Air Conditioning a Camper Van can be cheap and easy.

Roof top air-conditioners have a lot of problems. Trying to cool freon on the roof of a van just doesn't make sense. Mini-Splits are expensive and difficult to mount on vans without blocking a back door. This inexpensive window air-conditioner vented through the floor will run on alternator while driving, shore power at camp, and on battery when boon docking. In this video I show you how I routed the fresh air and warm exhaust without modifying the air-conditioner or any special tools. This keeps the coils out of the hot sunshine and flows cool air from the shaded area under the van, over the cooling coils of the air-conditioner, and back out the bottom of the van.

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[mattolsson]

As a note.. All that plywood is going to get moldy, it already is I noticed.. I had that happen to my first install in my Container. I will be using painted wood to keep from molding and then insulate the box to keep cold/hot air from touching any wood parts and to isolate from the inside of the truck/Van.. Thanks for the video.

[LeopoldoManuelRamirezMena]

ahhh... just what I need for my stealth camper van! :D thanks for the idea!

[KyleBaker]

I had dismissed A/C in a van build, but this is brilliant. I'd love to hear some more details on performance--how cold it keeps it on a hot day, how the humidity out there in FL affects it, considerations for using it with solar and your battery setup / how long it can last on battery, how loud/quiet it is outside the van while running, etc.

[PatrickPrice-nyie]

I kida did the same thing only I used a stainless steel food warmer pan with a flexible drain hose going off that 1 foot off the ground. I also have a 6" inline duct fan to move air out. I used the 1/4" square metal screen at bottom to keep critters out. Im strictly LP now so I do the LP generator thing. If the generator or ac unit goes out I'll just buy another one. 3 years on same equipment so far. Im a retired electrician & could've easily done the solar thing but chose not to. LP & maintenance runs at $350 a month & generator runs pretty much 16 hour's a day. Again if it blows up I'll just buy another one, I don't care. Great video!

[peachkopp]

Thanks for the pointers. I'm considering doing this and being a retired metal fabricator I'm going to use aluminum and stainless. Freeze on 👍

[cliffhilton]

I installed a "No Idle" 12 volt AC on the left rear door. Both outdoor unit and indoor unit are screwed to it. The length of hoses are routed through the door. I also have 7.5KW of LIPO batteries. The install required about 2 hours; start to finish. My cost was $500. Just the AC, not batteries.

[tradmanmike]

GREAT IDEA! I DO SEE TWO SMALL FIXABLE ISSUES WITH THIS. SPIDERS, MICE AND WATER DRIPPING ON LEAF SPRINGS. HOPEFUL IT WORKS FOR YOU!

[billstewart]

Bill, I think floor venting and AC systems like these are the way to go. I have seen folks pay thousands for the 12v nautical AC systems or have the far too big roof mounted RV type systems. I have holes in floor for AC like yours and also separate floor holes for regular air flow instead of the typical roof vent. Zero holes in my roof. I have the 5000 BTU Frigidare, cools off the short box Sprinter in no time. When not on shore power I run it off one of the all-in-one units from MPP Solar and it does just fine on an 800 watt inverter.

[isaiahlopez]

I did projects like these on buses, nice work!

[grahambate]

I had window unit in my house many years ago. It had a metal pipe at the back where the water would drop out. God when the compressor started it wake the dead
Lol

[DougPVlogs]

My wife wants me to put an air conditioner on our old VW Kombi van to keep us cool as we travel vlog in Mexico. Got to study this idea more.

[stevet]

Great videos.. very helpful. .. I envy your ability to document the process so efficiently and effectively... I've done a few upgrades to a few vans I've had and the exit holes can be a bitch. If I can at the exit holy on the floor I make a plate with mounts for six or eight holes with mounts to attach 2-4" rubber hoses 6-8" long. that I just fasten with hose clamps..it's underneath, hidable and easily replaceable. Just forwarding along an idea that's worked for me to keep out more of the crap a road can kick up ..
Peace.
PS.. screening on the plate you make keeps the squirrels out ..I'm sure you're probably already pretty well versed in rodent wars..
Take care

[Covert_Arrangements]

I just purchased a really nice dodge conversion van (to live in 3 days a week) while on assignment. Any tips for a brand new van owner on the most economical way to get power and AC going when the van is t running? Thanks much. -Aston

[nolansmith]

I wanna try this but thinking about using something like a rubberized pool paint inside. Any thoughts?

[Robert-qnbs]

Yeah nice job 👍 I was thinking maybe some sort of wire mesh on the two bottom holes to prevent mice and other critters insects from crawling in.

[caferacer]

i would add some metal screen to keep the rodents out lol

[dirgesinthedark]

Wouldnt it be easier to do an AC that vents like a dryer?

[kevinjudy]

Best A/C hookup I've ever seen...new subscriber...what would you charge to do mine in a build?

[DaveOTG]

What was the automatic switch thing you have called or if you have a link that would be most helpful. Ty!

[traveltimewithtim]

Gave me a few ideas for a window unit in my cargo trailer. Living in Florida a A/C is a must! I’ll probably do something similar but I definitely wanna close off those holes when not in use. Also a screen wouldn’t be a bad idea.