barefootonthefarm
Junior Member
Posts: 67 
Likes: 10
'64 Yellowstone
Currently Offline
|
Post by barefootonthefarm on Jan 30, 2017 18:03:49 GMT -8
Has anyone successfully used a portable at unit to cool their camper in hot humid weather? I camp at the lake a lot in the summer. It may be 95 and 80% humidity in a semi shaded site. I really need to know the ad is going to work.
We are in the thick of our restore now and have the roof off so could beef up the ceiling for a roof air, but the interior part of the unit would be just a couple inches from my head in the "kitchen". We have a closet that looks like it could be modified for a portable unit and vent the air intake and exhaust out the side of the camper. Do they generate a lot of heat so their cooling is negated? Price isn't my biggest concern, though there is a budget of course, I just want something thT will work in the hot humid weather.
My little Yellowstone I carry a window unit, prop it up in the baggage door, run a fan from under the bed. It's a pain.
oh this camper is a 63 Shasta Astrodome.
Melissa
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jan 31, 2017 0:38:29 GMT -8
Well, most vintage campers don't have the structure to support an AC on the roof. Even with beefing up, it's questionable. Portable units do work, with proper exhaust and ventilation.
My good friend uses a portable unit inside at 100*. She says it saves her sanity...
|
|
barefootonthefarm
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Likes: 10
'64 Yellowstone
Currently Offline
|
Post by barefootonthefarm on Jan 31, 2017 4:35:30 GMT -8
Thanks vikx. That is what i was hoping to hear. I don't want a roof air, but I need to know I've got something that will work better than what I've rigged up in my Yellowstone. This forum is so very helpful. I really appreciate being able to read everyone's posts.
Melissa
|
|
msgoehring
Full Member
Just call me Margaret the shellac, buff, sand an shine queen.
Posts: 860
Likes: 303
1957 Westerner Deluxe
Currently Offline
|
Post by msgoehring on Jan 31, 2017 12:14:17 GMT -8
Here's a link to a great video series by mobiltec on installing a window a/c in the closet of a vintage trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFn_XLpZD0UThere's 4 total videos that show the install from the very beginning all the way to framing it in if that's how you want to finish it. There's also a few threads on the forum that show where others have installed their a/c units so it would probably help you out to do a search of the forum. |
|
barefootonthefarm
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Likes: 10
'64 Yellowstone
Currently Offline
|
Post by barefootonthefarm on Jan 31, 2017 14:28:22 GMT -8
I watched all four of mobiltec's videos of installing a window unit in the Deville. It's a sweet set up. I'm wondering about fresh air intake though. I thought a wi Dow u it needed to draw air from outside to avoid a negative pressure situation?
|
|
nccamper
Administrator 
Posts: 7,744 
Likes: 2,871
1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
Currently Offline
|
Post by nccamper on Jan 31, 2017 16:43:58 GMT -8
|
|
Ten
3K Member
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 1,467
70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Ten on Jan 31, 2017 19:03:55 GMT -8
^^ Page bookmarked for future reference! Thanks for that one NC!
|
|
msgoehring
Full Member
Just call me Margaret the shellac, buff, sand an shine queen.
Posts: 860
Likes: 303
1957 Westerner Deluxe
Currently Offline
|
Post by msgoehring on Jan 31, 2017 21:21:34 GMT -8
I watched all four of mobiltec's videos of installing a window unit in the Deville. It's a sweet set up. I'm wondering about fresh air intake though. I thought a wi Dow u it needed to draw air from outside to avoid a negative pressure situation? That's why he had such a large hole in the side covered by a vent cover. The hot air will be pushed out that opening and fresh air drawn in. One of the other ways I've seen posted was to have it under the street side dinette bench with a vent inside and the unit on drawer runners so it could be pulled out the side of the trailer and vent that way. Here is one post showing a similar set up: "This is my favourite air conditioner solution. You put a regular air conditioner on drawer runners and it pulls in and out during use. Except I am going to do it on a side access door, so that it is on the utility side of the trailer. I have empty storage areas under seats near the rear of the trailer that fit it perfectly. I will also put a hood/ vent over the front outlet and join it to a hidden duct in the wall that runs up to exit near the ceiling. Thats the great thing about pulling the skins off your trailer. You can do a lot! www.nationalserroscotty.org/resources/ac/ac-bShetrone.html" Read more: vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/7209/roof-unit#ixzz4XPJPqwjTThere's another better post showing this but I can't find it right now, I'll look more but this gives you an idea of what I mean. |
|
barefootonthefarm
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Likes: 10
'64 Yellowstone
Currently Offline
|
Post by barefootonthefarm on Feb 1, 2017 5:48:10 GMT -8
Thanks, I've seen that post, and like the drawer slides idea a lot. I'd really like to have the ac on the street side so I don't have the hot exhaust blowing on me when I'm sitting outside under the awning. That means putting it under the dinette, which I'm worried about blowing cold air on the floor instead of up where we need it, this is an Astrodome, so we have that upper bunk area. We could also build a cabinet up high alongside the kitchen cabinets, but that would mean we lose the wall sconce, or putting in a new cook top instead of the old stove/oven combo, which is pretty trashed anyway, and putting the ac below where the stove top is. This last option would at least get the ac more centrally located in the trailer and somewhat off the floor. It also would add an exterior vent in a place that wouldn't look so obvious, and keep me cooled while I make coffee, lol.
|
|
Dad Rambles
Active Member
Posts: 246
Likes: 140
62 Shasta Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Dad Rambles on Feb 1, 2017 7:23:00 GMT -8
@bearfootonthefarm My only personal experience is on my teardrop, but I CAN say, if you have the in/out air separated, it works very well. We have a 5K in our teardrop, and it gets ice cold (we have to open the top vent to avoid short cycling). BUT, the foam we have separating the in/out air on the back of the unit makes all the difference in the world as far as the efficiency of it. The only "vent" to the outside is what you see at the back, just above the hatch.  DSC00812 by gunguy05, on Flickr I don't have any good photos of the foam, but it is divided appropriately so that the air flows in the sides, trough the back of the unit, and out the middle. Here is a photo that shows the unit before i put the back cover on, and the dividers. THe way mobiltec does it (and I'm going to do on my shasta) is a tighter space around the unit. BUT It has a larger vent to the outside world. I made more space around mine because I didn't want to have a huge vent sticking out the back of the trailer.  20150316_115104 by gunguy05, on Flickr This would of course be on a bigger scale for a canned ham, but the idea is the same as long as the air that is coming out of the unit itself is cold (and mine is). I plan on using a 8K btu for the Shasta. |
|
msgoehring
Full Member
Just call me Margaret the shellac, buff, sand an shine queen.
Posts: 860
Likes: 303
1957 Westerner Deluxe
Currently Offline
|
Post by msgoehring on Feb 1, 2017 7:26:11 GMT -8
Iced coffee anyone??? Don't say Astrodome too loud around here, there's a very rambunctious and loud cutters group that loves to try to get owners of the only cool Shasta trailer made IMO, to cut that front bunk off. If they find you, JUST SAY NO! LOL Any stove and oven combo can be redone, it just depends on how far you want to take it. I tore mine completely apart and restored every single piece, having most everything powder coated, except the manifolds which I painted with high heat bbq paint, and the burner grates which had to be enameled. For being 60 years old it looks pretty darn good. There is another option, actually two depending on what you want to spend. The first would be to find a portable unit that would fit in your closet like was also suggested on that thread. But my favorite, and the one I want to go with if I can get the money, would be to get a Climate Right unit then I could put my vent holes just about anywhere. www.climaterightair.com/products.htmlI fell in love with this before it ever started being advertised for camping, back when they were just for dog houses, because I could see using it for a trailer. It's spending, but still half what the lightest weight roof unit costs. And with a roof unit your never sure it won't damage the trailer. I'm being long winded today, sorry, but I hope this gives you a few more ideas. Trust me, Sam and I have gone around and around trying to figure out what to do for air conditioning and we still aren't absolutely sure what we are going to do. |
|
barefootonthefarm
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Likes: 10
'64 Yellowstone
Currently Offline
|
Post by barefootonthefarm on Feb 1, 2017 16:23:33 GMT -8
@dad Rambles- thanks for the explanation on the fresh air and e haunt and keeping them separate. I think I can make that work in my closet fairly easily. I really want to have something that works and is fairly unobtrusive. msgoehring. Hah, I've heard there is a contingent that thinks all 'do,es should be chopped! Not here. I love how it looks. I will take another look at ,y stove, but I know I'm missing one grate, the chrome is really rusty and last time I checked it smelled of mouse pee. I like the climate right units, but don't like having so,etching sitting outside and especially having to load and unloadit. I camp alone pretty often. It will definitely be something to look at if the closet option doesn't work. I so appreciate everyone's, help. I've been spending all my free time reading posts and learning more. This is our second renovation, but this Shasta was quite a bit further gone than the Yellowstone. |
|
jazw33
Member
Posts: 38
Likes: 6
1966 White Star
Currently Offline
|
Post by jazw33 on Jun 14, 2017 18:43:19 GMT -8
Can't get it until 2018.  You can buy it today and save $100 on one unit, or more on multipacks but you won't get it until next year. Looks awesome. Guess I will be waiting! |
|
cowcharge
1K Member
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 328
Currently Offline
|
Post by cowcharge on Jun 15, 2017 20:34:05 GMT -8
Isn't the intake for the air to be cooled supposed to be in the room so that the air is recirculated and re-cooled, or else it has to work too hard? While the air blowing across the coils to remove the heat drawn out of the room air is a separate stream drawn from outside? So there's two separate air streams?
|
|
flameout
Active Member
Posts: 149
Likes: 23
1968 Shasta StarFlyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by flameout on Jul 7, 2017 14:06:23 GMT -8
I just added a small 5000 btu ac to my 68 Shasta today. I wasn't about to cut any holes and wanted something I could easily install and remove. It takes no more than a minute or two to install or remove and is working great. I just removed 3 panes of glass, cut a piece of plywood for the ac to fit through, and it's own weight hold it in place. I may have to paint the inside plywood with a darker color or wood grain, but I just installed tbis an hour or so, so I'll still tweak it  20170707_143127 by Bill, on Flickr  20170707_143055 by Bill, on Flickr  20170707_143119 by Bill, on Flickr |
|
