Our previous SOB motorhome had a basement A/C unit under the floor in the bedroom. We were pleased with its performance, and it was very quiet. Does anybody know why manufacturers are not using this type of unit? We recently purchased a '03 Foretravel U320 and our A/C units are very noisy. Any ideas?
Cost and ease of replacement. Also, the cold air falls this way too. This is one of the big differences on bus conversions. Some put them down below others on the roof. Storage is on issue but I do understand about the noise.
Sounds like a good modification that FT or another smart group should offer as an 'alternative'. I was recently in a Winnebago that shocked me, as the A.C. was near silent.
I recently learned that there are "Silencer" kits available for Dometic. I ordered two but have not had the opportunity to install them yet. The components are nothing more than vibrations dampers so it will not help with the sound caused by air movement. Cost was about $18.00 each.
I don't know how one would reduce air noise other than making the air diffusers or ducts with fewer obstructions.
On my present coach , air and AC noise is not an issue . I notice a large improvement over 1989 U-300 , the 2003 - 320 , and some , but not as much on the 2006 Phenix . I expect it's the way they are mounted , the layers of material , and the way they are ducted . Very pleased with how all this works , heat pumps and all. Brad Metzger
They are, but as I understand there was a lot of problems with them with the road grime and dirt getting in them. A lot of the problem may be because they are mounted behind the rear wheel.
I remember this topic from last year. Check out Jerry's dual AC system. Very nice. Big project.
1996 U270 Dual Central Air Conditioning (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=16993.msg111420#msg111420)
There is more if you search for "split ductless"
Roger
I know Dave. We are just a few build numbers apart, both 36'. I wouldn't give up the bay space either, we don't have any to spare ... Hmmmm ... Maybe if I got rid of the LP tank after putting in a residential refrig ... Nope, need that space for more batteries. The AC isn't too noisy after a while. During the day we run the one in the BR. At night the one up front. Cross wired the thermostats as suggested in the forum some where.
Roger
I run the front one at night from the front thermostat, and leave fan on high or low instead of "auto" - keeps temp much more consistent, plus cycling of compressor is less noticeable.
First one in last 6 I have missed. Door County Wi with friends
Older Newells seem to have basement a/c units, and some 'Birds do, too. I never saw one, but from some of the pictures I saw it looks like they take up quite a bit of space. On the other hand, there would be a little less drag. Newell has now gone to 3 or 4 roof a/c units. Don't know why, but I suspect that by going that way they freed up basement space and were able to take advantage of the fact that cold air sinks.
The basement models are large and heavy If it fails the whole coach gets hot . With the roof models and evenly spaced ,less weight , less cost and if one fails , it fits nicely in a dumpster , the coach stays livable and you don't give up that important basement space . Brad Metzger
Dave, I suspect the reason Newell went to 4 or more roof ACs was due to their four slide floorplan and they could not get the duct work from the basement up the sides efficiently. If you investigate any Prevost H3-45 with three slides, all of them have roof ACs due to this reason. Also the Prevost H3-45 with three slides does not have over the road air, again due to the lack of wall space due to slides.
My friend's 2001 Prevost has over the road air, cold air comes up the walls, to window sill grills. He dumped his 2008 Monaco Signature 3 slide, for his newest pride and joy older non slide Prevost.
how are the repair bills on his Prevost going?
He is a smart guy, owns a trucking company with staff, loves the tech and more of the coach. The only big problem was swapping old tech AV stuff to the newest. The coach went to Buddy Gregs in Dallas, and luck would have it, the tech that did the original AV install for the new coach happened to be in doing another coach upgrade. I am sure some coach bucks later everything worked. I know he jumps in for a dash to the west coast or the gulf coast without hesitation. Has pulled a huge loaded enclosed trailer with jeep, bikes, and summer stuff for his Moab and Ouray 5 month trips.
Will ask about his coach when we next see each other. I know he enjoys his runs to NAC for a business deal.