debit.servus
Well-known member
I discovered another option for vandweller A/C: Aquarium Chiller as a modular or stealth A/C unit. You can put the chiller in the cab with the windows down, camoflauge it on the exterior of the van, anywhere outside the space to be cooled. You will need plumbing for this A/C option, including a 12v water pump & a couple 120mm PC radiators with computer fans bolted on, and the right size tubing with reduction fittings depending on the components you use. You will need a generator to run these. An aquarium chiller is a great option for stealth vandweller A/C or for modular A/C systems.
If you want to spot cool or have a super-insulated van, 1/10th HP is for you:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B008HV7XA4/
If you want equivalent cooling to an actual A/C unit, you'll need at least Half HP:
https://smile.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Active-Aqua-AACH50-Chiller/dp/B008HV7XA4/
*I don't know if these models I linked to have a duty cycle, meaning if it is rated to run continously like a purpose-built A/C unit.
Some ideas I have:
If the aquarium chiller can consistently output chilled water that is 40 degrees F or below, you have a refridgerator temperature, you can plumb a loop of copper coil, a water to air heat exchanger like a transmission cooler inside an ice chest, ice box or dead fridge to have a way to keep perishables cool. You will need super-insulation and thermal mass for this to keep food at a stable temperature inside, and chill it down at least daily.
If you are good with electronics repair, the aquarium chiller controls may be designed in a way that allows you to remove the controls off the unit and install them elsewhere, or be bypassed for an external control board / thermostat. Or find a chiller with radio (not infra-red) remote control and glue one end of a fiber optic cable to the IR reciever, and the other inside the van. Not needing to touch the unit for daily control will allow way more installation possibilities.
If you want to go elaborate, an aquarium chiller is a great start to building a radiant cooling system in the walls / ceiling, transfer the heat before it gets into the space to be cooled! Integrate into radiant / hot water loop heating systems! Build a modular, zoned HVAC system! You could even add a bucket-sized cooling tower to cool the warm to hot water down right before it returns to the chiller, industrial HVAC shrunk down to mobile dwelling size!
If you want to spot cool or have a super-insulated van, 1/10th HP is for you:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B008HV7XA4/
If you want equivalent cooling to an actual A/C unit, you'll need at least Half HP:
https://smile.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Active-Aqua-AACH50-Chiller/dp/B008HV7XA4/
*I don't know if these models I linked to have a duty cycle, meaning if it is rated to run continously like a purpose-built A/C unit.
Some ideas I have:
If the aquarium chiller can consistently output chilled water that is 40 degrees F or below, you have a refridgerator temperature, you can plumb a loop of copper coil, a water to air heat exchanger like a transmission cooler inside an ice chest, ice box or dead fridge to have a way to keep perishables cool. You will need super-insulation and thermal mass for this to keep food at a stable temperature inside, and chill it down at least daily.
If you are good with electronics repair, the aquarium chiller controls may be designed in a way that allows you to remove the controls off the unit and install them elsewhere, or be bypassed for an external control board / thermostat. Or find a chiller with radio (not infra-red) remote control and glue one end of a fiber optic cable to the IR reciever, and the other inside the van. Not needing to touch the unit for daily control will allow way more installation possibilities.
If you want to go elaborate, an aquarium chiller is a great start to building a radiant cooling system in the walls / ceiling, transfer the heat before it gets into the space to be cooled! Integrate into radiant / hot water loop heating systems! Build a modular, zoned HVAC system! You could even add a bucket-sized cooling tower to cool the warm to hot water down right before it returns to the chiller, industrial HVAC shrunk down to mobile dwelling size!