There aren't enough videos out there showing how to install a window a/c in a vehicle, I've looked, thank you for taking the time to do this, you are the man!!!
@@DavesRVLife Your an awesome guy! I like seeing what you can do and helpung others gain confidence in being able to trouble shoot a problem. Even then if someone else fixes it you got an idea what your in for.
Hi from OKLAHOMA. Excellent ! Your quite the rv guro,Dave. You can work on my rig anytime😀 Thank you for sharing. My Uncle did the same except he put the ac in front passinger window!. He would take the ac out on long trips prior arriving his destination then put ac back in window in his little minni winni!.
If You have a way to catch the water that drips out of, it would be good for bathing, I don't think I would drink it, but washing clothes or toilet stuff would be fine.
As usual Dave, you're on the ball! I like the black and white as well. Very classy! Also because it matches BELLA!! stay cool! See you soon! God bless!
Thanks for showing us the detail of the ac install, Dave. The fact that you do things right, best, completely, is why I love watching and listening to how you do things. My Dad taught me the same way. Really love your electric bike! I'd favor black paint for the a/c window, makes it look more symmetrical with the other window. I think I'd leave the white fan cover up there. Just my opinions. Hope you tell us how well running that ac works out with solar. Inquiring minds want to know! Great video! Thank you! See ya next time!
Dave I love the things you do and that "can do spirit." We have to be able to do some things for ourselves or we loose our individuality and creativity as well. I'm so glad I found you and your channel.
I used a portable a/c and vented it out the passenger window last summer. I’ve been thinking of installing a window unit in my van rear door to save space inside and more convenience. Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for this video!!!! I’m a fiber optic tech and I work out of a Ford E350 bucket van. Just built this exact setup to the T and it works great!!!!!
Ha Ha! You starred the van and Bella looked so disappointed when you turned the van off. I think she is ready to roll... Regarding the vent cover, if your concerned about how the black would do, just cover it with a dark towel or tarp to see what kind of difference it makes.. Good job on the air conditioner. I'm with you on the extra support. Would rather know I have too much than having to try to resupport something later.
Nailed it. You went with 'Arctic King ' . Good man . Mine's two and a half years old and going strong. Mine came in black , go figure. These newer units don't have a drain hole. The water gets slung around and evaporates. BUT ! Here along the Gulf Coast the humidity is soo thick that I drilled a 1/8" hole underneath. Carefully. This thing around here puts out buckets of water ( it seems ). You could add small break lights to the bike basket. You'll be fine. Final test ...when your a/c is complete...get the garden hose out and simulate a rain shower over the unit. I hate a wet pillow. You are set . Go man go !
...one more note. Unless you want to enter your van in a car show ( which would be cool if they had such a thing ) The color scheme of you van doesn't matter to the woods , lakes , fish , birds or other nomads. Non van dwellers will always wonder ..."What is that ? and how does it work.? " Most comments I get are ,,," wow , that's cool"
Dave, I wouldn't bother either, there's almost as much hanging on the inside balancing it out somewhat. You did a great job installing that unit. Just make sure you don't park nose down when you run it, so it drains outside. Black also dissipates heat better for the same reason it absorbs heat
Dave you are the greatest like I said about a year ago I would be willing to adopt you as another grandson!! Thank goodness you have such a great deer protection dog!! LOL take care. Traveling Grandma
That rig is so well-put together all you need is those little slots that the money trucks have on either side to be completely fortified from outside forces. :^D People need to trust the Dave process more...
On this particular window you have to take a knife and stick it between the black gasket and cut the glue all way around it remove each bolt and cut glue also around bolts well on mine I had glue holding on the window as well idk if all vans have that glue but mine did
You definitely know what you are doing for sure. That was never even a doubt. That plywood was a great idea for that application because of it being more flexible. I never thought about the generator would cause any carbon monoxide problem. I just think it's always a good idea to have a carbon monoxide alarm because that is an odorless gas. Now all you need back there is the rearview camera.
Don't worry about the black. Yes black absorbs more heat than white but it also disipates more heat as well. That's the reason SR71'S were painted black. Look it up.
That sounds like what Ford Did with My 1998 Expedition with the 5.4 liter Engine. I think they just said let's hurry up and build this engine. It has blown out 1 spark plug so far. I have heard that they usually blow at least 2.
Are you planning on adding a tube to take away the A/C condensation water so it won’t splash all over your generator and what ever else you may have on your carrier ?
I have a very similar design, I am going to make some covers for those top vents as I think that will be a problem with junk getting down in the unit, I believe the side vents will give plenty of air flow, years ago these units were solid on the top.
I just bought the same kind of air conditioner for my van and I like your ideas. I'm gonna be running mine off of solar. I think the extra brace sure couldn't hurt. My wife is a bit upset with me because she wanted the kind that will fit under the solar. I think she'll be just fine when she's nice and cool at night when she's sleeping in the cool air.
Amazing job Dave, you are very handy with your hands. My caravan is almost ready for delivery now I just have to learn how to tow it. I really like your instructional and review videos. Your van wont be long now before you can hit the road.
Hey Dave and Bella!!! You’ve done a terrific job planning how you’re going to do everything as you’re very creative and a great handyman !! You’ve done a terrific job putting that air conditioner in and painting the back solid black how awesome !! Can’t wait to see how everything’s going to look once you get the van completely like you wanted it. Many thumbs up 👍 on a job well done so far!! Take care and much love to Bella. Thanks for sharing your videos on the progress of your van-until next time. 🙂🙂🙂👍👍👍
Idea> Might get some reflective tape and put on you carry rack but not sure about reflectors on side. Thanks for sharing your video with us. Stay Safe.
If 3/8 was too thin, you could laminate 2 or more pieces together to double or triple the thickness after bending😉 Don't think you need it for the AC. Carbon detector seems like a very good idea for any camper.
I see one potential problem with the AC install. You have washers on the inside where there is metal for the nut and washers to lay against but there are no washers on the outside where the bold heads lay against the plywood.. The vibration of travel will cause the bolt heads to eventually pull through the plywood and create a hole that will require a larger (1") flat washer to hide and make secure.. just my 2 cents but I would pull each bolt (one at the time) and place a 1 inch flat washer under the bolt heads to prevent that from happening.
Nice job only thing you might think about adding with some grilled work protect the condenser coil fins, you could frame it with angle iron or Square tubing and then run your bars across keep your condensing fins From getting smashed down
My a/c is setup the same way but I tilted so it drains to the rear bottom of the cooler outdide. At first I didn't tilt it and it drained inside of my van.😞 so I had to fix it correctly. Put brackets and a small piece of wood beneath it to maintain the tilted angle of the a/c. I intalled naamco plugs one on each side of my van to hook up at camping sites or family members & friends homes. Then I can run a strip plug inside for various gadgets or ceramic heater. I have a 1992 GMC VANDURA CONVERSION VAN.👍
Dave, one of my mottos is "Better safe than sorry," so I agree with the braces on the bottom of the a/c and on the back rack. Definitely, over-engineering is smart. "Do it right the 1st time" is another of my mottos.😊 I agree with your choice of black for the a/c area. I also like the white vent cover on the top of the van.
I love this. You gained a new follower here. Im actually an above the knee amputee in the process of building my own van out right now. Since im a disabled veteran. It gives me the financial freedom to do the van life experience. Follow my journey if you want. Its gonna be fun
Dave you did a nice job on that A/C unit. However you didn't say what kind of plywood you used. If it isn't marine grade then it will de-lambiminate when it gets wet.!You need to seal around the edges and under the A/C unit too.
It's looking good! Thanks for the tip on the drill torque adjustment, I said duh to myself, why didn't anyone ever tell me about that before? Bad deer! haha!
Your van is slick enough I can't see a cop stopping you for your plate unless you get a really super Barney one. Brake lights look super and we all have to have the third one so I don't see a safety problem unless it doesn't work. She's looking good. The DOT silver/red reflective tape they use on semi's artfully done is an idea.
