Low BTU AC options ---> turned cheapo 5kBTU install in the Idacamper2.0

[dreadlocks]

that would make sense they had a soft start of some sort already, one of the big sells of those mini aircons is they are more friendly to electrical needs so you can run two of em on the same 15A circuit in an older house.. and if they both cycled at same time and started popping circuits people would just get a bigger unit and some fans instead.

compressor jolt/surge seems to get worse as heat increases tho and runtimes get longer, so keep that in mind for your testing right now.. it waking me up cycling on/off was not something I realized was an issue til 2am in July.. i dont think it shut off all day long and that was first time it rested.

 

[shade]

Only obvious thing, that is mentioned a couple times in the reviews, is that it doesnt even have a drain on it.
So I plan on drilling a few drain holes on it. Easy fix.

Newer window units have a drip ring around the perimeter of the exterior fan that's designed to sling condensation onto the coils to improve performance.

For your installation, I'd imagine you'll want to install the unit with the trailer level, with drain holes in both exterior corners to allow for some grade. As long as the rear is level or lower than the tongue, you shouldn't have water drooling inside. You could also put some valves on the tray if you want the best performance without leaving a wet spot.

 

[IdaSHO]

Thanks for the tips.

Im currently building a thru-wall sleeve out of baltic birch that will house the unit.
It will be glassed, epoxy coated, and painted to match the camper, the inside will be integrated into some cabinets Ive been meaning to build.

The lower portion of the sleeve will be sloped a bit, and be a 3-sided pan, to prevent any moisture from polling and draining into the camper itself.
Once installed the unit will slide in from the inside, fasten in place, seal up with compression foam, and trim installed to finish it out.

Im oversizing the sleeve so that most of the "outside" portion of the AC unit will actually be inside the camper.
The hot side of the unit will only protrude about 3 inches to the outside, but should have enough dead space within the sleeve to draw enough air for cooling.

 

[The Artisan]

idasho I bought a 8k cool and heat through the wall for my pod 3 yrs ago, wish they made a lower btu unit. They are nice as they only vent from the rear so you can enclose it inside and only have a little of the back exposed. I plan to use it a larger flatbed pod and collect the condensation into a tank
Kevin

 

[IdaSHO]

This is why I take lots of photos....

So I dont have to remember exactly how I built things....

The thru-wall sleeve will fit right between the corner and the first stud, fastening to three sides of framing.
Corner, top plate, and stud. Its an 18" wide opening.

 

[IdaSHO]

Shouldn't be a problem, this one isnt special.

Just a compact 16" unit. But another reason to oversize the sleeve a bit, and to use a simple trim ring.

 

[The Artisan]

Shouldn't be a problem, this one isnt special.

Just a compact 16" unit. But another reason to oversize the sleeve a bit, and to use a simple trim ring.

My buddy is a Ac home guru. They do a lot of high end homes. He told me I would need at least 2 feet perimeter on the side vents that is why I like the through the wall units.
Kevin

 

[IdaSHO]

That might be the case for large units, but I have trouble believing it would apply to ALL units, including very small ones like this.
We shall give this setup a go, and see how it does. We are scrapped for space, and the number of times we will actually use it is very small as it is.

If it has trouble breathing, I could easily duct an inlet for it, and could even add a booster fan.

 

[The Artisan]

That might be the case for large units, but I have trouble believing it would apply to ALL units, including very small ones like this.
We shall give this setup a go, and see how it does. We are scrapped for space, and the number of times we will actually use it is very small as it is.

If it has trouble breathing, I could easily duct an inlet for it, and could even add a booster fan.

He just said it wont last as long if ran a lot. They are only $100
Kevin

 

[IdaSHO]

May as well include some documentation of the install here.

Starting with old photos (originally built this camper back in 2012, and a stud finder, I proceeded to do some exploratory drilling on the interior.
As it turns out, the framing is nearly flush with the interior side wall. So the box will be vented thru the side wall as well.

Once framing was confirmed, I penciled in the cut mark, and went to town with the multitool to make the cutout.

Foam removed, showing the entire wall cavity coated with epoxy paint. Still holding up great it seems.
Wont take much prep to mount the AC sleeve to the framing now.
Just a matter of stripping the foam adhesive and the epoxy paint to expose raw framing.
Then the sleeve will be glued in place.

The box/sleeve, made from some left over 3/8 baltic birch I had.

As mentioned, oversized a bit, to encourage some of the needed airflow.
I also tore the AC unit cover off, fabbed some simple aluminum flanges and riveted then in place.

Its snug, but the side vent should keep things happy.
If not, Ill re-address the venting. Still have some options, just dont want to cut the camper any more than I have to.

At thins point I could trim the depth of the box as well, but I like not having the vents exposed to the outside,
as ALL the rain/snow/melt the camper roof sees melts and drains off the back.
As it is, Ill have to install a deflector to keep as much moisture off of the AC unit as I can.
Similar to the deflector I installed over the rear window.

 

[shade]

Under a high thermal load, I think the condensor coil will require more airflow if the photo of it nested in that casement is how it'll be run.

Have you considered mounting it on a slide?

 

[IdaSHO]

No way its going on a slide. More BS, more weight, more chance of a leak into the interior.

Again, the side will receive a vent as well. I have one of these on order, its about 9"x5"

If it still doen't like it, Ill plumb in a forced air vent for it using a booster fan.

 

[shade]

If the vent doesn't work, making a slide wouldn't cost much, weigh much, or increase the BS balance. A slide would allow stowing the unit in a recessed position, so a weather tight plug could be fit in the exterior opening for travel. Not much chance for water or dust intrusion, and the unit would operate at its best.

 

[dreadlocks]

If the vent doesn't work, making a slide wouldn't cost much, weigh much, or increase the BS balance. A slide would allow stowing the unit in a recessed position, so a weather tight plug could be fit in the exterior opening for travel. Not much chance for water or dust intrusion, and the unit would operate at its best.

I like that idea, would mean you'd not have to take it off and plug off the hole in the winter.. just retract it and deal with the loss of room inside.. those things leak so much air through em, would be nice for deserts where it is hot as hell in day and cold at night, could convert it from aircon to heat w/minimal fuss.. just push it in and close the hatch..

however, after further thought the inverse sounds simpler.. build an airtight hatch on the inside that closes down over the front of the AC and leave the aircon fixed.. but the original idea seems like it would more robust to external elements/travel.

 

[IdaSHO]

Again, not going with a slide. I simply do not have the space, nor am I willing to add complexity and additional potential for leaks.
Space alone, as it is, it JUST slips between two studs. To do a slide properly, Id need more width, as I would do a box within a box slide.
Just ain't happening.

And no, we will not be installing a seasonal cover on the outside. That portion of the camper when on the truck is 8+ feet off the ground.
I will however, pull the little AC unit out, wrap the "outside" portion of it in a nylon cover, then reinstall. Then it should be winter friendly.

The exterior will receive a stainless or aluminum expanded metal/grate cover however, to protect the AC unit itself.


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I was able to install the box this afternoon. Wet set in a nice bed of PL Premium, adhering the box to framing on 3 sides as well as the inside of the exterior skin, and pinned together with stainless brads. Once cured the opening to the exterior will be rough cut then flush trimmed and rounded with the router to make a smooth transition.

A fresh order of my preferred non-blushing marine epoxy arrives tomorrow, but Ill let this set and cure until the weekend before pushing onto glass and epoxy.

Some photos...

Also, between the box and the rear window Ill be installing a small cabinet to house the wife's books. Must have a library