Mini split ductless ac

Noofear

Well-known member

• Apr 3, 2020

• #1

Has anyone tried installing a residential min split ac unit in their trailer?
I plan on spending the summer in the Arizona desert and my rooftop units can't keep up when the temps start hitting the high 90s.
I've got a 42 ft Bighorn and am thinking of mounting an 18k btu compressor on a rack behind the trailer and mounting the inside unit from the roof by my ceiling fan. I would be using this as my main source of cool air.

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danemayer

Well-known member

• Apr 3, 2020

• #2

I haven't heard of anyone doing this, but I was recently in a discussion about using a mini-split A/C in something else. One of the things I noticed was a pretty significant power requirement on many units. Could be 40 amps at 240V. I'd suggest before getting too far into this idea, you check the power requirements and how much power is available to you. 40 amps at 240V would use most of the power available at the typical 50 amp campground pedestal.

 

Noofear

Well-known member

• Apr 3, 2020

• #3

I forgot to mention that power isn't an issue as I would use this setup on a rv lot I own in Arizona and at my daughters in Montana where power wouldn't be an issue either. Both power pedestals are 100 amp with a 50, a 30 and a 20 amp receptacle.

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danemayer

Well-known member

• Apr 3, 2020

• #4

Noofear said:

I forgot to mention that power isn't an issue as I would use this setup on a rv lot I own in Arizona and at my daughters in Montana where power wouldn't be an issue either. Both power pedestals are 100 amp with a 50, a 30 and a 20 amp receptacle.

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If by 100 amp, you mean you're adding the 50 + 30 + 20 to get 100, you may be unpleasantly surprised. If you mean that there's an upstream 100 amp circuit breaker and matching wire to the pedestal, that might be enough power, but you may still have a challenge wiring in the mini-split, depending on the pedetal.

Typically, a pedestal with 50, 30, 20 receptacles has them all plugged into a buss that's supplied 50 or 60 amps at 240V. If there's an upstream 50 or 60 amp breaker, you'll trip that breaker.

 

Noofear

Well-known member

• Apr 3, 2020

• #5

Both pedestals have the 100 amp main breaker. I'll be sure to bring this up when I talk to the installer again. I haven't purchased a unit yet so hopefully can find and make one work.

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Gary521

Well-known member

• Apr 3, 2020

• #6

Mini splits have been installed in 5th wheels and travel trailers.

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Tahoma,Calibri,Geneva,sans-serif]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0NL1Ybsg3s[/FONT]

 

Noofear

Well-known member

• Apr 3, 2020

• #7

Thanks Gary521

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TravelTiger

Founding Texas-West Chapter Leaders-Retired

• Apr 4, 2020

• #8

A neighbor in our rv park with a park model trailer added a mini-split. He had an HVAC tech friend help him install it. He said the mini split cooled the trailer faster and better by itself than the two rv ACs.


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jayc

Texas-South Chapter Leaders

• Apr 4, 2020

• #9

I have heard good things about a mini split unit. I have read that they are available on some high-end fifth wheels.

 

Gary521

Well-known member

• Apr 4, 2020

• #10

I have a mini split system in my house as I have hot water heat and no heat ducts. Works great.

 

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travlingman

Well-known member

• Apr 4, 2020

• #11

Here is a video from New Horizons were the mini split is now an option. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...E0752DEA62A33FBCA62AE07&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

 

Last edited: Apr 5, 2020

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donr827

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2020

• #12

I like that LG split system. With the warmer weather we are receiving in the summers the RV industry need to improve the insulation that they use. Also fewer windows would help.

 

carl.swoyer

Well-known member

• Apr 9, 2020

• #13

donr827 said:

I like that LG split system. With the warmer weather we are receiving in the summers the RV industry need to improve the insulation that they use. Also fewer windows would help.

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Not everyone wants fewer windows? I certainly wouldn't. If it's hot out we simply close the window shades. The night shades provide a better cooling environment.

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Flick

Well-known member

• Apr 9, 2020

• #14

travlingman said:

Here is a video from New Horizons were the mini split is now an option. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...E0752DEA62A33FBCA62AE07&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

Click to expand...

Very interesting. These will more than likely become more popular in the near future. As they continue to work the bugs out and more companies start offering their versions, they’ll get a lot more interest.

 

TravelTiger

Founding Texas-West Chapter Leaders-Retired

• Apr 9, 2020

• #15

I have seen a DYI version on Facebook. This is not an endorsement of the product, just information.

https://mrcool.com/diy-3rd-generation-e-star/


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GK2018

Well-known member

• Apr 10, 2020

• #16

I like reading these posts, you can always learn new things. I've done quite a bit of research on secondary AC's and I've never ran across one of these. I'm going to have to research this for more information. My wife and I discussed using one of those portable AC's that sit in the middle of the floor and has wheels to roll around but I like this idea of a more permanent solution if it'd work.

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