Mini-split in compartment

[Dirtyrhoades77]

Hi all, I'm in the planning stages of a Class C boondocker, loaded with solar panels, a big 24v battery, all that.

I'd like to install a mini-split up near the front of the vehicle, so when the sun is up and the heat is on, the living area is cool. I'm planning on a 9000btu unit as I think that would be enough if the roof is covered in panels providing some shielding from direct sun. I'd like to cram the external unit into a compartment nearby so it's close to the head unit, and on the driver's side so it's not disrupting the awning space on the passenger side. I'd have the fan exhaust blowing straight out the side, cutting a hole in the panel door for it.

The exterior unit's dimensions are in inches 32w*22h*14d.

Assuming I'm willing and able to remove the generator or propane if necessary, or modify whatever other type of compartment is in that area, are those compartments big enough to accommodate those dimensions?

I imagine the height is the biggest problem, it would hang down a bit. I'd have to bolt or weld in a frame for it to sit on, preferring to keep the rubber grommet to sit on to absorb some of the vibration.

Does that sound doable? I'd much rather make this work than do a bedroom/bumper mount.

[DrewE]

The typical Onan QG4000 (aka KY series) generator used in many/most class C motorhomes is 30" (long) x 19" (wide) x 14" (tall). A typical built-in propane tank is very roughly the same height once you include a mounting bracket/cage for the generator. I think you'd have difficulty with the height in most cases, and probably not have enough ground clearance to comfortably hang the unit down in such spaces. (Personally, I would not remove the generator or propane system, either; both are quite valuable for boondocking.)

An underbed storage compartment is about the only one that would be sufficiently tall on most class C's. It might also be practical to work something out in the cabover section if you're willing to give up that interior space. Also, it may be possible to "take over" some space above the floor and inside/underneath a sofa or dinette to get the necessary height; that would be highly dependent on the exact layout of your RV.

[wanderingaimles]

The ones I've seen, they mounted the outside portion on the rear of the rig to allow sufficient airflow to cool it.