securing window venting..

[montiee]

Just bought a portable air con from Aldi. I don't expect too much from it, just to cool a very small study where the main aircond doesn't reach without running it for a while. Anyway the window kit that came with the unit doesn't seem to want to fit the windows I have installed. It seems to rely on having sills that are deep and wide for the kit to sit within it which is not what my windows are. The kit seems identical to the one at the bottom of this page http://www.nobo.com.au/html/AU/Content_Products_Air.htm Note this isn't the air con I have. Just came across it searching for solutions and it'll provide you with an idea of what I'm talking about.

It's hard to explain my windows but the best I can do is that they are aluminium with two panes at either end that slide horizontally. I put the kit into the window but the rails don't hold it in and anything more than a simple push will knock it out. Does anyone have any plans for building something out of wood that I can use as inspiration. I'd prefer not to drill into the windows frame if it's at all possible. After a few months it may be moving and I don't want to leave holes or spend time plugging them up.

PS: It seems that my sliding panes are not exactly straight either. When I held it against the straight edge of the kit there was more of a gap up top than down below :~

EDIT: Had another look. Seems the "ducting" (for lack of a better description) fits into the sill areaagainst the all. The problem bit is the sliding window bit which doesn't have a corresponding hollow for the ducting to fit into but more of a flat edge... Plan is to create this hollow by bolting wood on either side of the ducting. Need to think about it some more.

[Uncle Bob]

After a few months it may be moving and I don't want to leave holes or spend time plugging them up.


Sounds like a job for some gaffer tape and a stick to stop the windows being opened.
(Yeah, I'm rough, but I'm slow :) )

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Had another look. Seems the "ducting" (for lack of a better description) fits into the sill areaagainst the all. The problem bit is the sliding window bit which doesn't have a corresponding hollow for the ducting to fit into but more of a flat edge... Plan is to create this hollow by bolting wood on either side of the ducting. Need to think about it some more.

That sounds like the "quickest" way to go.

If you wanted to make it look a bit classier, you could make up a frame similar to a picture frame; moulding the outside to fit the window and rebating the inside to take the vent.

Uncle Bob's got the right idea on "temporarily" locking the window in position... :U

[montiee]

Thanks for the replies.

I decided to use just a solid bit of timber and cut out a vent hole to fit the adaptor and secure the "plank" that will sit flush with the window frame with some small brackets screwed into the sill so it can't be pushed out. I don't think I can avoid drilling if I want security and at the end of the day it'll just be a few tiny holes I can plug up with putty or whatever.



Sounds like a job for some gaffer tape and a stick to stop the windows being opened.
(Yeah, I'm rough, but I'm slow :) )
Yeh I planned to use the stick to stop the windows being opened once it was butted up to the "plank". The problem was I wasn't too comfortable with someone pushing out the vent and having a large hole to play around with to get to the stick :). Sure a casual thief may not be prepared to play around but someone who scoped out the place might bring along the right tools to easily remove said stick given a huge gap to put an arm through. I could install a lock but I couldn't be bothered and it'll also mean hacking at the window. Will install the lock at the new place.