faux split mini AC for roof mount? What am I not considering?

[btheo_TrailMini]

Hi everyone..

I have a Coleman Mach3+ (13.5k btu) AC roof unit installed in my 2010 TrailMini. Its drastically oversized, very noisy, not particularly efficient, and nowhere near capable of running off my solar setup.

I am looking for a much smaller AC unit to replace it with, ideally an inverter-based, and high energy efficiency. That mostly puts me in high CEER mini-split units.

That quickly puts me in $2k territory. Meanwhile I feel like there are a bunch of cheaper options that nobody is doing..

Anyone care to provide feedback on why these might be bad ideas?

1. Install a faux-split window unit, directly into the roof..

Either of these for example:

https://www.amazon.com/GE-ClearView-.../dp/B09HDT9C4G

https://www.amazon.com/Midea-Inverte.../dp/B08677DCKN

The downside is that I would have to expand the existing 14x14 ceiling hole to 19x14. And not sure if thats a bad idea on its own.


2. Install a faux-split window unit, through the wall, via a teardown of the AC unit.

I could tear either of those units down and make them into a "through the wall" design (with the help of an AC installer to de/re-couple the coils and drain/fill them. It seems like its been done successfully by others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2NmgOvIv2M

https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...success.86312/

3. I could convert an inverter-powered window unit into a weatherproof'd outdoor unit, and pump the output down through one of the roof hatches. A little janky, but definitely the cheapest solution.

Thoughts for any of these?

Thanks for reading,
Blase

[Kidkraz]

Not at all sure these could be an option for you.


http://www.climaac.com/products/cool...nditioner.html

https://www.truckcamperadventure.com...pers-and-vans/

https://www.recpro.com/rv-air-condit...ol-non-ducted/

[Bill]

Interesting - I was not aware of these faux- units. If you install one thru-wall, remember that it cannot stick out from the outer wall very far. And rooftop looks good, though you would lose the low-profile feature - think of your garage door height. I don't know if the roof has any internal braces that you would need to be aware of, but I don't think so.

Let us know what you end up doing.

Bill

[btheo_TrailMini]

Thanks for the replies Kidraz & Bill..

I decided to bit the bullet and have a mini-split installed...

Local installer, as the "internet" sources are all marked up pretty high to cover their shipping & returns costs.

Paying $1k installed for a 9k btu Daizuki. SEER of 20, inverter based compressor, with heater and wifi element.

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by btheo_TrailMini

Thanks for the replies Kidraz & Bill..

I decided to bit the bullet and have a mini-split installed...

Local installer, as the "internet" sources are all marked up pretty high to cover their shipping & returns costs.

Paying $1k installed for a 9k btu Daizuki. SEER of 20, inverter based compressor, with heater and wifi element.

Very interesting. I would be very curious to see how he runs the refrigerant lines. It's fairly important (especially on mini-splits) to have the air handler mounted as close to the ceiling as possible. The compressor unit would be pretty easily mounted behind your propane tanks or even on the rear deck. The challenge will be running the refrigerant lines between the 2.

I'm thinking that might require obtaining some high pressure, flexible rubber lines that are covered with stainless steel mesh.

I can't wait to see it completed. I've been wanting to do this for some time. I got rid of the central A/C in our house and installed mini-splits. Cut our summer electric bill by 40%.

[swaller8]

Definitely waiting to see the finished product, please post details! Any insight the installer might have for us DIY'rs would be great.