window AC vs portable AC

[SaltCreek]

I see a bunch with window ACs. Is there a reason why people are choosing them over the portable ones? Seems portable with a 4" hole would be an easier install. Am I missing something?

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Winodow ac $100.....
Need I say more

[Shadow Catcher]

This is one alternative and this is how I did it http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=44561

[Rainier70]

I don't have an AC, but I have seen lots of posts about them on here. The general consensus is that
1. The portable units don't cool very well, and some are more expensive than a window unit.
2. The RV AC units work well, but are expensive. Also you can't fit your camper in a garage with one on top.
3. The Window units are inexpensive and are efficient at cooling.

[MtnDon]

Single hose portable units have a built in inefficiency. The single hose blows hot exhaust air out. That air must be replaced with other air. Other air from the exterior. Where is is hot and/or humid, otherwise we might not need to be running the A/C unit at all.

A window mount A/C does not do that. It recirculates the interior air and has a separate air loop for moving the heat to the outside. Shadowcatcher's hack takes advantage of that.

Fir real high efficiency and quiet look into a mini split. $$$$ but top rung.

[Mike S]

Single hose portable units have a built in inefficiency. The single hose blows hot exhaust air out. That air must be replaced with other air. Other air from the exterior. Where is is hot and/or humid, otherwise we might not need to be running the A/C unit at all.

A window mount A/C does not do that. It recirculates the interior air and has a separate air loop for moving the heat to the outside. Shadowcatcher's hack takes advantage of that.

Fir real high efficiency and quiet look into a mini split. $$$$ but top rung.

For these reasons, I also chose a residential window A/C. I got mine used for $85 on craigslist. It's simple and works great.

Another advantage to a window A/C over an RV-style roof mount, is that they seem to be smaller. And for reasons I don't remember, window A/C's are more efficient. My 6000 BTU window unit cools my 7x16 CTC with ease in 100+ degree temperatures. It draws 6 amps at 120v. The smallest rooftop unit is the 9200 BTU Coleman Mach 8, which draws 11-12 amps.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/coleman-mach-8-cub-air-conditioner-arctic-white-shroud/72717

A mini-split would be really cool but I don't know why I'd spend 10x more $$ for A/C.

Another option worth mentioning is a "through the wall" style A/C,
http://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-8-000-BTU-115-Volt-Through-the-Wall-Air-Conditioner-with-ENERGY-STAR-LT0815CER/205889767

These are distinct from a window mount in that they are vented exteriorly through the aft side and therefor can be mounted almost flush with the exterior wall. I see a lot of smaller commercially built travel trailers with through-the-wall A/C's. I don't know how the efficiency compares with other styles, but they are certainly more expensive than window mounted A/C's.

[chasg1]

I have used both. The window units are less expensive and efficient. I also have a dual hose A/C heat pump. If I had had enough room I would have used it in my recent project. I may make room for it come winter. The Heat pump cycles on and off, in the A/C part, only the compressor cycles, fan stays on. If you get a window/ac, get one with an outside air vent. JMO. Mine was supposed to have it but didn't...

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

A mini-split would be really cool but I don't know why I'd spend 10x more $$ for A/C.

[/quote]

Well that answer is really easy:

1.) I'm really crazy
2.) I have endless money.
3.) It is almost 100% silent 35db
4.) Cools to 118F
5.) Heats to 17F
6.) Runs 100% on solar
7.) Uses less then 200 watts per hour.
8.) All RV experts say it's impossible to run on 100% solar.

AND NOBODY ELSE GOT ONE

[Mike S]

A mini-split would be really cool but I don't know why I'd spend 10x more $$ for A/C.

Well that answer is really easy:

1.) I'm really crazy
2.) I have endless money.
3.) It is almost 100% silent 35db
4.) Cools to 118F
5.) Heats to 17F
6.) Runs 100% on solar
7.) Uses less then 200 watts per hour.
8.) All RV experts say it's impossible to run on 100% solar.

AND NOBODY ELSE GOT ONE

Points taken. Mini-splits sure are cool. To power your A/C with solar is the holy grail. I can only dream of such capability.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Thanks Mike

To power your A/C with solar is the holy grail. I can only dream of such capability.


Now that I know what i'm doing and everything works, it can be done a lot cheaper then what I did mine for.
I didn't have a little book to follow.
but you can get 30% federal tax credit , maybe some state money too..
so I don't see why its not done, especially on more expensive RV.
There are people who spend $10k on a generator

Estimate $600 for 1200 watt panels,
$1,000 for a good PSW,
$1,000 good mini split.
$3,000 for 500ah Lithium batteries.&
$3,000 on extra insulation.
$2,000 Misc exp

Now your good for 20 years FREE POWER ....its not that much...$500 a year
all the stuff can be removed and used at a cabin if one wanted to ?

On a side note one could just install some of the separate components that one likes.
Example:
1.) A inverter mini split 9,000 to 12,000 Btu will run easy on a honda 2000 & use 1/2 the gas of a 13,000 Btu roof unit which requires a 3,000 to 4,000 watt gen set.
2.) better insulation means you don't need a heater when camping down to 20 deg.
3.) A lithium battery gives you more power & faster charge then flooded at 1/3 weight.

Cheers ottct



http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[EvenOlder]

Because I had a hole in the floor of mine (From a tie down insert), I bought a portable AC unit and rigged exhaust out through the hole.

It works just fine, here in Sarasota Florida and the surrounding area. BUT my trailer has sprayed-in icynene on every surface so it's very well insulated.
78F inside during the very hottest hours of the hottest days with no cover, 70F at night.

It's noisy, cycling on and off throughout the night.

Airflow is weird- the unit is at the tongue end and blows to the beds in back- but in some trailer layouts could be a problem.

I should strap the thing when driving, but just jam stuff against it instead.

It eats up a surprising amount of floor space. We only sleep in the trailer (7x16 with rear platform for 2 over 2 = 4 people bunk layout), so not a prob for us, but...

My next trailer (in the next 3-4mo) will have a roof-mounted AC unit. Better airflow, all floorspace available, if I'm gonna have a roof penetration for a vent- why not an AC.
A mini-split is tempting, however. I'll be reading all about that soon, but I don't know how to handle the outdoor unit on a v-nose.

[zowens40870]

For myself it came down to easy of install, money, and less hassle of lugging around a detached unit. So after alot of contemplating on cutting a hole in the side of my brand new trailer I went for it. And i havent regretted it. The Frigidaire 5000 btu window unit on amazon was $100 shipped, cools great and will only cost me roughly $100 to replace if it ever goes out. I posted mounting pics on my build thread.