2nd AC UNIT

[jim hall]

I am in the process of installing a second ac/heat system for the coach,
The new evaperator/heater mounts under the refrigerator and has 3 vents,
one above the status panel, one above the refrigerator facing toward the
stove and one in the right rear area above shelf. The ductwork is
standard 2.5 inch and is routed behind the bath and refrigerator areas.
The parts were purchased from a vendor at the Myrtle Beach Hot rod
show. The heater tees off the hot water lines feeding the hot water
heater and the freon lines tee off the ac lines. Also adding a 2 fan
2400 cfm electric fan to the radiator to help when not cruising. The
capacity of the new ac should be about 17,000 btu.
I increased the insulation last year when replacing the headliner to
help slow the heat loss and gain.
Will take photos of the conversion to post to web.

Jim Hall
77PB In Pawleys Island

 

[richard waters]

Jim,
Sounds like a great way to get extra AC and heat.

Can you share with us the approximate cost for the hardware?

I for one will be looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Richard Waters
1976 PB
Troy, MI
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> I am in the process of installing a second ac/heat system for the coach,
> The new evaperator/heater mounts under the refrigerator and has 3 vents,
> one above the status panel, one above the refrigerator facing toward the
> stove and one in the right rear area above shelf. The ductwork is
> standard 2.5 inch and is routed behind the bath and refrigerator areas.
> The parts were purchased from a vendor at the Myrtle Beach Hot rod
> show. The heater tees off the hot water lines feeding the hot water
> heater and the freon lines tee off the ac lines. Also adding a 2 fan
> 2400 cfm electric fan to the radiator to help when not cruising. The
> capacity of the new ac should be about 17,000 btu.
> I increased the insulation last year when replacing the headliner to
> help slow the heat loss and gain.
> Will take photos of the conversion to post to web.
>
> Jim Hall
> 77PB In Pawleys Island

 

[jim bounds1]

Jim,
I did a system similar to what you have described for a customer a couple
of years ago. It was successful but there were a few things I can pass on
to you that might make yours work better than mine.

The unit I used was used in ambulance rear compartments. It was a self
contained heat/cool unit and it also had 3 outlets. I ran the vents over
the refer & monitor panel , but routed the 3rd vent into the bathroom.

Forcing the air up inside the refer cabinet and out at the top was too much
for the blower, the air came out like a GMC type one dash air system- weak.
Even knowing cold air drops, I would locate the vents down low directly
out of the unit to increase air flow to the coach. The vent in the bath
was too much air flow in the small space, you could hang meat in the bath
while the rest of the coach was only slightly effected by operating the
unit. I would dump all 3 vents directly out into the area below the refer
to hopefully make more impact in the middle of the coach.

I used a digital control panel which controled the unit by the temp. in the
coach, I would strongly suggest keeping this control.

I would also incorporate an additional condenser to complement the
additional evaporator.

The coach I did the mod in was recently sold for $41K and I am very proud
of the work I did, I will make these changes on the next unit.

Actually, I have been considering installing such a system in my coach in
that it is a transmode and nothing is standard. I have plenty of room to
mount such a unit and I am committed to not using roof mounted AC units.

I am also looking into a "central" system like is used in basemant mounted
temp. systems in the big busses. I feel this would eliminate several
problems while providing a better, more efficient set up.

Will keep you informed on my progress.

Jim Bounds
- ----------------------------------------

>I am in the process of installing a second ac/heat system for the coach,
>The new evaperator/heater mounts under the refrigerator and has 3 vents,
>one above the status panel, one above the refrigerator facing toward the
>stove and one in the right rear area above shelf. The ductwork is
>standard 2.5 inch and is routed behind the bath and refrigerator areas.
>The parts were purchased from a vendor at the Myrtle Beach Hot rod
>show. The heater tees off the hot water lines feeding the hot water
>heater and the freon lines tee off the ac lines. Also adding a 2 fan
>2400 cfm electric fan to the radiator to help when not cruising. The
>capacity of the new ac should be about 17,000 btu.
>I increased the insulation last year when replacing the headliner to
>help slow the heat loss and gain.
>Will take photos of the conversion to post to web.
>
>Jim Hall
>77PB In Pawleys Island
>
>
>
>
>
Jim Bounds / Co-op Motor Works Orlando www.gmccoop.com