vented/sealed enclosure for A/C unit ? long post
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 9:14 pm- Reaching another decision point in my nearly one year build of my 4x8 TTT...Where to put the A/C unit? I had always planned on an A/C unit, living in Texas it's a neccessity, but always thought that it would go in the 18.5" deep rear storage/galley area. I had planned that area to house the generator, battery, fuel cans, ice chest... with a cooking/storage area on a shelf above them. The A/C would also sit in an opening in the wall above the shelf (neither it , nor the generator, would be used when the area was being used for cooking) so there would be no exhaust from either into the galley area while it's in use. And I wanted the area's inherent fumes to be totally sealed off from the sleeping area, so I made the bulkhead wall durn near airtight. I'm running the electric cables down under and around the bulkhead for that reason as well.Well, it seems that the rear wall will always leak fumes if the A/C unit breaches it, whether in use or not.
- Here's my dilemma ... I had thought of making a removeable side window that I could replace with a 5k BTU window unit. Using the specs of several different models, and a top-hinged window design of Angib, and the materials of my choice, I arrived at the fact that I couldn't afford to do it, and probably couldn't make it watertight (my lack of skills). Putting a permanently side-mounted unit didn't appeal to me, until I saw the way ilbigredtruck put his in a built-in cabinet (where only 2" protrudes from the side. But, again, two things bothered me here...I'm already cramped for interior headroom, and the idea of putting another large hole in the roof for venting lacks appeal. So then theres the rear wall mount again. NO David! put his in a rear wall that he partially boxed off from other usage.Why not combine both of the last two ideas, and fully box in the A/C where I had originally intended to put it ? If I were to mount it where I originally planned to, sealed the side/top intakes in an airtight box adding a wall vent (like I have for cabin venting), then routed the rear exhaust down and out the opened hatch, the no genny or fuel fumes would ever penetrate the cabin space (a washer drip pan would route the condensation out the same way). Illustrations :
- Anyone forsee any problems with this? (My wife really wants the A/C in the rear wall, and two windows for the sides...I may not have a choice?!?)
