Portable vs. Window AC...the never ending debate

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Perfect fit for a 4" metal hose pipe



http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[k1hog]

I will look in to the deck plate, thanks for the idea.

Johnnie

[Socal Tom]

OK I'll throw out a question, not about portable or window, but if you have decided to go with a window unit, what size? I was looking at a 5,000 BTU at HD about $100. Nice physical size and as the suggested (I think) rooms size is for 10 X 15, should be plenty for a 6 X 12 X 6 but. . . .the last thing I want to do is get the 5,000 and then realize the 8,000 (at twice the price) would have been the way to go. Any thoughts on this issue will be appreciated. Thanks
dan

5K should be plenty. I used one years ago on a Ford Van that I camped in. It easily dropped the interior 30 degrees F. Even a larger unit can't do much more.
Tom

[flboy]

I will be cutting a hole in my ramp door and creating a spot for a 5500 BTU windows AC to replace the 7000BTU portable I have now. The portable does a good job (especially since I installed a 2 hose mod; however, this unit, although it runs on about 700W, it has a 2.5X surge current when the compressor kicks on. I cannot run it off my 1500W generator with a 2000W surge. When I turn it on, the generator chokes and the A/C kicks off line. The same generator has no problem with the 5500BTU window unit I have. I just need the generator for the AC since I am installing the solar panels to keep the battery charged. I will post some "after" pics this weekend. Following is how it looks now when in place:

Before: (after to come later this weekend)

[JWG]

I will be cutting a hole in my ramp door and creating a spot for a 5500 BTU windows AC to replace the 7000BTU portable I have now.

Putting the AC in the ramp. I like the idea and want to see how this turns out.

[MtnDon]

Is the ramp door still going to be used as a ramp? How does the portion of the A/C that must live outside clear the ground?

[jwhite]

This how I did mine works great wall on wheels

[flboy]

Is the ramp door still going to be used as a ramp? How does the portion of the A/C that must live outside clear the ground?

Ramp will still be used as a ramp. I am going to make it so the AC can be removed for travel and then slid into place when the bikes are out. I will use some diamond plate aluminum to cover the opening when traveling. Hopefully I will get it dome this weekend. Will post pics.

[MtnDon]

I understand now.

[flboy]

Here it is. Got it done this weekend. I have a little more trim painting to do and I need to build a rollover cover for the inside (ramp) and put a ran dam over the cover hinges, but essentially done. I may paint the cover black. I don't know if I like that bright square on the back.

I am here to tell you that a 5500 BTU window unit cools much better than a 7000 BTU portable and uses less power. Many factors to include the fact I just insulated the back door (I realized I forgot that when I removed the plywood, did all the rest when I built up the inside) and the fact that the condenser air ciruit for the window unit is not drawing outside air into the trailer. The humidity is much better controlled and etc.. Glad a I made the change.. and this will run on my small 1500W generator.

Live and learn. I bought the portable to start as it was minimal to install. It just needed a vent hole cut in the bottom. Then I modded it to make a two hose system.. but then that restricted the airflow and it still didn't gain much. Not too much lost however. I did sell it on Craigslist for about half what I paid for it after using it for 3 years.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

So do you sleep on the floor next to the AC ?
Or does it cool the whole trailer



Just curious for comparison can you park it in the full sun at 100 F outside
and still get 70 deg F at the highest part of the ceiling ?
In my 7 x 18 in "white" I'm able to keep it at 70 in full sun @ 100F

MtnDon might even be able to beat me and keep his at 60F as his trailer is a little smaller.
I'm waiting for this test results when it gets hot.


Jerry

[flboy]

So do you sleep on the floor next to the AC ?
Or does it cool the whole trailer



Just curious for comparison can you park it in the full sun at 100 F outside
and still get 70 deg F at the highest part of the ceiling ?
In my 7 x 18 in "white" I'm able to keep it at 70 in full sun @ 100F

MtnDon might even be able to beat me and keep his at 60F as his trailer is a little smaller.
I'm waiting for this test results when it gets hot.


Jerry

As you know, everything is a trade off. I am sleeping low down on a cot.. So the AC does blow on me. I didn't want the AC mount up high on the door or sides, given it is not a permanent mount and the back door is also a ramp.

The temp is cooler low down due to physics, however, it is only about 2-3 degrees different max at the top. The AC cools to its thermostat down low. I imagine I could keep it at 70f up top, but then it would be colder down low. It is just a matter of where the feedback to the AC is. The AC shuts off and only runs 50% when it was 92f with >80% humidity. To keep the air well mixed at that temp, I may have to run my fan also. I won't see 100f in Florida so I cannot test that.

[flboy]

Trimmed an painted it black. I think that makes it look much better.

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20151221_152509S.jpg (81.48 KiB) Viewed 2725 times

[flboy]

Well, I used the window AC 5500 BTU all weekend in hot Florida summer weather and I can say without a doubt, the window unit performs better than the 7000BTU portable. I went with the portable at first due to ease of installation, but had I known the difference in performance, I would went with the window unit to start. I am sure it is all in the way the condenser air circuit works.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hey Floridia Boy

Thanks for the update ...... Glad your unit works so good for you.
Worst case I'll have to move my bed to the floor to keep cool.

Hey maybe partition the trailer in upper & lower sections , new design.
Upper for storage - lower for cool sleeping at night save 50% energy.

Cheers Jerry