New Air Conditioner for the Stealth Van

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Good evening,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I just posted a page showing the new portable A/C and pictures of where it is located.&nbsp; I like it because it is within the van, takes up no space in the living area, and fits the desire to keep the appearance stealthy.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Here is the URL to take you directly to that page...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://vantrekker.blogspot.com/2012/04/stealthy-onboard-air-conditioner.html" target=_blank>http://vantrekker.blogspot.com/2012/04/stealthy-onboard-air-conditioner.html</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>Air conditioner is pretty neat.&nbsp; I really like the bulkhead wall unit you put in.&nbsp; Very nicely done.&nbsp; And...congrats on the weight loss.&nbsp; Feels good don't it!</p>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks for the kind words!&nbsp; The weight loss does feel really good.&nbsp; After long enough, it becomes&nbsp;a lifestyle change because you feel so much better.&nbsp; A person wants to keep up the progress.&nbsp; The best part is that it is a good fit with the more active, outdoor lifestyle, too.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">My sister's challenge of $10/lb doesn't hurt matters, either.&nbsp; It's a great motivator.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Take care!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Brad</p>

 

[yesican]

<p>You are blessed with a great sister! Keep up the good work.</p>

 

[akrvbob]

Brad, I am incredibly impressed by what you've done. Extremely well done!! I would love to have an article for cheaprvliving.com on your story and specifically the bulkhead and air conditioner.&nbsp; It wouldn't be that hard, hopefully you have lots of pictures, if so all you would need to do is write a description of what people are seeing. The article can be anonymous if you like,&nbsp; or you can use your name and put a link to your blog. It should bring you some more readers.&nbsp; Let me know what you think. Bob<br>

 

[Ricekila]

<P>"Brad" --</P><P>Rather than draining the water outside - If you put a catch pail under the drain hose - you&nbsp;have some distilled water - for the van battery / radiator / wash your -- socks ?<BR><BR>( and you got's my first post <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif" align=absMiddle border=0>&nbsp;<IMG src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><BR></P>

 

[dfh]

What a good idea. We have one in the bus as a back up for those really hot FL days, but I'd never thought of using one in a van. It does work great and no cutting holes to exhaust it.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Thanks for the idea, Ricekilla.&nbsp; That water would come in handy!</p>

 

[SoulRaven]

Not to dog or degrade my friends A/C but he does state the need for a genny or shore power, which is cool... but to remind folks that A/C needs a serious power supply... Not a solar supply but a serious battery bank...<br>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Exactly... If you run an A/C of any kind, it's difficult run stealth of any kind, not to mention you have to do something to power it.&nbsp; Wind or solar just won't cut it.&nbsp; I plan to only use it for the worst of the worst hot days....</p>

 

[SoulRaven]

@VT... Man it is so cool you are so honest with the power consumption... We both know the neigh sayers directing the new vandwellers into BS set-ups like a 12V AC setup... Kudos my friend on the set-up... very&nbsp; "cool"<br>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">The portable a/c doesn't need to have be permanently installed.&nbsp; The only thing is that you have to have a way to exhaust the air.... I just run the hose out the window.&nbsp; A person can get as fancy as he/she wants.&nbsp; One thing I like about it is that this coming winter it would take just minutes to remove for the year.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Now that we have had some warm days, it's worked very well so far.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">One update - Ricekilla mentioned that I could catch the leftover water for re-use.&nbsp; There is no water to catch - at least so far.&nbsp; This model boasts of evaporating it's own drain water.&nbsp; We'll see how that actually works during the humid summer...&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">V.T.</p>

 

[offroad]

This is a terrific device for AC. &nbsp;Like that you can place it in location where it can be moved. &nbsp;Would like to see it in trailer setting.&nbsp;

 

[motorandy]

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Just curious, will your e2000i Honda generator power this A/C unit?</span>

 

[VanFan]

I sure would like to hear an update on how the portable A/C worked out once hot weather set in.&nbsp; Has anyone else had experience with a portable in truly hot, humid weather (shore power assumed)?<br><br>Vickie

 

[debit.servus]

The OPs link leads to a "Not Found" page. I hunted down the article and here is the correct/new link:

http://vantrekker.com/2012/04/05/a-stealthy-onboard-air-conditioner/

 

[amwbox]

Something similar I'd been thinking about with a portable unit like this was to leave it on the living side of the bulkhead...but just cut a small round hole that goes through the bulkhead right behind the drivers seat right above floor level. The hot air exhaust hose from the AC could be routed through that hole. Just leave the windows open a bit, and let the hot air escape through them. This way the AC can recirculate the air inside the living area of the van. Easier to empty the water collection, too.

I'd be finding one a lot smaller than 9000 BTU though. Seems like overkill for such a tiny space.

Actually...I suppose its possible to work out a way to do this with a window unit as well...but you'd need some sort of drip pan for condensation. Plus, there would be audible noise coming from the front of the van.

Another option is something like this:
[video=youtube]

 

[LeeRevell]

Something similar I'd been thinking about with a portable unit like this was to leave it on the living side of the bulkhead...but just cut a small round hole that goes through the bulkhead right behind the drivers seat right above floor level. The hot air exhaust hose from the AC could be routed through that hole. Just leave the windows open a bit, and let the hot air escape through them. This way the AC can recirculate the air inside the living area of the van. Easier to empty the water collection, too.

I'd be finding one a lot smaller than 9000 BTU though. Seems like overkill for such a tiny space.

Actually...I suppose its possible to work out a way to do this with a window unit as well...but you'd need some sort of drip pan for condensation. Plus, there would be audible noise coming from the front of the van.

Another option is something like this:
[video=youtube]

I have two portable ACs - an 8KBTU and a 12KBTU.  Both include built-in condensate tanks - part of why they are so danged BIG!  They include a drain plug at the bottom, which you could use to make a drain to drip beneath the vehicle.   Did I mention.....  these units are BIG?  Takes up a LOT of room in a van or small TT.
More expensive than a 5KBTU window shaker too.  Average $300 for the smaller ones, vs. $100 or less for the 5KBTU window unit.

 

[Pops]

<p>Exactly... If you run an A/C of any kind, it's difficult run stealth of any kind, not to mention you have to do something to power it.&nbsp; Wind or solar just won't cut it.&nbsp; I plan to only use it for the worst of the worst hot days.. 

I know it's been awhile since your last post but I would be very interested how it worked out in the dog days of August. Thank you, Pops.