A/C now or later!

[Noco]

I've got a gutted 69 overlander. Plannin on doing a shell on resto because of limited space. My plan is to remove the floor, lift the shell to inspect, repair, clean and por15 frame. I have a major leaked coming from the existing AC, which works for a few minutes before dieing and throwing the breaker. I'm wondering if I could put in a new AC now because... dang it gets hot in there. I'm hoping to seal the leak and stay cool while working this summer. I'm thinking I will use a Penguin ll with heat strip. Are there any issues with installing it now? I also thought about buying a cheap window unit and placing it in the door but that seems like a waste of money. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.

[SteveH]

My thought are you wouldn't catch me working inside there in the summer without A/C.

YMMV.

[68 TWind]

First thought is that your old unit may be a easy fix if it is not the compressor. All the parts for the old Armstrong units are readily available. The problem may just be a relay or a capacitor, my bet would be a bad capacitor. Lots of trouble shooting info here on the forums for the old units. I kept old Armstrong unit because it cools great but it did have a serious leak. I found the main leak was inside the unit where the freon and power lines go through the top of the trailer was the main problem. There were smaller leaks at a couple of attachment points. If you are not going to try and save the old one, then by all means go ahead and get a new one now. I worked 2 Mississippi summers in mine without AC (did not have a 30amp circuit at the time) and it was not fun.