Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Spent yesterday & today framing the rear wall that separates the living & storage areas and holds the AC unit. Used a combination of 2 x 2s, 2 x 3s and 2 x 4s because I had them laying around. I also had some cut off 1" foam board insulation left over from the walls, so I cut and fit it into this wall. When I framed the AC opening in the wall, I framed it large enough for an 8000 btu unit, then I put removable fillers in to size it for the 6k unit I'm installing. I used a Norcold Refrigerator Vent in the rear door as the AC exhaust vent. Cut the opening, framed the opening inside the door with wood to give the screws something to bite in to and reinforce the door. Residential window flashing ripped to 1 1/2" strips around the entire opening (this insures that should water get in, it can't run down inside the door), the butyl tape on the vent frame. Here is my progress so far.

Looks good!

featherlite - Thanks. I still have to run a bracket from the legs to the wall to permanently secure them, run the drain tube from the AC thru the floor and strap the AC to the support legs.

The bulk of the AC install is done. The unit is mounted, wired, drain tube installed and foam duct enclosure around he exhaust when the door is closed. I sealed the opening around the unit in the wall, both in the living area and the storage area with rubberized window flashing. I built a "beauty ring" to match my window frames for the living area side of the unit. The AC sits on the wall frame and is secured in the front with screws through the window frame mount and in the rear with plumber's tape screwed into the AC case and the rear support frame. I drilled the bottom of the Ac pan and siliconed in a drain tube fitting with the drain tube running down through the floor. I used part of a 12 gauge extension cord to power the Ac from the breaker box. The AC is plugged into a switch that activates a second receptacle when the AC is on. (I also pulled a 12 gauge line from the AC receptacle down to a receptacle in the living area to plug a heater into. I figue this is ok because I'll never run the heater and Ac at the same time).When the AC is shut off, the second receptacle loses power. I'll plug the 110v intake fan into the switch so it only runs when the AC is on. I also got the foam board exhaust duct secured to the exhaust vent on the rear door. The only thing left is the fresh air intake vent. Not sure if it will go in the sidewalls or the floor (definitely not the roof). Give me your thoughts on that please.

jwh92020, Howdy;


Just a thought, why not install a vent from the living quarters for your
air supply for the A/C. Promotes a good exchange of air and you won't
need to worry about rain, dust and other unwanted 'stuff' getting in.
Something near the ceiling to get the warmer air out quicker ... keeping
the air circulating is the key.


hank

hank - I'm not AC expert, but wouldn't that create a "vacuum" effect, llike using a single hose portable ac? Pulling the cooled air from the living area would also pull outside air with it, would it not?

jwh92020 wrote:hank - I'm not AC expert, but wouldn't that create a "vacuum" effect, llike using a single hose portable ac? Pulling the cooled air from the living area would also pull outside air with it, would it not?

Yes it would be just like the one hoser.


The install looks great. Just put an intake somewhere in that space on the side and dust should not be an issue. On the floor, it will be.. There are very nice side vents available.

Two like these would do it. Can put one on each side.


RV ATV Cycle Truck Cargo Work Trailer Side Air Vents

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006R5LLLY/re ... 6BbFD5K99F


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

jwh92020, Howdy;

jwh92020 wrote:hank - I'm not AC expert, but wouldn't that create a "vacuum" effect, llike using a single hose portable ac? Pulling the cooled air from the living area would also pull outside air with it, would it not?

Only if you don't replace it ... which is what you are doing with the A/C on.

I don't claim to be one either, however when I thought about it I was think along the lines of
how the cold air return works for a Heating system only reversing the flow, sort of ...

Cold air return is near the floor to help circulate the air within the container. By placing the
Warm air return for your A/C up near the ceiling you would be accomplishing the same effect
only for cooling instead of heating.It's all about air circulation. As I said at the beginning of that post,
" Just a thought,"

hank

Don - Put 1 vent on each side wall of trailer? Should they be at the height of the side vents on the AC unit or higher/lower? I like the idea of these vents because they can be aimed down and to the rear to prevent water intrusion while driving. I was planning on putting a 110v muffin fan in to help with intake air draw. Wired into the yellow vacuum switch in the pic, it will only run while the AC is running.

jwh92020 wrote:Don - Put 1 vent on each side wall of trailer? Should they be at the height of the side vents on the AC unit or higher/lower? I like the idea of these vents because they can be aimed down and to the rear to prevent water intrusion while driving. I was planning on putting a 110v muffin fan in to help with intake air draw. Wired into the yellow vacuum switch in the pic, it will only run while the AC is running.

That is what I was thinking. One vent on each side and higher up. Position is not important to the AC in this case. The vents are just needed ro replace the air drawn by the AC fan in the closed compartment. I do not think a muffin fan will be needed. Placement higher up and facing to rear will keep out dust and water while going down the road.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Don - Thanks for the help. I'm going to order a pair of the vents. Another upside to these is that you see them on tons of CT's, so they won't look out of place. I bought a newer version of the vacuum switch to carry with me for work, so I'll leave the one in the trailer. If the vents need some help, everything will be in place. Next order of business is to figure out the bed - 'Murphy" vs Sliding Sofa Bed.

hank - Thanks for helping out. I understand the thought process. I set the area up with the idea of bringing outside air in, so I'm going to go that route. Plus, moving air through the storage area will help keep heat build up down even when the AC isn't running (I think)

jwh92020 wrote:hank - Thanks for helping out. I understand the thought process. I set the area up with the idea of bringing outside air in, so I'm going to go that route. Plus, moving air through the storage area will help keep heat build up down even when the AC isn't running (I think)

Hank, I think you are confusing the internal return (evaporator/cooling coil) with the Condenser return. There are two parts that need an air return. We are just talking about the outside condenser air source.

flboy &jwh92020, Howdy;

Ok, I can take a hint, suggestion rejected. No problem.

hank