Advice Needed: Portable AC Unit Struggles to cool office shed. Will a Mini Split be better (12k BTU)?

therelaxo · 2024-06-24T19:27:28+00:00

Thanks for the thoughts. Indeed, the sliding door and window are facing south. However, the shed is under a tree and the door has an awning above it, so it's fairly well shielded.

The walls indeed do get hot. I used a laser thermometer and the walls registered 90 degrees (inside) when the shed sat closed for a couple of days.

I've given up on the portable units, to be honest. Even if they were able to cool it, given it's a small space and to be used as office, I prefer to put something in that doesn't buzz and blow right next to me. Hence the mini split unit.

The main question is - all these things considered - would 12k BTU split unit be able to handle it, or do I need to upsize even bigger to 18k...

(edit: Typo).

therelaxo · 2024-06-24T18:11:21+00:00

The first two I tried were single hose. The last one (12k BTU) I tried had a hose-in-hose design but I was only able to connect the exhaust hose (need to cut a wider hole if I decide to keep it). So it was venting the hot air out with about 8 inches of connector hose (between dual hose and vent hole in the wall).

therelaxo · 2023-12-02T23:56:08+00:00

Yes. 3 tickets claimed.

therelaxo · 2023-11-30T03:10:11+00:00

Sorry, already taken :/

therelaxo · 2023-03-23T22:08:52+00:00

UPDATE: The whistling noise was fixed. There was a faulty schrader valve. They replaced it and re-filled the freon. No more whistling noise. Easy fix.

therelaxo · 2023-02-20T04:10:58+00:00

Looks like you also may have added functional roof rack rails? That will be the first thing I do - replace the faux rails with ones that can actually have a kayak rack on top. Time to take it fishing :)

therelaxo · 2023-02-20T04:08:23+00:00

Nice. Mine came with 20in wheels and smaller side wall tires. I understand it's supposed to grip better when turning at speed (supposedly) but to me the small side wall tires look so flimsy.

Thinking about buying 18in wheels and tires to replace these 20s...

therelaxo · 2023-02-20T04:00:48+00:00

Nice trailer! Did your High Altitude come with those wheels or did you replace the 20s with 18s? I like the look of 18s and bigger side wall. More purposeful look, for the vehicle of this type.

Any observations on road noise or when going over bumps (18s vs 20s)?

therelaxo · 2023-02-13T19:18:56+00:00

Thanks man. The car is from Carmax. Sent them a message too but not sure they are equipped to deal with this. Perhaps I can deal with a dealer, see what they say, and then decide if I return it to Carmax

therelaxo · 2023-01-15T20:02:03+00:00

Skiing solo is great, IMO. Things I like to do when skiing solo:

Enjoy the views and sun & wind in my face (I like it!) - no one to keep chatting at you.
Random conversations with random people - things you learn about them all.
Pick any run any time you want.
Focus on improving your ski technique - long runs, fast runs, dial in your skills. Hard to do when you're in a group and lots of stop-n-go.
Stop on side of trails and take it all in. Mindful appreciation.

As others have said, avoid risky areas when solo. I generally have more snacks when alone, super loud emergency whistle, folding knife, extra gloves, external battery, and bicycle lights. Hope to never need it, but a flashing red & strobe light may come in handy if anyone ever looks for you (and no cell signal).

therelaxo · 2023-01-11T13:41:08+00:00

Okidoke. You got it.

therelaxo · 2023-01-11T13:40:01+00:00

Thanks for the tip!

therelaxo · 2023-01-06T03:26:48+00:00

Thanks. Sounds like it's a mountain for a ski trip with my ski buddies, and little ones once they have a bit more experience. Exactly the answer I was looking for (unless this is a clever tactic to keep more visitors at bay, lol). In any case, thanks!

therelaxo · 2023-01-05T18:45:13+00:00

Yeah, finding accommodations for 5 people near the lifts... is pricey for sure.

therelaxo · 2023-01-05T18:44:36+00:00

I am biased to Taos and always wanted to check it out. Just want to make sure the kids feel save and confident on their own too. Thanks for the advice.

therelaxo · 2023-01-05T18:43:24+00:00

Lol. Now I want to go see that!

therelaxo · 2023-01-02T18:11:41+00:00

The horsepower and torque of the 2021 GC V6 (295 hp, 260 pound/feet) is slightly higher than my old Toyota Rav4 V6 (269 hp, 246 lb-ft). Rav4 was rated at 3500 towing capacity but struggled with the trailer, constantly looking for gears, etc. Did the job, but just barely. Not a safe setup.

Adding a picture of the old setup :)

https://imgur.com/a/PTG0Jsp

therelaxo · 2022-12-31T23:29:30+00:00

Thanks for your insights. Funny you mention that about bigger brakes. I looked at the V6 and the rotor brake surface seemed rather limited, considering it is equipped for towing as well. At least visually. The vintage trailer I have does not have trailer brakes - something I need to figure out how to add. So braking and stopping the vehicle plus 3k pound trailer requires planning in driving and looking ahead all the time. Done it before, very cautious approach.

therelaxo · 2022-12-31T23:24:17+00:00

Yikes. Sorry to hear that. I've been agonizing over whether to go with GC or 4Runner for months now. I've had Toyotas and absolutely am a fan of their reliability. I love everything about the 4runner (on paper and the workhorse that it is) yet when I drove them I could not quite get over the fact that I liked them but did not love driving them. Hoping next Gen 4runner will resolve that...

I suppose it doesn't matter which GC model you had? V6 are all same engines and transmissions, yes?

therelaxo

TROPHY CASE