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Topic: A/C unit rotate 180? (Read 967 times) previous topic - next topic

A/C unit rotate 180?

I'm placing my solar panels on the roof and came up with a do-able configuration, EXCEPT!
If I were to lay them in place between my front and rear A/C units they would just fit, BUT with a panel slightly under the rear A/C shroud. I want the ability to tilt the panels so either I will have to cut the shroud for clearance or replace the A/C unit. I decided, I will replace the old A/C.
I have a year old Atwood 15000 BTU heat pump up front, GREAT unit, I will replace the rear unit with the same  Atwood A/C. It will give me an additional 1/2" to 1" clearance over the old A/C unit. This "might" be enough.
I noticed that the front Atwood is slopped on the front squared off on the rear, If I installed the same unit on the back of the RV but placed it 180 degrees the slope would be in the back and give me additional clearance in the front were my size/room conflict is with the solar panel.
I can see a possible need for the front facing shroud slope to be on the front A/C unit, but can't really foresee a problem with the unit turned 180 in the rear.
Am I missing something?
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #1 –
This is one of my "for what it's worth" replies. I've been living on solar since 1995. Over the years I've had about every configuration solar power can provide and "for what it's worth" tilting the panels on the roof ain't worth the trouble......much less moving an air conditioner to do it. Just sayin.......
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #2 –
Not sure about reversing the A/C unit, but shading on the panel could be a problem.  Could you raise the panel high enough to clear the A/C shroud?
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: folivier –
Not sure about reversing the A/C unit, but shading on the panel could be a problem.  Could you raise the panel high enough to clear the A/C shroud?

There would be very little shading, if any, on the panel. The panels will be wired in parallel so, if there was minimal shading on a few zones on one panel it would not effect to total output by much. The panels will be about 4-5" off the roof deck. If tilted there would be no possibility of any shading.
The tilting right now is just a option I might want in the future, and that would only be if the panels could be tilted automatically so I would not have to go on the roof.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #4 –
Lon, mid winter, long term site, maybe tilting is worth it.  I watched a guy crawl up on his Bluebird to tilt his panels and two days later do it again to tilt them down.  It was all he could do to not fall off.  Kind of scary.  I get up on the roof only as necessary.  And then off as soon as possible.  We have the same panels you do (3) and have been quite pleased with performance both summer and winter.  I am putting on the fourth next week.  Just a bit more cushion.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #5 –
I used to tilt mine, too much trouble. I just try to park east to west in the winter.
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: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #6 –
I added an extra panel to keep me off the roof and tilting panels. Too risky, more so as we age.


I still go up once in while to check roof sealing and clean panels.  Not nearly as often as if tilting them.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #7 –
You need to go over to the media section and look at skylark21 rig. I can't seem to get the link to work or I would post it.

Mike


Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #8 –
Condenser/evaporator fan may cause issues if you rotate it 180 and lose function while driving.. Whole thing seemed like a backasswards design to me when I got the coach as mine draws air in the rear and blows it out the sides so while driving you get hot air sucked back into the intake.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #9 –
You need to keep the condenser facing the rear for protection.  The slope in front is for wind resistance while driving.
John
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: John Morales –
You need to keep the condenser facing the rear for protection. 
John

I agree.  Can't imagine exposing condenser to bugs and debris while driving.  And the A/C would likely NOT work while driving-- the fan exhausts air to the back.  Doubt the fan could "fight" a 60 MPH headwind were the A/C oriented "backwards".
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #11 –
Hopefully I will have the A/C unit today and can get it up on the roof. From my measurements and the manufactures specs I should have just enough room positioning the unit normally.
Coil protection was my thought too as to facing the coils on the back side.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #12 –
Love love love my solar, but getting around on the roof is a accident just waiting to happen. Make sure you have enough room to squeeze by the AC units and other vents/skylights. One slip is all it takes and a broken pelvis, or subdural hemorrhage is in the winds. Its a long way down.....Just saying...
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #13 –
Bob,

A good scrubbing on the remaining exposed parts of your roof will help traction a lot.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #14 –
As I stated in my second post the tilting of the panels will ONLY be done if I employ a automated tilting system and can do it from the ground. I have NO interest in going on the roof to ever tilt panels.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #15 –
I think the suggestion of adding another panel to make up for shading/non tilting would be the way to go.  Keep the A/C as the manufacturer made it.  Tilting mechanism would  be another thing to go wrong.  Think tree branches.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159
 

Re: A/C unit rotate 180?

Reply #16 –
Don't worry much about shadows from other roof top equipment.  Other than maybe your crankup TV antenna or a sat dish none of it will make any significant difference especially during peak production times.  Wiring panels in parallel reduces shade impacts as well.

Our soon to be completed home solar project will have 35 panels each with its own micro inverter at the panel.  This dramatically reduces panel to panel shade impact and increases overall system efficiency.

The technology is advancing quickly.  Prices are going down.  And it is not a perticularly difficult job for many DIY folks.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN