Mini-Split A/C - Box Truck Camper
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- čas přidán 9. 05. 2024
- Installing a mini-split heat and A/C system in our box truck camper conversion.
Here is the system we installed. www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWH9QXWM
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Tuesdays and Fridays...my favorite days of the week! I have zero interest in doing any handyman stuff around my apartment and can barely hammer a nail in the wall to hang a picture yet I am hooked on watching your videos. I have been watching you and Elizabeth for many years starting from the renovation of your tiny house trailer in Pennsylvania. I find your videos very interesting, informative and entertaining and especially love seeing two of the nicest, down to earth people ever! ❤
Thank you for being our #1 most faithful supporter for so many years! 🥇 I think you make more comments on our videos than any other subscriber! I'm so glad that you enjoy our videos. 😊
Isn't he great. He teaches us and speaks very clearly and explains things so anyone can understand. I just love it. ❤
I’m sooooo excited to see your camper finished, although I know it’s going to take time and money. And how WONDERFUL that you had your friend there to help with that installation, and to walk you through the remote!!! Good friends like Dan are hard to come by!!! God bless him!!! ❤️❤️❤️
You and Elizabeth are so respectful to each other and others you work with.
When Dan drilled in from the outside I wanted to say, "PEEK-A-BOO!"🤣❤️👍🏼👏🏼🤗
🤣
I hear those mini-splits are awesome. Everything is going right along for you guys. I pray you make it to your destination safely. ❤ I'm boldly asking for prayers, as my daughter 49, passed away last month. It was a sad Mother's Day. My grandsons 24 and 18 in St. Augustine, have witnessed their Mom's struggle with addiction and the medical/emotional/behavioral consequences for over a decade. I pray God will heal them from their scars. 🙏 I believe in the power of prayer, is why I request them. Thank you. 🕊✝️🕊
So sorry for your loss. I’ll pray, especially for your grandsons. ❤️
Sending a hug.
@@LiveSimpleLiveFree Thank you so much. It means a lot. 🙏❤🙏
SO much quieter than the rooftop regular RV air conditioner! Those give me a headache they are so loud. Good job!
Yes they are!
This makes it very functional. Have to be able to get cool or warm depending .Hope Elisabeth makes it cute inside, not fancy, cute !!
Mostly all tiny homes have mini splits,cool😊🌷👍🇺🇸
This is a good idea for emergencies too, The box truck should eventually kind of pay for itself in hotel costs and meals over time too. Great retirement or even semi retirement idea. If you're not leaving the US for anything then this should suit your vacation needs and no sleeping on the ground or out in the weather . Fantastic!!!!❤
I think it's a great system! Really compact and efficient. What a blessing Dan was to help you set it all up! I'm looking forward to seeing all of the adventures you and Elizabeth go on with this fun camper! :)
Ditto!
Your AC..,unit looks great..but would it be a good Idea to put some kind of box frame around that ac motor..to stop someone from trying to steal it at night or when your not near your van…I love watching your videos..everything is coming together very well❤
I agree to cage it or it will be
I think it is absolutely so cool no pun intended, but I have to admit my first thought was security. However knowing Bill, he already has a plan for that we can’t outsmart Mr. Bill.
Pretty sure he mentioned that in a previous video
I mentioned in an earlier post if he was worried about it being stolen. He said,”No.” I didn’t want to sound like Debby Downer but I have seen too many RV and other mobile types of camping vehicles that have had tons of theft. People will steal anything these days. Do whatever you can to not make it not so accessible to theft.
Both of our homes are in very rural areas where theft is not an issue. I'm not worried about it.
Bill's Dad joke!!! "On the back, not on the side!!!"😊🎉❤
Well… at least SOMEBODY heard it! 😎
I live in the mountains, it gets in the 40s, I love it.
I want to thank you for showing and sharing this install
Hi Dan and Bill..nice work..thanks for this fellas
When we finished our house in South Carolina, we put in mini splits because the person that started building it didn’t allow space for heat runs. We were hesitant since we moved here from Indiana and were used to regular HVAC but we have been VERY pleased with this system no more and worries about dirty heat ducts!
Hotels are so expensive, you will save a ton of money by having this RV -- and having it built out to suit Elizabeth's requirements will make it more comfortable than any hotel!!
It's coming along Bill! I'm excited for you and Elizabeth. Wishing you well! 😊
I have been waiting for this video ever since you showed the van with it attached. So happy for you guys . The camper van is really starting to shape up
that type of insulation works best with an air gap. whatever it touches will transfer heat or cold. other than that great job, i really like.
Yay!! Now if you put some insulation on the back of that wall, it'll take less energy for you to run! I'm looking forward to the solar panel install!! You guys are certainly doing things right! Elizabeth seems to be much healthier! She's radiant! Continued blessings for you both!
We're planning MUCH more insulation everywhere! Elizabeth is very excited about this entire project.
Look great I want one Della.
Awesome purchase and install. If you travel to California, you might need to put a luggage strap; some straps can be used to secure items just saying; might want to carry a strap just in case. You two are the cutest couple and I love watching your adventures. 😇
Very impressive to see Dan’s skills and talent. What a godsend!
Just like we check our rivets and structure on our little Cessnas preflight walk around, sounds like a good plan to do the same before you drive the new RV. The stress of the road bounce and wind on the bolts and the braces,especially those that were intended to attach to a stationary structure are concerning. Maybe consider extra reinforcement or a cage around the unit. Cage would deter theft too?
I can't find a cage to fit. But I will probably reenforce the supports.
@@LiveSimpleLiveFreeMay have to build your own Mr. HAndy man, I think that you could do it.
It all looks so good!! Great job and super blessed with knowledgeable friends😊
So smart to do that unit, great idea. Excited for your progress. Enjoy!
Good work guys!
I was going to suggest plumbers putty to fill that hole when you had the stuff..I used that on my house to water seal where my ac line goes in the outside wall..the putty stays plyable and won't harden..good stuff.
You have a great set up Bill, happy vacations!
I LOVE your DIY video! You give the best information! So, if you did an install video, it would be great. You make me feel like I could do it.
I can do MOST things related to construction work. But I don't know much about installing an HVAC system. That's why I had Dan do it for me! I'm sure there are many YT tutorial videos about the details of installing HVAC. That's not within my area of expertise.
Great video. We have a small mini split in our small lake.cabin and love it. God Bless.
It's crazy how your friend said the mini split is more efficient than a house unit, if I understood him right. You guys are going to enjoy your adventures so much in that truck. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Correct. More efficient!
I am so glad to see Elizabeth looking well! Love your videos.
Will be so glad to see this all finished! You will be so glad you have that mini split when you are traveling on those real HOT & COLD days. It will be so nice in there when you are sleeping! So happy for you! Love And God Bless you both! And Happy Mother's Day Elizabeth! Love you both
Nice job on the split heat and ac unit. I hope you get enough insulation so it stays a comfortable temperature. Are you back in Virginia now? I have seen this used in an efficiency apt that was converted from a hotel room. God Bless you and your family! Happy Mothers Day to Elizabeth and everyone!🙏✝️💐❤️🎊🎉😊
I will be insulating the entire truck.
And yes, we got back to VA a couple of days ago.
I love your box truck conversion! And the mini-split is perfect. You might want to put some kind of rubber bumpers on those brackets so the next time you bump into them your head won't be traumatized. I would try using a pool noodle or a couple tennis balls but I know you could come up with a much more professional solution.
There will be a toolbox mounted to the wall underneath of the compressor that will keep me from bumping my head.
Awesome!
🙂👍
Bill, put some bumper covers (pool noodles cut up, pipe covers for the corners, something to cushion those bracket ends that stick out). Enjoy your adventures!
Mini splits are awesome
There's nowhere to put a pool noodle. I will be adding a toolbox bolted to the wall underneath of the condenser unit. That will keep me from bumping my head because I won't be able to walk under the unit anymore.
I have a suggestion for those air conditioner brackets. You can get rubber protectors for the bottom of chairs they come in different colors, shapes and sizes. Maybe you could get two of those to stick on the end of bracket to protect your head. You could even silicon them on to hold them in place. I would also worry about coming up at the wrong angle and hitting an eye, your face or even slicing your face open along the edge.
There will be a toolbox mounted to the wall underneath of the compressor that will keep me from bumping my head.
It’s coming out so awesome! Thank you for sharing🌸
Great job! Sure will be a blessing in the Fla heat!
Great project and it's looking awesome to boot.
Looking great ! Im enjoying it all from Minnesota. God bless n stay safe. ❤❤
SAME! Howdy neighbor! I would love to do this here. But I just don't think solar is much of an option. And I'd never camp in the winter. 40 degrees at night with no heat is doable to me. It's funny watching southerners. ( people with health conditions that can't be in the cold leave the state. I'm not dissing that) I'm not any kind of expert. Im just researching.
Wish our camper had an air conditioner setup like this. Ours is so loud we have to turn the TV up so loud, especially when I’m watching it from bed. Solar would be nice too. Can’t wait to see how comphy yall make this - watching from Lake Wales, Florida
Watching this build from the ground up is turning out to be very interesting & informative. A great idea LSLF 🙋♀️👍
Great idea! Nice to have a great friend with lots of knowledge on air conditioning. 👍👍👍
Put mobile home Kool Seal on the roof two coats and it will kill that heat but you need some insulation up there too, I just did a cargo trailer for a guy to use as a camper, when I stripping all the wood out of it, I did the two coats of kool seal on it when he bought the trailer two years ago, you couldn't touch the side walls without getting a burn, but the top was cool as can be, I know all the mobile homes I kool sealed over the years, when you first went on the roof you couldn't touch it, after one coat you could lay down on it, we did two coats to make sure the metal roof didn't leak water or rust and I have no money invested in kool seal, it just works that good and it is made by many companies
Bill, your setup on the mini split is great 👍. Tons of people are doing great with your brand and other systems and they Love them! Keep on. Going Brother!! I’m ready to get a Mr Cool for a backup in my home!!
Elizabeth, you are looking and sounding good. Florida is good for you. That's great.
You can add RV paint on the top that reflect heat rays from the sun. Your minisplit will have to work a lot less, saving power.
I can’t wait for the big side windows!
Me either! 😀
I love it! What a vision you have and what an awesome job! You could always run a bracket at the top of the unit to the wood behind it to help secure it from forward and backward movement. There’s no room in life for naysayers so keep up the good work stay positive and ENJOY LIFE!
I put one in my home! They are pricey but the people who bought my home, loved it, especially shortly after they moved in and it got hot!
This setup gives you a lot better sound and temp insulation than the roll down door would have allowed. 😊
Yup!
This was so great to get info on the mini split. This summer I will be getting a tiny home and now I understand better how the mini split will function. I was thinking about knockin your noggin! Perhaps a few small stick on orange and red reflectors might also help even on your added box. The great part about your cooling is you can open the fan over Bills bed for a few minutes and turn the mini on to do a quick air pull and get the ceiling heat out.
It’s great to have help!
I would install a rachet strap around the unit to the wall for added security if need be.
Good job. I'm sure you'll love your mini split as much as I love mine. We're retired FTers who discovered we love boondocking, so designed and built our off-grid electrical system ourselves, on a limited budget for our 1999 National Tropical Class A motorhome. It took us 5 years to gather the resources to finally complete the project. Last winter, while boondocking in Yuma, we removed our old rooftop bedroom A/C and replaced it with an EG4 28.5 seer-2, 12k btu mini-split heat pump on the upper rear of our motorhome. It's super quiet and cools as well as our 14.5k btu soft start equipped Furrion we have up front, but this high efficiency unit only draws about 1/3rd the power as our rooftop unit. It provides 24/7 off-grid air conditioning and heat from the heat pump connected to our 16.3 kwh 48v 320ah battery.
We charge this battery with 8, 550w panels racked 15" off our roof. Our 4,400w fixed array can run both our A/Cs, household appliances and charge our batteries from solar at the same time, even in winter. We mounted a Sungold Power all-in-one 48V, 5,000W Inverter/100A charge controller/battery charger, breakers and a Lnex battery monitor on the wall in our bedroom, saving us space as well as money compared to a system built with individual components. This all-in-one unit has the same 99% charging and 95% inverter efficiency as the Victron unit, though it lacks some of the bells and whistles to come in at only $764 for a full 5,000 watts of PSW inverter power and 100 amps of 48v charging. We chose this particular unit because it supports up to 500 volts of solar power which was needed to accommodate our 400voc solar array. This high voltage system performs very well in low light conditions. Yesterday it rained all day, but our high voltage array was still producing over 1,500 watts or around 35% of its rated capacity even in the rain to keep our battery topped up.
That's all very good to hear! We hope to have a solar system that will run this mini-split 24/7, plus computer and appliances.
Coming along very nicely. Bill, be aware that in some rv parks, they won’t allow rv’s with a/c alterations or unconventional a/c installations. This is the case with a county owned campground in S. Florida. So confirm before you go. You be blessed.
We don't plan to spend too many nights in campgrounds - at least not high-end campgrounds that might have restrictions. We plan to spend a lot of nights boondocking, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Harvest Host, BLM land - that sort of thing. If we're going to spend $40-50 per night at a campground, we might as well drive a car with better gas milage and get hotels!
Love it.. "that's cool," as in a.c. ha.. good one. We learned very much again. Thank you.
Grab a couple of rubber chair leg stops to put on those outside brackets s o a head contact is reduced to a bump and no blood. LOL
NB. We couldnt survive without those split system reverse cycle A/C units here in Australia. They are our primary heat/cool systems in every home. They wirk like atreat, youll never have a problem getting cool or getting warm. The install was sweet as. All the best guys!!!!!
When I install the toolbox on the wall underneath of the unit, that should take care of it.
Wow, it’s going to be a comfy place to travel with! My husband bangs his head all the time😁
Great job.
You’ll notice that the filters and louvers get dirty quickly. But they are super easy to clean
I love how quiet it is inside when you are running the A/C. I would love to switch out my rooftop A/C for one of those on my little Casita camper. The A/C is the one thing I hate about my camper because it is so very loud.
A lot of people tell me about their loud A /C
Awesome!
Might be good to have a secondary heat source just for peace of mind. Im green with envy, LOL!
First, we don't plan to be traveling in the cold! The heat is just for occasional chilly nights in the mountains. Second, I think this will be more than adequate. Third, we've done a LOT of winter camping and back packing. With good sleeping bags, we can handle some cold for a few nights if need be.
Bill, please don’t forget to ring your bell and play the music over your loudspeakers when you drive back to my neighborhood! Remember, I love Strawberry ice cream, please keep it in stock for me 👍👍
Will do!
Bill have you thought of putting something on the ends of the bracket. Maybe a pool noodle might work.
A pool noodle won't fit. When I install the toolbox on the wall underneath of it, that should take care of it.
You really should pipe both drain outlets in a vehicle. The head unit comes with a drain outlet on both sides.
Good idea. Thank you for that.
Very nice
Once again I must quote mr Spock…fascinating!
😄
I love how nice the mini split was able to be installed. This should keep you guys cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Just wondering if you are worried about someone stealing the unit off the back of your van? It probably wouldn't happen, but when not traveling, I'd back the van up close to your garage door so it would deter anyone from trying. I've had someone steal my spare tire off the back of my Bronco and I also had a bike double locked stolen off the back of my car.
Both of our homes are in very rural areas where theft is not an issue. I'm not worried about it.
Get a pool noodle, cut it to the length of your brackets, cut a slit and put it on the brackets as a soft protector.
Just an idea to contemplate.
There is no place to attach pool noodles. But that will all be remedied as soon as I install the toolbox on the wall underneath of the condenser unit.
Just my two cents, when hanging objects like that i prefer hex bolts with nuts and washers. 🙂 Looks great though. Happy Adventures.
Awesome.
Thanks! 😊
There's no issues with mounting to the wall. Issues are with outside unit factory mounting brackets - those are spot welded and very fragile. I lost 1st unit in 3000 miles and 2nd the same miles even I extra strapped and secured. These units are cheaply made and are not supposed to be used in moving vehicles (vibration). Both units before falling had internal part damage from vibration.
Thank you
I don't know which one, but my son in law had a mini split in his first food truck. It worked awesome on a single generator. His second truck doesn't have that type ac system, and he's had to add an additional generator. Made a believer out of me. I hope you mention the cost of this mini- split. We've been considering getting one for the house. If this is a 110, it should work for the house. If I understood what you said anyways.
Yes, it’s 110, and there’s a link in the video description.
Maybe a couple of tennis balls siliconed to the ends of the brackets for just in case. Also a cage or a sort of roll bar to protect the compressor from bumps or minor impacts (besides a head). Thanks again, great video.🎉
There will be a toolbox mounted to the wall underneath of the compressor that will keep me from bumping my head.
Bill have u thought of a backup generator. It could be mounted on the back. It just a thought.
I have two generators. But I doubt that we'll take one. This solar system we're planning should be more than adequate.
Use some thread lock on those bolts on the outside unit.
Yes, and they have lock washers as well.
And the birds are happy😊🐦⬛🐦⬛🦋🦋🦩
Brilliant 👍. Why not make an L shape tool store, more space and no more bangs on the head? Assuming you don't need an airflow under the unit.
I will be adding a toolbox bolted to the wall underneath of the condenser unit. That will keep me from bumping my head because I won't be able to walk under the unit anymore.
Awsome. I love your tee shirt Elizabeth. Where did you get it?
I went back and watched the video to remember which shirt I had on! 😄
I like that T-shirt, too. I actually got it at Walmart in Virginia. Cool, huh! 😊
Bill and Elizabeth,
I have a question about when you're not using the unit and driving down the road.
Do you think you should place some kind of a removable hard cover around the outside unit to keep it safe from road debris ?
Thank you,
❤😊❤😊❤
I don't think so (though it wouldn't hurt). It's designed to be out in the weather. And we might even have it running while we're driving, if Elizabeth is in the back.
Hi Bill. Will you please show how you plug in your minisplit to your solar battery, and describe &/or show you attaching a plug to the minsplit wires. Thank you.
The plug is just a replacement plug for a lamp cord. Strip the wires and then insert them into the set screws in the plug and tighten them up. You can get the plug at any home improvement or hardware store. They might even show you how to install it on the wire. Once the plug is on, just plug it into the 110v receptacle on the solar generator.
@@LiveSimpleLiveFree Thanks Bill. Would you (1) mind demonstrating on camera? Many people have never done this before and I believe would appreciate a demonstration. I bet you'd eventually get a million views showing this simple concept, and (2) will you please demonstrate how to add another circuit in an existing run. Say a circuit exists and there's an outlet, and is connected to a breaker box at the other end, and someone wants to add another circuit using a snake and pulling new wire through, not pigtailing off one circuit but wanting to add a new circuit that will be hooked up to a knew circuit breaker. I don't need to see the wire connected to the circuit breaker, I'd like to see how a diy'er can add a circuit without crawling under a house or up into an attic. I'd like to see how to add a circuit using an electricians snake. I think its possible, I think I saw an electrician do it decades ago but I don't remember all his steps, since he did it while I watched. As of yet. I've found no youtube videos demonstrating this technique but I think it exists. If you know what I'm talking about it, will you demonstrate the technique? Thank you. I love you and Elizabeth's box camper videos. Interesting and informative. 😊
Hey Bill. I had just said to my husband. Oh I hope no one hits their head on that bracket. Then you said you did.. ouch. I was thinking, maybe find some rubber stopper, like for a chair or a walker and maybe put those, even glue them on there? Just a thought
I will be adding a toolbox bolted to the wall underneath of the condenser unit. That will keep me from bumping my head because I won't be able to walk under the unit anymore.
Question…
Why was there no foam board on last two panels on the right side of back wall?
Because it’s not finished.
You have a nice friend that could help you. Just a thought on the back there with those sharp brackets. Could you slip something like tennis balls or a rubber type hose on them?
I will be adding a toolbox bolted to the wall underneath of the condenser unit. That will keep me from bumping my head because I won't be able to walk under the unit anymore.
I noticed that it looked like you had installed insulation on just part of the inside of the truck, are you going to insulate the check complete inside?
Of course. For now, I only put enough insulation to mount the A/C unit.
Great job, as usual, Bill! Quick question...is this something a novice could install? Would I actually need an A/C tech?
You would need an AC tech. You could probably mount the units yourself and then just hire someone to make the connections.
@@LiveSimpleLiveFree Thank you!
Is there some foam stuff that can be used to cover the areas under it to help not hit it? I know a type of plastic would need to cover the foam too. The box truck is coming along. Have fun.
When I install the toolbox on the wall underneath of it, that should take care of it.
Be fun to see how you do your steps
Love your videos, can you cut and glue a tennis ball over the shap ends.
When I install the toolbox on the wall underneath of it, that should take care of it.
Will you be adding more insulation? Looks like there is room for a few more inches. What about pool noodles pieces cut to fit on the ends of the brackets? Use zip ties to hold them on. Better then than bleeding all over things. Was thinking of getting one for the den and mudroom. Seems easy to install. Thanks for sharing. God bless and protect.
Yes, the entire truck will be insulated. I haven't started doing that yet.
There's nowhere to put a pool noodle. I will be adding a toolbox bolted to the wall underneath of the condenser unit. That will keep me from bumping my head because I won't be able to walk under the unit anymore.
Put pool noodles on hangers. IT WILL PROTECT YOUR HEAD.
There's nowhere to put a pool noodle. I will be adding a toolbox bolted to the wall underneath of the condenser unit. That will keep me from bumping my head because I won't be able to walk under the unit anymore.
👍👍
Battery powered comforts !!
Bill what was the cost of the uhaul and what size is the box ? The box van is turning out really nice - looking forward to see the process of turning into a home on the road !
It's a 14 foot box. It's a 2007 with 122k miles for $8,700. 6.8 V-10 engine.
Thanks Bill that seems like a very good deal and nice size of 14 feet - thank you Pat
@@pnoon43 trucksales.uhaul.com
I have an idea just in case so your head does not get hurt again. Take a small pool noodle preferably in white cut and measure the length of that bracket. Split the top of noodle with a knife and place a water proof glue inside and the slide and cover from the bottom. This way it is covered in Styrofoam and even if you remove the tool box and forget your head will not get hurt.
There will be a toolbox mounted to the wall underneath of the compressor that will keep me from bumping my head.
Enjoy your adventures. I wish I could..I am in mount dora fl :)
It looks like y’all are going to really be riding in style! What I was wondering is spray foam a good application for this kind of RV? I know a lot of people swear by it here in Florida in their houses. I know it’s pretty pricey though, but something of that size I don’t think it would be too bad. Just wondering…..
Spray foam for what? The walls? That would be WAY too expensive. Spray foam is usually just to fill holes and gaps, unless you have a professional company do it.
@@LiveSimpleLiveFree the spray foam people do their whole attic’s in. Not the little spray foam cans are you to use to fill in gaps.