Propane powered A/C
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Propane powered A/C
I need to get a propane powered A/C unit to cool a small room (12 x 20). I understand such things exist but I can't find much about it on the web.
Any suggestions?
PS: Also whether double host or single - they all seem to connect to the outside via a window. Can't they attach to my duct opening (used for the central A/C). In this case, I have no central A/C - only the vent.
Any suggestions?
PS: Also whether double host or single - they all seem to connect to the outside via a window. Can't they attach to my duct opening (used for the central A/C). In this case, I have no central A/C - only the vent.
Top Answer
04-18-21, 07:28 PM
DICTIONARY - Redundant - see "Redundant"
What Is a Propane Air Conditioner? | DoItYourself.com
What Is a Propane Air Conditioner? | DoItYourself.com
#2
I have moved your post to its own thread so that it gets the attention that it deserves. In most cases, it is better to post your own thread instead of tacking onto another.
I have never heard or seen an A/C unit that is powered by propane. Why propane? Do you not have electricity available where you are?
I have never heard or seen an A/C unit that is powered by propane. Why propane? Do you not have electricity available where you are?
Bill Hurley
voted this post useful.
#3
Member
I think your a bit confused.
Single/duel hose is a portable unit, and these are not propane powered. These need to vent outdoors as the air coming off the condenser is very hot. You ask if f they can be vented via ductwork, but say you only have one vent. What is that vent for? You will likely need to vent outdoors.
Fuel burning (and steam) air conditioners do exist, and are common. However this technology only exists in RV refrigerators and very large industrial chillers in the hundreds or even thousands of tons of capacity. This is called absorption. This kind of unit doesn’t exist for residential or portable use.
There was a fuel burning unit available in the 1980s but it was a disaster that was recalled.
The only other fuel burning unit I’m aware of is a VRF unit made by Yanmar/Daikin.
Single/duel hose is a portable unit, and these are not propane powered. These need to vent outdoors as the air coming off the condenser is very hot. You ask if f they can be vented via ductwork, but say you only have one vent. What is that vent for? You will likely need to vent outdoors.
Fuel burning (and steam) air conditioners do exist, and are common. However this technology only exists in RV refrigerators and very large industrial chillers in the hundreds or even thousands of tons of capacity. This is called absorption. This kind of unit doesn’t exist for residential or portable use.
There was a fuel burning unit available in the 1980s but it was a disaster that was recalled.
The only other fuel burning unit I’m aware of is a VRF unit made by Yanmar/Daikin.
Bill Hurley
voted this post useful.
#4
There was a fuel burning unit available in the 1980s but it was a disaster that was recalled.
VRF = Variable Refrigerant Flow correct?
I bet a 30 ton unit would make my 330SQFT apartment like a freezer (if it can even fit LoL)
#5
I've never heard of an actual home A/C unit that used propane but like mentioned there are RV type fridges that use propane. They run on heated ammonia. There were home fridges that also ran on propane and natural gas. They were made by Servel. They are still around and as long as the ammonia solution doesn't leak out they'll run forever.
Servel fridges
Servel fridges
#6
Member
It was the York Triathlon. And it used an internal combustion engine that burned natural gas. Pretty sure York bought all of them back due to major issues and problems.
Yanmars unit uses the same principle.
Yes, VRF means variable refrigerant flow.
30 tons would mean your unit would short cycle itself to death. And never dehumidify.
Yanmars unit uses the same principle.
Yes, VRF means variable refrigerant flow.
30 tons would mean your unit would short cycle itself to death. And never dehumidify.
#7
30 tons would mean your unit would short cycle itself to death. And never dehumidify
I also bet a 30 ton unit is 3-phase which I don't have in the place.
#8
Member
DICTIONARY - Redundant - see "Redundant"
What Is a Propane Air Conditioner? | DoItYourself.com
What Is a Propane Air Conditioner? | DoItYourself.com
Bill Hurley,
CircuitBreaker
voted this post useful.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Hal. That answers some of these questions. However no models are given there (What Is a Propane Air Conditioner? | DoItYourself.com). It explains the principle but offers no products. I am cost shopping and that's my dilemma.
Big picture - you could say that I'm a "prepper" and want to purchase something for a time when the electric grid is out here in San Antonio Texas. Therefore, I'm making one of my rooms "independent capable" and even hoped to vent the hose(s) into my central A/C ductwork (which I figure is just as good as a window for expelling fumes). Maybe not?
It's not out-of-the-question to use a window unit - but there won't be any electricity. Do you suspect that I'd need a separate generator that uses propane? Or an A/C that uses battery power?
Big picture - you could say that I'm a "prepper" and want to purchase something for a time when the electric grid is out here in San Antonio Texas. Therefore, I'm making one of my rooms "independent capable" and even hoped to vent the hose(s) into my central A/C ductwork (which I figure is just as good as a window for expelling fumes). Maybe not?
It's not out-of-the-question to use a window unit - but there won't be any electricity. Do you suspect that I'd need a separate generator that uses propane? Or an A/C that uses battery power?
#10
Look to getting a generator. Running on propane is fine.
An A/C will not cost effectively run on any type of batteries.
An A/C will not cost effectively run on any type of batteries.
Bill Hurley
voted this post useful.
#11
Member
Propane generator with a big tank should last "a while" if the grid is out. And propane generators run much cleaner than gasoline, so you don't have to service them as often. With a HUGE initial investment, you could run on solar power, but the required batteries will have to be replaced periodically. So neither is a permanent solution - but if the grid is out forever - well, people lived in Texas before electricity, somehow.
#12
Member
You cannot expel any fumes via ductwork. As said fumes will not be vented outdoors.
In 19 years of HVAC I’ve yet to see any type of fossil fuel powered residential air conditioner.
As said above you’d be better off with a generator and window/portable unit. Which I think is where your single/duel hose question came from in post #1.
In 19 years of HVAC I’ve yet to see any type of fossil fuel powered residential air conditioner.
As said above you’d be better off with a generator and window/portable unit. Which I think is where your single/duel hose question came from in post #1.
Bill Hurley
voted this post useful.
#13
Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
It was the York Triathlon. And it used an internal combustion engine that burned natural gas. Pretty sure York bought all of them back due to major issues and problems.
Yanmars unit uses the same principle.
Yanmars unit uses the same principle.
The only thing that burns fuel to create cold is either a tiny RV fridge, or a giant factory sized chiller. There are however air conditioners that use propane as the refrigerant, but it's not being burned. (R209) Not currently legal in the US, but it should be...
#14
Member
You are confused. Those are not heat creating ammonia refrigeration devices. The York Triathlon was a Briggs and Stratton engine coupled to an automotive style A/C compressor. They still make them for self contained cogeneration units, although it's been spun off to a new company called Marathon. As a residential heat pump it is a terrible idea, in summer you dump 3/4 of the energy as waste heat.
The only thing that burns fuel to create cold is either a tiny RV fridge, or a giant factory sized chiller. There are however air conditioners that use propane as the refrigerant, but it's not being burned. (R209) Not currently legal in the US, but it should be...
The only thing that burns fuel to create cold is either a tiny RV fridge, or a giant factory sized chiller. There are however air conditioners that use propane as the refrigerant, but it's not being burned. (R209) Not currently legal in the US, but it should be...
Never said anything about the Triathlon being an absorbing ammonia device. It simply used the engine as a method to spin the compressor.
There are a wide variety of absorbing devices available. But energy prices and efficiency of standard chillers has made them not hugely popular for light industrial. Yes, RV refrigerators work in the same principle.
Hydrocarbon refrigerants are already widely used in the US. They have steadily gained popularity in commercial refrigeration.
#15
Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 9
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Still confused. York did not buy them back, and they did not stop making them.
You also said:
"In 19 years of HVAC I’ve yet to see any type of fossil fuel powered residential air conditioner."
What then, is the York Triathlon?
You also said:
"In 19 years of HVAC I’ve yet to see any type of fossil fuel powered residential air conditioner."
What then, is the York Triathlon?
Last edited by Shadeladie; 06-02-21 at 07:00 AM. Reason: Insulting and unwarranted remarks to other members not allowed
#16
Member
Still confused. York did not buy them back, and they did not stop making them.
You also said:
"In 19 years of HVAC I’ve yet to see any type of fossil fuel powered residential air conditioner."
What then, is the York Triathlon?
You also said:
"In 19 years of HVAC I’ve yet to see any type of fossil fuel powered residential air conditioner."
What then, is the York Triathlon?
Last edited by PJmax; 06-02-21 at 10:44 AM. Reason: Comment removed