[VAC] Re: Creative air conditioning Installation

[wescott50@xxxxxxxxx (Bill Scott)]

To all concerned about those roof top Air Conditioners. After 1961, most
coaches had the necessary re-inforcement ribs to support a roof top A/C,
and the necessary 110 Volt  wiring.   The only problem is just what RJ
and others have said,  that big ole box looks dorky up there.  A thin
and more aerodynamically shaped Duotherm Penguin,  did look a little
better, but not much.  I have seen special installations, like the
closet Bambi A/C in Noland Vogts Bambi, but the performance was
lackluster, and the cost was high.  The "Cool Cat"  installation by Roy
Lashway in his 56 Bubble looks good and performs well.  Maybe he will
comment on the noise level and recovery time.   The best installation I
have seen is a window type A/C, installed under the bed in the Bambi's
of Ray Burke and Preston Pierson.  The end of Summer issue of the
Vintage Advantage, Page 19 in Coop's Corner. has an excellent article on
the installation of the A/C in the Bambi, under the bed.  He used a  GE
Carry Cool  with a 4200 btu output.  It weighs only 40 lbs,  and you can
pick one up at Sam's for about $150.   Preston did a fine job, and the
installation looks like the factory did it.
That little A/C will probably cool the 100 sq ft Bambi with ease.   If
it doesn't, one could easily step up to a larger 7000 btu or a 10,000
btu unit.  Go to your new Vintage Advantage, and read the article.  I
commend Preston for the fine job he did, and hope to see and hear the
little A/C perform , next June at the Sioux Falls Rally.  A unit like
that one only pulls about 500 watts.

Bill Scott
61 Bambi, VAC & WBCCI #3221