Noisy Dometic AC - Event Date: 14 Jul 2018 - 21 Jul 2018

Jato, thanks for the idea re the a/c.  I was thinking of buying an Easy Start for our ac and need to replace the shroud, but I'm loathe to invest anything in a Dometic product more than a couple years old.  I've already been told that they consider our 2009 a/c unit ancient and obsolete.  I could buy a portable unit as you describe from Amazon for between $240 and $325, depending on the brand and features and have something quieter, more trouble free and efficient, and easier on the generator.

The two problems:  Where to put it and what to do with the hole in the roof that the Dometic now occupies.  The latter problem, the hole in the roof, shouldn't be a big problem to patch.  a piece of flat fiberglass with a little reinforcing and insulation under it should take care of the issue and a flat panel on the interior, painted to come close to the paneling would solve that problem. ... or even a nice skylight to illuminate the interior.

The second problem, where to put it, is a little more complicated, but far from insurmountable.  Since we have a 172 with the upper bunk partially removed, making a storage shelf, I think there is enough space to put it on the shelf next to the head, and build a surround on the open side to help hold it in place.  When we get back from Colombia, I'm going to take some measurements to see if it will fit.  Since we tend to travel with a minimum of stuff, the loss of about 2 cu.ft. of storage space will be de minimus.

Jato, I found a stainless steel dryer style vent in Amazon that would be simple to install and would make venting easy without the need for access to window.  With the 172 the windows are limited [adding to the value of a skylight in the hole from the existing AC] and the unit would be competing for the very limited space floor space.  But, if I use the shelf that remains from the old upper bunk and put the vent in the port side wall behind where the unit would go, it would be easy to attach the exhaust hose and put the AC on the shelf only when needed.  As you note, the benefit of a portable unit is that it's easy to take out of the trailer.  In fact, most of the places we camp, we need heat in the morning and our AC very rarely ever used, so we could just leave it in the garage for most trips.

The more I think about it, the more I'm intrigued with the idea.  It would be easy to fabricate a cover for the exhaust vent when the AC is not in use.  Making the cabinet separation for the old bunk shelf would also provide some functional storage space with slide in and out shelves, and I could make a removeable vented side panel to easily access the exhaust hose to dis/connect it.  Using the existing AC circuit, by rerouting the romex under the wet bath and up the wall behind the toilet with a plug added in a convenient spot.  And a nice side benefit would result from removing the old roof unit since it would reduce windage, thus improving gas mileage.  

While my wife takes care of all her annual medical exams and catches up on all the family gossip with her sisters here in Colombia, I am passing time sorting through possible installation and function issues.  Next week we leave the oppressive tropical heat of Cartagena and head to the land of eternal spring in Medellin, where AC and heat are never needed.  I only wish we could bring our Pod here.  The places to visit would be absolutely spectacular.

  

Yes, when in the high country of Colombia think of struggling with temperatures between lows of 55 and highs of 78, beautiful green mountains, good food, and very friendly people.

From looking at the exhaust tubes, it looks like it will slip right over the stainless steel dryer vent I found on Amazon that is available in a 6" diameter.