Air conditioner 12vdc/24vdc install

[Franny]

Hi, my name is Roy and live in Mn. My wife and I bought a 2005 long wheelbase passenger T1N in early 2019. After a few trips to Texas and Arizona, I’ve spent way too much time researching 12v cooling options. We’ve not charged the 200ah lifepo4 4s battery from anything but the roof solar and hope to keep it that way.

Here’s how it turned out. I’m pretty chuffed ?, thinking of ordering a 20’ container load and selling them on eBay. Think Chinese diesel heater but the opposite.

In the next few days I’ll post a little blog with narrated pictures. I’ve not done this before, so expect clumsy posts ?.

Please stand by,
Roy

 

[sipma02]

Hi, my name is Roy and live in Mn. My wife and I bought a 2005 long wheelbase passenger T1N in early 2019. After a few trips to Texas and Arizona, I’ve spent way too much time researching 12v cooling options. We’ve not charged the 200ah lifepo4 4s battery from anything but the roof solar and hope to keep it that way.

Here’s how it turned out. I’m pretty chuffed ?, thinking of ordering a 20’ container load and selling them on eBay. Think Chinese diesel heater but the opposite.

In the next few days I’ll post a little blog with narrated pictures. I’ve not done this before, so expect clumsy posts ?.

Please stand by,
Roy

Hey Roy! I'm thinking you forgot to include a link? Anyway, I'm in Minneapolis (St Louis Park to be exact) and my wife and I have a 2006 3500 158 T1N. I'm curious to see how you end up, and might like to come take a look if you are interested.

Good luck!

 

[eranrund]

Looking forward to all the juicy details!

 

[Kajtek1]

We already have colder days. I am in Vegas, 40 miles from AZ border, it is already afternoon and only 103F

 

[Deleted member 50714]

We're having a damn Polar Vortex here.

 

[owner]

I'm not getting my hopes up. Physics is real.

 

[Kajtek1]

I only wonder how OP is going to haul that trailer behind Sprinter?

 

[Franny]

View attachment 151761
I only wonder how OP is going to haul that trailer behind Sprinter?

You got me there, only have 1/8 of that double trailer pile! And no denying that this uses plenty of power. We're not looking to drive into extreme heat (nice to have weather apps). Just the opposite, leaving MN for warmer climates in the winter. But sometimes it does get a little toasty so thought to try something different.
Sourcing and building this ac system has been a fun experience, and I'll report on how it performs in the next several months.

Following are posts with pictures, only 5 per post allowed?

 

[Franny]

The vehicle and a few reference pix

 

[Franny]

An unpleasant interruption just as project was beginning, mother mouse and friends made a mess in the heater core. Coincidentally clutch on alternator failed also, so replaced that and the serpentine belt.

 

[Franny]

The units arrived from China after several months. Hang up transferring off container in Long Beach to UPS.

 

[Franny]

Condensing unit dimensions.

 

[Franny]

Evaporator dimensions.

 

[Franny]

Seeing if this will fit underneath. We have a 2005 long wheelbase T1n, and didn't want this on top or behind.

 

[Franny]

Used metal parts included with kit plus some 12g slotted angle in 2 rear points. Ripped treated 2x4 to 2.75" to reinforce front mounting and expand stress across all tack weld points. Added ratchet straps as backups, also made it easier to snug up to bottom of vehicle prior to attaching to metal hanger.

 

[Franny]

More pictures of mounted condensing unit.

 

[Franny]

Refrigerant lines and electrical being run.

 

[Franny]

More underneath shots, plus front and side shields installed.

 

[Franny]

Hoses. Evaporator drains on left and right (parked on a hill?) so 2 drain lines. Just long enough to travel straight down. I think a little metal screen on each down below will be added to prevent insects entering.

 

[Franny]

They include a nice big grommet for the 2 flexible linesets and the interconnect cable.