In addition to my roof repairs I am replacing the AC unit on my trailer.Does anyone have any experience with the Mini Split Ductless AC Heat Pump reliability on an RV? I have seen installs on youtube and they all claim no problems with it. I worry about the bouncing going down the road causing a freon leak, But when I look at the construction of both roof and ductless I don't see significant difference in the build quality or design. So I'm thinking there should be no problem.Planning to mount the outdoor unit and a generator to a welded platform on the rear of the camper and install a small brush guard and backup camera, and make sure the line-set is insulated and supported properly.The unit I am planning to use ($460.00 delivered).https://www.ebay.com/itm/12000-BTU-15-SEER-110V-Mini-Split-Confort-System-Ductless-AC-Heat-Pump-110V/303081116734Says its good to 600 square ft, I have a little over 200, heating and cooling.I have worked in manufacturing and installed and maintained many AC units. I have all the tools vacuum pump and hoses/gauges.Thoughts? Sanity Check!

I like the idea myself. The noise from the rooftop units is awful. Buy a really good flaring tool and you should be ok.Good luck.

MINIThe concept may be fine but I wonder about the quality of CoNfort vs CoMfort and others like Mitsubishi Carrier etc.The reduced noise would be very nice. Others with AC experience may comment on sizing and if it's too large for the area.Where would you mount it and how do you picture the line set entering the RV? Drain line etc.Wondering if bedroom would get too hot.Some manufacturer offer a ceiling cassette that may fit the existing hole.I've seen mention of flaring issues and it's probably because they single flared vs the double flare. Double flare is easy and no big deal.

The main trouble I have seen using units not made for vehicular use is the compressor mounting. They often use very flexible mounts to reduce noise, but over the road travel will move the compressor enough to break the copper lines.You can deal with it up front, though.

We installed a few of those in guard shacks, they seem to work well, filter changes were frequent and the fans were still nosier than I would have liked, but at least the compressor noise would be moved outside so it was much less noise than a window style unit. Just make sure you isolate it from the frame.

I've had heat pumps in the s @ B for 42 years and IMHO they suck. bumpy

Ductless AC instead of roof mounted AC | Good Sam Community

jplante4
Explorer II
Aug 15, 2019
Could you put up a couple of pics of the installation?
wiskeyVI
Explorer
Aug 16, 2019
I've seen folks use mini splits I "tiny homes" and converted cargo trailers with good results
Planning
Explorer
Aug 16, 2019
lastword wrote:
Mini split Update

Overall I am quite happy with the performance of the Mini split

Would love to see a photographic overview of the installation.
ajriding
Explorer II
Aug 16, 2019
Photos photos photos otherwise this does not make as much sense.

Glad it all worked. I did a lot of research on alternatives to the roof unit.

For the amount you spent on this device, why did you not just put on a roof AC and be done with it? A roof unit is built for the road and you are experimenting as if a house unit will hold up over the years of driving…
Ebay finds are maybe $600-800 or a used one around 400. Hint, I have a used Penguin that is perfect in every way except wont run off a 2200 gen.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Aug 18, 2019
Thank you for the update.
seaeagle2
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
The torque values should be in the installation manual. Those flare fittings are the weak point at this time. There is a whole industry trying to produce an easy to use, reliable tool that will consistently produce a non leaking flare. If it was leaking, and you just tightened it down, it's probably going to leak again at some point.....
mobeewan
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
As far as leaking flared joints, 45 degree conical copper washers have been used for years to seal between leaking 45 degree fittings. Several years ago an a/c auto shop installed 2 in the a/c lines in a vehicle I owned to stop leaks at the 45 degree joints. I and the next owner who is a friend never had another a/c leak.
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Aug 20, 2019
I've used the copper washers mentioned above, and never a leak again in over 20-years.
S_Davis
Explorer
Aug 20, 2019
Be careful messing around with the fittings while the unit is running, R410a systems can have operating pressures above 450psi.

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Ductless AC instead of roof mounted AC

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