Portable Air Conditioner

[Rawlings]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Not exactly what you want, but this might help give you some ideas.
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/4-...tml#post272600

hmm that looks like it solves the problem of having it hang out of the back, does it impact the efficiency of the ac unit being under the bus where there isn't a whole lot of space or fresh air? Also would there be any health concerns if taking in air from near the engine? I guess as long as engine as engine is off and far from exhaust.

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by Rawlings

hmm that looks like it solves the problem of having it hang out of the back, does it impact the efficiency of the ac unit being under the bus where there isn't a whole lot of space or fresh air? Also would there be any health concerns if taking in air from near the engine? I guess as long as engine as engine is off and far from exhaust.

Mine are underneath.



I’ve got doors in the skirt I can open if I need to, but they seem to do just fine.

The HVAC guy that helped me with pulling a vacuum said he thought I would be fine-he had seen much worse.

[david.dgeorge07]

And proximity to engine doesn’t matter as far as the air quality is concerned. No air is moved into the bus.

Heat may be another issue though.

[david.dgeorge07]

Haha! Just saw that the link was to my build! Doh!

Finally added protection yesterday.

The only problem I’ve had is that if the bus is leaning toward the driver’s side and sloping downhill I get a condensate leak out of the front of the unit. I had no good option for a steeper drain path.

[david.dgeorge07]

One thing that I did just think of recently is that depending on where your condensate drain dumps out you do have the possibility of exhaust fumes coming back up the condensate line and out of the bottom of the tray in the indoor unit. I recently realized this and have installed a P-trap at the end of the condensate line so there is no easy way for fumes to travel back up the tube.

My rear condensate line empties within just a few feet of the tail pipe.

[Rawlings]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

One thing that I did just think of recently is that depending on where your condensate drain dumps out you do have the possibility of exhaust fumes coming back up the condensate line and out of the bottom of the tray in the indoor unit. I recently realized this and have installed a P-trap at the end of the condensate line so there is no easy way for fumes to travel back up the tube.

My rear condensate line empties within just a few feet of the tail pipe.

Could you upload pictures of the condensate line and the p-trap installed, I am curious.

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by Rawlings

Could you upload pictures of the condensate line and the p-trap installed, I am curious.

Nothin fancy.

[somewhereinusa]

The only problem I’ve had is that if the bus is leaning toward the driver’s side and sloping downhill I get a condensate leak out of the front of the unit. I had no good option for a steeper drain path

The evaporator units I've seen had provision to change condensate drain from side to side. I put a drain at each end then to a T. These things make a LOT of water.

My condensers are mounted similar to david.dgeorge07 the rear is in the original factory air position on the left side, the front is between the frame rails right behind the front bumper.

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

The evaporator units I've seen had provision to change condensate drain from side to side. I put a drain at each end then to a T. These things make a LOT of water.



My condensers are mounted similar to david.dgeorge07 the rear is in the original factory air position on the left side, the front is between the frame rails right behind the front bumper.

I did the double drain as well. I feel like I’m still missing something...not draining correctly...

[jacksonon]

Originally Posted by Bakadev

I've been reading some threads on air conditioning and was originally leaning towards 1 or 2 units in the escape hatches but then I read about some people using portable ac units. With the portable you can just cool the area you're staying in at the moment. Also since we're only using our Skoolie for cross country travel/vacation and not long term living I like being able to take the AC unit out and use it elsewhere if needed. If we went this route then I think I would put fans in the ceiling instead of ac.

That being said, does anyone else use portable ac units and what's been your experience? What's the power draw like on these? I haven't gotten to the electrical stage yet but I imagine this might draw more power than 1-2 roof units.
https://www.gearhunder.com/best-port...r-conditioner/

Also, coincidentally, I just got an email this morning about a woot deal for a refurbished portable unit: https://home.woot.com/offers/lg-10-0...=hm_cnt_wp_0_1

Based on the current development of portable, I would suggest that you choose a portable with an evaporation system instead of a double hose portable. First of all, they are more mobile, you don't have to fix it in a certain position in order to extend the hose out of the window. Second, it is more environmentally friendly.
Evaporation system ＞ Double hose ＞ Single hose