions of BTU output. You'll be drawing a lot of amperage.
I don't think the wiring in your 1951 Flying Cloud was ever intended to handle that kind of load.
Tom
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07-26-2016, 01:44 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
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I use a window air unit in my 66. It is a method of installation a long time member here sent me. I use a small wooden folding snack table, cut down the front legs. The unit goes over the window edge in front, sits on that edge and the propane tanks. Solid.
I use heavy clear plastic bought in a roll at HD. Cut a surround from it and that is velcro-ed to the wall inside. Keep the hot air out and the cooler air in.
Works great, but I am not 100% happy with the cool air blowing in over the gaucho where we sit.
Cost me $35 for a slightly used unit and the plastic...and cools the trailer in most hot weather, though not in upper 90's and sunny.
I wold prefer a split unit but too pricey for us right now.
Smokeless Joe had the best unit I've seen in person. Loved it
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07-26-2016, 01:59 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
1961 24' Tradewind
Strasburg
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 923
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I have a stand-alone AC unit "built" into the rear cabinetry of our Bambi II where the LP furnace used to be. I re-did the furnace exhaust vent and vented it that way...no one is the wiser. It stays put because I built the cabinetry to hold it snug while underway.
It is moderately effective. It will not cool the trailer if it is sitting in direct sun. The inside just gets too hot and it can't keep up. It is a single hose version, so the sucking in of hot air already mentioned does play into it.
On the other hand, it is effective if the trailer is shaded and will freeze you out at night (when we use it/appreciate it most...for sleeping).
We are usually not in the trailer on hot days...we are sightseeing, hiking, swimming, road tripping, or otherwise. The trailer is our home base away from home, and so the AC unit does what we need it to specifically do.
If we had it to do over again, I would look for a two hose unit, but we bought our current one used from a co-worker for cheap.
__________________
"The difference between vintage and retro is that vintage is honestly old and cool. Retro tries to be but isn't."
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07-26-2016, 02:07 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2015 19' Flying Cloud
Ashland
, Kentucky
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 88
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You may also want to consider the Climax Air dual-hose unit; it uses DC inverter technology and is actually significantly more efficient than window units. Of course, there is a substantial investment up front, but . . . . To help with your research:
http://www.climax-air.com
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One Long Shot
Beastie - 19'FC
The Big Beast - GMC Yukon w/Max Tow Package
Held together with the Husky Centerline Hitch
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07-29-2016, 03:11 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
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I have removed my old furnace too and have that space under the kitchen cabinets available. Though of mounting my 15000BTU window air unit in there on a drip pan, and then putting louvers in the outside access panel. Not sure if its worth my time though...
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07-29-2016, 04:59 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1955 22' Safari
Currently Looking...
Great Lake State
, .
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,480
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I had one in my 65 Caravel, very heavy to move, did't cool, installed a roof AC. On my 1955 Safari putting a AC on top was not an option, installed Casement AC works great. See post #746
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...-38289-54.html
toastie
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02-06-2017, 07:58 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1955 22' Safari
Laredo
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,342
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Bad experience
I tried installing a portable unit in my 55 Cloud and it was VERY ineffective. Final solution was a split system A/C which was awesome.
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