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Old 04-16-2014, 11:13 PM   #1
evy
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New A/C installation, need feedback please!

Hi everyone,
So I'm still working on the design of my DIY campervan.

I came up with a new design for air conditioning, using a standard 110v 8000btu window unit with remote control (250$)

For the rear louver I could use one of those rear window truck louvers or just a standard industrial aluminum louver.

Look at my new drawings.








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Old 04-17-2014, 12:26 AM   #2
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

Better measure ,but it does look good. Find out what Roadtrek uses for an AC unit and the dimensions. You might have to go smaller. Hope you can work it out. Also remember to include drainage in your plans. It may be better to just have it stick out the back and you won't have to worry about condensation leaking back into your van.
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Old 04-17-2014, 12:47 AM   #3
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

OK, so I am the heretic here, so take anything I say with a grain of salt. This is how I would do it.

I wouldn't put an A/C unit up there. I would put it on the floor under the rear seat/bed.

Why? Because you want as little weight as possible up high to reduce body roll. And you want as few heavy objects up high and behind the passengers' heads so as to reduce the number and mass of the forward launching projectiles during an accident.

Consider this: My home is a two story. The A/C is on the first floor. But it works just fine because ducting distributes air to and returns air from the second story. So why not just run a lightweight duct up the rear side wall if you want to distribute cold air up there from your under-the-bed-floor-mounted A/C unit?

Also consider this: My van is a wagon. It came with factory rear A/C, which works just fine. It runs along the bottom of the driver's side wall through a duct up the rear side wall to distribute cold air up there. It is such a small space that it doesn't have or need return ducting.

Finally, I would say, mount a Fantastic Vent with a remote control in your ceiling. Hot air needs to be removed for the cold air to cool. Hot air rises so the reversible vent in your ceiling will evacuate the hot air up top while your A/C unit fills the bottom (with some to the top via ducting) with cold air.

Also, you will likely find that having a fan in the ceiling and a single window cracked (I need to get a rear door window which opens) can draw air over a warm body cooling it significantly by just air movement.
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Old 04-17-2014, 06:04 AM   #4
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

I like that idea, and have been considering it for a future build, but it will take a big chunk out of your walking around space. I don't personally think the weight up there is that much of a concern since newer AC units are a lot lighter than they used to be. Many of us have racks, etc. up top which are as heavy as that or more. I would recommend slanting the floor of the AC cutout downhill for runoff. It doesn't have to be much at all, just a couple degrees. You could easily put taller rubber feet on one end to keep the unit level.

But.........I like E350s idea even more. Mostly due to the space that it will take up top, I have always wanted to see one done down low. There is someone who mounted a hotel style unit in their van wall, which dropped through the floor. I wish I could find that build to show you. I think a small window unit could easily be done at floor level, drainage through floor, and have a grate/vent on the outside for it to breathe. Or you could even put it on a track so slide out when you were camping, but that's more complex than I would want personally.

Have you considered the lower rear door style that GTRV does? There are some examples and other ideas in this thread.

http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/f...d/19687262.cfm

Oh, BTW, why was it you don't want a roof air unit again? They don't look perfect up there, but nothing does. I had a low profile unit on my last van that I absolutely loved. It was a Coleman Polar Cub 9200 BTU and runs off of a Honda Generator. They aren't marketed very well but are available. I cut down on the 'big box on the roof' problem by painting the shroud black and adding a roof rack. Worked perfect and cooled the dark-colored van very effectively. Also, they are nearly silent.

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Old 04-17-2014, 11:46 AM   #5
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

No roof air due to the height of his garage door.
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Old 04-17-2014, 01:03 PM   #6
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

Just saw this icecream van this morning in SoCal.Not elegant but probably gets the job done.Not 8,000 BTU's by a long shot however.
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Old 04-17-2014, 01:09 PM   #7
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

What about two?One on each side.
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Old 04-18-2014, 12:12 PM   #8
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

Quote:
Originally Posted by stanw909
Better measure ,but it does look good. Find out what Roadtrek uses for an AC unit and the dimensions. You might have to go smaller. Hope you can work it out. Also remember to include drainage in your plans. It may be better to just have it stick out the back and you won't have to worry about condensation leaking back into your van.
My drawing is up to scale, if you look at section E you will notice the bottom under the A/C is sloped towards the back and I planned to have drainage holes on the bottom.
I don't want it sticking out in the back, I think it looks better if you can Hide it in a double roof with a grill/louver in the back but that's just my opinion.

I found this picture of the Roadtrek's A/C but I don't think they use those anymore, I've seen specs of a recessed Dometec A/C in their new models?

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Old 04-18-2014, 05:25 PM   #9
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

That looks good. The recessed ones do look much better and I like your idea, I just hate to see all the overhead space taken. Your overhead drawing looks like it doesn't take up much space, but the profile drawing does. Anyway, you won't really know the 'real feel' until you do it. Good luck and keep us posted!
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Old 04-18-2014, 05:32 PM   #10
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Re: New A/C installation, need feedback please!

Imagine slouching down to sit in the back.Also vents will be out past where your heads will be while sleeping. Not to mention bumping your head.Yes it does not look nice but functions better.
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