"hiding" a window ac unit

[pops1957]

I am building a new layout in my attic, about 15 X 13, with the sloped ceilings.

I went with a shelf layout around 3 sides of the room, the fourth side is where the door is located. The wall opposite the door contains a window ac unit which cools the attic.  My layout goes directly in front of it.  Is there any way to try to conceal or hide the unit without affecting the unit and give me access to turn it off in the winter.  I thought about building a 3 sided box around it, with the front about 10-12 inches away from the ac unit and making this piece so it can slide in an out of place upward.  This box would then be painted like the remainder of my backdrop.  Any other suggestions or thought would be appreciated.  Thanks for your help.

[davidmurray]

Each window A/C that I have seen sucks air in the bottom front of the unit, cools it, and blows it out the top front.

This air flow is constant, and for best results should be restricted as little as possible.

Just something to consider.

Dave

[Soo Line fan]

Also, consider how you are going to service or R&R the unit. While removing one from the outside on a ground floor is easy, doing the same on a 2nd floor window may require the skills of Karl Wallenda. 

[Hobbez]

Any chance that you can replace the unit?  I use a stand alone, portable A/C unit that rolls on wheels and only has a 6" flat pipe that you put in the window to vent the hot air.  In the winter, I just take the vent out of the window and close it, very easy.

[NP01]

I thin the three sided box will work really well. The top and bottom should be empty. The "depth" of this box should be enough to not restrict flow. Let's say your unit is 3' wide and the outlet at the top is 3" x 32" and same for inlet at the bottom. Then I could create a box that is at least 3" x 3'. Also, maybe out in a partition int he middle of the box so the AC does not supercool the box by sucking in and spitting out the same air that is in the box. 

For or easy replacement,  I would make the box and bench work easy to remove from the wall. 

NP. 

[rrebell]

Remove the window and put in ply with a shelf at the mid or higher to support the AC, dificulty depends on window type. Keep the parts so you can put it back if wanted later.

[ndbprr]

Put a cooling tower in front of it. All they are is louvered boards at about a 45 degree angle.

[BroadwayLion]

The late and celebrated Jeffery Wimberley had a window A/C on his layout. I thought it looked  like an industry, I told him he has some facroey on his layout. As long as you can reach the unit to service or pull it you can pretend that it is part of an industral scene, and you can have a siding to serve it. Heck call it the congressional office tower, and you can deliver tank cars filled with hot air! In other words, if you have an elephant in your livingroom, acknowledge it move on, there is little you can do about it.

 

ROAR

[BATMAN]

BroadwayLion

The late and celebrated Jeffery Wimberley had a window A/C on his layout. I thought it looked like an industry,

For the longest time I thought it was a large office building he had on the layout. Then one day upon closer inspection I realized it was an airconditioner. Makes me wonder what else gets by me.

[mobilman44]

Lots of good suggestions!

My problem was a wide window and sill that start about 8 inches over the top of the layout at the back wall. 

Camoflauge consists of custom sky blue mini blinds, and the window sill and framework painted to blend with the backdrop.  The results are a vast improvement, but of course the window is still there........

I would paint the A/C unit to blend with the background.   Use acrylic paints, and you will be surprised at how much of a difference it will make.

[Lake]

BATMAN wrote the following post "For the longest time I thought it was a large office building he had on the layout. Then one day upon closer inspection I realized it was an airconditioner. Makes me wonder what else gets by me.

Add me to the list of those who thought it a large building until a closer purusal of the layout pictures he posted.