Another stinkin' A/C question

[db4962]

I don't know if anybody would be interested, but I just came across an 8000 BTU window air conditioner at Wal-Mart (Arctic King brand, I believe) where the remote control is also a remote thermostat. Apparently you can hit a button on it labeled "Follow Me" and the remote will update the a/c unit every three minutes with the temperature around the remote. The unit was about $159.00 (pricier than some of the smaller units, I know) but do you think this might make for a good teardrop a/c that I plan to leave outside the tear? I'd hoped to run ducting to a board mounted in the window and put the a/c on the ground under or beside the teardrop.

Thanks,

Dave

[Arne]

I suspect it will cycle off and on like crazy and weigh a ton... or close to it..

Nice idea, but I think most 5,000 a/c's will do just as good if you have both a feed and a return line.... and cost less and weigh less..

just looked at one... shipping weight is 71 pounds, unit probably weighs over 60.... for me, it would not be an option.

[Alphacarina]

8,000 BTU's is WAY overkill, but for a unit left outside on the ground under the trailer, the remote control with the built in temp sensor would really make me seriously consider buying one anyway - That's a really nice feature to have when you don't have access to the controls inside the tear

Don

[Phil & Ningning]

I suspect most a/c remotes are of the IR type. This won't work through walls or floors. If the unit has RF type remote, it could be doable. I would still avoid it due to the sheer size and weight of the unit. In my opinion, there are better options, such as a hard-wired thermostat with an easily disconnected plug for the wiring. for setup, you connect the hoses and the therm wire.
It has been done before, but I can't remember who did it.

[Steve_Cox]

I've got one of those AC's, only it's 5000 btu. The remote has a clear lens on the front about 5 cm in diameter. I suspect it is InfraRed. I guess you would have to use it line of site.

[BestmanDan]

I have noticed that 5000 BTU A/C units are on sale now in alot of places. Lowes, WalMart and Menards have them as low as $77...may go lower if they last!

[aggie79]

You could use an IR repeater like the type they have for home A/V installations with concealed equipment. The simpler ones run about $50.

[Alphacarina]

You could use an IR repeater like the type they have for home A/V installations with concealed equipment. The simpler ones run about $50.

Yes, that would probably work - I bought one of those to change channels on my cable box from the bedroom. Got it from Amazon.com for about $35

Don

[db4962]

Well, I ended up getting a 5000 BTU unit from Home Depot for $69...I made an insert for the window from a piece of thin ply and two RV sewer connectors. I cut the vent out of the A/C unit and screwed down a plastic cover I cut from the top to a Rubbermaid storage tub. I then mounted two more RV sewer connectors to the plastic cover and made two ducts out of 3" RV sewer hose. It looks ugly but works great! I will try to get some pictures up, but it's nothing special looking. Thanks for the input folks. I think you're right about 8000 BTU being overkill, the 5000 BTU unit was able to cool it down comfortably in direct sunlight within about 20 minutes...the outside temp was around 95-97 (you gotta love Florida in the Summer.

Dave