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coloradoup · 01-08-2023, 08:26 PM

I'm starting to get some of the cabinet work done. Funny how my trailer seems to be getting smaller and smaller every time I put something in.

steinVT · 01-09-2023, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloradoup

I'm starting to get some of the cabinet work done.

Starting? Looks more like you have all of the bases done. Impressive progress and it looks great. - Mark

LLninja · 01-09-2023, 08:46 AM

I see a mini-split tucked in there. Where is the other half going to reside?

I chose a non-traditional route for my AC. I bought an EcoFlow Wave which allows me to go DC to DC from an EcoFlow Delta Pro (solar controller, inverter, LFP batteries, BMS all-in-one). The AC unit is a bit underpowered, but we aren't planning to go to the desert in the middle of the summer. Sadly, after I bought the Wave, EcoFlow just announced Wave 2.0 which can reverse the compressor for heat. Wish I had waited...

Bubba L · 01-09-2023, 09:59 AM

Looks great and making progress. Is the filter located in the air handler and is it accessible from the top?

TouringDan · 01-09-2023, 08:56 PM

Nice cabinet work and I like how the mini split air handler is contained in a cabinet. Yours is positioned lower than normal but I believe it will perform fine especially if your vent fans can help with air flow distribution.

Dan

coloradoup · 01-09-2023, 10:00 PM

Mark, I suppose that if you include the closet and bathroom area in that then I have made some progress. Face frames are fairly easy but drawers, shelves and doors make up a lot of the finish. I'm also thinking about the bed frame in the back and the U shaped area that converts to a bed as cabinets so the end still seems pretty far off.

Ninja, I am installing the exterior portion on the A frame up front. I built it a foot longer than origional to allow for the condenser. That said, after installing it today, I am realizing that it's going to be a tight fit to get the propane tanks on there and still have any space between them. I am starting to think I may mount the spare tire in front of the condenser and then put horizontal propane tanks underneith where I was planning on installing the spare tire. The tire is thinner than the tanks and I could remove it on sight if it was causing any problems with air flow.

Bubba, I think it was you that asked about the filter access and it is on the top of the unit and will be accessible from the opening. I think you did something different with your propane tanks or maybe you just went down to one tank behind the condensor. Any thoughts on having the two propane tanks only four or five inches in front of the condensor?

Dan, I had to mount it that low to allow for the vent pipe from the grey tank to go up the right side of it. Additionally I needed it to be away from the wall to allow for some face frame left over and to have access to the filter from that top opening. I also plan on installing the DC stuff above the handler and the AC down below, which is why all of the openings. The side will have doors as well. The fan should help move the air and I'm pretty sure the AC will be plenty for that small of an area, in most cases anyway.

coloradoup · 01-15-2023, 07:40 PM

Mounted the condenser this weekend. Took a tip from Mark's install and used the isolators. I'm still working on hooking up the electrical and then I will call my HVAC guy and have him finish up.

I ran the vent line for the grey tank. I used one of the later model vent caps rather than the plastic ones that it came with. They are much nicer, A lot more money, but look a lot better and will not crack over time. I forgot to get a pic of that but will follow up later.

Bubba L · 01-15-2023, 07:53 PM

Looks great.

steinVT · 01-16-2023, 07:45 AM

Where are you running the refrigerant lines, inside or underneath? - Mark

TouringDan · 01-16-2023, 08:28 PM

Beautiful job of installing the compressor unit. I admire the simplicity of it- just mounting brackets welded to the frame and isolators.

Installing the refrigerant lines is the hardest part of a mini split install.

Dan

coloradoup · 01-16-2023, 10:49 PM

Mark,

The refrigerent lines run through the two forward cross members that make up the spare tire area. Once past the second one they go up through the floor and through the bottom of the base cabinet before the wall that holds the interior handler. I made those two pass throughs in the cross members with 3 inch pipe. Wishing now I would have used 4 as it's getting a little tight. I'll try and get a photo of that.

coloradoup · 01-16-2023, 10:56 PM

You can kind of see the line set going through the spare tire area in this photo.

steinVT · 01-17-2023, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloradoup

You can kind of see the line set going through the spare tire area in this photo.

Routing looks great. Any ideas how to seal the 3" pipe? Maybe replace the insulation with rock wool and seal with silicone or expanding foam? "No mouse shall pass".

Great looking belly pan by the way. Next time I need a banana wrap, I know who to call. Outriggers look perfect too.

- Mark

coloradoup · 01-17-2023, 10:01 PM

Dan, I had some of the cutoff parts from the outriggers on the corners laying around. My mig welder was sitting near by so I just got out the grinder and cut in some brackets. Welded and painted them up. I'll leave hooking up the line set to the HVAC guy.

Mark, good point on sealing up that hole. I had forgotten to go around and seal up any potential areas and that is the bigest one. I don't think there are any others that a mouse could fit through but that one they sure can. It's funny but making those corners actually was fairly easy. For one thing I just tried to make them look like Atomic 13's. It pretty much is the easeist way to make them work. Making them like stock would be quite dificult.

coloradoup · 01-24-2023, 08:05 PM

Had my HVAC guy finish up my mini split installation. That thing is sooo quiet it's hard to tell it's even on. The only problem is, it gets warm too quick in the trailer. Five to Ten minutes and I'm turning the thing off.

. Ok, not really a problem. I couldn't imagine not putting one of these things in my trailer.

I also have almost all of my AC wiring hooked up. DC next but I think I will try and get a little further on the cabinets and seating.

When I hooked up my Smart Plug inlet and cord end we quickly realized something wasn't right. I checked my other extension cord that had the old twist lock ends on it and they both checked out ok. I only have a 25 foot cord for the trailer at this point so had to use an old 30 amp extension cord I had laying around. As it turns out I had somehow mixed up all three of the wires on the new plug end when I hooked it up. When we pulled it apart we noticed that it was color coordinated with a green, white and black little plastic circle right where you put the wires in. They must have had the letter off to the side and I got it wrong but it's hard to believe I didn't see that. We looked up the falt code on the surge protector and it just said Idiot.

Oh well, works now.

Bubba L · 01-24-2023, 08:31 PM

Glad to hear you’re impressed with the mini. When we first installed ours a couple of years ago and did a startup, I wasn’t sure if the condenser was blowing air. I held a paper towel in front and sure enough, it was. Super quiet. In mid summer when we get to our camping site my wife turns the unit to jet mode for a little while. When the inside aluminum cools off a bit she turns the unit down. Hopefully, you’ll be as happy with the performance as we are. Glad you went that route.

dbj216 · 01-25-2023, 07:31 PM

I wonder if Airstream has explored the advantages of a mini-split system for new trailers. There seems to be a lot of advantages, except maybe cost.

David

coloradoup · 01-25-2023, 09:41 PM

David, I'm not sure how much more they would be than those roof tops but they always seem to be trying to keep costs down even just a little bit. It does make the front area a little crowded which also makes the trailer a little longer if you add length like I did. I'm not going to be exactly adhearing to the setbacks that they recomend as far as spacing front and back. If they followed those they would probably need to move the propane tanks elseware. One thing is for sure, they are wisper quiet and very quick at heating the area. I wasn't really even thinking of the heat when I decided to put one in.

TouringDan · 01-26-2023, 01:55 PM

Your mini split install looks great. Very clean.

I installed one in our son and dil’s 78 Caravanner and I am recommending that they go ahead and just remove the original furnace. It isn’t needed and I wouldn’t trust it anyway. Also it will save some weight and provide additional storage. They are going to install a horizontal 10 Lb propane tank between the compressor and the shell. Propane will only be needed for hot water and cooking.

I think it is just a matter of time before mini splits will be installed in RV’s. They are quiet, efficient and provide heat. They can be operated with only a 1,000 watt inverter.

coloradoup · 01-26-2023, 07:19 PM

Dan, it does indeed seem like the way to go. I suppose if I had it to do over I would consider that horizontal tank where you guys are installing it. As it is I am not sure I left enough room. How many gallons or LBs is the tank going to be? I am still planning on using a propane heater for when I don't have the power to run my mini split. Not the old furnace type but one similar to the diesel heaters that van guys use. Propex HS2800. Also water heater and cook top. Not really sure how much propane I will actually use though. For now it's going to be the two 30 lb tanks in front of the unit with some type of conversion to the jack that doesn't require the handle to lift it. Thinking impact driver with bolt welded to the top of the jack.