summer is here and the time is right .. to get the A/C going

[bobhenry]

Yep. summer's here

Staring down the barrell of 2 summer gatherings in very late July and Early august it was time to plan some ac for the barn...


So up early today and dragged out all the tools and toys I built a A/C unit for my 5,000 btu window shaker.

Here was the report I made to my camping group......


The A/C add on is installed and being tested. Trailer was 82 inside at 1:15 when I turned on the 5,000 btu little window shaker. It's cold air discharge is directed into a 2" x 16" rectangular duct ( think periscope but upside down) that runs up the side of the barn and empties into a hole cut in under the gambrel overhang then goes inside.

I left the room make up air open to the outside this should keep the unit from short cycling, Maybe not quite as effecient as cooling the already cooled return air but I won't be paying any extra on my electric bill at the State parks

Since the unit is hidden in the shadow of the trailer tucked underneth it is in about as cool of a spot as it has been in its working life time so maybe that will help it to not work so hard.

I am going to take 15 minute readings for this 1st hour and see what is happening.

I need some gasketing to plug a few leaks but it was blowing quite briskly when I fired it up so shouldn't take much tweeking.

Yes I will get pics and try and explain this science experiment !

Time for a reading........................

1:30 dropped from 82 to 70 degrees and relative humidity dropped from 70 to 65. (This part is curious since I am not returning any air from the trailer is cold air dryer ? )


1:45 still at 70 no changes out side air temp 80 degrees where the trailer is parked with a light 10 - 15 MPH breeze. Nice in the shade but a bit warm in the sun.

oops 2:03.. gotta peak .........68 degrees and 64% humidity

For giggles I stuck my head in Chubby.. That lexan roof is doing its job thermometer is pegged at 130 degrees. I may try and bake a cake just for laughs.

[Darren]

Porting some of the hot air out like you did will help a lot with short cycling and humidity removal. I ended up shooting out about 1/4 of the cold air, well it's a 2 and 1/4 inch hole directed at the hot coils, It'll freeze you out now. I've found that the humidity shoots up as soon as the compressor turns off.

Can't wait to see your photos.

[bobhenry]

2:30 check at 2:26 still 68 degrees but 62 % humidity ?????

Any weathermen out there.... Why is the humidity dropping without return air ? Not complaining at all just curious. Feels nice in there !

Tossed a 9 x 13 pan of brownies in Chubby 30 minutes at 375 should equate to about an hour and a half at 130 degrees. We will see

A/C side of trailer faces west and at 2:30 it is starting to get the evening sun. This will be a factor in the test. This may be why the temp has stopped dropping. I may be driveway camping tonight

[bobhenry]

Ok final pics at 4:30

62 degrees and 63 % humidity

Here is the duct. It will be painted to blend into the barn as soon as possible I was just too busy playing



This one shows the different chambers the cold air and the room make up are are isolated, I need to install some gasketing but the test was real positive,



This it where it goes... You are looking straight up the wall.
I originally cut a vent under the gambrel eves to allow cool air to be drawn in even on rainy nights by a small O2Kool fan. I simply placed the duct up to these vents and had the cold air side of the AC unit send it into the trailer.



I think it worked well but we will see in the heat of summer

[parnold]

Bobhenry:

The process of cooling the air, reduces the relative humidity in that air, which is why a/c units drip. The cooler air you are blowing into the trailer, is at a lower humidity level. If you were to recirculate the air, you would remove even more of the humidity. As you are blowing in the cooler, less humid air, some of the hotter, more humid air is excaping.

[bobhenry]

So as I suspected cooler air IS dryer air. That is the only thing that could explain what was happening.


That and when I put the AC back in the kitchen window all the water I rang out of the air ran down my leg as I carrier it in.


So that is where the humidity goes

[bobhenry]

On yet another note the 130 degree brownies were
not done after 4 hours. They were trying and had risen
and thickened but it took a good hot oven to make
them delicious.

A couple brownies and some cold milk and
I am ready to say night night !

[Billy K]

Brownies and milk..!!!???

I hope garden season hurries into that 'wait and see' mode
I've got a trailer that needs some attention..

I've fried my brain re-thinking build methods and plans

.....and yer over there playin' with weather gauges... well, at least ya earned dessert!!

[bobhenry]

Billy :

I am in the build refinement mode.

That is that 2 years after campable when you still fuss around with your trailer doing strange and frivolus things.

You want a hand one weekend just holler Kokomo isn't that far and you guys have a H.F. store while I am over there.

[Billy K]

We'll work that out !!

Wonderin' where to start...I got the trailer, and a cool breeze is all it takes to cool that off... .... Lots of moist air hangin around it though

I'll talk with the Secretary/Treasurer/Gardener/..Better Half - see what we can work out for a jawin' session.

[bobhenry]

Ok final pics at 4:30

62 degrees and 63 % humidity

Here is the duct. It will be painted to blend into the barn as soon as possible I was just too busy playing



This one shows the different chambers the cold air and the room make up are are isolated, I need to install some gasketing but the test was real positive,



This it where it goes... You are looking straight up the wall.
I originally cut a vent under the gambrel eves to allow cool air to be drawn in even on rainy nights by a small O2Kool fan. I simply placed the duct up to these vents and had the cold air side of the AC unit send it into the trailer.



I think it worked well but we will see in the heat of summer

an update 6/20/10


All painted up and lookin' good.

I went looking at the hardware stores for a large cold air return air register grate WOW " $10 - 14 bucks and couldn't find the right size.

so what do ya think of my stainless steel cooling rack.

" Hi I'm Bob and I am a Goodwillaholic"

Yep once again $1.99 had 4 very small legs to allow you to set hot pans or a serving dish on the table or cool a baked goodie. Out came my $14.00 Harbor Freight grinder and the legs quickly disappeared.

I think it is S W E E T looking.

[Juneaudave]

Sweet!!!! That looks very nice!!

[digimark]

Pardon the pun but... very cool!

Any worries about the A/C unit hitting the ground on bumps -- it looks real close to the ground compared to the wheels?

[bobhenry]

Pardon the pun but... very cool!

Any worries about the A/C unit hitting the ground on bumps -- it looks real close to the ground compared to the wheels?

The AC unit rides inside and the duct assembly rides under the elevated bed. It is all installed at the site. Built a shallow drainage rack for the ac unit to set on to keep it off of the ground.

So toss the rack down set the ac unit and plug it in. Then install the duct and snug it up to the ac unit takes about 4-5 minutes.

Just realized something ...... the controls are behind the grill.

Well guess I will have to drag out the hole saw


NAH I'll get one of those temperature controlled outlets Mad Jack posted a few days ago !