Can you retrofit a real air conditioning unit? Options for 2006 M20R Ovation 2?

[Steve Parker]

Just bought a 2006 M20R Ovation 2 with everything I want (FIKI, glass, O2) but momma wants air conditioning.  It's almost always going to be just me and her so weight isn't as much of a problem.  I don't want some lackluster half-measure, but something that will work like factory air.  Mid-Missouri by the Missouri River gets steamy in the summer.

Suggestions?

[Schllc]

There is an aftermarket maker of AC that is approved for the Mooney made by Kelley aerospace.  
Its actually what Mooney put in a few of their last models. It’s installed in Alabama somewhere but it isn’t cheap. Around 30k is what I recall. 

[alextstone]

Pre-cool your plane in the hangar with a window unit on a cart fitted with a hose into the cabin.  

Preflight in the hangar and pull the plane out at the last possible minute.

 

If you install an AC into the plane, you may have trouble selling later because of the hit you will take on the useful load.  

 

[StevenL757]

11 hours ago, Steve Parker said:

Just bought a 2006 M20R Ovation 2 with everything I want (FIKI, glass, O2) but momma wants air conditioning.  It's almost always going to be just me and her so weight isn't as much of a problem.  I don't want some lackluster half-measure, but something that will work like factory air.  Mid-Missouri by the Missouri River gets steamy in the summer.

Suggestions?

As @Schllc and @alextstone have indicated (both of which are accurate), you won’t find a built-in system unfortunately for under five figures.  My suggestion would be to look at a smaller, much-less expensive unit that isn’t permanently installed in your Ovation.  Cool air is cool air, and you don’t have to spend huge $$ to achieve it.  Here are a couple of options…apologies if you’ve already done your research and these are redundant.

Option 1 (runs off 12v or battery pack) - https://www.hamiltonmotorcompany.com/products/portableaircraftac?variant=40070739067060&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-02-26&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn5X4uIaA-QIVDPnICh0qWQ2KEAQYBCABEgJG8PD_BwE

Option 2 - https://sarasotaavionics.com/manufacturers/arctic-air

Steve

[GeeBee]

I live in GA, don't get much hotter than that(well except for Ellen Barkin in the Big Easy). I have a storm window scoop which works really good. My wife wanted air conditioning, so I bought her this. No complaints, no useful load destruction, it recharges from my USB ports and my pocket book is very happy. Reality is, you only need A/C for 1% of your flight time.

 

https://www.amazon.com/HandFan-Handheld-Nightlights-Portable-Rechargeable/dp/B07P43HX84/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=DCK4R6IIJJY9&keywords=hand+fan&qid=1658066769&s=home-garden&sprefix=hand+fan%2Cgarden%2C282&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQ0daRkM3NEg5WTVJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTc0MTE5MjFLQkhEV0tYMEVLRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDMwOTExM05BNlBVTDhHQVRWUyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[Shadrach]

9 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

I live in GA, don't get much hotter than that(well except for Ellen Barkin in the Big Easy). I have a storm window scoop which works really good. My wife wanted air conditioning, so I bought her this. No complaints, no useful load destruction, it recharges from my USB ports and my pocket book is very happy. Reality is, you only need A/C for 1% of your flight time.

 

https://www.amazon.com/HandFan-Handheld-Nightlights-Portable-Rechargeable/dp/B07P43HX84/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=DCK4R6IIJJY9&keywords=hand+fan&qid=1658066769&s=home-garden&sprefix=hand+fan%2Cgarden%2C282&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQ0daRkM3NEg5WTVJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTc0MTE5MjFLQkhEV0tYMEVLRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDMwOTExM05BNlBVTDhHQVRWUyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

It’s an unusual man that both has a pocketbook and appreciates the hotness of Ellen Barkin.

[GeeBee]

I just know she said to Randy Quad she was "hotter than Georgia asphalt" and I have a substantial stretch of it outside my house to gauge her statement. Not objectifying on her looks.

 

[carusoam]

Two methods of adding AC to an OVation…

1) Temporary… using a cooler full of ice cubes…. Look up B-Cool for a complete solution. Works mildly well at a low cost, immediately available…

2) Permanent solution for a near perfect Ovation…. The Kelly aerospace AC is the way to go….  Full STC solution for Long body Mooneys… works well, occupies the hat rack space… needs significant installation effort….

Go O!

Best regards,

-a-

[philip_g]

I'd skip the Arctic air real ac. I have one and they don't work all that well. Mine is a 12v and you have a 24v system so you'll have more capacity at fewer amps, however. There's a guy on beechtalk that makes a similar product he claims better and cheaper but he's over a year wait list. I cannot remember his name unfortunately

 

The big thing for our j is getting the 30-35 amps it needs for full capacity. 

Edited July 17, 2022 by philip_g

[Shadrach]

There is a lot to be said for chilling the cabin down pre flight. I know it sounds like hillbilly engineering, but I think a window unit ducted into the side window for 20 mins prior to departure would make a large difference in passenger comfort during taxi.

[GeeBee]

If Mooney can get the 300 pound gross weight increase then the Kelley A/C is a no brainer. Right now with TKS it is a tough sell for me. 

[kortopates]

17 hours ago, Schllc said:

There is an aftermarket maker of AC that is approved for the Mooney made by Kelley aerospace.  
Its actually what Mooney put in a few of their last models. It’s installed in Alabama somewhere but it isn’t cheap. Around 30k is what I recall. 

This is electrical retrofit AC unit mentioned above. I understand this unit is a big improvement over the earlier Mooney AC I flew in the Acclaim for Mooney; which really wasn't that effective. Its also much lighter at about 60 lbs

https://kellyaero.com/retro-aircraft-air-conditioning/ 

[PhateX1337]

Have any of you done this pre-cooling using a window unit that you just duct the air from the unit into the cabin? Any suggested units? I hadn't thought of that - may have to try it, through the pilots window or something maybe...

[Steve Parker]

7 hours ago, StevenL757 said:

As @Schllc and @alextstone have indicated (both of which are accurate), you won’t find a built-in system unfortunately for under five figures.  My suggestion would be to look at a smaller, much-less expensive unit that isn’t permanently installed in your Ovation.  Cool air is cool air, and you don’t have to spend huge $$ to achieve it.  Here are a couple of options…apologies if you’ve already done your research and these are redundant.

Option 1 (runs off 12v or battery pack) - https://www.hamiltonmotorcompany.com/products/portableaircraftac?variant=40070739067060&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-02-26&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn5X4uIaA-QIVDPnICh0qWQ2KEAQYBCABEgJG8PD_BwE

Option 2 - https://sarasotaavionics.com/manufacturers/arctic-air

Steve

Excellent answer from you and others.  This is my first step in researching and you and others have provided excellent options.  Thanks.

[philip_g]

8 hours ago, kortopates said:

This is electrical retrofit AC unit mentioned above. I understand this unit is a big improvement over the earlier Mooney AC I flew in the Acclaim for Mooney; which really wasn't that effective. Its also much lighter at about 60 lbs

https://kellyaero.com/retro-aircraft-air-conditioning/ 

I believe the Kelly is more or less the same one cirrus uses and it's quite good in my experience

 

Edit: I'd actually pay $30k for it.

Edited July 18, 2022 by philip_g

[LANCECASPER]

6 hours ago, philip_g said:

I'd skip the Arctic air real ac. I have one and they don't work all that well. Mine is a 12v and you have a 24v system so you'll have more capacity at fewer amps, however. There's a guy on beechtalk that makes a similar product he claims better and cheaper but he's over a year wait list. I cannot remember his name unfortunately

 

The big thing for our j is getting the 30-35 amps it needs for full capacity. 

Agreed Arctic Air Real AC isn’t worth the bother, plus they just recently stopped building them due to supply issues.

Ray Ackley was the gentleman on Beechtalk that manufactured a unit called Plane AC. Unfortunately he died in an airplane crash earlier this year. Someone purchased the rights to make them but isn’t doing much with it.  I bought one from Ray a couple years ago and did a “portable” install in a Bravo I owned. By the time I paid for the wiring and IA sign off I had about $6000 into kit but I was satisfied. The new owner in FL is satisfied.

Kelly Thermacool seems like a better solution than an engine driven compressor. They are about the same price as a factory install though, around $30,000.

[philip_g]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

Agreed Arctic Air Real AC isn’t worth the bother, plus they just recently stopped building them due to supply issues.

Ray Ackley was the gentleman on Beechtalk that manufactured a unit called Plane AC. Unfortunately he died in an airplane crash earlier this year. Someone purchased the rights to make them but isn’t doing much with it.  I bought one from Ray a couple years ago and did a “portable” install in a Bravo I owned. By the time I paid for the wiring and IA sign off I had about $6000 into kit but I was satisfied. The new owner in FL is satisfied.

Kelly Thermacool seems like a better solution than an engine driven compressor. They are about the same price as a factory install though, around $30,000.

I hadn't heard about ray. Sad news.