swirlygirls
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Post by swirlygirls on Feb 9, 2014 5:16:50 GMT -8
We've just had a winter storm complete with record low temps, lots of snow, and now ice with breaking tree limbs blocking roads. This has got me dreaming of summer which got me back to thinking about how to cool a trailer. I've read the threads on where to permanently install air conditioners but I'm still thinking about the benefits of a portable unit. I live in an area where most of the time I may not need one but I would like the option to travel to other parts of the country where it gets hot, hot, hot and I have dogs that need to be kept cool (as well as me).
So my question. For those of you who have used portable units, where did you set it and how did you duct it out? What size did you use? I was thinking of trying to find one small enough to set in the closet and duct out from there but then i'd have a closet door open and I wonder if it would get enough air. I'd appreciate any thoughts or recommendations. If you've used one, where are you putting it. My Oasis is just 15 ft so you know there's not a lot of surplus room.
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txoil
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1960 Shasta Deluxe 19
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Post by txoil on Feb 9, 2014 6:23:51 GMT -8
We've just had a winter storm complete with record low temps, lots of snow, and now ice with breaking tree limbs blocking roads. This has got me dreaming of summer which got me back to thinking about how to cool a trailer. I've read the threads on where to permanently install air conditioners but I'm still thinking about the benefits of a portable unit. I live in an area where most of the time I may not need one but I would like the option to travel to other parts of the country where it gets hot, hot, hot and I have dogs that need to be kept cool (as well as me). So my question. For those of you who have used portable units, where did you set it and how did you duct it out? What size did you use? I was thinking of trying to find one small enough to set in the closet and duct out from there but then i'd have a closet door open and I wonder if it would get enough air. I'd appreciate any thoughts or recommendations. If you've used one, where are you putting it. My Oasis is just 15 ft so you know there's not a lot of surplus room. We have gone through the same process, and we bought an 8000 btu portable a/c with remote, with the original idea of putting it in the shower stall ( for drainage of condensation) and venting out the bathroom vent. We did not want to install permanently a unit and lose the storage space, so a portable seemed the way to go. However, after reading a post on this forum recently, we are thinking that we will build a duct under the gaucho bed that exits through the cargo door to the inside and place the a/c unit outside on the ground. This way the noise and condensation is kept outside, when it's time to roll we just put the unit in the tow vehicle and shut the outside cargo door and take off. |
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Post by vikx on Feb 9, 2014 22:44:00 GMT -8
I agree on the outside unit. Climate Right makes an 8000 BTU with the duct attachments already molded into the face. Spendy, spendy but oh, so cool...
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swirlygirls
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Post by swirlygirls on Feb 10, 2014 4:14:40 GMT -8
Thanks for your thoughts Txoil & Vikx. So Txoil, do you worry about anyone walking off with the AC when you're not there? I'd like to be able to leave my dogs in the camper and go into town without them on occasion. They'd need to be cool. Also, how do you keep the weather off the AC (like rain that may pop up overnight)?
And vikx, "so cool," hah, is that climate or function? :-)
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txoil
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Post by txoil on Feb 10, 2014 7:40:07 GMT -8
We use a length of heavy 1/2 inch shackle chain and a hefty Master lock to secure our generator and we will find a way to chain to the a/c unit also (might bolt a bracket to the bottom with a hole for the chain to pass through).
As for weather protection, a small poly tarp bungee corded in place would keep rain off the unit, or something more elaborate could be built but the key for us is portability. We plan on using the a/c only as a last resort. We have two fans that travel in the trailer that we use to circulate air and except for really hot and muggy conditions the fans are comfortable enough.
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Post by vikx on Feb 10, 2014 22:02:56 GMT -8
Too cool, so cool, way too cool, it's all about cool.... Cool Cats....
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 10, 2014 23:46:47 GMT -8
Climate Rights 8000 BTU are on sale now. This is actually cheaper than the 5000 BTU that use to, but no longer sale. They are $499 at the moment. www.climaterightair.com/cr-8000-ac Free shipping and comes with the hook up. I want one sooo bad. As I said in another post, I know several people with these, and they work really well! |
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swirlygirls
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Post by swirlygirls on Feb 11, 2014 4:20:50 GMT -8
Thanks for the link Susie Q. I really like this option. My only remaining concern is that it weighs 60 pounds and I'm getting to be an old coot and will be on my own. I don't know why, but my dogs never want to pitch in and help. :-)
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