Air Conditioner-Alternative

[boltos]

Ok, I'm still on the fence about ordering the new Penquin AC unit for my 23ft 1979 Safari. Here's the alternative....the unit originally had a ammonia type propane powered refrigerator, long since replace with an electric Kenmore unit. ...But the roof ven and plast duct running to the ceiling is still there. Also there is a floor vent to run the condensate line out....so, before I attempt what may be totally stupid, why couldn't I go to Lowes and buy a 110V 6000 BTU room air5 conditioner and cut a hole in the former ref. duct going to the roof and vent the hot air that way? Any thoughts?

Thanks
Brian Sawyer
Lexington, KY

[Ken J]

Thats a great idea - one that I had myself - so I tried it a few years ago. Did not work because I could not get enough of the heat from the A/C out - they need lots of space to let the heat out. I put all kinds of fans in to no avail. I know that folks have used them with success vent - with a big vent - out the bottom of the trailer.

Ken J.

[59toaster]

Same thing has crossed my mind.
There ARE A/C's for this application available. Many new popups use these to keep the wieght off the roof. I have a friend with such a unit and he indicates it does pretty good. It does however have a massive vent in the side of the camper. He also comments that it does fight a little in the afternoon sun and not seem to cool very well above chest high. Now were talking a tent trailer so strike one for insulation properties. He also indicates a little difficulty because of the ducting. Say's it's fine once the sun goes down.

[Ken J]

Those portable units are nice. They have a hose that is used for a vent. However, they cost as much as a roof top model.

Ken J.

[boltos]

The Penquin may well be the best choice. It is really low profile, though every dealer I call wants to sell me a Coleman, they must get a considerable volume discount on that purchase.

Anyone have a source for the best price or place to order a 13,500 BTU Penquin?

Thanks

bds

[thenewkid64]

To just buy it the best price you will see will come form Camping world. Installation is another issue. They do not want to work on Airstreams so they tend to quote high installation costs. Even if the flyer says 69.99 install Airstreams cost more. The 69.00 install is to take a dead one off and install a new one period.
They will do that but if it requires cutting a hole and bracing you could be in for $200-300 additional, if you can get them to do it.

The work is not hard, it is just a matter of having the tools (read scaffolding) to get the unit on the roof.

If your unit did not come with factory AC you need to find out where to install it. If you find the prewire and cut the hole , the installation is 3 wire nuts, 3 bolts, 4 sheet metal screws and a drain tube, if you buy the pan from an Airstream dealer.

[Safari Tim]

Originally posted by thenewkid64
To just buy it the best price you will see will come form Camping world. Installation is another issue. They do not want to work on Airstreams so they tend to quote high installation costs. Even if the flyer says 69.99 install Airstreams cost more. The 69.00 install is to take a dead one off and install a new one period.

It is true they do not want to work on older airstreams for sure. I purchased my Penquin on sale and it also had the special install price. They would not install it or made them sound too busy. So I had them knock off the difference in the install price that I would have saved had they installed it, from the sale price of the Penquin. They went for it!

I got a great deal.

I have some pictures of the way the install went on my website if interested...

http://www.telecom-pros.com/tim/airs...er_trouble.htm

[59toaster]

Tim:
How well does the Penquin keep up in the sun on a hot day?
I'm shopping. PO had awful window unit hangin in the front of our 59. I hate it. We have a 22ft.

[Safari Tim]

We just got back from a 5 day trip in Gilroy, CA. It was 100-105 degrees everyday and we left it on high with the windows closed and when we would return in the eve, it was 80 or lower inside.

So I think it did real well.

I also installed the drain pan and it worked good. This is the first time I got some real condinsation out of it. I was worried a bit with all the water under the trailer then I realized what it was


I also got the heat strip option. It is good for taking the chill off in the morning.

[59toaster]

Originally posted by Safari Tim
We just got back from a 5 day trip in Gilroy, CA. It was 100-105 degrees everyday and we left it on high with the windows closed and when we would return in the eve, it was 80 or lower inside.

So I think it did real well.

I also installed the drain pan and it worked good. This is the first time I got some real condinsation out of it. I was worried a bit with all the water under the trailer then I realized what it was


I also got the heat strip option. It is good for taking the chill off in the morning.

That's not bad at all. Most of the places we will be going will proably be under 100 (I hope ) so sounds like a good choice.
There was only one reveiw on the Pengin on Camping world and they guy was complaining a rodent chewed up something LOL

Just out of curiocity what influenced your choice to go with that model?

[john hd]

hey gang,

how about a commercial split unit? 18,000 btu.

http://www.fedders.com/catalog/globa..._invsplit.htm#

you could mount the condenser on the A frame of the trailer, then put the air handling unit anywhere you want in the trailer.

john

[boltos]

How about a source for the condensate pan that I need to install under the uo-Therm Penquin 13,500 BTU unit?

Any recommendations appreciated, especially it's an item they have in stock, and do have to order.

Thanks in advance,
Brian Sawyer
'70 Safari

[Safari Tim]

Originally posted by 59toaster

Just out of curiocity what influenced your choice to go with that model?

59toaster,

It was the only model at the time that I knew of that Airstream had a drain pan for.

I have heard that there are some available for the colemans now but I am not sure about that.

I was great full to have the drain pan this trip it worked really well.

I got the pan from a local dealer who drop shipped it to my house and just charged my credit card for it. It was around $60 I think.

[59toaster]

Originally posted by Safari Tim


59toaster,

It was the only model at the time that I knew of that Airstream had a drain pan for.

I have heard that there are some available for the colemans now but I am not sure about that.

I was great full to have the drain pan this trip it worked really well.

I got the pan from a local dealer who drop shipped it to my house and just charged my credit card for it. It was around $60 I think.

That's a good point.

You don't know what the diameter is of the drain hose in the Airs stream do you? What side is it on facotry?

I getting ready to do some major floor repairs and if I have it appart I'm going to pre install a drain and electrical. I may have to run the drain curb side due to my window arrangment street side.

[Safari Tim]

Originally posted by 59toaster

That's a good point.

You don't know what the diameter is of the drain hose in the Airs stream do you? What side is it on facotry?

I think it is half inch pvc type tubing. You can see a picture of the hose connections on my website.

The hose runs down the street side and exits in the wheel well.

[Pahaska]

It is a 1/2" rubber hose in mine.

[59toaster]

Thanks. Two votes for half.

Street side makes good sense to keep it away from the door. Once I get it appart I see if I can swing it. Just not sure I can with that bank of windows street side (see avitar). Might just have to run a drain tube under the camper from the Curb side to the street side.