Mini Split for Pop Up?

[tem3000]

Hi all, please try not to laugh. I love how quiet mini splits are and am pondering buying a pop up camper. Is there some creative or ingenious way to incorporate a mini split into a pop up renovation?

The easiest, I imagine, would be to put the compressor on the tongue, then treat the blower similarly to an under bench a/c unit.

But here's the please don't laugh part. If I could find a way to attach the blower to the roof (mounted horizontally on the ceiling? attached vertically to something firm mounted on the interior?), would a flexible hose from the compressor on the tongue even be an option?

As you can tell, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing thus far, but if people have advice or out-of-the-box suggestions, I'd be grateful!

[S. Heisley]

What is a mini split?

[GTS225]

The immediate issues I see are that they are 120 volt, so there's no boondocking with your camper.
Configurations of a mini-split won't lend themselves too well to what you're proposing. The compressor has to be mounted vertically, so laying it down on the roof is out. I could agree with your tongue mount, but then you need to find somewhere to put your LP tank(s). I suppose you could rear mount it on the bumper.
Just seems to me to be overkill for such a small space.

A mini-split is a heating and AC unit that is in two pieces. The compressor and condensor mounts outside, similar to a central A/C unit, and the evaporator and fan mounts inside, many times high up on a wall. Connection is just like a central A/C, with coolant lines between them, and a power cable controlled by the "head" unit indoors. Quite a convenient method for heating and A/C in a detached garage/shop. Uses electric only.....no gasses for fuel.

Roger

[tem3000]

Thank you, that all makes sense, and I'm glad you pointed out the issue of tanks already being on the tongue. Hadn't thought of that.

I have a tendency to overcomplicate things and this is no exception. I long to return to camping but my husband had a brain injury and is now sensitive to noise. He can't take the sound most roof a/c's make. I was hoping this would be an alternative, but it looks like it's back to the drawing board! Thanks again.

PS Here's a page that shows some mini splits: https://www.alpinehomeair.com/categories/air-conditioning-cooling/ductless-mini-splits. You see them often in the tiny house world and people are starting to put small ones in larger campers, mounting the compressor on a rear bumper rack, then installing the evaporator/fan inside on the back wall.

[bdosborn]

Here's a roof mounted A/C that can run off your (really big) battery and is about the right size for a Teardrop, but hold on to your wallet :

Dometic RTX 2000 Air Conditioner

Bruce

[Sparksalot]

What is a mini split?

A small AC unit with matched indoor/outdoor parts. The indoor unit has no ducts, so is usually in a cabinet high on the wall. They have no electric heat strips, so no heat unless it's a heat pump model.

[RJ Howell]

The older style that are Box units (like a AC unit) would work, yet very much over-kill. You trying to heat or chill? Depending on how handy you are.. there is a neat way to chill. Especially if you're thinking Mini-split and possible size.

[S. Heisley]

What is a mini split?

A small AC unit with matched indoor/outdoor parts. The indoor unit has no ducts, so is usually in a cabinet high on the wall. They have no electric heat strips, so no heat unless it's a heat pump model.

Thanks!

[Tom&Shelly]

The older style that are Box units (like a AC unit) would work, yet very much over-kill. You trying to heat or chill? Depending on how handy you are.. there is a neat way to chill. Especially if you're thinking Mini-split and possible size.

This is an intriguing idea. The science seems sound enough. Wish I had more time to experiment. (Retirement is sooo busy!)

About as simple as the "swamp coolers" (evaporative coolers) we use here in the Southwest, but it might also work well in more humid areas. That is, assuming a simple radiator to transfer heat from the building or teardrop air to the circulating fluid.

Still, if it is that good, why isn't it being done already?

Wonder if the effective sky temperature in humid areas is the same as dry areas at infrared? My experience is with micro-wave and near infrared communications systems where the sky temperature can set the level of background noise on the system. Clouds and fog definitely affect things; not sure about humid air in general

Tom

[tem3000]

That video is intriguing. I'm currently in Louisiana, arguably one of the most humid of the hot states. If I had the wherewithal to undertake a project like his, I could definitely do some field testing. You know I'm going to watch follow-up videos and go down an hours-long rabbit hole, right? It's tough to imagine how this would work in a pop-up, but if I think of some way that far outstrips my HVAC knowledge, I'll share!

(By the way, that Tech Ingredients guy/channel is awesome. If you're an audiophile, check out his foam speakers experiment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKIye4RZ-5k&t=6s That'll get your foamie juices flowing!)

Thanks to all, and remind me to take out a second mortgage to buy that domestic a/c. Yowza.

[RJ Howell]

This is an intriguing idea. The science seems sound enough. Wish I had more time to experiment. (Retirement is sooo busy!)

About as simple as the "swamp coolers" (evaporative coolers) we use here in the Southwest, but it might also work well in more humid areas. That is, assuming a simple radiator to transfer heat from the building or teardrop air to the circulating fluid.

Still, if it is that good, why isn't it being done already?

Wonder if the effective sky temperature in humid areas is the same as dry areas at infrared? My experience is with micro-wave and near infrared communications systems where the sky temperature can set the level of background noise on the system. Clouds and fog definitely affect things; not sure about humid air in general

Tom

I've been following this guy for some time now and have done a couple build his way. Smart dude! This is more than the typical swamp cooler as it has the temp difference to dehumidify. His disclaimer is it will work 'better' in the Southwest than here in the Northeast (he's in Maine). I will do a small version as he speaks of to add to my mini-split. I'd like to see the opposite and create heat in a type like this.

Why is it not being done you ask? What makes you think it's not! Commercial systems (large HVAC) have painted surfaces.. now I wonder if I've seen this and not known myself! There's also working with the science.. it works or it don't.. even if no one else is doing it. He shows it works..

Anywho, back to building campers and travel!
Safe travels all!

[aggie79]

I understand wanting quiet, but the condenser side of a mini split is almost as loud as a r/v air conditioner or window unit. Most pop-ups I’ve been have canvas side walls that don’t provide much thermal or noise insulation. So I don’t know what you’d gain with a mini-split.


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[ChincillaWikinson]

Would it be an option to run a soft copper loop with enough slack to move as the roof raises/lowers? That way, you could keep the compressor on the tongue while allowing the refrigerant lines to flex with the movement of the pop-up. You’d have to be mindful of the bending radius to avoid kinking the lines, but it seems doable with careful routing.

As for mounting the blower, a horizontal ceiling mount might be tricky due to weight and vibration, but a vertical installation on a firm interior wall could work, similar to how some people install them in tiny homes or conversions. You might also look into low-profile wall-mounted units to save space.

If you're serious about the project, it could be worth checking out MiniSplits4Less for compact units with flexible installation options. They have a range of mini splits that might be better suited for a pop-up camper than traditional models. Curious to see where you take this idea—sounds like a fun project!

[bdosborn]

Would it be an option to run a soft copper loop with enough slack to move as the roof raises/lowers?

Probably not, the high pressure side to the evaporator is at like ~400PSI and requires a line built for high pressure.
Bruce

[bdosborn]

I understand wanting quiet, but the condenser side of a mini split is almost as loud as a r/v air conditioner or window unit. Most pop-ups I’ve been have canvas side walls that don’t provide much thermal or noise insulation. So I don’t know what you’d gain with a mini-split.

You gain efficiency. The big trailer guys use these when they want to run off battery power.
Bruce