Post by bimmrr on Jul 26, 2014 6:46:17 GMT -8
Hey all,
I have read every post I could find concerning how to add ac to a vintage trailer, particularly the small ones like a Shasta Compact. Almost went with Shastaholics set up with the window ac unit hooked up to flexible vents and connected to the trailer but did not want to cut a hole in the skin as could not see how to get the cool air and exhaust the hot air without cutting at least one hole in a skin somewhere.
So did a lot of measuring and determined that the smallest portable ac unit I could source, an Edgestar 8000 BTU mini portable, would just fit in the space under the sink height and depth wise but still too wide width wise. Decided since it was advertised as venting most of the cool air on the right side that maybe I could cut away part of the birch wall separating the closet from the kitchen cabinet. Did that and unit slides in and still has enough room to attach the exhaust vent to the back and then down to a hole cut into the closet floor corner. Had to use aluminum duct tape to slightly modified attachment brackets but that worked well and unit vents well through the floor. Cannot see in the photos but also attached a piece of clear vinyl tubing to the drain port to allow the unit to drain condensation easily out the back versus possibly filling up the bottom drain tray. Unit is supposed to "drain" most condensation through the exhaust but with the high humidity here in South Carolina knew it would need a drain tube and works properly now.
Know having the main cooling vent partially blocked on the left side is not the best solution but unit cools off the little Shasta well and not too noisy, in fact if you like white noise to sleep, perfect noise level. Obviously have to keep the door under the sink opened and at night can even open the closet door slightly and get plenty of cool air. Will also have a Thetford Curve PP in the closet so that might require to keep the closet door closed only because of the chemical smell but have not tried that out just yet.
Bottom line, did not have to cut any holes into the skin and only one into the closet floor where no one can see it. Cools the trailer well and even with cabinet door open, doesn't look too bad !
Regards
Mike
well- can't figure out how to add pictures so will post this and come back and see if I can later ! Okay, got them added but now cannot delete the ones duplicated by mistake. Making progress !!!
I have read every post I could find concerning how to add ac to a vintage trailer, particularly the small ones like a Shasta Compact. Almost went with Shastaholics set up with the window ac unit hooked up to flexible vents and connected to the trailer but did not want to cut a hole in the skin as could not see how to get the cool air and exhaust the hot air without cutting at least one hole in a skin somewhere.
So did a lot of measuring and determined that the smallest portable ac unit I could source, an Edgestar 8000 BTU mini portable, would just fit in the space under the sink height and depth wise but still too wide width wise. Decided since it was advertised as venting most of the cool air on the right side that maybe I could cut away part of the birch wall separating the closet from the kitchen cabinet. Did that and unit slides in and still has enough room to attach the exhaust vent to the back and then down to a hole cut into the closet floor corner. Had to use aluminum duct tape to slightly modified attachment brackets but that worked well and unit vents well through the floor. Cannot see in the photos but also attached a piece of clear vinyl tubing to the drain port to allow the unit to drain condensation easily out the back versus possibly filling up the bottom drain tray. Unit is supposed to "drain" most condensation through the exhaust but with the high humidity here in South Carolina knew it would need a drain tube and works properly now.
Know having the main cooling vent partially blocked on the left side is not the best solution but unit cools off the little Shasta well and not too noisy, in fact if you like white noise to sleep, perfect noise level. Obviously have to keep the door under the sink opened and at night can even open the closet door slightly and get plenty of cool air. Will also have a Thetford Curve PP in the closet so that might require to keep the closet door closed only because of the chemical smell but have not tried that out just yet.
Bottom line, did not have to cut any holes into the skin and only one into the closet floor where no one can see it. Cools the trailer well and even with cabinet door open, doesn't look too bad !
Regards
Mike
well- can't figure out how to add pictures so will post this and come back and see if I can later ! Okay, got them added but now cannot delete the ones duplicated by mistake. Making progress !!!
