Artic Air Portable A/C Units

I've used them for emergency A/C in small data centers when the primary systems failed. They work well. There are several places in the Metroplex that rent them.
 
Played around with them some at OSH. The 14v model is very weak - guess it'd be better than nothing. The 28v models put out good, cold air. Don't forget, though, that you need to make provision for venting the condenser outflow, which usually means aft, and they weigh a fair bit. Check current draw, as well - not trivial.
 
Very interested in other pireps. A Kelly Aerospace system is around $35k. I don't know what it costs to install this system but seems like a great option for hopefully under $10k installed that does not require lugging ice and water in and out every flight.
 
I too looked at the Kelly web page... but unfortunately, they don't have the STC for the 182P.
 
AggieMike88 said:
I too looked at the Kelly web page... but unfortunately, they don't have the STC for the 182P.
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Call them and talk to them. Heard that they sometimes may supplement the system big time in order to get the STC
 
I have one I'll sell you for 150 if you want it. KHEG or i'll ship it. Works great but my plane has A/C so don't need it anymore
 
EminiTrader said:
I have one I'll sell you for 150 if you want it. KHEG or i'll ship it. Works great but my plane has A/C so don't need it anymore
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Are you talking about the one that uses ice as the fuel for cooling? The one I was asking about was the one that uses R134 and functions like a window unit for your house.
 
No worries.... But posting the availability in the Classifieds Section might get you more activity and get it sold.
 
My biggest concern would be the power required to run it (they say up to 27 amps for the 12V unit) and the need to cut some holes for condensation and hot air discharge.
Also, as the unit discharges the hot air overboard, where does it draw the cooling air from? The interior. So it consumes your cooled air which is replaced by hot air from the outside.
At 42 lbs (for the smallest unit), I'd still opt for the ice-chest unit. Mainly for the current draw and no need for installation. But that's just me. You might have completely different criteria.
 
AggieMike88 said:
No worries.... But posting the availability in the Classifieds Section might get you more activity and get it sold.
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Yeah its been sitting in my hangar with a ton of stuff I don't use. One day I'll post it. I just saw your post so I jumped at it :)
 
EminiTrader said:
Yeah its been sitting in my hangar with a ton of stuff I don't use. One day I'll post it. I just saw your post so I jumped at it :)
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Emini, I sent you a message. I am interested in buying yours and I am local.
 
I have the ICE one, while good, its a little annoying to use. I've often thought about installing the kelly system but it weights just under 50lbs and I don't want to permanently install 50lbs in my plane as I've used the weight quite a bit

but the system you are asking about looks neat, its a real AC unit, my question is though, is it permanently installed in the Airplane? Is it just placed back there and can be taken out when needed? and If so is there any permanent fixtures that have to be installed as a result of the system? and how much do those weigh?

so many questions I should just call the company....but its more fun to post here! lol
 
BigBadLou said:
Also, as the unit discharges the hot air overboard, where does it draw the cooling air from? The interior. So it consumes your cooled air which is replaced by hot air from the outside.
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Looks to me like no cabin air goes outside nor is any drawn in from the outside, provided the cabin vents are closed. The heat is vented overboard via the Freon condensing in the evaporator and a tube routed out of the cabin.. the cabin air itself just gets recirculated over the evaporator.
 
JustinD said:
I have the ICE one, while good, its a little annoying to use. I've often thought about installing the kelly system but it weights just under 50lbs and I don't want to permanently install 50lbs in my plane as I've used the weight quite a bit

but the system you are asking about looks neat, its a real AC unit, my question is though, is it permanently installed in the Airplane? Is it just placed back there and can be taken out when needed? and If so is there any permanent fixtures that have to be installed as a result of the system? and how much do those weigh?

so many questions I should just call the company....but its more fun to post here! lol
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Need to have one small hole vented overboard for the condensation to go(it's created on the fins of the evaporator), and a hose routed out of the cabin(rear of fuse or something) to carry off the hot air from the condenser.

Doesn't sound like a lot of modification, but the weight is significant and so is the price. I'll just roast, or try to fly higher:)
 
AggieMike88 said:
Are you talking about the one that uses ice as the fuel for cooling? The one I was asking about was the one that uses R134 and functions like a window unit for your house.
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And I thought you were asking about the 2-5 ton 208V 3PH units made for portable use in buildings.

If you had a long enough extension cord your perspiration worries would be over. :D
 
Looks like a great alternative to the Kelly Aerospace system although you'd need to go with the biggest 24V one to be close in performance. Current draw is high 37 amps. A safe installation will require proper wiring and maybe another alternator. Same cooling power as going through 80 lbs of ice per hour if you want to compare with the ice models.
 
I went flying with a friend a few years back, he has a thermometer on his cabane strut( biplane) and when he flies he just climbs until he reads the temp he likes and that is his "cruising" altitude. Just a thought before you consider spending 40k on a window unit.
 
Acrodustertoo said:
I went flying with a friend a few years back, he has a thermometer on his cabane strut( biplane) and when he flies he just climbs until he reads the temp he likes and that is his "cruising" altitude. Just a thought before you consider spending 40k on a window unit.
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The "window unit" is much less than the installed STC'd units.

The problem is, by the time you climb to the "cool" cruising levels, you're soaked with sweat... And you still have to descend, too!
 
fiveoboy01 said:
... and a hose routed out of the cabin(rear of fuse or something) to carry off the hot air from the condenser.
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Right, if the hot air is carried out through a hose, how is it replaced? That was my point. There could be second hose (not mentioned) that carries outside air into to unit. Or the unit might be using the interior air to cool the condenser before discharging the air out.
In either case, the 27A requirement would be a bigger problem on a single-engine airplane with a small alternator.
 
JustinD said:
I've often thought about installing the kelly system but it weights just under 50lbs and I don't want to permanently install 50lbs in my plane as I've used the weight quite a bit
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I don't think it is really permanent. Once you do the initial install, the ones I've seen in Barons/Bo's are easily removed. Just unlatch the sides/straps and pull it out. Very easy to install for the summer and remove in the winter.

Only problem is the weight: the summer months are usually when you want to lighten your load.
 
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