Yet another A/C Thread

[RandyRP]

Has anyone ever installed an window unit with a dropped floor. I am thinking that one could buil a plenum on the front of the unit that would have 1) Cold Air 2) Return Air. These would be ducted into the camper.
Controls would have to be relocted of course.

The rear could be open and the sides vented. Alot of the little units are about 12 inches tall, so only perhaps 5 or 6 inches would be poking up throh the floor and the could be "hidden" by sliding drawers with full lenght cabinet fronts.

Any thoughts ?

Randy

[Nitetimes]

Could work as long as your trailer doesn't sit too low.

[Jst83]

Sounds fusible to me,
How much area is needed for proper ventilation behind and beside the A/C?
Curious to watch this thread as I'm about to relocate my A/C

[kennyrayandersen]

The only catch may be that cold air sinks, since it is heavier than warm air. If you are blowing it hard, then it may be no big deal. Also, if your return air is at the A/C unit and it’s down in the drop, which is kind of a box…. Hmmmm – it may tend to stay in the box a bit? If you do put it up higher then it seems that you would get more air mixing it up, or even half way would help. You could try it there and if it didn’t work you could move it to a shelf on the forward side of the galley. Just make sure you design the shelf big enough so that if it doesn’t work like you’re thinking you have an alternate plan.

[RandyRP]

Thanks everyone. I am thinking A) Frame + B) Axle + C) Floor = 5.5 or so inches, so essentualy half the unit could end up being located in space that is otherwise not used, thereby freeing up gally space. whil still npt being any lower than the trailers axle. (as such in could probaly be lowered a couple of more inckes) meaning perhaps on 3.5 to 5.5 inches out "topside" space would be used.

As far as rear ventalation is concerned, I think perhaps three inches might do the trick, plus perhaps six inches in the front. Basically I am thinking one could remove the entire front plastic assemebly, using sheelt aluminum an blueboard insulation creat a new front section that iis sectioned into two zones 1) Cold Air 2) Return Air. One could for example cut out fron 1/2 play a board that is say ten inches deeper that the depth of the unit (front place venting removed) and pehaps six inches wider than the unit. This could be attached to the top of the existing case. This assembly could then be finishe out and dropped into a cutout for unit ad supported by steel brakects attached t the chasis. This way the sides have soe breathnig room for air to the condensor. The rear could vent. Condensation wold simply run to the ground and there would be no need to cut ventilation grill on the side or have the hatch open at night.
This also may be a slightly less noisy install and nicley vented one would not even realize it a window unit.

However as some folks have mentioned, there may not be enough ventiltaion or circulation migh be an issue.

Lastly if anyone owns a petcool, I am curious to know if one duct outlet is "Cold Air" while the other is "Return Air" or is it two "Cold Air" outlets ?
Essnetially I am wondering if the return air is using "outside" or "inside air"

Thank you

[aggie79]

Lastly if anyone owns a petcool, I am curious to know if one duct outlet is "Cold Air" while the other is "Return Air" or is it two "Cold Air" outlets ?
Essentially I am wondering if the return air is using "outside" or "inside air"

On the petcool's, one duct/port is supply and the other is return. It is not entirely a closed loop system. On the return side, the duct/port goes to a plenum - the metal casing of the petcool - but there is no seal between the coils and the plenum. When I get to that stage in my build - which at the rate I'm (not) going it will be 2011 - I plan to seal the plenum and coil.

[RandyRP]

Thanks for the help/info on the petcool., it gives me some guidance on how I could modify a standard window unit

However I am a bit confused when you mention sealing the plenum. Does this mean there is no separation between the vent outlets on the front of the unit ?

Thank you for your help.

Randy