I've spent that last couple of hours perusing the posts concerning air conditioning a TD/TTT. Most of the time we are nowhere near an electric hookup when we use our TTT, and the thought of listening to a generator all night doesn't appeal to me much either.
So, while pondering a solution my thoughts have turned to our first year of marriage; just the two of us, struggling through our first semester of junior college, no kids, living in a 28' Shasta travel trailer...ah, memories! (is it any wonder we love the cosiness of our TTT?)
I digress. During the whole 15 or so months that we lived in that thing the only time our electric bill exceeded the $12 minimum (1981/82) was when we used a small window unit and an oscillating fan simultaneously. (With just the ac it was still less than $12!) I attribute the low bill mainly to the fact that everything electrical in there was 12v, running off of a small inverter. But, the refrigerator was a 3-way, LP,12VDC, 110VAC unit. it worked beautifully in any mode. Instead of using a freon/compressor system it used ammonia that was heated by either a propane flame or an electric heating element. We used the 110 mode almost exclusively.
If that system works so well cooling 12 cubic feet to -40˚ (or colder in the freezer comp.) why couldn't it, or something similar, cool the 96 cubic feet of our TTT to 72˚?
Here's an explanation of how the system works: http://www.lpappliances.com/G-Absorp.html
Some discussion on an rv website http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15434119/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm
kinda poo poos the idea, but I don't think it is so out of the question for our sized stuff. And as for the "nasty chemicals" concerns, they have ammonia in their fridges, what's the difference?
It appears that since it relies on gravity for circulation that you'd have to leave everything in a vertical position. Which is probably a bonus-it could be a thin unit built into a wall. An enterprising individual could start manufacturing ready-made wall units for TD/TTT's!
Another factor that I am uncertain of is would it dehumidify the air?
Anyone have any insights?
Thanks!
pbbelly