I'm still looking around at ac units. The ideal is not to use ac but the world isn't ideal. Here in South Carolina, the problem is more humidity than heat. It was 90 in my bus and 66% humidity.
I spotted a portable ac in Lowes that looked about the right size to fit in a cupboard. No mention on it of dimensions so I looked online then found a smaller unit.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Royal-Sovereign-8000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner/1000241563
I'll have to find out now just how big my cupboard is. I can easily remove the door when the unit is in use. I have a feeling height might be an issue.
I like the size of the marine ac units. I found them advertised on my bus blog. Horribly expensive but just a great size.
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I reckon we should have a sticky on small ac units. Size is important for RVs. Here's another one...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-DUCTLESS-PORTABLE-7000-BTU-AIR-CONDITIONER/391476949047?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dc2ee2da7fd9e4c19b88528fef0f1b113%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D391476949047&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%253Aa09d2d94-81ad-11e7-b71a-74dbd1808a04%257Cparentrq%253Ae5abf50715d0abc66c0cfa7afffa8f88%257Ciid%253A1
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You have slider windows? Put a window ac in that puppy.
Quote from: muldoonman on August 15, 2017, 05:35:16 AM
You have slider windows? Put a window ac in that puppy.
Mine are schoolbus windows. The top half slides down. Not suitable for ac units.
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It's easy to pull a window on a school bus. Then you could fit a window shaker no problem.
Quote from: Brassman on August 15, 2017, 09:31:57 AM
It's easy to pull a window on a school bus. Then you could fit a window shaker no problem.
Yes. I'm trying to keep the bus looking as stealth as possible though.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170815/9f8a34c053669e2a98046e5c2935731c.jpg)
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You could put it in the window opening when parked and needed. You could also recess the AC into the opening, and with some work have only louvers visible from the outside. Someone did that at the skoolies website.
Portable units are sort of okay, but they are not as good as window units. I understand your desire to keep things looking original, but you are going to make a compromise in any case; whether it is in appearance or comfort. You could use your window unit for the summer and remove it in the winter to achieve your "stealth". Or you could get one that is a heat pump also. You may be able to figure out a way to dress up the outside of it a bit too. Maybe disguise it as some sort of art.
If you get a wall A/C, then the grill will be flush with the wall-but the machine will be inside the bus.
I've used many portable A/C's. Problem is the units with only one exhaust hose. This means you need to keep a window or vent open since the A/C is using the inside air to cool the condenser-meaning you're always pulling in hot, humid air from the outside-sort of defeats the purpose of the A/C.
On the other side, are the portable units designed with two air hoses-one to draw air in from the outside and the other to blow the hot air back out. These units, you can completely close the vents and windows to maximize cooling. I realize they are more expensive ($5-600) but their efficiency and most are also heat pumps makes them worth it. We use the heat feature on them more than the A/C. Good Luck, TomC
Quote from: TomC on August 15, 2017, 02:33:19 PMIf you get a wall A/C, then the grill will be flush with the wall-but the machine will be inside the bus.
I've used many portable A/C's. Problem is the units with only one exhaust hose. This means you need to keep a window or vent open since the A/C is using the inside air to cool the condenser-meaning you're always pulling in hot, humid air from the outside-sort of defeats the purpose of the A/C.
On the other side, are the portable units designed with two air hoses-one to draw air in from the outside and the other to blow the hot air back out. These units, you can completely close the vents and windows to maximize cooling. I realize they are more expensive ($5-600) but their efficiency and most are also heat pumps makes them worth it. We use the heat feature on them more than the A/C. Good Luck, TomC
We ain't Florida or Louisiana but North Carolina has plenty of hot and humid weather. My experience is like Tom's. For a small space when the conditions aren't bad, they're a little help, but if it's genuinely steamy, they won't do much.
Zephod,
If you wanted to go stealth, paint the bus white and put church signage on the side. Hundreds of those up here, noone gives them a second look!
Or paint it yellow!
Can't paint or keep it school bus yellow, against the law here. SC code of laws, title 59, section 59-67-60.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c067.php (http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t59c067.php)
Not that our SC legislature cares anything about the law. I'm looking at you Hugh Leatherman.
Have you though about using a window unit and ducting it? You could hang it under the bus and put an expanded metal grill on the outside for condenser air movement, like I've seen on a lot of factory AC skoolies.
Quote from: Oonrahnjay on August 15, 2017, 05:18:05 PM
We ain't Florida or Louisiana but North Carolina has plenty of hot and humid weather. My experience is like Tom's. For a small space when the conditions aren't bad, they're a little help, but if it's genuinely steamy, they won't do much.
The humidity is worse than the actual heat. Do you think perhaps a dehumidifier might work better?
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There is a YouTube channel https://youtu.be/cB1Ur8QaIaI here
They did window units inside and kept it stealth, however they did have some issues later on.
I like the idea of using a lower bay and making it basement air from a window unit. Shouldn't be too hard.
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Quote from: neoneddy on August 15, 2017, 08:07:01 PM
There is a YouTube channel https://youtu.be/cB1Ur8QaIaI here
They did window units inside and kept it stealth, however they did have some issues later on.
I like the idea of using a lower bay and making it basement air from a window unit. Shouldn't be too hard.
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I think it'd be easier if I had compartments down below. This seems to have been a budget backup bus hence 97k miles on it during 20 years with Louisiana schools.
No air brakes
No air con
Non adjustable wheel
No ether injector
No door alarm
Basic driving seat
I'm toying with the idea of renting a portable ac for a day or two just to try it.
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Quote from: Zephod on August 15, 2017, 07:07:52 PMThe humidity is worse than the actual heat. Do you think perhaps a dehumidifier might work better?
Not sure. A dehumidifier would *help* but probably wouldn't do all the job -- and they put heat into the air, along with the dry air.
Gotta love a school bus. Take out the angel grinder and cut a hole in it. No worries!
Quote from: Oonrahnjay on August 15, 2017, 09:36:50 PM
Not sure. A dehumidifier would *help* but probably wouldn't do all the job -- and they put heat into the air, along with the dry air.
You're right of course. That is something I'd thought about. I had a dehumidifier when I lived in a damp mobile home. It made the place a lot more comfortable.
Oddly, it feels hotter in sc than it does in a darned rainforest!
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