The Air Conditioner

[Dahlia47]

I had commented on a post about bringing the A/C in and "hiding" it. I can't find it for the life of me. So I will ask here. (as it goes, I'll probably find it after posting this lol)

Our A/C is a window unit. It is partially outside. I would like to bring it into the trailer so it is not visible. I would put a vent on the outside to hide it and to let it breathe. However, the part that is inside, do I need to build a box around it to keep us from getting sick, inhaling whatever and whatnot, etc.?
I remember something being mentioned about this in the post and for life of me I can't remember and I can't find it.

[Shadow Catcher]

Or detach it and save the room. Ours rides in the TV or gets left home if weather permits...

[rjgimp]

I was reading a build thread just the other day where the AC was recessed into cabinetry in the upper portion of the driver side wall with separate built in ducts for air intake and exhaust. It was absolutely brilliant.

Tryin' to find it...

[fishboat]

I had commented on a post about bringing the A/C in and "hiding" it...
I remember something being mentioned about this in the post and for life of me I can't remember and I can't find it.

Perhaps this:
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=70770&p=1250907#p1250907

[noseoil]

Here's what I did, maybe not what you need, but there might be an idea or two you can use...
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=60248&start=435

[working on it]

from this thread http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=70770 you stated

...I specifically came here to ask about the exhaust and fresh air intake! Thank you!
I am finding out that some rv parks dont allow window a/c units. I havent bothered to ask any of them why. If anyone knows, inform me. I may be able to get away with it, if I bring it inward. I dunno, ill find out....

* If this is your reason for wanting to move the A/C unit inside to "hide" it, then my A/C build might work for you http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=54945&hilit=A%2FC+ducting...with modifications (I would probably alter my set-up if I were to do it all over). My A/C is totally enclosed in the trailer; if I wasn't using it, no one would even know it was there. It is mounted thru the rear bulkhead with the chassis in the galley, and the exhaust routed out to the curbside wall by using a right-angle ducting system ... completely insulated so noise and heat aren't problems when using the galley (mainly for storage). I made it this way so that the galley could be shut and locked whenever I was away, or on hot nights when it was running.

the A/C is supported on a home-made drip pan/stand; the pan has never been dripped on, since this model LG uses all the condensate in cooling itself, it seems!

air conditioner with exhaust ducting.jpg (173.43 KiB) Viewed 3308 times

as is evident, storage took up all the 2/3 usable space in the galley, with the A/C exhaust duct filling the top 1/3

galley-storage layout.jpg (195.54 KiB) Viewed 3308 times

* I was committed to using the side-vents that I had bought as the means to supply ambient air to cool the A/C chassis, and to exhaust the hot air from the rear of the unit. Therefore the exhaust needed to be turned 90 degrees to the right, and still be totally isolated from heating the galley/storage area, due to flammable items stored there. A system of floor vent boots, duct reducers, angle re-directors, and insulated ducting was used. The problem with getting it to work properly (caused by the heat remaining in the duct too long, causing thermal shutdown), was solved by opening the (now) false side-vent , just using it as a flap/cover, and by putting a high-flow/high-heat axial fan inside the duct itself. If I hadn't persisted with the hidden side-vent exhaust, I could've made a simple "boxed" exhaust, routed directly thru the hatch, and thru a common grille opening. With hatch closed, it would not be seen, and with hatch open, the exhaust would flow quickly away from galley items, into open air.

side-vent used for A/C exhaust (pictures 1 &2) wouldn't allow enough hot air to exit in stock form; finally decided to make it into a flap/cover for the exhaust duct, with no restrictions

usage of rain-proof vents.jpg (203.08 KiB) Viewed 3308 times

[KTM_Guy]

I don't get the AC thing, if it's so hot to need AC it's too hot to camp. And we have over 100 - 100+ degree days a year where I live. I know there is the humidy and some people want to camp in the summer and I am lucky that when it's 120 degrees I can drive 2 hours and have cooler weather. But I think that space it too valuable to waste on an AC, it can be used for food and water, extra clothes, or camp gear. Shadow Catchers AC setup is the way to go if you need AC and have AC power at your campsite. We have close to 50 nights in our teardrop and not once had a campsite with power.

Now the space used for a Proper heater is worth it's weight is gold. I would not do a build with out one now.

Todd

[Dahlia47]

Thank You! I found the post late last night. I don't know how I missed it. LOL

The reason we have an AC in our camper is that we are in Texas. The water in many streams are spring-fed and stay at a cool 72'. But the air is what gets us. It can be 89' with 35% humidity and quite comfy one day. Then BAM! The next its 89' with 75% humidity and it feels like 120'. OOOOrrrr, you start off at 75' in the morning and by 1 pm that same day it's 21'. The saying here in Texas...."Wait 5 minutes, the weather will change!" And it is so true. So its best to be prepared. It's hard on the body.
I still don't know why a window ac unit is banned at some RV parks.

Now...has anyone tried the pumpkin spice flavored SPAM?

[troubleScottie]

A couple of comments...

Not wanting to see window mounted AC units is like the 10+ year old RV exclusion. Concerns over things looking too tacky, too old, too dilapidated. Some RV parks can be pretty ratty looking especially if you are talking long term residents. Yes, window AC units can look nice, etc. By excluding them, they remove the bad ones with the good ones. It is easier to remove all than explain why they want yours gone. And most RV have rooftop units.


On the topic of building a floor vented one, try seeking this forum for "ac floor vent". Lots of hits ( and lots of misses)

The major thing is you need lots of space for the internal unit. Either you have a long trailer and lots of room to spare OR your consuming part of your galley. In addition, you have to work on the vents. I have not really seen anything on what happens to the vent area from road debris, water/rain, snow, salt, dirt, rocks

A couple of good examples:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71 ... t#p1245065

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=6 ... t#p1201638

And an external source reference in the above:

https://www.420magazine.com/forums/do-i ... space.html

Personally, I like the external unit design with 2 4" hoses. It is removable when not in use, less noisy inside as the unit itself is outside, and consumes no space inside.

[rjgimp]

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=70347&start=60

Here's the one I had seen. Really slick. It's a cargo trailer conversion, which isn't really my thing, but I stumbled across it looking for floorplan ideas in the size range I am planning. The overall design of the cabinet can be seen well on page 5 and there is a good view of it installed in the wall at the top of page 11.

:

[noseoil]

We built originally in Tucson & my wife refused to camp without an AC in the trailer. As it turns out, I've used it the most in Utah at the salt flats for watching racing at Bonneville. The trailer was usually over 100 degrees in August in the evenings, but after 1/2 hour it was down to 60 for sleeping. Nights are cool, but days are sunny & bright, typically in the 90's all afternoon. Our usual rule for summer camping is to stay at 7,000' or higher for sleeping in the west.

[skooter69]

Here’s how I did my AC unit...it’s completely enclosed behind cabinet doors.

The AC condenser needs to be cooled by outside air which is drawn up through the tube from the bottom of the trailer. Hot/exhaust pair goes out the back through the trailer wall.

[Wellcraft290]

doesn't the AC condensate? how or where does the dripping water go?

[skooter69]

A clear tube running from the drip pan of the AC, down through the trailer floor

[Wellcraft290]

Duh lol ty