Solar Powered AC in a Step Van P2 E549

Part two of my solar powered AC install in my step van
Seven Grey is a nomadic minimalist who is wandering the world (traveling internationally part of the year and North American in his step van the other part)
Electric Equipment:
2000w AIMS Inverter: amzn.to/2HtrSHK
Midnight Solar Classic 12v 150SL Charge Controller: amzn.to/2EDRksd
Blue Sea 12v ML-ACR: amzn.to/2Gr6PEu
Trojan T105-RE Deep Cycle Lead Acid Batteries: amzn.to/2Cvu6Tp
My favorite crimping tool: amzn.to/2ImmBpG
Other:
PH Tester for Kombucha and Jun: amzn.to/2FAT9Kk
Video Equipment:
Canon EOS M6: amzn.to/2EFvQhS
using Rode VideoMic: amzn.to/2Fiw0d6
Canon G7X mark II: amzn.to/2GcbfPq
GoPro Session 5: amzn.to/2BYZw8L
Video edited with Final Cut Pro on MacBook Pro 13 (2015)
Social Media:
personal blog: www.sevenwanderstheworld.com
world view philosophy: www.7ism.com
youtube channel: bit.ly/2aC7LqG
facebook page: bit.ly/2ahitFr
instagram: / sevenwanderstheworld
Current Location & Status:
facebook page: bit.ly/2ahitFr
Contact:
sevenwandersthe...
Amazon Gift List:
Wandering Book Exchange & Tea House: a.co/fVS4FGl
Credits:
Ikson - Sunny (Free Download)
/ sunny-free-download
Music by: / ikson

[@timhardman4764]

Like others have said, the sides of the AC unit pull in ambient temperature air considered cool relative to the hot air exhausted out the back or top depending on type of AC unit. This flow of cool ambient temp air needs to be separated from the flow of the hot exhaust air. With your design, you have one box where all the air is sucked from and exhausted to without separating the flow of the cool ambient air from the flow of the hot exhaust air. It might operate but it will be very inefficient so it will not cool well and it will not last long. The best method for what you are trying to do is to have a hatch on the exterior of the van covering the hole. Then build a frame inside with heavy duty sliders so you can open the hatch and then slide the AC unit out on a shelf and turn it on. With the AC hanging out like a normal window unit it will pull in cool ambient air from the sides and exhaust unimpeded hot exhaust air from the top or back. Or permanently mount the unit high on a rear door or cut a hole in the floor so you can drop it in when you need it. Campervan Kevin interviewed an old guy with this setup in a hightop transit. He had it at countertop level on sliders. The vid shows very little of the details but if you pause and study the shots inside and out you will get an idea how to do the build. On CamperVan Kevin's KZbin channel, the name of the video is: Stunning Transit Van Build And Lots Of Yorkies! skip ahead for the AC info at 13:10 - 16:50 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnSzYa2ricminpY

[@scottdawkins5216]

Pay attention to the comments about separating incoming (fresh air) and the discharge (hot air) for the condenser...otherwise it's not going to work.

[@ThePcerna]

Be careful what you wish for. Not sure if you have bifocals or trifocals, but Lasik will adjust to just one power per eye. If you choose mono-vision and adjust one eye to far sight and the other eye to focus on computer screen distance, you will have gaps in vision up close, like when looking at your phone or a book. My boss wishes he never had it done due to losing his near focus capability. Now he has to wear glasses for near focus. I have mono vision correction in my contacts and have the same gaps in vision when I wear them. When I take my contacts out, I can see up close again. Maybe they can simulate the Lasik results by giving you contacts for the same correction so you can experience what your vision will be.

[@jfinnall]

I know this comment is too late, but it might help if you encounter the unit not working as desired. I agree with some of the other comments made about air circulation. The condenser requires fresh air intake and heated air exhaust. Usually window units will draw air in from the sides and exhaust to the rear. The box you have created appears to just circulate the same air around the interior. The outside vent screen will function to only a small percentage probably as an exhaust because of temperature and fan pressure. But that leaves no fresh air intake to actually cool the condenser. I would suggest creating a rear exhaust panel on the rear of the van using the same vent cover or a little larger. Fresh air from the side and hot air out the back. The pink insulation can be used to create the air chamber to separate the two areas. That would also maintain the stealth appearance since the AC unit is still mounted completely inside the van.

[@goober3463]

Watched a video where a ac guy took a window unit apart and installed the condensing coil under his van that was cool,lol. The guy that was running around the keys did a tour of a box truck where he vented it like a 3 way frig in a rv that was running great in the summer, he was pulling cooler air from the bottom venting it at the top.

[@martywilsonlife]

Smart idea.

[@reneegriffith2375]

Finally got through all the video's. Took me weeks to master. I like the travel video's and van updates the best. But you have to watch all of them to know what is going on.

[@johanvangelderen289]

Seven, the vent would protect from rain which falls vertically. The rain will cling to the side of the van once it's up to speed. It will have no problem at all going through the vent in quantity. You will need to come up with another solution. Perhaps a different type of vent which is mounted on the back would work. The air conditioners which are meant to be in a room, but vent through a window and have TWO hoses might work well. They are not as efficient though. Someone else suggested installing vents in the floor. The vented a c unit I mentioned could vent through the floor as well. Don't know what kind of floor vent would work though. I'm thinking of a 4 inch sewer vent and screw in cap.

[@Maggie-Gardener-Maker]

Oh my goodness 7. I guess you will live and learn from this escapade. I'm surprised your neighbor handyman didn't discourage you from doing this. You should have discussed with some air conditioning techs in some online forums or locally there in your town you are in. I'm afraid this is gonna end badly for all the reasons many commented about the air exchange and something I didn't see mentioned in comments, and that here in Florida with our humidity the AC pumps a lot of water out of the air, you need a watertight pan with a dedicated drain line out the bottom of the van to let that water go because you will have a mess with the water inside like that. Good Luck!

[@waynebaird3539]

One idea on intake or exhaust vents. Check out a marine supply dealership for vents used on boats for exhaust fumes in enclosed engine compartments. They are high quality and often easy to install and look great. Good luck with your projects.

[@knutblaise9437]

Seven, if you encounter AC problems take a look at this video (ECP-pppK2nE). They installed a window mounted AC in the side of their bus and had to separate the exhaust and fresh air intake. If you decide you want to separate the exhaust and fresh air intake visit an RV dealership and check out the entry level travel trailers which use window AC units. I've seen some of these travel trailers exhaust to the sidewall of the trailer and pull fresh air in from the roof through what looks like an RV refrigerator vent. Here is an RV refrigerator vent base/cap kit on Amazon (B00BUBQP7A). Here is a separate cap (B00192KY22) and base (B002OUIYW0) for about half the cost but you'd want to make sure they work together.

[@vadave311]

I just really hope the vent you cut in the side of the truck is enough airflow. If there is not enough air both coming in and going out of those vents the unit will overheat. Fresh air needs to come in the side of the window unit that normally sticks out of the window to cool the compressor while it also expels the hot air out of the back.

[@jfinnall]

I read some comments in regard to condensation. All AC units will produce condensation from the evaporator and not the condenser. Modern window units will route the water to the rear for the condenser and that is why they suggest the downward pitch on the installation. The fan blades have tabs to splash the water over the condenser to provide more cooling and increase efficiency as the water evaporates. The drain is usually plugged from the factory. In extremely humid conditions can create to much condensation so the plug can be removed to allow drainage normally. You mentioned having a cookie sheet under the unit for the purpose. But it may never see any water unless the plug is removed. If the plug is removed then that is the drain to make provision for.

[@Badgeweefixstuff]

Awesome job Seven I think it will work 👍🛠🇨🇦

[@cam-bo11]

Ah, what a great idea for placement! Reminds me of how they used to install AC in the back top of older Class B vans. 👌

[@tomcaldwell5750]

Goid luck with your step van repair. Enjoyed the video about the A/C install. Looks like you have some comments with helpful advice regarding the install.

[@OverlandCO]

You need to paint the AC box area with a sealent and no foam or deniem for mold to grow. There is a pink paint in the flooring area of Homedepot that should work great for this purpose.

[@hooperv]

The air must come in on the side vents and go out the rear. you must separate them or you're just wasting your time. You will be drawing the air from inside the van and pumping it on the outside. If you were to use two vents and separate the rear from the sides so the air can come in one vent from the outside and go out the other vent.

[@fredishaffer1636]

On LASIK surgery so you dont have to wear glasses was great for me as I had cataracts grow in less than a year from one exam to the other. My mistake was I opted to get 20/20 in both eyes about 2 months between the surgeries. On the 3nd surgery I again was asked if I wanted 20/20 and I said yes. The moral of the story is if you opt for 20/20, you STILL HAVE TO WEAR READING GLASSES. SO many times I wish I had thought about more than just reading because every up close project, every trip to wal-mart, trying to hit keyhole,to drive to see your dash board gauges, EVERY THING is so much harder..like her in Arkansas we have a lot of rain and muggy weather so I get steamed too. They could have done MONO VISION and fix second eye at 20/60, Zjust like my Contacts were fitted and I regret to the point I want more cataracts so I can do MONOVISION AGAIN. Just food for thought while I watch your video on a/c set up. Thanks for the ideas. Sincerely, Ms. Fredi Shaffer.

[@vidguy007]

Ac is an issue There’s a lot of ideas out there It will be interesting to see how your idea works out

[@jonthebru]

I found this video very entertaining.

[@TheUserid82]

You can get adapters to use 20v lithium batteries on the old 18v tools. Window AC units like that pull air in from the side vents on the out door section and blow air out the back so might need a rear vent to get rid of the hot air to not create an electric oven up there. If you ever take one apart you can see the cost savings they have done like using a single motor to turn both the inside squirrel cage fan and the outside fan with condensate ring putting the total number of motors in most units at 2 to cover compressor and fans. They have even gotten rid of service valves by going with crimped and sealed section of copper pipe when they fill the refrigerant.

[@bencoleman1893]

Oh no hope the mechanical issues didn’t cause you to much stress sir. Time to get to a cooler climate. Can’t wait to see how tue ac works out.

[@wolfsmith2865]

The other problem with cordless tools is they overheat and stop working very quickly in high temps. Working on my van last summer was ridiculous with battery tools!

[@thizizliz]

I suspect that you'll enjoy the A/C so much that the hassle will be worth it.

[@yvairguy]

Welllll nope. You need to have the ac pushed up against the vent opening and then have makeup air that can get to the sides, or the air inlet to the condenser, of the window unit, otherwise you are just going to recirculate the rejected heat and likely cause the compressor to cycle off on overload.

[@yvairguy]

Take a cue from Roadtrek, don't like their design so much but, they have 2 sets of grills on the back of their class B RV's one is for the inlet and one for the outlet, also take note one the size/area of those vents. There are some like the Xplorer that use one large grill but they have sheet metal that keeps the air stream to and from the condenser from mixing. If you were on the west coast I could give you a hand.

[@samstlm]

Congrats! You are becoming quite the designer and carpenter. Well done.

[@danielsweeney6742]

Seven an A/C unit will produce a lot of water. Think about running a hose outside. My advise would be out the bottom of the van. Also, look into Lasik eye surgery. I had it done about 20 years ago.

[@stephaniesmythe8449]

always something. Hope things are cooler now! (you're in CO, I think, so it is!

[@motercycle80]

Wow that is a great idea and I never would have thought about that looks good 😁

[@Will-wz5wq]

You need to add a vent on the roof to dissipate heat generated by the A/C in the enclosure or else your setup will not work.

[@lumpyg63ipod]

Like others have said, vent does not have enough air flow. Also window air conditioners are meant to hang outside window. Unfortunately you have cut a hole in your van for no reason. Your original plan was the way to go...

[@angelgeeks]

Mind sharing your logic to putting on the drivers side versus the passenger side. I was thinking for stealth purposes I'd not want code enforcement officers driving by to be able to pick up on the visual and/or the noise. I'm confident you have good reason for the drivers side and am looking forward to hearing it. Thanks and good luck!

[@TheSeper]

Code enforcement cant do nothing on something registered as a RV

[@cory0702]

How much solar power do you have and how much is your ac going to draw in an hour. Thanks Sid

[@raynoladominguez4730]

Save your metal cutout from wall, you may need it in the future. And bug screen behind your vent might be wise.

[@bearallb]

Build a box out of the pink foam insulation and seal up all the seams to make it waterproof

[@myway991]

It is best to have the AC on the outside if it is inside it could cause condensation. That doesn't mean that you can't have part of the AC hanging out a window or a hole in a wall.

[@anitablades6033]

LASIK can be not as smooth as you might hope. I have a friend that went to one of the major Co. They employ some people straight out of school. She has lost sight in one eye. And can't drive at night. Make sure the Dr. You use has real reference's. Just a heads up. Mess up your eye sight and your ++++d.

[@janina8559]

How much solar are U using to run the AC? Im curious to how thats gonna work and how many amp hours, thanks Seven.

[@CombatDoc54]

Just so you know, the line from the cookie sheet to whatever you are going to drain it into, WILL slime up and clog in a short period of time.

[@tonystacey9333]

You may need a forced fresh air intake to make sure the hot air goes out fast enough.

[@Gusinabus]

ha ha should have called this solar tool battery charging lol

[@johnwagner800]

Seven, no window/wall ac unit can be operated as you have described. Listen to others comments about keeping outdoor incoming and outgoing air completely separate from indoor air both incoming and outgoing. Please respond.

[@manueltorres2927]

Don't cut the truck , check out one of coleman's low priced bumper pulled rv trailer they have installed a ac winow unit on their model follow the way they installed it.

[@helidude3502]

Uh, yeah. All the other comments. And i'm sure that vent will let plenty of water inside. Time to stop and study air conditioner theory. That vent is also too small to support sufficient airflow by itself.

[@SamInSomerset]

What will happen when it rains whilst driving down the highway - surely that insulation just aft of the vent will get saturated?

[@lornaz1975]

How many rental properties do you have and is this how you support yourself?

[@mischef18]

Not good news regarding mechanical problems bro but placing the AC there makes sense. All the best

[@patrickjobling8676]

Gosh mr sevens .. ya in the wars ...what kinda mechanical problems are we talkin aboot ..😶pip pips and carryon

[@ramfrancisuk]

You might have to watch the vent when you are driving through hevay rain, say on the Motorway

[@debolsen3294]

So why do you no longer wear contacts? I love my multifocal (bifocal) contacts.

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

I love contacts and despise wearing glasses; I explain why I can't wear contacts in this video at about 7 minutes into it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGHTd35mgcmYjac

[@smc65714]

You just need to Push A/C thru the wall,Not Designed to be Enclosed,Needs outside Air to Cool Off,Dump the Hot Air outside,not Inside,in a insulated Box with a Too small vent.

[@marxnutz]

Shame that you have to cut a hole in the body of your van. I would have considered drilling a series of small holes to form a pattern that matches the area that you're going to cut. Six of one and half a dozen of the other, though.

[@dindog22]

so this is really part 1?

[@darrylk808]

No jigsaw? Oh never mind...I comment as I watch, maybe I should comment at the end :) Take off that sticker with the bar...oh never mind.... I don't get it? Is your AC unit going to be sideways to the vent hole you cut?

[@djc6436-e4h]

Now mechanical issues? When it rains, it pours.

[@chapter4travels]

Sorry to say but you have the wrong AC unit. You have a window unit but needed a through-wall unit designed to be in a box inside.

[@DNLDVID]

Why are you living in Florida?

[@aubreypage3994]

This won't work. There is insufficient air circulation from the condenser coils to the outside air. The compressor head pressure will be too high and may damage the AC unit. At any rate it will not work.

[@rubbertrampadventurers6202]

What size inverter do you have to be able to run that unit?

[@rubbertrampadventurers6202]

NVM I read the description 2000w thanks!

[@thomasr.miller5553]

HUMMM???? DID you get this AC for free? I would NOT install a window unit for a house.. I put an AC ROOF MOUNT unit from a motor home On mine . Works Great with small gen or solar + batterys + inverter Thanks

[@SevenWanderstheWorld]

I only have 700 watts of solar and opted for the AC that required only 400 watts of power. from what I understand the roof units require a lot more power (I refuse to use a generator)

[@thomasr.miller5553]

@@SevenWanderstheWorld HEY bud ,You gonna need a small gen . ..the sun don't shine at night. 3500 watts ..

[@thomasr.miller5553]

@@SevenWanderstheWorld AT NIGHT ? IN THE RAIN? DEAD BATTERY ? WATT YA GONNA DO ?

[@makiwa]

Hey...... Just hold on a minute there kiddo! What happened to PART ONE? I say this because normally a "part 2" follows a "part 1"....????? And what is "Aluminum"? Would it be some sort of "Aluminium"?

[@jillom6648]

Have you considered lazer correction for your eyesight? (Ah, yes, you have). I know of people who’ve had cataract surgery with stellar results! Also, there is a Canadian couple (Disadvantaged Journey) who discovered that bedliner/undercoating worked well as insulation/condensation prevention. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYHEmXWwbdyYrKs Denim/fiberglass/board insulation will collect and hold condensation. Blessings 🧚‍♀️

[@imbadwrench]

I think you are going about this the wrong way. You have basically insulated the wrong areas and you are kinda using the wrong kind of unit.

[@madhatter3737]

That AC exhaust is going to do nothing but heat the step van up Most inefficient install I've ever seen.............. sorry bro that's not going to work the way you think it's supposed to.