The pages to follow, are pictures
of my Homemade Ice Water, Air Conditioner.
I saw one of these at a campout, and had to have one, so I built this one,
with my own improvements and changes.
Container is from an old Paper
Shredder
Heater Core for 1974 Ford F-100, 6 cylinder
7/8 ID Plastic Tubing and 3/4 inch clamps
The Fan in this case is a 110 volt fan, which I will be using a DC Converter to
run in the bus.
It is out of a G.E. under counter microwave, and has 2 speeds, High, and Higher.
This thing really moves some air, which is what I needed!
I used a Thermostat out of a window A/C to cycle the Bilge Pump in the cooler
off when it gets cool
enough, a three position toggle switch for the fan, (Off, High, and Low).
And another Toggle Switch to Turn the Bilge Pump on or off in the cooler.
I used a 50qt., 5 day, Igloo Cooler
which I fill with block ice, 1 bag of cubed ice,
and at least 1 gallon of water to start it off with.
The cold ice water is then pumped into and through the heater core, and re-circulated
back to the
cooler,
using a 360gph Marine Bilge Pump. Then the fan pulls the chilled air
through the heater core and into the bus through the air vent in the top.
I found that Block Ice lasts
longer. It goes through cubed ice way too fast.
However when set up with block ice, it needs at least 1 bag of cubed ice
plus a gallon of water to get things started. From there on, you're ok.
In 90 degree temperatures,
this usually lasts about 4 hours. If you're taking a really long trip, I would
recommend
a second cooler full of block ice so you can occasionally "throw another log on
the fire".
Another thing I found is that the
slower the Bilge Pump, the better.
I first started out with a 500gph bilge pump, and found that speed to use more
ice
than a 360gph pump. I had to look around to find one that slow, but finally
found one at the local
Bass Pro Shop for about $16. I also found that I can "meter" the flow of
water, by
putting a shut off valve in the line from the Bilge Pump to the cooler, and
turning down
the flow of water a little when the temperatures are lower. (Anything to slow
down
the water flow when not needed will slow the melting of the ice).