Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Topic: Staying 'Cool' this summer. (Read 11729 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #50 – March 12, 2020, 11:15:29 am

12K is 32 in long. Maybe remove the front heater under the sink/counter? 32 is much longer then the ice box hole.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #51 – March 29, 2020, 01:25:03 am

https://youtu.be/7q20piOLgQ4

A new one!

Let's be cool friends!

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #52 – March 29, 2020, 10:41:30 am

That was probably the best video yet.. From start to Finish. Informative ..Excellent post/find.. 800 watts Uhh wow.... 1/2 of what my 1 ac uses.. Only issue is the cooling of the rear of the coach.. I still like those mini split with the ceiling vent/unit..

I found a small unit for the bedroom I think I am going to mount where the muffler was.. Its not a split but its just for the bedroom.. Build a box for it to sit in off the rear door by the resonator and feed the air lines through bed base(im thinking)..

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #53 – March 29, 2020, 11:02:10 am

I'm about to install ours: finished the stand for the air handler to mount on the dash, am making a plywood cover for the driver's-side slide window w/a 3" hole for the umbilicals to go outside to the condenser. With limited wood working tools and non-dimensional lumber, it's been 'a challenge', but came out o.k. Will post some pics when it gets closer to operation. BTW, here's the view from the woodshop at Shadow Ridge Park!

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #54 – March 29, 2020, 12:39:11 pm

I think these installs look like way too much work, and some are pretty awkward. That said I'm sure they work well and most likely folks are glad they did it.

But if I were doing it, here is what I would use:

Then all your lines can run thru the cargo bays, secured to the ceilings. The condenser....either in the engine room, or in one of several possible cargo bay locations, install louvered door and enclosure inside. (P.S the floor mount evaporator not the steam rad).

I'd also like to point out to folks working on these installs that there is a short very flexible "whip" that allows tight connections to the inside unit. It has a very short bend radius compared to the copper lines.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #55 – March 29, 2020, 05:18:41 pm

I just installed a Mr Cool 24K unit at the house. Have yet to fire it up . Should be Tues at the latest. FWIW try to stay with the big hole to the right side of the inside unit. I needed to use a left side exit and the pipes are not designed for it. This 24K unit is pretty big.

The Gen 3 MR Cool units are pre vacced with quick breaks on the lines. Pretty easy install . My Concrete block dictated where the 3.5 in hole had to go MOL.
Seer 20 or more . Made very nicely and smartly designed . I hope that it works as well as the reviews.
For the Bus, the 12 K should kill it .

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #56 – March 29, 2020, 06:26:17 pm

Guess while we are on the subject of cooling.. anyone familiar with the interior ceiling removal of a 2002 U320? I have really been contemplating adding and ac in the bedroom (trying something different right now but) .. Really looking at these registers and if the ceiling can be removed halfway easily I am really thinking of adding one of these with the registers in the ceiling.. Also on the BTU ratings.. a Single register model with a 12k BTU rating.. How would that compare to the 15k of the roof air?

Could you go lower on the BTU rating? I would think so but I am no experts on the subject.. I have always been one of those that you cant have to much AC in the desert.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #57 – March 29, 2020, 06:45:47 pm

Quote from: Protech Racing – March 29, 2020, 05:18:41 pm

For the Bus, the 12 K should kill it .

The 12K is rated for 500 sq feet; our coach is around 240, so plenty there. They question we will answer soon is " since the inside handler sits on the dash, will it cool the bedroom without freezing us up front?" We have considered a separate one for the bedroom. The fins are adjustable in angle, so we'll fool with it. BTW, the factory (who have been VERY HELPFULL) could only say, "try one first."

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #58 – March 29, 2020, 06:56:52 pm

Quote from: mike leary – March 29, 2020, 06:45:47 pm

The 12K is rated for 500 sq feet; our coach is around 240, so plenty there. They question we will answer soon is " since the inside handler sits on the dash, will it cool the bedroom without freezing us up front?" We have considered a separate one for the bedroom. The fins are adjustable in angle, so we'll fool with it. BTW, the factory (who have been VERY HELPFULL) could only say, "try one first."

yours should work very well in your situation.. I am talking about the ceiling registers like I posted above and in here... With the heat of 115 or so in the desert I think you would need 2 registers in the living room, 1 in the bath and add one in the bed room.. I am thinking it would work fine that way but still would need a 120v unit or how hard to make it work on 220v and everything else 120v?

In thinking about this.. maybe wouldnt need to remove the ceiling? using the duct work that is already in place for the how runs? Cutting a ceiling area towards the front off the ductwork? Hmm

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #59 – March 29, 2020, 07:09:52 pm

My goal is to get the interior to my age; 75. The pic was taken last June with only the rear roof air running.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #60 – March 29, 2020, 08:00:40 pm

Mike I bet you are shocked at just how much that 12K unit will crank out. I pulled out a 3 ton (36,000) Btu central unit and installed a 24,000 Mini split. This is South Tx., house a block off the beach. Hot and humid. The mini split can get it so cold your teeth hurt. The 3 ton central unit would struggle to maintain 76 degrees and never cycle off.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #61 – March 30, 2020, 12:40:01 am

I have posted before the intrest I have in utube poster William Prowse (solar,lithium guy). Well one of his most recent videos was yanked.

I say this because I saw it. In the video he took 2 mpp units with 4 battle born batteries. With solar panels. He was able to setup a 220 system with mpp having 120 vac supplying to the appropriate cb panel box. It was so simple. Worked perfect. I have over simplified the setup as there was some kind of link between the 2 mpp units.

Hopefully he will be able to bring it back onto utube.

For the electric pros. Wouldn't this be a way to provide 220 to a ac system in our coachs with a minimal footprint and actually be cost effective with a current solar installation.?

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #62 – March 30, 2020, 10:19:03 am

Wondering if you just take 1 leg of each to the AC? Thinking it shouldnt be to hard but it is a DIY and probably will need someone with a certification of sorts to figure it out..

From what I have read about this DIY stuff.. cant be to safe anymore and you need someone to certify the Build and Results.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #63 – March 30, 2020, 11:02:18 am

Ebay has 110V models for about $500 delivered, some advertised with Toshiba pump. smart 12k 110V Air conditioner | eBay

Pierce

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #64 – March 30, 2020, 11:54:18 am

Anyone have any idea if you can take both legs of the 120v and create a 240v? Is that even possible?

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #65 – March 30, 2020, 12:43:37 pm

Quote from: DavidS – March 30, 2020, 11:54:18 am

Anyone have any idea if you can take both legs of the 120v and create a 240v? Is that even possible?

Not real sure if I totally understand your question. If you are hooked up to 50 amp service in your coach between both phases of 120 (to neutral or ground) you will have 240v between them. On your 50 amp cord you have 4 wires, (B)ack, (R)ed, (W)hite, & (G)reen or ground.

B to R = 240V
B to W = 120V
R to W = 120V
B to G = 120V
R to G = 120V

If you are hooked up to an RV 30 amp it is only 120V so you can not get 240 out of it. You can take a transformer and use it to boost 120V to 240V

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #66 – March 30, 2020, 12:59:23 pm

It looks like "Senville" and "Mr Cool" have the best ratings. Samsung is NG and Toshiba is a maybe . There are new style DIY systems that do NOT require a vacuum down. They cost a couple more but saves the service fee unless you have the AC service tools.
The Vacc machine will require an adapter to fit the R410 fitting.
I can fit a 28 in long unit in the place of the forward heater on my tiny GV. The out side unit fits easy behind my grille , in place of the OE AC bits. This is about 16-20 ft hose run . Well inside of the parameters ,but a longer hose $ option.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #67 – March 30, 2020, 01:06:16 pm

Went to the FT today and did some lookin' and thinkin'. It should be possible to mount the inside evap. unit in one of the front overhead cabinets. In my 36' the opening is 34" long x 14" deep x 12" high. To make it easy you could just remove the door and mount it inside the cabinet. Of course you would lose that storage space. Then you'd have to run the tubing and wires back to where you mount the compressor unit. Looks like there would be enough space to mount 1 or 2 where my muffler was. It would be really nice to convert that lower body panel to a hinged panel. If I'd ever do this I wouldn't want to lose any basement storage but could get by without an overhead cabinet or 2.
For the bedroom the side cabinets are probably too small but the rear overhead cabinets are big. You could mount the evap. unit in the middle and cut down the 2 doors to preserve storage. Converting to minisplits is starting to look better all the time.
Put a 12k btu in the front and maybe an 8k in the bedroom, would this be enough for everywhere but AZ in the summertime?

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #68 – March 30, 2020, 01:19:05 pm

Quote from: folivier – March 30, 2020, 01:06:16 pm

Converting to minisplits is starting to look better all the time.
Put a 12k btu in the front and maybe an 8k in the bedroom, would this be enough for everywhere but AZ in the summertime?

MrCool does not make a 8k unit, or anything smaller than the 12k. I face the same quandry if we have to go to a bedroom cooler, too: "where am I going to hang it?" You need at least six inches of clearance above the handler to suck in the hot air, which is what I had to go through in designing my wood platform for the front dash. One thing about having a rear unit, is the noise level, and power need is reduced, big time. I'll post some sound charts and you can see just how quiet these babys are!

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #69 – March 30, 2020, 01:46:37 pm

9000 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner with Heat Pump Remote and Installation...
This one is pretty small .
Keep in consideration for the inside unit that the hose s exit the rear of the unit through 3 or 3.5 in hole. That precludes anything above the floor for the front of my bus, but above the bed looks very do able.
The front heater box also.
On the floor along the pas wall( under my desk) .
The bottom of the couch maybe

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #70 – March 30, 2020, 10:53:18 pm

Amazon.com: ClimateRight 5,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, Heater, Fan,...

bought one of these a little while back.. pretty cheap (what I paid).. going to try it and see how it works in the bedroom only

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #71 – March 31, 2020, 12:06:34 am

David, the problem with that type of unit is the fact it pulls in outside air through vents and door seals to replace the exhaust air.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #72 – March 31, 2020, 12:22:02 am

Quote from: craneman – March 31, 2020, 12:06:34 am

David, the problem with that type of unit is the fact it pulls in outside air through vents and door seals to replace the exhaust air.

Doesn't it just suck in air from one tube inside and cool it, and return it through the other tube? Think in an outside unit, condenser would be seperate? I know the one tube inside units will do what you say though.

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #73 – March 31, 2020, 12:32:08 am

It has 2 hoses.. 1 for air and return I believe.. YouTube has some videos I think

Re: Staying 'Cool' this summer.

Reply #74 – March 31, 2020, 12:32:45 am

If it is exhausting to the inside it would not cool the coach, and if it exhausts to the outside the vacuum created will pull outside air in to equalize it. Think reversal of pressurizing to find roof leaks.

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