another air conditioner thread

[rhltechie]

Hi All,

I plan on starting the floor today, but I have a question that I should prolly consider. I have seen an air setup with what looks to be a normal window unit with a peice of plastic over the vents that leads to a duct that goes under the TD. I get that part, but I was just curious about where it comes into the floor and how the duct gets to the vent inside the tear. I saw it on this thread by Mary K..who stole..err got the idea from what looks to be SteveH. He has has some great shots of the underside but I dont see anything about where it comes into the td to get to the vent in the cabin. I'm sure I will send a few PMs but I was just curious if anyone else had also used this method.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=14532

thanks

[2bits]

If you want to keep the AC outside on the ground, I think the world is open to you for how to do the vent since it's just a matter of getting a vent cover that you like for the inside (that opens and closes) and cut a hole that big and get one of those thin aluminum duct adapters with a hose. Maybe come in just behind the galley wall under the tear, and run a permanent duct to a couple of small vents blowing toward you just above your feet. A concern that comes to mind would be that the wheels might be right in the way though.

Here's a pic I just drew of what I an thinking of, sorry no CAD here just old fashioned pencil and paper...



I would consider the possibility of installing it inside the tear under the galley counter with the face sticking through the galley wall into the cabin, but that's me, I just want to hit the road in a moment and then pull over where ever has power, climb in and crank up the AC, remember anytime you are going to hook up the AC it is probably going to be hot outside and lugging the AC out of the back of the truck or wherever is going to be a sweaty hassle. Not to mention if you need to make an adjustment, or turn it off at three in the morning, you will have to get up and get out, and go outside, after which time, you will probably get hot and need to leave it on longer lol... OK no more harping, here's my pic:



Note there is a hole in the bottom or the shelf, the airflow would be fine without it, but with that hole there the air flows straight up through it. the vent to the side of it is an additional air intake that fools the unit into

One thing I made sure of was to not cut ANY holes in the walls or floor until I was absolutely ready to do that part of the build. I am soo glad I waited because my AC plan changed numerous time and if I had cut holes before the walls went up, I might be in a world of hurt right now, or at least be stuck in an old plan when I had thought of a new one a month later. It's sort of a tightrope walk of planning ahead and not doing more than your current job at hand.

[satch]

I have an access door on the side of mine, for the elec. box and storage. I just leave the ac outside, hook up a 4" flexy tube, and it goes through the foot board inside.

[b.bodemer]

Mandy,
If you are planning on having a door for each side and don't mind giving up one door, you can make an insert for your ac.





Barb

[2bits]

I have an access door on the side of mine, for the elec. box and storage. I just leave the ac outside, hook up a 4" flexy tube, and it goes through the foot board inside.

as much as I don't care for the external AC's I think it is very inventive to use that milk crate as a carrying case!

[Russ in California]

Seems though, that 110v AC will limit your usage to places with power(duh). I guess my question is, when you want to use your AC will you always be where there's power?
In my Outback build, I plan on using a swamp cooler ala Larry Sorensen. Doesn't look too hard to build and since I'm going with 12v only, I think it'll be the cat's meow. But that's just me.
Good luck.

[rhltechie]

hmmm.....you all have given me something to think about! I like all of your ideas.

as for the havin the 110, I have yet to camp at a campground i did not have access to shore power, so i am not too worried about it.

[S. Heisley]

I hope you don't mind my questioning the swamp cooler thingie; but, I'd like to know what advantages a swamp cooler would have over an air conditioner in a trailer. (I do like the idea of being off grid...)

I don't remember the rules for using a swamp cooler; but, there is a point where if the humidity is too great, it won't work right. In the desert and in sunny California, this usually isn't a problem. But, I'm not sure about South Carolina and areas around there.....?

Also, I know the swamp cooler saves electricity; but, when you plug into an outlet at a campsite, does it make a monetary difference? Does a person get charged a set fee or are they metered and charged accordingly? (I don't know these things. I've always been a tent camper.)

Thanks!

[rhltechie]

Hi Sharon,

I cannot claim to know a whole lot about swamp coolers, but I have heard that they do not work very well in high humidity...which is obviously a big problem here in the south.

as for the electric, there is just a flat fee for the campsite. You dont get charged extra for using the power..or not using it. at least everywhere i have camped that is.

even being a tent camper most of the sites i would rent would have electric. I would use it to charge my ipod speakers or my mattress pump. something of the sort.

[satch]

I belong to Thousand Trails/ Naco camping resorts, so I only pay a yearly fee for usage to their grounds, and they all have shore power plus water on most of their sites. as far as a swamp cooler/ ac compairison, the ac unit only cost $96 at Lowes ( may be cheaper now) plus I had all the rest of the parts to hook up, it seemed to be a not-so expensive alternitive to a swamp cooler. Just plug it in and go.

[caseydog]

Hi Sharon,

I cannot claim to know a whole lot about swamp coolers, but I have heard that they do not work very well in high humidity...which is obviously a big problem here in the south.

as for the electric, there is just a flat fee for the campsite. You dont get charged extra for using the power..or not using it. at least everywhere i have camped that is.

even being a tent camper most of the sites i would rent would have electric. I would use it to charge my ipod speakers or my mattress pump. something of the sort.

Correct. Swamp coolers use the evaporation of water to lower air temperatures. So, they are great where it is warm and dry. Here in the south, they just make you hot and wet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporativ ... ve_cooling

CD

[S. Heisley]

Mandy, Rick, and CD:


.................Thanks!

[Russ in California]

Funny, I pointed out the power issue because, for me, I'd rather not camp in a place with 'shore power' hence my 12v only system. Now that's just me and I can see the advantage for some camping with power(and maybe even a shower).
I guess the whole point in my planned 'Outback' build is to get away, I mean way away form crowds, people, power dependence and get into some quite solitude. It might be a bit easier out here in the west, especially in true Northern California where I live and south eastern Oregon and Nevada where I like to roam.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to diss anyone. Just bringing up issues for
thought. Any besides, I like to hang with other Teardrop'ers also.

[satch]

No diss there Bro, for us ,here in Cali, a swamp cooler would work out fine, I use one in my house instead of the cental ac ( and I live in the Sac valley). All you need is a 12v pump and fan. Do a search on them and you will find threads on them. There are some really good ideas. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Don't forget the pics too

[S. Heisley]

Hi, Russ:

Your idea makes sense, at least for this side of the mountains. I, too, like to camp away from lots of people and hate the shadow of a motor home and the belching sound of a generator. At the risk of highjacking Mandy's thread, (Thanks, Mandy.)I'll just ask one more question.

What size is your swamp cooler and what kind of a pull does it have on your battery (or how long does your battery last when using it)?