Portable ac questions

[Myates]

Hello all. Our new 6x12 arrived Tuesday and I have been hard at work all weekend. I am too the point where I need to figure out what to do about ac. Has anyone had experience with the portable ac in their cargo camper?? I had the walls and ceiling insulated at the factory. How do I route the hot air out through the floor. After doing research most of the tubing deminsions are 5". Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[tnriverluver]

First if you haven't purchased a portable don't. If you have see if you can take it back. Buy an RV roof unit and be done with cooling problems or possibly a window unit. I went the portable route on my build and paid more for the portable than what my roof a/c ended up costing. The portable would only cool my 7-14 after the sun went down. I am in W. Tn and seeing you are in Ga that problem will only be magnified. My 13.5 K roof unit cools my trailer from 90 down to 68 in only minutes whereas it would take all day for the 12.5k portable (Duel hose unit!) to pull it down to 80. It would freeze you out at night but as soon as the sun got up you would know it

[Shadow Catcher]

Or do something like this

[jwhite]

don't buy a portable ac, they only work after dark. in the middle of the day you have to sit right in front of it to feel any (COOL Air) total waste of money.
One thing to keep in mind is if your going to use a generator or plugged into shore power, my honda 2000 was not enough power to run a roof 1350 AC so I bought a 8000 btu window AC on sale for 160.00 and the honda has not problem running it = and in less than a hour it's cold inside they way I like it?

[Myates]

I was afraid of this being a problem. I had the chance to have the rooftop ac installed at the factory but decided it was too much money. Looking back on it now its not much more than a $500 portable unit. How would I have one installed now?? Would I pretty much have to rip down the entire finished ceiling in order for that to happen??

[David_L6]

The main drawback I've noticed with a portable is the loss of floor space. One of the good things about a portable is the stealth factor. From the outside my trailer looks just like any other cargo trailer. If you buy a portable, be sure to buy a dual hose model. The single hose units are a waste IMO.

I am running this A/C: http://www.whynter.com/productdetail/ai ... ioners/305 with this generator: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 0XA0A85164 Generator will not start the A/C if the generator is running in "econo" (or whatever they call it) mode. Leave the switch in the other setting and it starts and runs the A/C with no problem.

[tnriverluver]

If your trailer already has a roof vent installed, the hardest part is already done for you. The roof a/c's are easy to install yourself. I am sure you can figure a way to get power to the A/C even if by just running some sort of conduit on the ceiling and walls exterior. I bought mine (one of the last Carrier units made ) online from PPL motorhomes. With a 6X12 you could probably even get away with a smaller unit, but it is nice being able to step into a freezer during those hot 120 degree index 110% humidity days

[Myates]

David l6 how well does it cool your trailer?? Did you vent it through the floor with some sort of special mod?

[jwhite]

I vented mine through the floor and had it under the counter and could not figure out why it was not cooling so I wraped the hose with insulation and it cut down on the heat coming from the hose but still did not work.
so I read the instructions on the AC and it said it's needs to be 24 inches from the window or wall so then it's stuck out in the trailer and still did not work.
I could sit right in front of it in the middle of the day and hardly feel the (cool) air and then stand up and the heat from roof was like being outside.
I could run mine all day a 12000 btu and it would be 85-90 inside then after dark it would slowly cool down and it would get to around 65 in the morning but then around 9-10 oclock it would be back in the 80's.
I have 2 layers of insulation so I know it's insulated as well as can be.
After struggling with the portable AC I was surprised that the window AC as soon as I turned it on it's starts cooling no matter how hot it is and within a hour I almost need to turn it down?
The portable AC is a total waste of money.

[Myates]

Jwhite. Did you install the ac in a bulkhead wall??

[Myates]

Never mind. I just looked at your album and saw your build. That's a good looking trailer my friend.

[David_L6]

David l6 how well does it cool your trailer?? Did you vent it through the floor with some sort of special mod?

In the 7 X 16 it does OK, but just OK. It won't turn the trailer into a freezer on a 100° day. I don't think my experience is as bad as jwhite's though.

The only pictures I have were taken right after I first got it and was test fitting it into the trailer. As you can see it is vented through the floor. What isn't easy to see in these two pictures is that both hoses are vented through the floor. One is intake, the other is exhaust.

gallery/image_page.php?album_id=146&image_id=82701

gallery/image_page.php?album_id=146&image_id=82699

[Myates]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am still pretty confused on what to do. I gather the window unit is the better route and will cool better. I just do not have the option of building a false wall in the rear to brace it. My 6x12 is already going to be cramped with the king size bed my wife requested.

[jwhite]

I had to go to plan B when the portable AC was not going to work,I had no choice but put in a false wall but I made mine on wheels so I can open and close it and it worked out fine, but I did loose a foot on the inside.
if your not going to use it as a toy hauler the rear wall can come in handy as a rear outside kitchen like the teardrops
I would think that you could build the front area with a cut out in the wall and have it rest on the counter?
the only other way is on the roof?
I think your going to have a hard time getting a king size bed in a small trailer,I have a double and it's more than enough for 2 people.
Myself I like a full bed to sleep on I don't think I would like sleeping on a fold out couch/bed?

[roadinspector]

I'm putting mine in an opening in a side wall. If circulation is not good I'll use a fan. It will be removable for hauling and when it is not needed.