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Post by lopo on Feb 24, 2012 10:15:48 GMT -5
I've read through everything I can find here about options for installing a/c in my "new" '72 Compact, and they seem a bit beyond my capabilities. I hate to resort to using the rear window. Since last summer when everyone seemed to be talking about it, has anyone figured out a good way to vent a portable air conditioner? And would a 5,000 BTU portable be sufficient for my Compact or would an 8,000 BTU one be better?
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 24, 2012 13:33:54 GMT -5
A 5000 btu AC unit is more then enough for a Compact. This is an AC window unit the I installed in our 1970 Compact. It wasn't too bad to vent it. Attachments:
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 24, 2012 13:34:38 GMT -5
Another view of the AC unit Attachments:
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 24, 2012 13:36:23 GMT -5
Here is one the I installed in a 1971 Serro Scotty. I had to raise the dinette benches by 2" in height. Attachments:
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 24, 2012 13:37:49 GMT -5
Here is a top view of the Scotty AC unit. You can see how the hot air is exhausted out through a louvered vent. Attachments:
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Post by lopo on Feb 24, 2012 16:01:53 GMT -5
Ross, did you cut the hole and place that vent in it? It looks super!
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Post by lopo on Feb 24, 2012 16:06:52 GMT -5
And did you vent the one in the Shasta Compact? Straight to the outside with a new vent, too? I see it's in the front rather then in the rear under the dinette area. That kitchen is so beautiful, by the way, that I can hardly pay attention to the air conditioner! I'm removing the dinette and going to keep the full size bed "permanently," and there is now a big empty space down there that I won't fill, but it's not open to the outside unless I cut a hole or two in the floor and screen it. Would that be enough outside air exposure? I make a great meatloaf but am not so good with the saw so I'll be getting a handyman to do this, but I want to know how I want it done first before I call him.
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 24, 2012 16:37:13 GMT -5
On the Scotty, I did cut a hole and add an aluminum vent to the outside. The AC unit also pulls cabin air in, just as a cooling system in your house does. In the Shasta, it exhausts though the floor, by way of a 4" pipe. It also brings in outside air through the original heater vent that is right beside the entrance door. As for your situation, putting the AC unit under the bed and cutting a hole in the floor for venting will work. A friend of mine just got finished doing the same thing. He didn't want to add any additional vents in the side of his vintage Airstream. A box will need to be made to help push the hot exhausted air out quickly. You will also need to separate the intake air from the exhaust air. This is a simple process. Here is a link to an AC installation in one of our teardrop campers. This will hopefully help explain the process. The 4" dryer vent pipe is the same setup that I used in the Shasta Compact and it works beautifully. picasaweb.google.com/Tearjerkers2004/ACWindowUnitInstallYou can always email me direct, if you would like talk more in depth. I can give you my shop #, too. Sometimes verbal works better.
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Post by lopo on Feb 24, 2012 21:12:22 GMT -5
Ross, I am sure getting a lesson from you - unfortunately, I don't seem able to transfer what you've done in the teardrop to how I'd install the a/c under the bed in the Compact. I just went out and measured and the clearance under the bed is only 11" which just isn't going to be enough. I looked at every space there, and to put it in the kitchen area would mean giving up 5 drawers and a 12 cabinet under the sink, BUT there's a cabinet over the stove, to which the range hood is attached, that would hold a unit (15" in height), with a vent cut high up n the front of the trailer, as well as an identical cabinet hung high on the wall immediately to the left of the door (standing inside) that would mean a vent on the door side of the trailer. I guess my main question about putting a hole in the trailer for the vent is how big and what is the main issue in making sure it doesn't let water in. If I can do it right, it seems preferable to ruining the rear window with one.
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 25, 2012 7:25:01 GMT -5
You will have to build a cover over the entire AC unit and add a slanted box at the rear of the AC unit. This will force the hot exhausted air through the hole in the floor. You will also have to provide a drain hole for the condensation generated by the unit.
If you look at the box configuration that encases the AC unit in the teardrop and in the Scotty, you should be able to understand how the separation of the air intake and exhaust should be, in order for the unit to work correctly.
If you are still planning on putting it under the fixed bed, you will have to raise the bed platform to accommodate the height of the AC unit.
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Post by lopo on Feb 25, 2012 8:52:43 GMT -5
If you look at the box configuration that encases the AC unit in the teardrop and in the Scotty, you should be able to understand how the separation of the air intake and exhaust should be, in order for the unit to work correctly.
OK. Duh on the raising the bed part, of course. I now get it except for one issue: Should the box that encases the a/c unit extend the width of the trailer, thus completely separating the a/c'd section of the trailer from the rear (making a tight wall between the front space that is being cooled, and the rear space under the bed?)
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 25, 2012 10:57:07 GMT -5
If you center the AC, there should be extra room on either side of the encasement for additional storage. This will also close off the backside of the space under the bed from the interior.
If you would like, I can draw up the layout for the AC unit. I will need some measurements: front to back (under the bed), side to side between the cabinets. As for the height, that will depend on the AC unit, once purchased. This way your handyman can follow them and it should be a simple installation.
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Post by lopo on Feb 25, 2012 10:59:34 GMT -5
Thanks a lot for the offer, Ross. I'll take you up on it. Should I just post the measurements here?
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Post by lopo on Feb 25, 2012 12:50:50 GMT -5
I've got the measurements and a photo. Oh, darn. I see it actually came out a .mov file. New iPhone. Sorry, but hopefully you'll be able to see it that way. The benches are in a U shape. In the photo, you see the door under the back bench. Height is 13" and I can find an a/c unit no taller than that. So is this the spot where I should install it which would put it 28" back under the bed? (I've got 52" from the rear wall of the trailer to the front edge of the side benches, where the right bench meets the closet and therefore where the front edge of the bed will be.) Width, bench to bench, is 45 1/2". Attachments:
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 25, 2012 14:02:11 GMT -5
I just sent you a PM.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2012 16:00:04 GMT -5
Question concerning the teardrop venting: Does the cover also have sides on it to channel all of the exhaust into the duct pipe? I can see how this type of installation could easily be adapted to underneath the bed or dinette and through the floor. My wife had suggested a portable unit that costs much more than the window units, but this would really work out well without tying up a window.
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 25, 2012 16:54:39 GMT -5
Question concerning the teardrop venting: Does the cover also have sides on it to channel all of the exhaust into the duct pipe? I can see how this type of installation could easily be adapted to underneath the bed or dinette and through the floor. My wife had suggested a portable unit that costs much more than the window units, but this would really work out well without tying up a window.
Yes Chris, the slanted back cover, seen in the last picture, forces the hot air into the 4" x 12" HVAC floor duct vent into the 4" flexible dryer vent pipe. I installed a Dust Collection Blast Gate, which when the AC is not in use, it can be closed to prevent pests from getting in. This process is best used when the AC unit is going to be above the floor.
For installation under a dinette seat, see the Scotty pictures, 3rd and 4th ones in this thread.
Ross
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Post by lopo on Feb 26, 2012 12:59:28 GMT -5
Ross, I created a little video of the interior of my Compact thinking that moving from left to right would make it much easier to "see;" however, the file is too large to attach here so I've uploaded it to youtube. Here's the link. youtu.be/OksdE5g_1Ag
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 26, 2012 16:21:44 GMT -5
I tried to look at the YouTube video, but it states it's private.
It works now!
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Feb 26, 2012 17:17:29 GMT -5
Ross, that is a very clever set up in the Compact. I'm curious do you think a small A/C unit would fit under my stove? I was thinking I could take out the drawers if it would fit. I'd sacrifice the drawer space in exchange for A/C ;D Attachments:
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 26, 2012 20:58:40 GMT -5
Hey Kel,
Yes you can, provided that the space is adequate.
Just check the height of an AC window unit....they are usually about 13" high (5000 btu) and see what the space is that you haveto work with.
I will be laying out a design for an AC unit to go under a fixed bed in Lopo's Compact. The same set-up should work for your application, too. I should have it done in a few days. I can PM it to you if you would like.
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Feb 26, 2012 21:12:11 GMT -5
Ross, that would be great if you could PM me when you are finished! I'm very interested in how you vented it through the floor. Does that mean you don't have to cut an opening through the front skin by doing it that way?
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 26, 2012 21:31:29 GMT -5
No cutting through the front or side skin. A vent will need to be cut into the floor. Pretty simple process.
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Post by dawgpound on Feb 29, 2012 18:16:49 GMT -5
Don't give up on me. Work has me slammed right now. I will get this drawing completed by the weekend.
Sorry for the delay.
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Feb 29, 2012 18:39:42 GMT -5
No problem Ross, we'll be patient (:
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Post by lopo on Feb 29, 2012 23:11:01 GMT -5
That's right. This is a huge favor to us!
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Post by dawgpound on Mar 5, 2012 8:14:15 GMT -5
Since we got a few inches of snow last night, I will be getting the drawing completed this morning and get it out to you about mid afternoon.
I have been trying to get our Starflyte dried in before the next rain rolls through and it tuned out to be snow....go figure!
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Post by dawgpound on Mar 5, 2012 16:41:42 GMT -5
I am uploading the drawings into a photo album, along with a few pictures from other installs. Should be done in a few.
Ross
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Post by lopo on Mar 5, 2012 17:04:07 GMT -5
OK! Thanks a million! Can't wait to get started on it!
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Post by dawgpound on Mar 5, 2012 17:52:38 GMT -5
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