Air Conditioner - Brain storming

[tkcopley]

Brain storming. How hard would it be to place an air conditioner built into a cabinet I'm planing on building over the wheel well? I am going to build a cabinet over the wheel well (street side) and was thinking I could place an air conditioner into the shelf space. I would need to cut a hole through the wall and was thinking of placing a vent (refrig vent) cover over the hole and run a drain hose out the vent. Any suggestions?

[LittleVintageTrailer]

I don't know the logistic's of it but I too have thought of this option. What stops me is the idea of cutting into the outer wall/skin. I know folks who have done it by placing it in the cargo storage area and it blows out underneath one of the bench seats and they have had succes. Not sure how many have tried that in a Compact though.

The biggest challenge with the cargo compartment option I would think would be to get sufficient cold air to blow under the bed and out into the space when you have the bed made up. I'm interested to hear from others that have either done that with success or have gone with other options w/success. I too need ideas and with it being almost 100 degrees here, having A/C in the trailer sounds mighty appealing right about now.

[tkcopley]

Kel,
I agree that I don't like cutting the skin, that is why I thought about covering with a rv refrig. vent. It could be painted to blend in and if the z-strip is involved I will paint the strip over the vent to also blend in.

I just wonder how big the vent needs to be to vent the a/c unit.

[dozerb]

I have a 1963 16SC and I installed my AC in the upper cabinet above the rear bed. I have posted a photo below and if you want to see more, visit my blog vintagecampground.blogspot.com/2011/03/building-in-air-conditioner-to-16sc.html

It has been 90+ degrees down here in sunny South Florida for a while now and this little AC does great.

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[safetybruce]

Traci, When adding an ac to a Compact from the early '60's, also check and see if your electrical set-up can handle the load...might want to consider a seperate electric plug-in isolated from your original system, dedicated just for the power draw so you don't fry your wiring, if your Compact has only the original electrical set-up.

[tkcopley]

Safetybruce, We have already replaced the orginal electrical box and the a/c has its own plug-in ready to roll. Thanks for posting so others can be aware of the need to check their electrical set-up.