MICRO-AIR Artic Air 24 User manual

Installation Guide for Artic Air 24 Volt R134A
Air Conditioner
Rev 004 April 20, 2014
There are five objectives to installing the
Artic Air unit:
1) The primary wiring from the battery,
2) The controller and controller cable,
3) The condenser air exhaust,
4) The condensate drain,
5) Secure tie down.
The first step is to review the Artic Air
“Information and Installation Guide” and Digital Control Operations Manual”. See
section below.
Step 1: Primary wiring –
A #6 MIL-W-22759/16-6 wire is installed as the primary power source to the air
conditioner. This power source comes directly from the battery and is protected by a 60
amp circuit breaker installed adjacent to the battery. The Skybolt kit includes a
protective housing (AC-2109) to be installed with the circuit breaker.
For the Beech Baron, the easiest routing is along
the right side of the fuselage and cabin to the aft
baggage area. This routing requires the least
amount of side panels or floor removal. When
routing the primary wire also plan to route the
controller cable. The controller cable is shielded
and should not be cut or spliced. We recommend
a longer control cable than standard. Request a
20 or 35 foot cable with your unit to allow the
best possible panel location of the controller on
the instrument panel.
The primary wiring and controller wiring is routed beneath the aft baggage compartment
floor to the left side of the fuselage. Allow sufficient length of wire to be able to remove
the baggage compartment floor enough for maintenance and inspections. The controller
60 Amp Breaker with AC-2109 Protector located in Baron
nose baggage compartment just aft of battery.

cable can be disconnected from the air conditioner and easily removed through the floor.
The cannon plug cannot be removed as the plug socket flange is positioned on top of the
floor in order to be certain the plug connector will fully engage to the opposing floor
socket connector. Thus, once the cannon plug is installed, the floor can only be removed
for inspections or maintenance to the extent of extra primary wire length you allow.
The Skybolt kit includes a heavy-duty military Amphenol cannon connector (AC-2100
Set). It is a two-connecter plug with solder in each connector for field installation of the
wire. The toughest trick is to map out the assembly sequence of all the components in the
plug set. Be especially careful that you feed the wire through the various components
prior to soldering the wire.
The AC-2100 socket has 4 mounting screws to be
attached to the rear baggage compartment floor.
Before installing the plug, complete step 3 –
Preparation of the Baggage Compartment Floor).
Once the plug is installed, the floor is basically
attached to the airframe to the limit of the extra length
wire allowed in your installation. If you tackled the
primary wire as the first step in installation, before
drilling the connecter hole and the controller cable
hole and soldering the socket side of the plug,
proceed to the next steps first as you must remove the
floor to locate the wiring holes, the condensate drain
holes, and the tie-down track.
Step 2: Condenser Air Exhaust –
To keep this installation as simple as
possible and maintain the portable nature of
the Artic Air unit, the condenser air is
ducted directly into the aft fuselage to be
discharged in the aft tail section. Thus,
depending on the unit (one or two ducts)
holes in the aft bulkhead must be cut. When
the unit is installed, the duct(s) are
positioned through bulkhead hole(s).
One of the first steps in the installation is to
set the Artic unit in the baggage
compartment and locate the condenser duct

discharge hole(s). Plan to position the unit approximately 2” aft of the front edge of the
compartment floor. This should allow about 4-6 inches of spacing from the aft bulkhead
to the back of the air conditioner. Once the air conditioner is removed, cut the required
hole(s) in the aft bulkhead.
Step 3: Preparation of the Baggage Compartment Floor
Remove the air conditioner and remove the aft baggage compartment floor. Note that the
condensate drain is on the aft right side of the unit. Determine the best routing of the
condensate drain hose to the Skybolt bulkhead drain fitting (AC-2125). The combination
of fittings should eliminate any chance of the hose kinking or any low spot between the
floor fitting (AN833-8D) and the skin bulkhead fitting. The approximate location of the
floor hole for the AN833-8D fitting should be determined based on positioning of the air
conditioner and the tie-down track.
Trace out the base of the air conditioner such
that it is approximately 2” aft of the front of
the floor (allow for clearance of the
protective lip) and in the center.
Now determine the location for both tie-
down tracks. Plan on approximately 1”
clearance from the edge of the track to the
side of the floor in order to have access to
the floor hold-down screws. Run the track
parallel to the cabin wall (floor edge). This
will maximize the clearance for the tie down
ratchets (AC-2128). Before committing to
the exact location of the tracks, check that
the backing strip is clear of any airframe
structure beneath the floor.
Based on the location of the tracks, now
determine a more precise location of the
primary wire cannon plughole, the controller
cable hole, and the condensate drain hole. Allow as much clearance as possible away
from the estimated location of the tie-down ratchets.
Drill all necessary holes for the cannon plug, controller cable and drain fitting. Note that
the cannon plug mounting screw holes are close to the body of the plug, thus, drill this
hole only big enough to mount the plug and no more.
Drill 4 each plug socket mounting holes. You may find it easier to solder the primary and
ground #6 wires before mounting the plug socket to the floor.
Locate each hole in the carpet so that holes can be cut in the carpet.
Drain Fitting

Drill ¼” mounting holes (6 each) for each track and arrow ends. Note: The track,
backing strip, and ends are drilled as a set and may be slightly off if the backing strips are
interchanged or turned around. Once the track is positioned and the screws inserted, you
can determine the end or side that best fits the track and ends. It is your option as to
mounting the tracks and cutting the carpet or mounting the tracks over the carpet. If you
mount the tracks over the carpet as shown, plan on installing the track after the cannon
plug is installed. Note: This is where extra length wire is a good thing to allow the floor
to be removed far enough for inspection and to install the track.
Position the floor and check for adequate clearances.
Step 4: Condensate Drain -
Based on the location of the floor drain fitting (AN833-8D), determine the ideal location
for the fuselage skin bulkhead fitting (AC-2125). The drain hose is long enough to allow
tightening of each fitting with the floor lifted enough for access. Drill and install fitting
such that the drain mast chamfer is facing aft. We use an Oring on the outer surface and
use LocTite Red to secure the fitting nut. Before you attach the hose from the belly
fitting to the floor fitting, solder and install the cannon plug.
Step 5: Final Installation of Cannon Plug –
Route the primary wire through the floor. Properly assemble the plug socket
components, including the heat shrink onto the wire before soldering. Solder the primary
and ground wires to the plug socket.
Do the same for the air conditioner primary and ground leads noting that the plug can
only be positioned one way such that the ground mates to the ground and primary to the
primary.
Complete the process for the heat shrink and clamp the plug ends securely.
Now, mount the plug socket to the floor with the hardware included.
Prepare a ground wire and fasten to the airframe.
Step 6: Final Installation of Baggage Compartment Floor –
Position the carpet then attach the tie-down track.
Position the floor and secure the condensate drain hose below the floor.
Check for any FOD, rags, or tools in and around the baggage floor.
Secure the baggage floor to the airframe. Note: The tie down is only as good as the floor
is fastened to the airframe.

Step 7: Condensate Connection -
Install the air conditioner.
Install AC-2122 straight fitting onto the AN833-8D bulkhead fitting that is attached to
the floor (remove the ‘B’ nut portion of the fitting).
Cut the vinyl condensate drain hose to length such that the end is pushed solidly onto the
AC-2122 fitting. A slight amount of lubricant will help. Safety wire the vinyl hose end
to the fitting. Note: For air conditional removal, simply loosen and disconnect the
fitting.
Step 8: Controller Location and Installation –
This step will be unique to every aircraft based on panel
availability. The key is to have plenty of controller cable
length. We recommend at least 20 (35 feet maximum) feet
as any shorter length may restrict your options.
Step 9: Ground Use Only -
Prepare two labels, one for the controller head and one to
be placed on the air conditioner adjacent to the connection
plug: “FOR GROUND USE ONLY”.