DIY - portable 12 volt air conditioner

toomanyveedubs · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

Audi uses a air to air heat pump on the new Audi concept electric car.
I bet their system is pretty efficient.
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/audi-e-tron-an-electric-supercar-concept/

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Ok--you've got the water intake covered---
Your going to run up the campgrounds water bill or run their well dry.
One of the two--the marine units use a bunch of water.

Now---where are you planning on going with the water that get's used to cool down the evaporator?

Dump it on the ground?

Good--bring your swimming suit or plan on skinney dippin'.

Splish Splash , your going to be taking a bath--

You'll have one hell of a pond when you wake up in the morning---The guy that own's the campground is going to love the new Lake you just built for him.
_________________
T.K.

pushkick · Samba Member Joined: August 09, 2007 Posts: 1366

just thought that it was a good idea to use a marine unit for a campsite where you might have h2o hookup. although the west marine units are expensive they would do the job, just like a swamp cooler. probably cheaper units on the market. since you have water pressure you wouldnt need a pump. this could be an inexpensive way to cool off

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

The Marine units you forwarded are all water cooled, and require a lake or sea water to operate.
Tough to drop your Van in a lake or the intercoastal for water intake.

The self contained units are space sucker's--

The Vanagon has limited interior space as it is--where do you plan on parking these portable home units in your Van?

Tight fit--
_________________
T.K.

pushkick · Samba Member Joined: August 09, 2007 Posts: 1366

i like the dcairco units has anyone used them? how do they work?

i found this site for portable a/c units. i was considering using the 2000 btu or the 7500 btu units they would work if you had electrical hookup at campsite or solar panels and battery and they could work on the road. has anyone tried these units?
http://www.sylvane.com/site/catalog-filter.php?cat...ce_max=400

i found these units on west marine site and they seem pricy but seem like they would work. has anyone used them?
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servle...artial/0/0

i found these units when i did a search for marine or boat a/c they seem like they would do the job for a van. but i dont know if they use the sea water for cooling or a compressor. anyone have first hand knowledge?
http://www.google.com/base/a/2268177/D12967712912532403560

greg334 · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:14 pm Post subject:

Austin sorry I didn't think about it much until now.

I threw it in because I seen too much as an auto parts store owner (we made custom hoses all the time) where people wanted cheap solutions without thinking. They see hydraulic shop and think "hey I can get the hose there too" buying cheaper hydraulic hose instead of A/C hose - that's all.

Prflyer · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:34 pm Post subject:

climberjohn · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

Hi PRflyer,

Go to Terry K's web site:

http://community-2.webtv.net/VanStuff/VanagonWestfalia/

and scroll down about halfway to see his in-window unit. Pretty nifty.
(It's obviously for a stationary vehicle.)
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

Prflyer · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject:

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

<< I am not droping those 5k BTU's home unit on the window!>>

The 5000 BTU window unit I've got doesn't drop on the window.
It hangs from the luggage rack and is suspended in the window hole.

I wouldn't want to drop any AC unit on the window either. Laughing

_________________
T.K.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

<<Also using hydraulic hose to replace high pressure A/C hose is asking for trouble. There is a BIG difference between the two and it is far far better to do the work right the first time by having the hoses made right with fresh material that will last.>>

Greg,

I didn't say that this was your idea--I was wondering who first suggested it as an option.--

at any rate--not a good idea at all, wherever it came from.
_________________
T.K.

Crankey · Samba Member Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2672

if you have a 30 minute commute in a crew cab, it dosn't sound too bad. alot cheaper than retro fitting any vanagon AC system into a non AC truck.

carterzest · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

austinado16 · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject:

Note that I didn't suggest using hydraulic hose for a/c line.

I said to take the hoses to a hydraulic repair shop and they'll re-hose your fittings for you.

Pretty obvious they would use a/c hose, since that's what you were bringing them and telling them it was for.
_________________
4 little pistons hammering themselves silly
__________________________________________
1970 Austin America
1966 Mercedes 250SE Coupe (sunroof & 4 on the floor)
1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel LX P/u
1986 Kawasaki Ninja 600R
1990 GMC 1/2ton 4x4 Suburban
1995 Audi A6 Quattro Avant

Prflyer · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:06 pm Post subject:

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Yo-

Who ever suggested using hydraulic hose for AC line?

Real Big no-no---
_________________
T.K.

greg334 · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:22 pm Post subject:

If you want an add on unit, try this;

http://www.dcairco.com/DC4400.html

Also using hydraulic hose to replace high pressure A/C hose is asking for trouble. There is a BIG difference between the two and it is far far better to do the work right the first time by having the hoses made right with fresh material that will last.


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