I changed out my AC supply grilles

[footdoc]

I have been unhappy with the overall cooling ability and air flow so I just finished doing this mod...I got 8 of these grilles
I ordered the 2 1/8" length and had to shorten them by 1/4" for proper fit I also had to enlarge the 8 holes up to 6" from 5 1/4"..After installation of the outer collar/ceiling plate I had to seal the junction where the collar meets the duct. A big problem was that Newmar freely used hot melt glue to finish the original junction and I had to remove a bunch of this old glue so the end of my new collar cleanly met the duct..I spend a total of about 5-6 hours on this mod...the scariest part was using a Rotozip to enlarge the ceiling hole, knowing that <span class="ev_code_RED">ONE</span> slip of that tool would leave a very permanent scar in the padded ceiling..all went very well and now I can direct the flow of heat or cold to where I want...I can also move more air to the front when necessary by closing off most of the rear grilles...there is enough blow by so that I'm not worried about any coil freeze up issues....overall a nice mod that Newmar should have included from the start! I hope the pic shows up....the source is DWincorp in case it doesn't....

[footdoc]

I have been unhappy with the overall cooling ability and air flow so I just finished doing this mod...I got 8 of these grilles
I ordered the 2 1/8" length and had to shorten them by 1/4" for proper fit I also had to enlarge the 8 holes up to 6" from 5 1/4"..After installation of the outer collar/ceiling plate I had to seal the junction where the collar meets the duct. A big problem was that Newmar freely used hot melt glue to finish the original junction and I had to remove a bunch of this old glue so the end of my new collar cleanly met the duct..I spend a total of about 5-6 hours on this mod...the scariest part was using a Rotozip to enlarge the ceiling hole, knowing that <span class="ev_code_RED">ONE</span> slip of that tool would leave a very permanent scar in the padded ceiling..all went very well and now I can direct the flow of heat or cold to where I want...I can also move more air to the front when necessary by closing off most of the rear grilles...there is enough blow by so that I'm not worried about any coil freeze up issues....overall a nice mod that Newmar should have included from the start! I hope the pic shows up....the source is DWincorp in case it doesn't....

[Lug_Nut]

Nice work Larry. Talking about vents, the Essex does not come with an outside discharge vent for the microwave/convection oven. which the Mountain Aire does. This is for '07. What's up with that?

Peter

[Bigblock]

I'll second that.Our 05' dutch star had it but not our 07' essex.Big bucks to have it done as well since now it's a retrofit.Newmar should do the updates gratis in my opinion.

[SacsTC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Talking about vents, the Essex does not come with an outside discharge vent for the microwave/convection oven. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Neither does our 07 Diplomat. How stupid are the people designing these things now a days. Our 89 & our 94 Bounder both vented to the outside.. What are they thinking,,vent it to the inside and then let the Fantastic fan vent it out from there.. And if it is raining, my fantastic fan will automatically close and stop venting..

[ET]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by footdoc:
I have been unhappy with the overall cooling ability and air flow so I just finished doing this mod...I got 8 of these grilles I ordered the 2 1/8" length and had to shorten them by 1/4" for proper fit I also had to enlarge the 8 holes up to 6" from 5 1/4"..After installation of the outer collar/ceiling plate I had to seal the junction where the collar meets the duct. A big problem was that Newmar freely used hot melt glue to finish the original junction and I had to remove a bunch of this old glue so the end of my new collar cleanly met the duct..I spend a total of about 5-6 hours on this mod...the scariest part was using a Rotozip to enlarge the ceiling hole, knowing that <span class="ev_code_RED">ONE</span> slip of that tool would leave a very permanent scar in the padded ceiling..all went very well and now I can direct the flow of heat or cold to where I want...I can also move more air to the front when necessary by closing off most of the rear grilles...there is enough blow by so that I'm not worried about any coil freeze up issues....overall a nice mod that Newmar should have included from the start! I hope the pic shows up....the source is DWincorp in case it doesn't.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'll give you credit for taking on that task. How did you seal your new vents to the ductwork?

I only have 7 vents and for the entire weekend I closed off/blocked the bedroom rear vent, helping to send more cold air towards the front of the coach which seemed to actually help a lot. The front of the coach stayed at 75 and the rear stayed around 71 for the most part without my sunscreen on the windshield but with the curtains drawn. Both A/C's were set to 72, the front is a 13,500btu and the rear is a 15,000btu.

[footdoc]

Hi Ted....after removing alot of excessive hot melt glue that interfered with the seal with a jacknife, it was a fairly flush fit against the flat duct...remember the new grille is 3/4" bigger, so I used silicone caulk to seal the inside of the collar against the duct board. From what I understand as to WHY Newmar did not do this is they were afraid of the coil freezing if too much flow is restricted, but I just do not think this will happen with the blowby of these grills...I will be fully testing this setup with an 11 day trip coming up next weekend..

[sjcaldal11]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Lug_Nut:
Nice work Larry. Talking about vents, the Essex does not come with an outside discharge vent for the microwave/convection oven. which the Mountain Aire does. This is for '07. What's up with that?

Peter </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Peter,
I agree my 06 MADP had an ouside vent my 08 does not. Can't imagine why they got rid of it.
Daryl

[Jetsmania]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Nice work Larry. Talking about vents, the Essex does not come with an outside discharge vent for the microwave/convection oven. which the Mountain Aire does. This is for '07. What's up with that? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Dr. Peter! Good question. Having had the 07 MADP we were not happy with the microwave venting outside. When it was windy it would rattle. In cold weather, the cold air always found its way in. You could feel a draft coming from it when you were underway. With a exhaust fan above the kitchen I feel its no lost to not have outside venting on the Microwave. Paul

[h moffitt]

We have an outside vent in our KSDP. This is our 5th motorhome over the years and the first with the outside vent. After trying to keep fantastic fan blades and vent clean from all the cooking oil that escaped the inside vent filter I never want an inside vented hood again. I'll, and we do, put up with the rattles and other negatives to not have to try to keep the fantastc fan clean. Thats my position now and like politicians, subject to change with the situation without being called a "flip fop".