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Basement Air Conditioners

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?
Bob, Vicki & Lilly
2003 Foretravel U320 40'
2008 Honda CRV - Toad
Build #6138

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #1 –
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. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #2 –
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.

Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #3 –
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. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #4 –
             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
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #5 –
Quote from: MemoryRoads –
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.

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.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #6 –
I remember this topic from last year.  Check out Jerry's dual AC system.  Very nice.  Big project.

1996 U270 Dual Central Air Conditioning

There is more if you search for "split ductless"

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #7 –
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
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #8 –
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.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #9 –
First one in last 6 I have missed. Door County Wi with friends
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #10 –
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.

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #11 –
                 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
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #12 –
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. 
Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #13 –
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.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #14 –
how are the repair bills on his Prevost going?
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)
 

Re: Basement Air Conditioners

Reply #15 –
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.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)