JCat
Big Apple, SoCal, Big D, everywhere USA
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Hi crew, I have purchased a portable AC unit that I will use to cool the cockpit when traveling in the hot desert areas.
I need to secure it so it does not roll around when driving.
I'm thinking straps or wood or net or a combination.
Really have not figured it out yet.
So has anyone else done this and if yes how did you do it ?
Thanks
JCat & PCat
2004 Mandalay 40D
CAT C7 350 HP
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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Joined: 06/05/2011
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How will you be handling the warm air exhaust from the AC or condensation?
Why a portable unit versus existing AC units? Just curious. Or existing system just not enough? We will run our one rooftop AC and the dash AC if needed.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2016 Newmar Baystar Sport 3004
2015 Jeep Wrangler 2dr HT
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JCat
Big Apple, SoCal, Big D, everywhere USA
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Warm air will vent out roof of RV using existing vent fan in the back.
If you have not traveled out West in the summer, daytime temps are over 110 degrees.
Roof top air will not cool the cockpit area as it is about 10 feet back and dash air has been really bad since day 1. (Freightliner)
I'm adding IR film to front windshield and a portable AC unit to try and keep us cool, especially when heading into the sun.
Temps below 90 degrees the roof air works fine to cool the cockpit.
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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What is your plan for the evaporator water? Doug
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Tyler0215
Iowa
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I think the open vent will remove more cool air than the A/C can put out. And you will have condensate to consider.
Since you already have one, try it and see if works. Maybe a bungee strap to hold it in place. Report back with your results.
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Rick Jay
Greater Springfield area, MA
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JCat,
As to your question for securing it, you'll probably need some combination of boards, netting or straps to keep it stable during transit, including not toppling over during steering or braking. However, I can see where such strapping could also hinder movement through the rig, as well, creativity will undoubtedly need to come into play.
Just out of curiosity, what's the BTU rating of the portable A/C you're planning to use? Most rooftop units are 13,500-15,000, and I believe the dash units are usually greater than that. I've seen some larger portable units rated in that range, but there are also a lot of smaller ones in the 5k-8k range, which I don't think will provide the amount of cooling you're looking for. I think you'll want that portable A/C unit right up front with you and then run a long vent hose to exhaust the heat. Maybe you could just vent it into your bathroom and let the bathroom vent exhaust the hot air. Though you'll still have to deal with the water condensate from the A/C.
I think you'll need to set up a fan to blow the cooler air up front. I did play this game for awhile when our compressor clutch failed on our rig. Both 15k roof A/Cs cranking with a fan blowing up front made it tolerable, that was in mid 90's heat. But nothing can compare to having that cold air coming out of the dash vents.
I know nothing about your specific rig, so if this is not on target, then just skip it. But, does your dash A/C work but it's just not cool enough? That was the case with ours and the culprit was that the coolant valve was allowing hot engine coolant to circulate through the heater core while the A/C evaporator was trying to cool it. I put a mechanical shut-off valve in line with the heater core and cool air was delivered once again. Just a thought that might help keep you cool.
One more thing, look for ANY air leaks under or around the dash that can allow hot outside air into the rig. Your DP is a higher class vehicle than our gasser, but I've found several spots in the firewall area that would allow air into the rig. Not usually a problem most times, but when travelling in temperature extremes, hot and cold, they were noticeable.
Good Luck, and let us know how you make out!
~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy Cruise Master 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (27-Angel since 2008), 1 girl (22), 2 boys (23 & 20).
2001 Honda Odyssey, Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.
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JCat
Big Apple, SoCal, Big D, everywhere USA
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Thanks Rick for answering my question instead of asking questions on items that I have already figured out.
Dash air is ****.
Portable unit is 12K BTU
I sealed up dash leaks a few years ago.
So I'm looking at the wood and straps
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discovery4us
California
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I built a platform out of plywood that was roughly twice the base of the portable AC. Where the wheels on the AC lined up with the plywood I drilled holes for them to set down in the platform and then built it up high enough that the wheels did not touch the floor. Then ran a strap from eye hooks on the platform over the top of the AC to tie it all together. I ended up gluing and screwing four pieces of 1 inch plywood together if memory serves correctly. This was in a FW and for transport only but after I forgot to strap the platform to the trailer floor and it arrived in one piece and the same place it started I never tied it down again.
The wife carries a curtain rod and a sheet in our DP for really hot travel days. She places it right behind the front seats so the dash AC air is somewhat trapped up front. It makes a difference although it looks a bit tacky.
Hope the descriptions make sense.
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JCat
Big Apple, SoCal, Big D, everywhere USA
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Thanks discovery, that is the kind of first hand experience I was looking for in a solution.
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JCat
Big Apple, SoCal, Big D, everywhere USA
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Update: I created a platform as Discovery explained using 8 inch 2X4 at the corners, rubber stoppers on the bottom of each corner.
Then screwed that into a 3/4 piece of plywood with holes drilled to allow the wheels to hang through.
I then screwed in 4 more 2x4x4 pieces at each corner
Top piece was plywood, cut to the shape of the AC unit.
AC unit sits down into base about 3 inches
I added a strap around the AC unit which ties off in the back for extra support.
With most of the weight of the AC unit in the bottom it is very secure in the base.
First trip with it is Friday we will see how it does.
I also had my windshield tinted over the weekend to cut down on the IR and heat coming in.
I will be traveling up highway 15 thru Vegas and Salt lake and it will be a hot one, so a good test.
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