Adding a window AC to trailer

John,
Thanks again for the air movement details. I just did some measuring and it would be possible to build a cabinet above the counter top. Sink access will be somewhat limited as the bottom of the cabinet would be above the sink. That sink gets used mainly for teeth brushing and shaving so usage would be possible but a guy 6'2" like myself will have to watch the overhead clearance. That's a small price to pay for air conditioning, IMO.

I will have to check measurements of these small A/C units to see what the cabinet size would be but I'm getting a good feeling about using some cabinetry to get the A/C mostly inside the plane of the rear exterior wall. If I locate the unit in the top "bend" of the wall and can bring some of my metal work skills to bear, this may end up reminiscent of some older round-top buses I recall. In that case, the guts of the A/C were covered with a metal housing so just the back panel of the A/C was visible to the exterior. It was quite presentable, surely better than having the raw A/C housing exposed on three sides.

Depending on the positioning of vents and controls on the front of these small units, I may be able to cheat out a few inches by locating the unit nearly up to the roof level. That would mean cutting the front plastic grill in most cases. I'll know more after selecting the actual unit.

Keep the ideas coming folks. Sometimes my original designs get discovered to be less than optimal.

westend;

Actually, the hot air exits the rear of the AC in the normal way. The fridge vent(s) are used for air intake. The AC cabinet is wider than the AC so that the compressor fan can draw air from the sides in the normal way.

Those are stock photos from kz-rv.com. I have a KZ but not that one.

HTH;
John

full_mosey wrote:

westend wrote:
Sorry, because I think this has been covered in a previous thread but I can't find it.

I want to add a small 5K BTU through a siding panel in my old Starcraft. I have a dedicated receptacle close to this location. Any tips about mounting and sealing would be appreciated.

I have a factory installed AC.

From the outside it looks like This. Notice the fridge vent on the roof.

From the inside it looks like this. The weight is on the top of the fridge cabinetry.

HTH;
John

Thanks, John.
I had seen that type of installation on another brand of trailer but not as elegantly done as yours. Do you believe the heat dissipation through the roof vent and the back panel is adequate? I guess if the A/C works it would be adequate. :W

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I may do something similar as having the rear of the unit projected outboard of the siding just looks tacky. Housing the unit in a cabinet also takes care of any load issues, bypassing the building of a steel frame to support the weight. I'll need to take some measurements to make sure a cabinet doesn't interfere with sink or counter top access. The PO had the A/C flush onto the interior paneling so interference wasn't an issue.

westend wrote:
Sorry, because I think this has been covered in a previous thread but I can't find it.

I want to add a small 5K BTU through a siding panel in my old Starcraft. I have a dedicated receptacle close to this location. Any tips about mounting and sealing would be appreciated.

I have a factory installed AC.

From the outside it looks like This. Notice the fridge vent on the roof.

From the inside it looks like this. The weight is on the top of the fridge cabinetry.

HTH;
John

You could ask this person. (Scroll down a little to see finished product)

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28113784/page/11.cfm

2oldman wrote:
Window air June 2016

Subject: window
subsearch: air

Thanks, you have expanded my search abilities, I've never used subsearch feature. :o

The idea of a steel frame to insure weight handling is now on the drawing board. I have the steel and a welder so that is easy.

I'm fortunate that my TT runs like it's on rails but there are holes and bunps in the roadway. I'll be looking at some shock absorbent materials for installing and longevity.

I'll be off to the store, tomorrow, for picking one up. Forum member "Jim in Denver" has done some looking to get an AC unit that sips the watts. He's able to run it for some time, off grid, by using his solar system and an inverter. I'll be trying to get the same for future off grid action.

Thanks for all that have posted, keep the ideas coming!

Window air June 2016

Subject: window
subsearch: air

Just be sure to provide additional bracing (support) outside because that trailer does a lot more bouncing than you realize from the tow vehicle. I would hate to see it fall out on the highway.

All window air conditioners I have seen had a specific mounting point and there was usually a metal strip or something there for the window weather seal to sit on. I have also seen others that had a seperate mounting bracket and the air conditioner slid into it.

I think you will have no problem determining how far it should intrude into the room. I would just make sure it is slanted down on the outside for water to drain and provide plenty of bracing to hold up the rear of the unit. There will be a lot of bouncing around going on back there when you travel down the road!
Barney

be sure to mount it or provide ducting so that all AC exhaust goes outside, IIRC the units I have seen in TTs,etc. only projected a couple of inches at most to the outside with the bulk of the AC on the inside under cabinets, etc. all things considered I would think of mounting it sort of at the balance point to minimize stress on the wall????
bumpy