500 watt air unit

CA

captain casual

New Member
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
3
Location
niagara
Just wondering if anyone here has tried to install a window air unit on a 22 foot tl? Was wondering if anyone has cut out a section for a permanent install, and where it could be possible to put it? I posted under boondocking because these 500 watt units would easily run off a small geni like my 950 watt yardworks. Thanks in advance......
 
captain casual said:
Just wondering if anyone here has tried to install a window air unit on a 22 foot tl? Was wondering if anyone has cut out a section for a permanent install, and where it could be possible to put it? I posted under boondocking because these 500 watt units would easily run off a small geni like my 950 watt yardworks. Thanks in advance......
Click to expand...

I'd think the mounting would be a problem. The walls may not support something like that weight.

- Jack
 
Window air conditionernunit

I agree with Jack that the walls in the towlite wouldn't be sturdy enough to support the AC. One of our HTF members was able to find an ac unit that was taken off a salvaged unit. Call RV dealers in your area and put in your name for possibly something used. Our dealer was able to give us the demo model with a warranty. I'm suremif any one on the forum comes across one they will post. Ac units should be going on Sale sometime soon. Sam
 
At the National Rally in 2006, a fellow showed us his little Hi-lo... around a 1965 model I believe. He had rigged a window mounted style of A/C unit into the front window of his trailer. A very odd looking set-up, but it worked! Recognizing that the wall wasn't strong enough to support the weight, he had built a portable (and collapsible) stand that sat on the A-frame and formed a shelf for the A/C unit to perch on. Naturally he had to remove the thing (and reinsert the window) prior to lowering the top. Although pretty rough looking, it was very innovative and another example of Hi-Lo owner ingenuity!

Jim
 
Why not just bite the bullet and put in a roof mount A/C. It could prevent allot of problems trying to do it the other way. Most Hi-Lo trailers are already pre-wired for them.
 
I did it in my Trailmanor. I cut a 4x4 and notched it to support the weight to the ground on the outside. I used a cold air return grate from Lowes with a piece of cardboard under it to cover the hole from the outside when I didn't need to take the AC with me. It was a 6500 BTU and worked great. Biggest advantage is that it'll run with a 1000W Generator.
 
Last edited:
Qvc.com

qvc carries a 110 unit that sits on the floor and vents out the window....
30 day no questions asked returns
my friends use one in their large add a room at night when people sleep in it
works great
she has run it with a generator
 
Sue, I've heard some positive reports on those little A/C units that vent out the window... the two I've seen have a white corrugated hose (looks kind of like a dryer vent hose) that runs to the window to exhaust the hot air.

On the other hand, several years ago we tried one of those fans that have a reservoir at the top for ice and water that are supposed to cool the air. It was designed to work like a swamp cooler, dribbling cool water down through a fibrous matte that the fan would push air through, cooling the air in the process. WASTE OF MONEY! :cool: The thing didn't even work particularly well just as a fan.

Jim
 
Thank you all for response! I have a roof mounted unit but as some of u figured out it won't run on a small generator. I'm interested in boondocking with my hi lo more than anything else as I have a cottage also. I miss the change of scenery and thought I might miss a/c in the sticks. Sounds like the walls would not support even a tiny 5000 btu unit. Portable unit might help but as noted, it will do little on a scorching day! I am retired and young and am looking forward to lots of adventure in my tow lite!!! Hope to meet some of u on my journey......thanks again!!!
 
You may already know this, If you are boondocking in a camp ground, (no hookups) you can't run a generator at night anyway, which is usually when you need the AC.
For about $300.00 you can buy a new generator that will run the AC, in the day time, but they are rather noisy and occasionally you will get a camper that complains about the noise.
 
i know on later 70's models its above rear window,i had the measurements some where.Hi-Lo purposely boxed an area in this spot above that window specifically for the purpose of installing an air conditioner.I think Hi-Lo started using the steel tube construction in 69.i have a 78 so i know it continued till then & 79 too.if your has a wood frame this info may not pertain to your Hi-Lo.i do have pix of the frames used but don't know how to post them here,sorry.Good Luck
 
Frigidaire Portable Room Air Conditioner

My Hi-Lo didn't come with a roof mounted A/C unit, I ordered a Frigidaire Portable Room Air Conditioner, and made a pattern for the window opening out of plywood, used automotive body filler, sanded it, painted and I put it in the window to vent the hot air from the A/C during summer and can be taken off when I don't need A/C, total part and material including the Frigidaire unit was around $150
 

Attachments

  • DSCF3444.jpg
    DSCF3444.jpg
    91.2 KB · Views: 70
  • DSCF3445.jpg
    DSCF3445.jpg
    87 KB · Views: 73
Small air conditioners are usually rated by BTU,s rather than watts. The 8.4 amps at 115 volts AC is normal for a 5000 BTU air conditioner. I don't understand the watt rating given.
The air conditioners in both of my trailers are 13,500 BTU.
 
Rich, you are right it is a 5000 BTU, its not big, but for my needs, its ok, I wanted a unit that is not too heavy that way I can put it on the floor when traveling, I guess the watt info is for someone that may want to run it on a generator.
 
Yeah I was thinking about one of these units for a small boat cabin and was wondering how many watts they pulled. Either 560W or 966W should be fine for my 2000 watt generator. The BTUs would be plenty for the small cabin I want to cool. I had a 5000 BTU window Unit in my Trailmanor and it would just barely keep things cool on a really hot day but it was better than nothing and you could run it off a small Generator.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top