Sliding AC--has anyone tried this?

[Digcolnagos]

 

[Iceni John]

That's exactly what I have in mind for a small window-mount A/C to cool my bedroom! The middle of the three overhead cabinets above the bed will house the A/C, and it will be on a slide-mount to move it back into the outside air when I want to run it. I'll have a small top-hinged door on the outside that will open when the A/C is pushed out, but when it's closed the A/C will be completely hidden from view. I'll make the A/C's mount and air plenum from stainless steel and aluminum, like everything else inside the bus.

John

 

[HamSkoolie]

There are "wall mount" AC units available and metal enclosures for them. You can mount a "wall mount" unit enclosure so that it is flush with the outside wall and not have to worry about sliding things in and out.

The only advantage I can see with building a sliding unit is if it clears up space on the interior. Perhaps I haven't thought of all the possibilities?
As for mounting it in a cabinet that hides it and then pushing it out, you can't then put anything in that cabinet or you'd be blocking the incoming cool air. I think a wall mount with enclosure might be a better bet.
Come to think of it, sliding one out to get counter space would mean not much could go on the counter. Though it you're prepping food on that spot I suppose you'd never get hot.
Am I missing something?

 

[Hutchy-SKO]

There are "wall mount" AC units available and metal enclosures for them. You can mount a "wall mount" unit enclosure so that it is flush with the outside wall and not have to worry about sliding things in and out.

The only advantage I can see with building a sliding unit is if it clears up space on the interior. Perhaps I haven't thought of all the possibilities?
As for mounting it in a cabinet that hides it and then pushing it out, you can't then put anything in that cabinet or you'd be blocking the incoming cool air. I think a wall mount with enclosure might be a better bet.
Come to think of it, sliding one out to get counter space would mean not much could go on the counter. Though it you're prepping food on that spot I suppose you'd never get hot.
Am I missing something?

a cheap window ac and heavy duty drawer slides you're looking at $200, the wall units start about $600. Then you have to mount it, with his method you could take it in and out in about 10 minutes for 3 seasons and still have that window/space for 8-9 months of the year

 

[Digcolnagos]

There are "wall mount" AC units available and metal enclosures for them. You can mount a "wall mount" unit enclosure so that it is flush with the outside wall and not have to worry about sliding things in and out.

The only advantage I can see with building a sliding unit is if it clears up space on the interior. Perhaps I haven't thought of all the possibilities?
As for mounting it in a cabinet that hides it and then pushing it out, you can't then put anything in that cabinet or you'd be blocking the incoming cool air. I think a wall mount with enclosure might be a better bet.
Come to think of it, sliding one out to get counter space would mean not much could go on the counter. Though it you're prepping food on that spot I suppose you'd never get hot.
Am I missing something?

Advantages I see:

1. Thievery. If you slide it inside the bus when not needed, it's harder to steal.

2. No holes in bus. This seems an easy--comparatively--install.

The 6,000 BTU unit I've ordered for $200 is 11.13 inches high, 17.31 inches wide and 14.38 inches in depth. While every square inch is precious, I think I can live with giving up this much space.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

what is your idea for flashing it in while in use?
and have re-usable flashing and still be able to raise and lower that window?
on a skoolie nothing easy is ever a perfect fit.
sealed for going down the road and sealed why A/C is deployed?
more than just slides going on there.

 

[Hutchy-SKO]

you slide it in and close the window when youre driving. You can shove anything in the gaps, cut some foamboard to fit maybe? use whatever you find at Home D? I feel like the wood frame is really unnecesary, you just need a cabinet or shelf to mount the slides imo.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

slide whatever in?
it is already undersized?
any help you can give it?

 

[Hutchy-SKO]

slide whatever in?
it is already undersized?
any help you can give it?

yeah I mean obviously it's not gonna cool your bus down to 65, it's mainly gonna just dehumidify and cool it down 5-7 degrees maybe in a shorty. Just something to make it tolerable on those muggy nights?

 

[Digcolnagos]

you slide it in and close the window when youre driving. You can shove anything in the gaps, cut some foamboard to fit maybe? use whatever you find at Home D? I feel like the wood frame is really unnecesary, you just need a cabinet or shelf to mount the slides imo.

Agree on frame being unnecessary--seems something to put a microwave on. Then again, I have a microwave.

With or without frame/shelf/microwave, seems a solution, space allowing. I probably should have mentioned, this bus will not be going down many roads in the next 1-2 years. It will be a live-aboard.