'Alternative' A/C - Will this work?

[lucymcdog]

I have a 1960 18' Traveler which originally did not come with a roof a/c. Since I am trying to keep it as original as possible, I was trying to figure out a way to air condition it without putting in a roof air and, heaven forbid, a unit sticking out the window.

What I've come up with is this: Get a small window unit and install it in one of 3 places - under the bed (taking out a storage drawer), under the dinette bench or in the cabinet where the fridge is.

My plan was to construct a metal drip pan to go under the unit (with a drain hose) and a metal "air" box to go over it then vent the hot air and drip through a hole in the floor. I would have to cut a hole if I put it under the bed or bench but the fridge cabinet is already vented (it is the original propane fridge) through the roof and another screened hole in the floor.

Will this plan work? Would the back of the a/c be getting enough air circulation? Am I just asking for trouble cutting another hole in the floor? Or should I just find a small roof unit and run wiring to the ceiling vent? I only have 20 amps but could run a dedicated wire for the a/c.

[Darkspeed]

Your problem is heat from the unit rises and has no where to go

[Darkspeed]

The make a free standing portable a/c unit the exhausts it heat through a hose. Just stand it somewhere and run the hose to the outside

[lucymcdog]

Originally Posted by Darkspeed

Your problem is heat from the unit rises and has no where to go

I was thinking that the box that would go over the unit and vent through the floor would contain the heat and make it go out.

Yes or no?

I'm open to any and all suggestions.

[Darkspeed]

De'Longhi 13000 BTU Portable Room Air Conditioner
Item #: 211844 | Model #:PAC A130HPEL

[Darkspeed]

If you did it your way, and I'm saying it is not a good idea, you would need a blower to remove the trapped heat from the box.

[Lumatic]

There was a post a long time ago about someone who mounted an AC to exhaust through a outside compartment space.

[Darkspeed]

The thing that scars me about the idea is the possible proximity to the exhaust of any other gas system when your fresh air divider ( intake) is at the bottom of the trailer. Would you suck in any exhaust gas from any propane device at that location?

[pbearsailor]

Read Uwe's thread as he did it several years ago and AFAIK is still pretty happy with it. It's a very long thread, but lots of good info in it.

-steve

[lucymcdog]

Originally Posted by Darkspeed

De'Longhi 13000 BTU Portable Room Air Conditioner
Item #: 211844 | Model #:PAC A130HPEL

I could probably use the portable one under the table or maybe in the bathroom (we don't have much spare space in the trailer) and somehow figure out how to vent the hose. Do I need 13000 BTU or would 8,000 BTU be big enough? The interior is about 16' x 7' with most of that space taken up with bed, dinette and cabinets.

[Darkspeed]

That is really up to you. They won't cool as much as they say on the box - I have one-

I posted lowes because if it is too big or too small you can return it or swap it without a lot of hassle

They are slightly louder than a window unit but it makes for some good sleeping

All you need to do is find a path for the 5" hose to exit your trailer

[DanielB]

I'd want to go with the portable room AC.
Path of least resistance.

[Darkspeed]

When you first plug it in give it half a day before you judge it .

It will have to remove all the accumulated moisture in your trailer before it will fell super cool

[lucymcdog]

Originally Posted by pbearsailor

Read Uwe's thread as he did it several years ago and AFAIK is still pretty happy with it. It's a very long thread, but lots of good info in it.

-steve

Thanks for the thread - I've been checking it out and that split system looks perfect - although it IS a bit pricey. Now I've got to decide what to do...

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by lucymcdog

Do I need 13000 BTU or would 8,000 BTU be big enough?

In my 25' Tradewind I put in a 13,000 roof unit. I wish I went to 15,000. A consideration for you might be the amperage the units draw and what kind of camping you do. If you use a mid size generator you might have problems powering a 13,000 unit.

[toastie]

This is how I did mine, the hot air exhaust go out behind the license plate, works perfectly.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...-38289-38.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...-38289-36.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...-38289-54.html

toastie

[rideair]

I would suggest a temp window unit. Here's a link to how I built a system that will keep your trailer cool, won't break the bank and can be installed in less than 15 minutes.

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

Forgot to add "one" 6K unit keeps my 1966 22' Safari cool no problem

[TG Twinkie]

Air conditioners don't draw air from the outside on the cold side of the unit. They recirculate the air in the trailer. There are 2 heat exchangers (an evaporator and a condenser), one on the cold side for the inside air and one on the hot side for dissipating the heat. The hot side draws air from the outside, pushes or pulls it across the heat exchanger and returns it to the outside. Your referigerator works the same way in your house or trailer for that matter.
It is more efficient if the A/C unit is mounted higher up to draw in the hot air at the ceiling level or at least it should draw air from higher up.

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

Air conditioners don't draw air from the outside on the cold side of the unit. They recirculate the air in the trailer.

Window units do.. and that is what was being proposed

There is a fresh air divider on most window units that allow for the addition of fresh outside air into the cold discharge

[lucymcdog]

Originally Posted by toastie

This is how I did mine, the hot air exhaust go out behind the license plate, works perfectly.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...-38289-38.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...-38289-36.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...-38289-54.html

toastie

I've been out of pocket with grandma duties lately but finally got a chance to look at your thread. Did you box in a portable unit and vent it through the floor? Or there was mention of a "casement" unit - not sure what that is.

The only time we need an a/c is when we're camping in the South - which isn't very often. I need the cheapest and easiest solution since most of the time we'll be in cool weather.