Does closing most A/C vents create back-pressure?

Someone may know more than I do, but we used to do that exact same thing in our travel trailer, never had any problems. I would think maybe with less air flow it might ice up in some conditions, but never had that issue.

The reduced airflow over the evaporator can cause ice to form, and lead to a possible freeze up which is not good for the compressor. So you'd have to try it out and see if that happens. As far as the blower fan is concerned that offers no issue. Airflow CFM is directly proportional to current draw. Less airflow = less fan current.

Just slightly off topic but too large an A/C can cool off the air without reducing the humidity which leaves one cold and clammy.

I would be more inclined to put a baffle up to redirect the cold air away from her and toward you. Same as you do with the car vents.

They do make adjustable roof ceiling vents.....

13.5K btu A/C Unit is standard size
15K is the large size

Close off the vent you want....
Unlike furnace---less duct/vents will not cause A/C harm
**Might cause Evap Coil to Ice up which is easy to correct

Dick_B wrote:
Just slightly off topic but too large an A/C can cool off the air without reducing the humidity which leaves one cold and clammy.

Which can be solved by running an electric heater.

sch911 wrote:
Airflow CFM is directly proportional to current draw. Less airflow = less fan current.

For a free standing fan.. Likely true
For the blower in the A/C..... Complex

Closing most of the vents WILL cause back pressure but how much?
Back pressure means less air will flow (Hence the ice up comments)
But it also means the blower is working harder against the pressure
This INCREASES the current draw.

Did you try switching the fan setting to low (most units have a hi or low option).

In S. Cal, it's unlikely you will run into icing as as that's generally an issue with high humidity. The moisture condenses on the fins (like the outside of a glass of ice water) but the fins are below freezing, so it then freezes...gradually it builds up until air can't flow between the fins and you get no air flow. Higher airflow helps avoid that issue. If you close off the vents, it creates a similar issue. If it does happen, just switch to fan only (no air/con) for 10-15min and it will quickly melt the ice.

Another question, do you actually have a ducted air/con? That would be unusual for a really small trailer. Usually the cold air just blows out of the main unit because you don't have to worry about getting cold air to a separate bedroom.
- If you do have a ducted unit, closing off just the vent blowing on your wife, shouldn't cause much issue.
- If it's blowing out of the main unit, you are probably cutting off 50% of the airflow if you close one side. That would be a bit of an issue if you are somewhere humid.

wa8yxm wrote:

sch911 wrote:
Airflow CFM is directly proportional to current draw. Less airflow = less fan current.

For a free standing fan.. Likely true
For the blower in the A/C..... Complex

Closing most of the vents WILL cause back pressure but how much?
Back pressure means less air will flow (Hence the ice up comments)
But it also means the blower is working harder against the pressure
This INCREASES the current draw.

Come on Dave, you know better than that! Work is defined in physics as a force causing the movement (displacement) of an object. If you don't "move" the air, there is no work done. Less movement means less amps from the blower motor.

Did you ever put your hand over the end of a vacuum cleaner hose? The motor speeds up due to less work. Also draws less amps. Get an clamp on amp meter and check me out. You can totally block off the vents and the motor will speed up due to almost no load on the motor.

pianotuna wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Just slightly off topic but too large an A/C can cool off the air without reducing the humidity which leaves one cold and clammy.

Which can be solved by running an electric heater.

Are you suggesting running a heater and the AC at the same time?