luthj
Engineer In Residence
Initial work on this subject is over here.
www.expeditionportal.com
The short of it, I am trying to build a Split AC system in the ~5,000btu range. Limited space, cost, and running occasionally from battery power drove me towards building my own.
I am starting with a 5,000btu mechanical window unit.
I am going to cut in half approximately on this line.
Since the fan is shared between evap and condenser, I bought a used fan for the evaporator.
The plan is to put the compressor and condenser under the van in this space.
I have a pile of copper fittings and some refrigeration copper tubing. Hoping to get the sections separated today. Then I will fabricate some sides to rebox the two halves. The evap unit will also need a bracket to mount the motor.
Another issue is sealing the motor on the outside unit. It will be exposed to dust and moisture. Neither end of the shaft has a seal. One side can just be capped, as I will be cutting the unused shaft off. The other side is 8mm, I think there is room to glue a shaft seal to the motor housing, and then seal the wire penetration. That should eliminate issues with dust/moisture.
![www.expeditionportal.com](https://expeditionportal.com/wp-content/themes/expo4/images/logo-header-k.png)
Overland Sprinter Build
No worries, just explaining why I came to my decision. You can have two of the following in overland vehicles, pick wisely. Lightweight Easy to Use Inexpensive
![www.expeditionportal.com](https://expeditionportal.com/wp-content/themes/expo4/images/logo-header-k.png)
The short of it, I am trying to build a Split AC system in the ~5,000btu range. Limited space, cost, and running occasionally from battery power drove me towards building my own.
I am starting with a 5,000btu mechanical window unit.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50055430517_3b6e5b155f_b.jpg)
I am going to cut in half approximately on this line.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50080756056_99ee650b5c_b.jpg)
Since the fan is shared between evap and condenser, I bought a used fan for the evaporator.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50081002287_e933b65acc_b.jpg)
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50105457717_c931ff70d0_b.jpg)
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50105222151_cf4653fc59_b.jpg)
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50080177368_ba9e8090f0_b.jpg)
The plan is to put the compressor and condenser under the van in this space.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50104765281_8476c59ec4_b.jpg)
I have a pile of copper fittings and some refrigeration copper tubing. Hoping to get the sections separated today. Then I will fabricate some sides to rebox the two halves. The evap unit will also need a bracket to mount the motor.
Another issue is sealing the motor on the outside unit. It will be exposed to dust and moisture. Neither end of the shaft has a seal. One side can just be capped, as I will be cutting the unused shaft off. The other side is 8mm, I think there is room to glue a shaft seal to the motor housing, and then seal the wire penetration. That should eliminate issues with dust/moisture.