Splitting an a/c unit

[Duckjf]

I like the idea of using a economically priced 5000btu a/c unit in a tear and really like the idea of one mounted in the tongue box but dont like the low output or the tubes to move them up so... Has anyone attempted to separate a unit so that it is more like a central home unit. By cutting the coolant lines and extending them and the wires so that the compressor, condenser coil and fan are in the tongue box and the interior coil a new fan and the controls are mounted on the inside of the tear maybe under the front cabinet? Is that clear? You would have to make a drip pan and case of course but with a bit of ingenuity it seems to me to be a reasonable project.

[Yota Bill]

do you have a way to recharge it, and access to the correct freon to do it with?

[asianflava]

Yep, thought about it but never did it.

[bdosborn]

Somebody did it, I remember seeing a very slick setup somewhere around here....

Bruce

[Lgboro]

There is a sticky over in electrical that comes close to what you are trying to do. Might be worth reading if you haven't found it yet. I believe there is another group of post that discuss the subject but I don't remember where it is - someone may pop in with a link.

[aggie79]

I believe that on most, if not all, window units, the evaporator cooling fan is powered by the same motor - on the same shaft- as the supply air fan. So you'd have to add an additional fan if the window unit is split.

[Shadow Catcher]

I had actually thought of doing that and looked into it. The level of complication and cost were what deterred me and the reason I went with the hose set up. The advantages are that no real modification of the AC unit required just adaptation. If I need to fix or replace it another $50 unit (I already have one) can be used with the wiring changes (four cuts and four inline splices). The latest on this is that I left it out in a thunderstorm and there were no problems. http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 690#835690

[Woodbutcher]

I have mine in the tongue box and it works great. This is what I did. Cheap 5000BTU AC unit. I bolted it to the front wall of the tear. Just as if it was being installed into a window at home. About 6" sticks into the interior of the teardrop. The rest sticks into the tongue where it exhausts. Inside I have a headboard the is about 8" deep on the bottom and 4" at the top. The angle makes it nice to sit up and lean against . In the picture there is a vent panel for the intake. I built a wooden Duct that deflects the cool air up and along the roof so it does not blow on you. It works great. It ran every night at the CRA outing without any problems. You do have to prop the tongue box lid open for the exhaust. I water proofed the inside of the box so no worries there.



Here is a shot of the box packed for travel. There is enough room to get my chair in between the AC and the front of the box. The AC can be unbolted and removed without taking everything apart.




Here is during construction.



Here it is working.

[Mike Angeles]

I have the same set up in mine,





Mike

[Duckjf]

Of the A/C's mounted in the tongue box i like Woodbutcher's design very much. and it is definitely a consideration when i finally start to build. Thanks to everyone for their input.