sll
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Post by sll on Jul 11, 2013 11:31:59 GMT -8
I originally planned to skip A/C in our 64 Shasta Airflyte, but after working in it the last few weeks it seems that is a poor decision.
I have seen lots of different ways people have done A/C, but I had an idea. As noted above, I have no idea what I am talking about - so be easy on me.
We are missing one of the baggage doors (there are two - one on each side under the bed), so could I just put in a window AC unit in the hole missing the door? It would blow the cold air under the bed, but I am sure I could make either fold down doors or just create slats for the cold air to get to the rest of the trailer (of course the bed would be nice and cool!). Would this work? Is it a terrible idea?
Thoughts or alternative suggestions are greatly appreciated!
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Jul 11, 2013 18:57:38 GMT -8
People have done it that way - at one time, there was an entire thread and some photos on the old Shasta Forum. Perhaps someone can recreate that here?
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boandsusan
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Post by boandsusan on Jul 12, 2013 9:32:39 GMT -8
Hi..I don`t know the inner workings of an AC unit but we`ve tried several different methods of installation on different trailers. Bo and I haven`t tried this method of intall for several reasons. How to access the controls and filter...Cold air drops so the majority of cold air will stay confined under the bed and will continue to be sucked in and blown out of the front of the unit, as a window unit is designed to suck the air directly from in front of it..and that will be the cold air which it just blew out, if that cold air has no where to go other than confined under the bed. Another thing we thought of was that the Unit would always be shutting itself off as it would be tricked into thinking its surrounding air had reached the desired temp, being confined like it was. If you go with this, PLEASE document it here on the forum. I do hope you figure a way out that works.
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Post by universalexports on Jul 12, 2013 11:30:11 GMT -8
from what I have learned, here are the basics
an AC unit has 4 airways.
one in the front, this is the air that is pulled in from inside the cabin cooled and pushed back out into your cabin.
two air intakes on the side, these pull in air to cool down the condinsor/evaporator etc. and exits out the back of the AC to the outside.
the rear vent pushes out the hot air to outside.
now what does this mean? first as mentioned cool aid drops so it is better to mount it higher, and the longer distance the air can flow straight with hitting a wall/counter etc, the better it will cool the entire camper.
as mentioned the side vents uses the air to cool down the evaporoator condincer or whatever it is called, so if you can rig the sides vents to pull the cooler air from inside the campoer it will help a bit, if not they can pull from the outside.
the rear air must exit outside the camper, and dont forget about the constant drip of the unit so a drain will be needed, even the newer no drip AC units use the water to help cool the radiator in the back will not drip but the fan will cause small droplets to splash out the sides and over time will amount to a lot of water so again a box and drain is needed.
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1958 Shasta "Penny"
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1958 Shasta Airflyte 16
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Post by 1958 Shasta "Penny" on Jul 12, 2013 13:38:23 GMT -8
I have this same conundrum. I've seen units sitting on the outside tongue encased in a steel type box and then it is cut into the front and blows under the dinette table.
Heard about closet ones. Taking out one of the windows...
Etc. Etc.
So I am just thinking about getting a portable one and have the drain go down through the floorboard in the closet area. *shrugs*
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Post by bigbill on Jul 12, 2013 17:09:22 GMT -8
The evaporator is what cools the air in the front. The condenser is in the rear it takes the heat out of the refrigerant and blows it out the rear. Your system will operate better if the air for the side vents is pulled in from outside if you pull air from the trailer it is already cooled air and this causes a low pressure in the interior which causes make up air to be pulled in from outside which then has to be cooled. They will work pulling air for the condenser from inside but not as well. It will cause problems on a real hot day but should work at night and on cooler days. If you have a larger A/C unit you won't notice the difference but if system is marginal it will make a difference. Also if you install to large of an A/C unit it will be cold but it won't run enough to dehumidify the air.
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Aug 3, 2013 8:47:01 GMT -8
"Your system will operate better if the air for the side vents is pulled in from outside if you pull air from the trailer it is already cooled air and this causes a low pressure in the interior which causes make up air to be pulled in from outside which then has to be cooled."
Also, wouldn't taking cooled air and using it to re-absorb the heat you just took out of it, then pumping it outside be kinda defeating the purpose? Conservation of energy and all that? I'd think to absorb all the heat you're taking out, it would take all the cool air you just made. Adding motor heat and electrical losses, wouldn't it actually make your camper warmer? Like trying to use a fan to push a sailboat (if it moved the boat at all, it would be backwards)?
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