Securing Portable AC unit When traveling

JCat,

As to your question for securing it, you'll probably need some combination of boards, netting or straps to keep it stable during transit, including not toppling over during steering or braking. However, I can see where such strapping could also hinder movement through the rig, as well, creativity will undoubtedly need to come into play.

Just out of curiosity, what's the BTU rating of the portable A/C you're planning to use? Most rooftop units are 13,500-15,000, and I believe the dash units are usually greater than that. I've seen some larger portable units rated in that range, but there are also a lot of smaller ones in the 5k-8k range, which I don't think will provide the amount of cooling you're looking for. I think you'll want that portable A/C unit right up front with you and then run a long vent hose to exhaust the heat. Maybe you could just vent it into your bathroom and let the bathroom vent exhaust the hot air. Though you'll still have to deal with the water condensate from the A/C.

I think you'll need to set up a fan to blow the cooler air up front. I did play this game for awhile when our compressor clutch failed on our rig. Both 15k roof A/Cs cranking with a fan blowing up front made it tolerable, that was in mid 90's heat. But nothing can compare to having that cold air coming out of the dash vents.

I know nothing about your specific rig, so if this is not on target, then just skip it. But, does your dash A/C work but it's just not cool enough? That was the case with ours and the culprit was that the coolant valve was allowing hot engine coolant to circulate through the heater core while the A/C evaporator was trying to cool it. I put a mechanical shut-off valve in line with the heater core and cool air was delivered once again. Just a thought that might help keep you cool.

One more thing, look for ANY air leaks under or around the dash that can allow hot outside air into the rig. Your DP is a higher class vehicle than our gasser, but I've found several spots in the firewall area that would allow air into the rig. Not usually a problem most times, but when travelling in temperature extremes, hot and cold, they were noticeable.

Good Luck, and let us know how you make out!

~Rick

I think the open vent will remove more cool air than the A/C can put out. And you will have condensate to consider.
Since you already have one, try it and see if works. Maybe a bungee strap to hold it in place. Report back with your results.

What is your plan for the evaporator water? Doug

Warm air will vent out roof of RV using existing vent fan in the back.

If you have not traveled out West in the summer, daytime temps are over 110 degrees.
Roof top air will not cool the cockpit area as it is about 10 feet back and dash air has been really bad since day 1. (Freightliner)

I'm adding IR film to front windshield and a portable AC unit to try and keep us cool, especially when heading into the sun.

Temps below 90 degrees the roof air works fine to cool the cockpit.

How will you be handling the warm air exhaust from the AC or condensation?

Why a portable unit versus existing AC units? Just curious. Or existing system just not enough? We will run our one rooftop AC and the dash AC if needed.