Summer in Sète

It's Summer! We left a few weeks ago for the Alps, and when we returned, it was Summer! First on the ToDo list was to get the Air Conditioner (A/C) set up 🙂.

I wanted something a bit more stable this time; last year, I tried pool noodles. This time:

I kept a bit of mangled pool noodle to block the light (along with some weatherstripping (bourrelet). I originally went to the bricolage (like a Home Depot) with a list, knowing what I had done last time, and what I wanted different. Well. They no longer had what I expected. OMG. And I hadn't planned on having to figure out "something else"... After some quite time with my calculator, I took the risk, and asked for a cut (non-refundable, of course). Here's what I ended up with - excellent, by the way!

One 80x60x10 mm board cut in 4ths. I used three pieces. One end fit perfectly in the shutter groove - it blocks the shutter from coming all the way down, and closes out the morning light 

The next section bolts (flexibly) to the center section 

Then we get a bit kludgey... I used a bolt to force the shutter-stop outward, and a rubber band to pull it in enough 

Then, a *whole* lot of velcro and duct tape to seal the exhaust and sunlight 

I had an old board from before, and turned it 90°, so had a hole to plug - cardboard bolted in did a great job!

Then, I moved the light-blocking boards from last year into place

Next - a hose for draining the water...

Update! After I don't know how many false starts, I finally got a hose connected! How many false starts, you ask? 

1) tried electrical conduit (too small, returned it)

2) got a converter to screw into the A/C outlet. The other end is supposed to fit a 1/2 inch diameter garden hose. I confirmed that it fit the A/C... (OK, so this isn't technically a false start).

3) bought a "1/2 inch diameter" A/C hose. Unable to fit it to the nozzle end.

4) bought a "1/2 inch diameter" garden hose (note that here, the don't usually come with nozzles). Tried to fit it on - no!

What finally worked: I used my clothes dryer rack to hold the end of the hose, ran a hair-dryer over the end to heat it up, then worked the end onto the nozzle. I had a clamp already threaded onto the hose (yay me!); after several runs, the hose was "far enough" on, so I tightened the clamp. Then I had to screw it onto the A/C outlet 🙄.

Then I threaded the hose out the window, hoping for an automatic drain.

We knew it wouldn't work (window is too high), but had to try...

At least now the bucket is easier to get to - we have to dump it before bed, but then it doesn't overflow in the middle of the night!

Another Update! Waaay too soon, the rubber band snapped 🙄, so I replaced it with twine - this time, I just wrapped it around the bolt head and tied it (much easier)!

And then moved the wood back into the window slot