Van AC - "Thinking out of the box"

vanman10x2 · Jul 1, 2012

Looks like this could be a hotter summer then normal or I just can't take the heat like I used too.

I was thinking of adding a small window AC unit to the rear or side door of my chevy express and powering it with my honda generator. I do not want to invest in a roof model AC for this van, but will on my new van next year.

I am not as mechanically inclined as some of you but can follow instructions, I wondered if I maybe missed a post on EO or my web searches that shows a van window AC installation, or some better low cost ac solution I have not thought of. Thanks!

If mod wants to move this post to "truck talk", works for me, but I wanted to start here.

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asjssl · Jul 1, 2012

That is exactly the setup i have..bonda 2000i ..5000 btu window unit....looks funky but does the job..in the peak of the day you need to keep your van out of the sun whenever possible helps alot...bessides that will freeze you out..you will be glad you did it...i have bad this setup for 3 years....the other problem with roof units....puts you into the class 2 on the toll roads...=more $$

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chefdennis · Jul 1, 2012

Ok, if you dont want to cut a hole in the backdoor, you can also mount it in the pssenger door winndow and have it removeable...you can see a few pictures in my thread on the Cargo Max where i did that when i forget my standup unit.

Yea, you will need to "set it up and take it down" each time, but it is away around cutting a hole in the rear door. All you need is a 3/3 piece of plywood cut 1 in "shorter" then the depth of tthe AC unit and then cut to the same width and 2 short 2x2's . Mount the 2x2's on the bottom of the plywoodacross the width of the plywood just short of the middle about a 1/4 to 3/8th of an inch between the 2 (just enough to be able to roll the window up between them.

Open the window leaving an inch or 2 up. Set the plywood platforn on top of the glass. Set the acunit on the platform and using a 1 in ratchet strap wrapped around the AC unit & the platform,strap it tight. Then with another strap from the outside backsice of the AC unit running up the back and over the top, find a place to hook it inside the van and strap it tight again. now roll the window up.

You will have a smallopening on the leading side where the door frame angles away, cuy a 1.4 piece of luan plywood to fill that area. Plug it in, fire up the generator, adjust the vents and you are all set.

Alot of guys do that, including OVM..you can set it up and take it down in 5 minutes and be ready to go...As is aid you can see the setup here at this link ang go to post #157 :

http://www.expeditersonline.com/forum/truck-talk/46846-chef-denniss-new-cargomax-4.html

asjssl · Jul 1, 2012

I installed mine permanently in the back side door window..a 5000 fits perfectly .....

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Monty · Jul 1, 2012

If you have a bulkhead, I installed mine inside on the bulkhead ....

OntarioVanMan · Jul 1, 2012

you exhaust it into the back of the van?

Monty · Jul 1, 2012

Yes, I did ...... the only issue was I needed to install an exhasut van back there ..... the moisture dripped into a bucket ..... had gallons of distilled water!