Mini-Split AC for TC

[tcdave]

Sounds like a bad rap song huh?

anyway, getting ready for a trip out west, really looking into installing a Mini-split AC/Heat pump system on my truck camper. It's cheaper and i can bypass all the electrical since i found one that is 110v.

Anybody done this?

[tcdave]

more pics at:

http://davestruckcamper.blogspot.com/

[tcdave]

I also wanted to point out to my dually friends, my front jack extensions. I had a friend help me out with the fabrication of those. It's basically 3" stainless tube steel in 2.5 tube steel,cut out the welds so they slide into each other.

I had terrible luck with the reico titan stuff. It's junk IMO. With these extensions i pull the pin out, and the extension comes right out. So the camper has no parts hanging out while driving.

[tcdave]

Yeah sure...

I purchased the unit from minisplitwarehouse.com

http://www.minisplitwarehouse.com/AirCon_9,000_Btu_13_Seer_110v_Mini_Split_Heat_Pump_AC_A13CHEM4H4G09/p315964_9526459.aspx


It's a 9,000 BTU heat pump. It requires 110v 15amp. I could have wired it right to my convert because i do have a 30amp converter, but i choose not to do that. It uses a little over 2 pounds of freon, the indoor air exchanger is about 36 inches wide 12 inches tall. I had to remove one of my cabinets to put it in. 😞 But i'm glad it did. The unit has AC/Fan/Dehumidifier/Heater/Auto setting. The auto setting keeps the camper at 76 no matter what. I use it when i'm getting ready for a trip, it manages the fan speed temp and everything. It also has auto fan speed and tilt. fancy dancy stuff..


About the install.
I took the outside unit cover off, bolted it to angle iron on the heavy side, alum bracket on the light side. The angle iron runs in the well of the camper, it's bolted to the camper twice on the vertical side, and lag bolts on the horizontal side. The other angle bracket is aluminum a friend made for me that is bolted thru the camper.

You can install all the wires and copper tubes yourself, but i paid my friend $250 to install and check for leaks since he is a HVAC guy. There were no leaks. However, if i were to do it again, i would by a unit that needed the copper lines welded rather than nuted. Nuts works, welds are better.

As you can see, only one hole was cut. The water drain is the white tube coming out. IMO, it is twice as quiet as a roof unit, plus it is very very nice inside. The fan motor is very quiet and adjustable, my kids slept like rocks, and no hole in my roof, plus the DW thinks it looks pleasant.

In 97 degree Maryland weather, i set it to 73, and in the camper it's about 68. It will freeze you right out. Don't know about the heat yet, but i will keep you updated.

If you have any other questions let me know.

[c_traveler2]

tcdave wrote:

Do you have any more information regarding the photo above, I think that's the frist mini-split system I've seen in a TC. Post a report on it and lots of photos.

[Scott16]

Glad it worked out for you. Something to think about for later on if needed.
Scott

[tcdave]

[tcdave]

Hi guys it's been a while since i've been on. Well i did install a mini split to my truck camper, and i have to say it's been the best mod i've done yet. The unit cost $600, install cost was $250. It works like a charm. We drove from the east coast to the midwest and back. Thru Chicago and all the crappy roads you could imagine. No leaks or problems.

[cewillis]

tcdave wrote:

cewillis wrote:
There are some 12v dc mini-splits designed for mobile applications -- if you have big bucks, and plenty of battery and charging capacity.

30amps holy cow...

That's at 12c dc. ~equivalent to 3 amps at 120v ac.

[tcdave]

yeah i've gone back a forth with the window unit idea. I built my camper with seamless alum siding and i really don't want to cut a hole in it... but it would be a lot cheaper.

[dbrojr]

just do this....rear window mount type...made by ge...travel cool...mostly plastic,ship weight was 17lbs. 110 volt.

[bka0721]

You might want to check on how effective a heat pump will be, in climates with dry humidity. Many areas of the west have very low humidity. Be sure to buy a stick of Chapstick, when you travel west.

[Bedlam]

I would rather see basement air and heat that would vent to the rear. Maintenance access could be through a floor hatch inside.

[bigfootford]

I often wondered how hard it would be to split a small window unit... Lowes etc has 5,000-8,000 btu units for around $100.00..

Jim

[okeehandyman]

I think that if I were going to attempt to use other than a rooftop A/C on my TC, I would modify the rear ladder to allow access to the rear window and just figure a way to mount a small window style unit. I have seen a couple such installations on units that did not have roof air.