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Topic: Air Conditioning question (How to vent??) (Read 551 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Conditioning question (How to vent??)

After several years and keeping my AC vents closed on the AC units,  I am not sure this is best way to cool.  This forces all the air into the little round vents scattered along the interior roof.  Today it was 101 here in Texas so we are loading to escape the heat.  (Better late than never).  Going to the 6 state FMCA Rally in Sedalia, Mo.  I opened the vents under the unit and a lot of cold air came thru and still had lots of volume at the little round vents.  Which is better???  Closed or open under the ac unit ???  I am thinking a little open and this pushes more air out.  Can you give me your experience and what is correct??  DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Air Conditioning question (How to vent??)

Reply #1 –
We tried air conditioning with the vents under the fans open. We didn't like the additional noise. I couldn't tell a significant difference in overall effectiveness. It did seem to be more effective at cooling the area immediately under the A/C unit. That can be important when lights, hot water, and hair dryer heat up the bathroom area.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Air Conditioning question (How to vent??)

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Dan J. Stansel –
After several years and keeping my AC vents closed on the AC units,  I am not sure this is best way to cool.  This forces all the air into the little round vents scattered along the interior roof.  Today it was 101 here in Texas so we are loading to escape the heat.  (Better late than never).  Going to the 6 state FMCA Rally in Sedalia, Mo.  I opened the vents under the unit and a lot of cold air came thru and still had lots of volume at the little round vents.  Which is better???  Closed or open under the ac unit ???  I am thinking a little open and this pushes more air out.  Can you give me your experience and what is correct??  DAN
By opening the vent on the A/C unit you get an air dump. No restrictions and more volume, it just is not dispersed unless you have the smaller vents opened.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Air Conditioning question (How to vent??)

Reply #3 –
Under extreme conditions (outside temp>100) we sometimes open the louvers on the face of the AC unit and let the cooled air flow direction into the coach.  But we also use a couple of floor fans to mix the air in the coach when the roof vents are not used.  I have no data to say which is better, but it is my impression that opening the louvers is more effective (with fans) under extreme conditions. 

Under these conditions we also use fans on the refrigerator condenser.  I have posted on this in the past... the fans are mounted near the roof.  Again, not good data to show this is worthwhile, but I think it has helped.
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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Air Conditioning question (How to vent??)

Reply #4 –
Tks for the input.  I too have small fans I scatter around the inside on hotter days.  They really help with the cooling.  I think I may leave a small opening in the face of the AC and see how that works.  Tks DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Air Conditioning question (How to vent??)

Reply #5 –
I've been messing with the vents trying different combinations for the past couple of weeks and I finally feel like I have things somewhat figured out.  I actually close all the ceiling vents except for the two in the bedroom and the one at the fridge.  This forces most of the cold air either into the bedroom (which I like cold) and toward the front of the coach.  I found that any other way it would be freezing cold in the kitchen/dining area and still warm enough up front that the A/C would keep coming on. 

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Douglas and Amanda
1997 40' U320 "Brawley"
2007 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer
Motorcade #17266 Escapee #113692

Re: Air Conditioning question (How to vent??)

Reply #6 –
I leave mine closed and just use the little vents.  When it is super hot out I will try to chill the motorhome down at night.  Set the ac at 67 and let it run. The morning temps will be 67 and then I can raise it a bit and the ACs will cycle till the hottest part of the day. Awnings and MCDs help a lot.  Oh and I have two small fans to keep air moving and a front windshield sun screen but that area is still a heat sink. 
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: Air Conditioning question (How to vent??)

Reply #7 –
Quote from: ScubaGuy –
I've been messing with the vents trying different combinations for the past couple of weeks and I finally feel like I have things somewhat figured out.  I actually close all the ceiling vents except for the two in the bedroom and the one at the fridge.  This forces most of the cold air either into the bedroom (which I like cold) and toward the front of the coach.  I found that any other way it would be freezing cold in the kitchen/dining area and still warm enough up front that the A/C would keep coming on.

Good info as I have the same coach

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4