Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

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Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

July 18, 2011, 12:46:57 pm

I'm curious, I keep reading about others running their generator and roof air conditioners while driving down the road. I have yet needed to do that on either my U225 or my U300. Even in the 106 heat coming back to Oklahoma from Kansas City the dash air kept me perfectly comfortable. Do you run the roof air because your passenger is not in the copilots seat but back in the coach or does my dash air cool better than most? Maybe it is the dash design of the Grand Villas.

By the way I now know my overheating alarms work. I threw the belt for my hydraulic fans on the way back. I was able to get off of the road immediately and install my spare. It only took about 10 minutes and in this heat that was a very good thing.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #1 – July 18, 2011, 12:49:59 pm

When I delivered my new-to-us coach from NAC to the Chicago area I ran the generator and the roof air from NAC to Marion, IL. Worked like a charm.

Keith

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #2 – July 18, 2011, 12:52:35 pm

I think we have only done that once and it was more to "exercise" the generator (which we rarely use) than to cool the coach. Our dash air works fine (knock on wood!). Of course we have only rarely been in really hot weather.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #3 – July 18, 2011, 01:45:23 pm

We have used to roof air on the road. It keeps the Border Collies from fighting over the right seat.

It is also nice to have cool air coming for the back as well instead of just in my face.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #4 – July 18, 2011, 02:46:35 pm

I cool my coach at home with the home plug I had installed and then move over to the gen and the roof air going down the road. The dash air works fine but this way the coach is always cool in this 102 weather and maintains cool inside when I arrive. If you are driving into the sun the dash air just wil not do it alone. Tks DAN

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #5 – July 18, 2011, 03:24:38 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – July 18, 2011, 12:46:57 pm

I'm curious, I keep reading about others running their generator and roof air conditioners while driving down the road. I have yet needed to do that on either my U225 or my U300. Even in the 106 heat coming back to Oklahoma from Kansas City the dash air kept me perfectly comfortable. Do you run the roof air because your passenger is not in the copilots seat but back in the coach or does my dash air cool better than most? Maybe it is the dash design of the Grand Villas.

By the way I now know my overheating alarms work. I threw the belt for my hydraulic fans on the way back. I was able to get off of the road immediately and install my spare. It only took about 10 minutes and in this heat that was a very good thing.

We spend a lot of time in the desert here in the west so we do keep the generator/both airs running a lot of the time in summer.

Kent, did you go into auto shutdown mode? I have had it happen twice. Glad you were prepared!

Now you see why I beat the drum so much on being able to quickly find and change the belt. For those who have not had it happen, you need to:

Have AT LEAST one spare that YOU KNOW fits. See my earlier posts (do a search for specs, photos) for the brand (green stripe) and specs. By several online. NAPA, Autozone or Kragen won't have it. They may be able to order it.
Put it in a location along with the tool to change it and a flashlight (headband flashlight recommended) where you can get it in a hurry. Yes, all in the same place.
Practice changing it ahead of time. Use magnetic angle finder to make sure crank pulley, pump pulley and idler are in alignment. Check idler bearings/overall idler condition while belt is off.
Don't use the override button if the engine shuts down unless you absolutely have to. Easy to ruin the engine by overheating. (like the guy in the tunnel that kept driving)
Drive with the warning lights visible, NOT blocked by the steering wheel.

The belt can be changed in 30 seconds (U300) from the time you open the engine compartment door if you have done the above.
This is the MOST IMPORTANT SPARE YOU CAN CARRY WITH YOU. You will NOT be able to get a replacement while on the road unless you are really lucky.

A good modification would be to mount a remote warning light where you can see it no matter what position the steering wheel is in.
When the belt breaks, you may only have 30 seconds or so before the engine lights come on and it goes into auto shutdown.
I will re-post belt specs, photos or email if requested.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #6 – July 18, 2011, 03:29:23 pm

Kent ; of the 4 Foretravels I,ve owned , the 1989 --u-300, the 2003 --320 I never had proper AC at the dash . So ,WE RAN THE GEN-SET a bunch . On the 2006 phenix it was on and off if you hit A bump hard enough , which ment the air valve was sticking some . On this just bought 2010 Phenix ,it is 100% proper . If I need to run it again , I sure will . Brads Metzger --

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #7 – July 18, 2011, 04:32:26 pm

So far, we've run our generator with both roof airs on (two trips so far). Our dash air does not work in the GV. The former owner told me he could never get his A/C to work consistently. Had it into FOT a couple times and he basically gave up on it. Suggested I not even bother. I had read on several other forums that the older dash A/C designs just aren't very good and difficult to get cold air all the way from the back to front on these hot TX summer days so I assumed this was an issue everyone experiences and haven't looked into it further. If someone can suggest otherwise I'm all ears as I would really prefer using the dash A/C to help over running both overhead units off the generator. I can also envision a time when it would be much safer to have it working with windows fogging.

As for replacing belts, I've not had the time to familiarize myself with the belts, sizes, types, etc. The former owner has several he left with the unit in one of the bays. I think there are at least 1-2 spares for each belt. I'm starting to build a tool chest for the RV. Would prefer to head this one off before I experience a breakdown and am sitting on the side of the road stuck. What tools are needed for that quick of a change?

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #8 – July 18, 2011, 04:50:27 pm

Benjie,

Will take a couple more photos with the tool involved and post everything tomorrow. This is 100 times easier than changing a fan belt. May be a little different for your 3208 but basics should be close. No one should be stuck by the side of the road in this heat.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #9 – July 18, 2011, 05:34:43 pm

My '89 dash air is about as efficient as dropping a small ice cube in your lap. It blows air but not very fast and not very cold so I use the roof air conds and the generator on the road, even tho I would prefer to open the driver's window if it isn't too hot.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #10 – July 18, 2011, 06:12:44 pm

Benji, with the size of your crew I can definitely see why your would run both roof airs. I wouldn't worry about the dash air either. Its normally just Peggy and me going down the road.

The only tool I need for the hydraulic pump belt on my Detroit is a 3/8" ratchet. I have no clue on your 3208.

Pierce, what is a magnetic angle finder and where do I get one. I had put a new belt on in December 2010. I'm guessing I have an alignment problem.

I did not go into auto shutdown. I keep my eyes on the gauges very frequently so I caught it before it hit 210. The alarm did go off before I got off the road but it never went over 220. I immediately turned on the Desert Super Cooler and I think that helped. What was kinda funny is that after I got the new belt on and restarted the engine I saw lots of water coming from the radiator. I had forgotten that I had the Desert Cooler on high. I immediately shut down the engine thinking I had a leak in the radiator until I realized that it was water from the Desert Cooler running down from the radiator.

I am really glad I have the Desert Super Cooler as a backup. I am much more confident driving it extremely high temperatures knowing I can turn on the sprayer for the radiator. Coming back from KC, I was running 59 mph and my heat never went over 188 without the use of the Desert Cooler. That made me very happy since the outside temp was 106 for a good part of the trip and yes there are some hills, the Flint Hills, in Kansas.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #11 – July 18, 2011, 06:20:04 pm

Kent, Is the water supply for your desert cooler radiator sprayers from your fresh water tank? Do you have a separate water pump for the desert coolers?

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #12 – July 18, 2011, 06:24:48 pm

The water does come from my fresh water tank. It does have a separate Flojet pump that is on an adjustable timer like windshield wiper delay. So far I am very impressed and glad I have it. I did not winterize it last winter but we were living in the coach and I had the heat going all winter.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #13 – July 18, 2011, 07:10:36 pm

When the dash air cannot keep me cool, I run the generator and one or two roof airs as needed. A properly maintained and charged dash air works fairly well, but there is a lot of space to cool behind the driver. Closing the kitchen/bath door helps. An older system converted to R-134a will not cool as well as when it contained R-12.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #14 – July 18, 2011, 08:02:31 pm

Quote

Pierce, what is a magnetic angle finder and where do I get one. I had put a new belt on in December 2010. I'm guessing I have an alignment problem.

before I got off the road but it never went over 220. I immediately turned on the Desert Super Cooler and I think that helped. What was kinda funny is that after I got the new belt on and restarted the engine I saw lots of water coming from the radiator. I had forgotten that I had the Desert Cooler on high. I immediately shut down the engine thinking I had a leak in the radiator until I realized that it was water from the Desert Cooler running down from the radiator.

Here is the Sears site with lots of photos and brands. $5 to $15 should do it. Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment

Kent, good eyes to be scanning the gauges. I did not see mine until it went to half power.

Home Depot or Ace Hardware should have them. They are also used to make sure your satellite tv pole is vertical.

OK, just slap one on the crank pulley and jot the degree number down. Do the same for the pump pulley. They will probably match. Then check the idler angle. Mine was off 3 degrees and was the cause of the problem. I put a washer under one of the bolts to make it match with the other two. It makes no difference whether the Foretravel is flat or at any angle. You are just comparing readings. Attached is a photo just after I did mine. Angle indicator had fallen on the ground and you can see the washer I put under the tensioner. The photo shows the wrong belt the last owner had for a spare. I was waiting for the new one to arrive.

Yes, a 3/8" ratchet or breaker bar does the trick. I like the breaker bar as you don't have to guess which way is the correct way and it won't spin down where you have to reach for the handle. Only important if in a hurry. Small pipe over the handle gives anyone the leverage to move it without straining. Two people is nice, one to use the ratchet/bar and the other to install the belt. Old towel on the bumper where you lean against it makes it a dirt free installation.

Weather is perfect here but have been sanding floors for days. Back to it. Attached is the photo. Will post all procedures tomorrow when have time.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #15 – July 18, 2011, 10:15:55 pm

Charged the dash air (six or seven cans of refrigerant). Works so so but the wife and daughter would kill me without the generator and the roof air units. You guys have me spooked about the belts. I know I have a spare but wouldn't know how to begin. That's what the Good Sam Roadside is for. In Alachua today and tomorrow for the daughter's orientation at UF. Heading out Thursday morning for the KOA in Pigeon Forge & Dollywood. Home Sunday. Let's hope. Noticed at 65-70 temp stayed around 190. At 55-60 it stays 180. The transmission runs just a few degrees hotter. Of course this is by the idiot gauges.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #16 – July 19, 2011, 01:39:52 am

The dash air on our '92 GrandVilla is intermittent - works well up to about 80 outside, then loses the battle. We routinely (for 8 years) use the generator and the front air. We close off the back half of the coach and run just one A/C. On this trip alone from Texas to Oregon, we ran the generator and A/C for 8 hours a day for a week straight. FOT and MOT both say it's fine to run the generator and A/C's while traveling.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #17 – July 19, 2011, 05:34:17 pm

Quote from: Don Hay – July 19, 2011, 01:39:52 am

The dash air on our '92 GrandVilla is intermittent - works well up to about 80 outside, then loses the battle. We routinely (for 8 years) use the generator and the front air. We close off the back half of the coach and run just one A/C. On this trip alone from Texas to Oregon, we ran the generator and A/C for 8 hours a day for a week straight. FOT and MOT both say it's fine to run the generator and A/C's while traveling.

Don, since your coach is a U280 I'm guessing it has a Powertech Diesel generator. I just wanted to point out that on the 92 and some 93 U225's with the Onan Emerald III generator there is a opening in the generator bay that will allow water to get into the air intake and soak the paper filter killing the engine if running down the road in a heavy rain with the generator running. I know this from experience three years ago and would never run the generator in the rain after that. Even after changing the oil, the oil filter and the air filter, the generator was hard to start for about two weeks. I presume from residual water in the intake system. After that it worked fine but I'm sure it I had not addressed properly the water in the system it could have done permanent damage to the engine.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #18 – July 20, 2011, 02:42:16 am

Quote

To Quote Kent : "Don, since your coach is a U280 I'm guessing it has a Powertech Diesel generator. I just wanted to point out that on the 92 and some 93 U225's with the Onan Emerald III generator there is a opening in the generator bay that will allow water to get into the air intake"

Kent:
My '92 U-280 has a 7.5 KW Onan (3 cyl Kubota) diesel generator. I have closely examined the air intake configuration. There is a large (4'wide X 2' X 3" deep) fiberglass pan/baffle slung beneath the generator. There is no direct opening to the outside. Air is drawn in at a right angle, enters the baffle moves a few feet crosswise and into the generator compartment. The air filter rests on top of the generator.

Even the air to cool the radiator is pulled in around a baffle that faces rearward.
I will, however, maintain an elevated awareness during heavy rains, and if possible, will minimize generator usage.

Thanks for the concern.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #19 – July 20, 2011, 05:59:43 pm

Don, I think the water spray problem is unique to the U225 and maybe the U240's with Onan Emerald III air cooled generators. Even the Onan Marqius of the same vintage had a different bay configuration.

Re: Do You Run the Roof A/C's Going Down the Road

Reply #20 – July 20, 2011, 10:32:02 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – July 20, 2011, 05:59:43 pm

Don, I think the water spray problem is unique to the U225 and maybe the U240's with Onan Emerald III air cooled generators. Even the Onan Marqius of the same vintage had a different bay configuration.

Kent,
Thanks for pointing that out. Will have to get under there and check that out! I thought mine was open under that compartment, but now not sure?

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