21 VNL860 upgrades, mini split/battery APU

I upgraded my 15 780 to a 21 860 Globetrotter a few months ago. I've done a few things some of you might be interested in that make it a one man condo and office. The biggest thing I wanted to do was experiment with a home made battery APU running a mini split since this truck didn't come with an APU.



Basics of the truck: 21 860 Globetrotter
- D13 (non TC) 500hp/1850tq 12 speed iShift, 3:08 rears
- All the 860 stuff, big fridge, work station, loaded cab, space space space.
- This one has keyless entry which I wanted badly. Also has factory inverter/charger/shore power,
block heater and Webasto bunk heater.

First thing I did was yank the factory seats that I didn't care for and add a Legacy driver's seat, second chest fridge up front for drinks and a few extra cup holders in the rail. Factory fridge in the back for food, chest fridge up front for drinks or freezer. I also added TPMS, dash cam and all my mounts for GPS, phone, etc. I also swapped my deer basher to this truck, swapped my AGM batteries and my radio, stuff like that.



Next I yanked out the factory closet I never use and put in a cabinet and countertop with a bar sink, 10 gallon water tank, RV water pump and all my controls for APU/power.

 

Next I pulled the upper bunk and added built a U-shaped shelf to hold computer, laser printer, mini split, pantry and my memory foam mattress I use downstairs where I sleep nowadays. Closet, ladder and rear bunk are completely gone. I love the open space.





Under the driver's side lower bunk I have my DC to DC charger (this charges lithium batteries specifically, from solar or alternator)



Passenger side has 560AH of lithium batteries, 2500w pure sine inverter to run the air conditioning and misc. wiring

 

I painted the Mr. Cool outside unit and mounted it using a stainless steel outdoor mount made for these things. Somebody here recommended it off Amazon. It's super solid but you have to brace the inside of the truck with flat bar or the like. I used some 1' sections of aluminum angle. I think I could hang from it.



This is a Mr. Cool DIY 9k btu mini split/heat pump. It's just as efficient heating as it is cooling. It's not hot enough outside to test in the summer heat and humidity but overnight so far it will use about 10% of battery bank. I'm expecting this to go way up when it's running steady.

I have sized the battery system for an easy 12 hrs. of use running and easy recharging from alternator while I drive during the day, currently 40a output on the charger.

I was worried about condensation drainage from air conditioner when I'm parked tilted the wrong way but these units actually have a drain on either side. I simply had to remove the plug from the other side and add a second drain. You can see the two white insulated drain hoses hanging down under the left side of the unit.

Way impressed with this unit so far. Almost silent. We'll see how long it takes me to rattle it apart on our lousy roads.

For those curious I have about $2k total in this battery APU setup. I hope to never give Thermo-King another dime.

I do not have a generator or coolant heater so it is a stretch to call it an APU but I could easily bring along my Honda generator if I ever need power to charge it. Idling the truck for a couple hours is a lot easier though.

 

Salt is exactly what I'm worried about. Glad to hear it isn't a big concern.

The mini split itself was $600. If I have to replace it every 3 years, which I hope not to, it will still be a bargain compared to an APU.

I also recently learned that the heat pump in these mini splits uses about the same power as the AC. It isn't resistance heat like an electric heater. I am definitely not an HVAC expert but I always assumed any big heater was going to be a power hog. Not the case with these.

 

Thanks, that's pretty much what I gathered from talking to a couple of folks since I got this one. I also have a diesel bunk heater, which will always be a lot more efficient and powerful, but I love having the option of aux heat if needed.