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7 Posts
Hey everyone,
I have a small shuttle bus that I converted to an RV a few years ago. The vehicle originally came with an overhead aux AC unit with an engine driven compressor. That system eventually leaked so I removed it and now I want to replace it with a system that has an electric motor driven compressor so that I can have AC even with the engine off.
I've seen a lot of mini split installs for mobil applications (Sprinters, buses, etc..) but most mini-split systems have a large condenser which won't really fit my application. Ideally, I'd like to install the condenser in an area that is about 48" wide, 12" tall, and about 10" deep. I'm also shooting for an inverter-based compressor for efficiency since I might be running this unit off of a battery bank for short periods.
So after quite a bit of thinking, I think I'm down to two options:
1) Get a mini split but then replace the condenser's heat exchanger with one that fits my application.
2) Go with the LG LW1019IVSM which is an inverter-based window unit that's small and compact. If i were to go this route, I'd "split" this unit by installing the evaporator about 5-ft above everything else (condenser, compressor, etc..). The one downside to this is that this unit uses R32 which is "mildly flammable".
So what do you guys think? Which route makes the most sense?
I'm steering away from RV AC units because they are typically not as efficient and I'm alsotrying to save as much roof space for solar.
FWIW, I have the mechanical means (welders, mill, lathe, etc..) but I don't have a lot of experience in HVAC so this is why I'm posting this. My only experience is installing two Pioneer mini splits and some other minor things like pulling vacuum and recharging automobile AC units (R134 stuff).
Thanks!
I have a small shuttle bus that I converted to an RV a few years ago. The vehicle originally came with an overhead aux AC unit with an engine driven compressor. That system eventually leaked so I removed it and now I want to replace it with a system that has an electric motor driven compressor so that I can have AC even with the engine off.
I've seen a lot of mini split installs for mobil applications (Sprinters, buses, etc..) but most mini-split systems have a large condenser which won't really fit my application. Ideally, I'd like to install the condenser in an area that is about 48" wide, 12" tall, and about 10" deep. I'm also shooting for an inverter-based compressor for efficiency since I might be running this unit off of a battery bank for short periods.
So after quite a bit of thinking, I think I'm down to two options:
1) Get a mini split but then replace the condenser's heat exchanger with one that fits my application.
2) Go with the LG LW1019IVSM which is an inverter-based window unit that's small and compact. If i were to go this route, I'd "split" this unit by installing the evaporator about 5-ft above everything else (condenser, compressor, etc..). The one downside to this is that this unit uses R32 which is "mildly flammable".
So what do you guys think? Which route makes the most sense?
I'm steering away from RV AC units because they are typically not as efficient and I'm alsotrying to save as much roof space for solar.
FWIW, I have the mechanical means (welders, mill, lathe, etc..) but I don't have a lot of experience in HVAC so this is why I'm posting this. My only experience is installing two Pioneer mini splits and some other minor things like pulling vacuum and recharging automobile AC units (R134 stuff).
Thanks!
