Custom Air Conditioning Retrofit

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Spare tire that is displaced off the back is getting located underneath towards the front on a winch that can be lowered with the same drill and socket used for the stabilizers. More to come...

Spare tire was mounted underneath the front A-frame with a Lippert winch. With the tanks, axles and underfloor foam the feasible locations are limited. Front storage box was removed and support takes advantage of those attachment brackets. 11-1/4" ground clearance is maintained. The tire was flipped over after the picture to face the valve stem down for more convenient maintenance of air pressure.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Cargo/Li.../LC159056.html

[rubicon327]

Finished the mini-split heat pump install today. Looks and works amazing. Have about 30 hours into it. Used the 3’ flexible refrigerant lines at the condenser which worked out great. These were fed up into the trailer and attached to the main lines with a straight connector. All flares were meticulously done to ensure a tight system. A custom cover by Jake finishes off the outdoor unit nicely. This is a true game changer for anyone tired of the loud, outdated RV air conditioners available. Jake took a big risk having someone do custom work on his brand new trailer but now he will reap the rewards...ultra quiet cooling, dehumidifying and heating. I’ll post a couple of videos of the unit in operation soon.

[cpaharley2008]

That does look neater and nice, any ideas on weight change, front to rear?

[Patandlinda]

Fantastic install Dave ! Pat

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

That does look neater and nice, any ideas on weight change, front to rear?

Jim: The outdoor unit is 64# and indoor is 16#. Add probably another 15# for steel on the rear. The spare tire at 50# was moved to under the front A-frame. Add maybe another 10# for steel and the winch/crank bar. The tire bracket on the rear was removed. Bear in mind if one elects the A/C unit from Escape that is 100# so overall it is about a wash as far as overall weight gain.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Fantastic install Dave ! Pat

Thanks Pat. A lot of planning and detailed work to make it right. I know you can appreciate that.

[rubicon327]

You can see videos of the indoor and outdoor units running on the new 21 at the YouTube link below. Not much different from the videos from 2016 on the 19. Common theme: QUIET!!

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCRqH4...j84Exw_iw/feed

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Thanks Pat. A lot of planning and detailed work to make it right. I know you can appreciate that.

Yes Sir ! Pat

[Mike G]

I recommend placing a sticker next to the "on" switch, stating: "Be sure to remove outer cover before starting!" One brain fart could burn the thing out.

[viator36]

Originally Posted by Mike G

I recommend placing a sticker next to the "on" switch, stating: "Be sure to remove outer cover before starting!" One brain fart could burn the thing out.

Good advice!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Mike G

I recommend placing a sticker next to the "on" switch, stating: "Be sure to remove outer cover before starting!" One brain fart could burn the thing out.

Great advice. On the 19 we did exactly that. On the remote we placed a P-touch label that says “Remove Outside Cover”.

Jake: if you don’t have a P-touch label maker just tell me what you want it to say and I’ll mail it to you.

[viator36]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Jake: if you don’t have a P-touch label maker just tell me what you want it to say and I’ll mail it to you.

Dave, yes please send me a label with the same words “Remove Outside Cover” on it. Thanks!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by viator36

Dave, yes please send me a label with the same words “Remove Outside Cover” on it. Thanks!

Going in the mail today. I made you two each of small and medium size text.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

.. any ideas on weight change, front to rear?

Originally Posted by rubicon327

The outdoor unit is 64# and indoor is 16#. Add probably another 15# for steel on the rear. The spare tire at 50# was moved to under the front A-frame. Add maybe another 10# for steel and the winch/crank bar. The tire bracket on the rear was removed. Bear in mind if one elects the A/C unit from Escape that is 100# so overall it is about a wash as far as overall weight gain.

The change in front to rear weight distribution could readily be calculated, if the stock and modified location of each of these components were known (as a horizontal distance from any consistent reference point, such as the axle or coupler).

[War Eagle]

63,000+ views of this thread and climbing. I'd say your A/C mod is definitely "trending," Dave!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

63,000+ views of this thread and climbing. I'd say your A/C mod is definitely "trending," Dave!

Maybe so, but there are still only 2 in existence in Escapes! This is so transformative it is hard to even put into words. I'm waiting for other serious DIYers to follow my lead...or better yet for RV manufacturers to work with an aftermarket company to implement a quiet split system that is available as an option similar to what Kimberley did in Australia. Quiet cooling, dehumidifying and heating and a host of other tangible benefits. Inverter technology is nothing new. Consumers need to demand more than we are currently getting from Dometic and Coleman!

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Maybe so, but there are still only 2 in existence in Escapes! This is so transformative it is hard to even put into words. I'm waiting for other serious DIYers to follow my lead...or better yet for RV manufacturers to work with an aftermarket company to implement a quiet split system that is available as an option similar to what Kimberley did in Australia. Quiet cooling, dehumidifying and heating and a host of other tangible benefits. Inverter technology is nothing new. Consumers need to demand more than we are currently getting from Dometic and Coleman!

While I appreciate the difficulty of the task for you to retrofit, it seems what you have done would be relatively easy for ETI to install during the build. Perhaps they (Reace? the new management structure?) can be convinced to make it an extra-cost option in the future. You've blazed the trail. I hope ETI follows your lead.

[padlin]

I'd consider going this route if I hadn't already spent $1000 on the one on the roof. For how little we use it it's not worth the upgrade. Impressive job.

[Donna D.]

I'll probably never have A/C. I'll try to outrun the heat


Still waiting to hear about this window unit. I'd like something easy in/out and could store it under the bed until needed.


https://www.kapsulair.com/

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by padlin

I'd consider going this route if I hadn't already spent $1000 on the one on the roof. For how little we use it it's not worth the upgrade. Impressive job.

I respect that since your use is minimal and you are already invested.

For the rest of us especially those in warmer climates just imagine for a moment if a trailer manufacturer like Escape took the time to engineer and implement a sleek, split system that

-provides cooling, dehumidifying, heating and fan modes
-is whisper quiet inside and outside
-has inverter compressor technology that reduces amp draw and improves dehumidification versus an oversized constant speed compressor
-provides cooling to 115F, heating down to 15F
-lowers overall trailer height
-creates less aerodynamic drag
-provides for a nicer overall exterior look/profile (especially on smaller trailers)
-has less weight (and possibly the ability to position condenser underneath or where the weight might be desired to positively affect tongue weight)
-provides more room on roof for solar
-no roof opening or opening used for passive ventilation/light or add'l fan
-creates more headroom inside trailer
-auto restart and compressor protection time delay (set EMS on 15 sec delay instead of 2:16 just to protect your A/C)
-no condensate dripping down side of trailer
-easily run on 2KW generator (with no hard start capacitors or SmartStart system to worry about)
-with economy mode (580W) possible to run off inverter tied to lithium battery bank and solar?

Those that want/need A/C deserve better! What's not to love?