Quick Tips and Easy Mods (Monaco Style)

[deSanford]

Rusty tools could you post a picture of what you did with the towel to quiet the AC vent noise? I have a large square and four little exhaust "ports" under the air unit. Is this different then what you have? deSanford

[Rock342]

Replace basement lighting with low-profile LED bar lighting.

This allows me to fit my cooler all the way without hitting the low-hanging standard lights - plus it's just cool.

[RustyTools]

Hi Sanford –

I’m not too good at posting pics (ok, no idea how at all!), so I found Googled a picture of my grille and attached it (if the pic doesn’t work, just Google Dometic part number 3105935.047). Not sure yours is the same, but I’ll explain what I did anyways and it may be similar enough.

From the pic, the large area is the return-air part which is where the filter is when you remove the grille. The smaller area is where the conditioned-air can come out, or sliding the louvers closed forces out the ceiling ducts.

And this is where I found the most noise coming from, because some air will always escape/whistle out the cracks on the closed louvers when the AC/heat is on. So I took off the screws (6 of them IIRC) and removed the entire grille, and then laid a folded towel over that smaller outlet area and carefully put it all back together again. I made sure that the towel didn’t overlap into the return-air area or get in the way when I closed it all up again and kept it from sealing good.

I was worried that it may collect moisture/dirt but when I checked sometime later, all was good. It’s been working well for me, and I was surprised at how much quieter it made the unit.

Good luck.

[deSanford]

OK I think I got it. Thanks RustyTools. I have the Coleman units, but it is similar with little vents around the perimeter of the "air" intake. I will Duck tape those close and force the air to come out of the smaller round vents in the ceiling near the unit. Less noise is good. deSanford

[ArmyEOD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deSanford OK I think I got it. Thanks RustyTools. I have the Coleman units, but it is similar with little vents around the perimeter of the "air" intake. I will Duck tape those close and force the air to come out of the smaller round vents in the ceiling near the unit. Less noise is good. deSanford

Dsanford, do not close off the " AIR INTAKE". I am sure you ment to say Out Flow. T

[deSanford]

Yes I think it is the outflow around the intake. When I see the MH I will check it out. The new set up seems like the way to go in my next lifetime. deSanford

[ArmyEOD]

On this same subject, I have redone my AC duct work. When I removed the plastic grills from the units I noticed that the sealing of the unit to the duct work was very lacking. It was apperant that a lot of air could just go around the duct and into the roof area. I used aluminum ducting tape seal and re did all the connection at the unit, while I was there I sealed all around the inside of the unit. I could see where cold/heated air could return to the intake through the unsealed joints (plastic flaps with 1/4 inch gaps). That is all sealed now. I also used the tape to seal off the down flow feature feature on the inside of the grate. The unit is 100% sealed and 99% of the air goes into the ducting. From an estimate I have 40% better airflow now. I did the same thing to both units, much much better heating and cooling. To make a long story short, it has been like adding a third unit for 8.00 bucks and about 2 hours work.

[RustyTools]

George/ArmyEOD –

Good point, glad you reminded Sanford!

And coincidentally, I also had to seal around all of my round duct outlets. I was in the habit of closing off the big vent in the bedroom so all air would come out thru those ducted outlets, but one day noticed the vinyl ceiling material was starting delaminate from its backing near one outlet because the air got forced in between the ceiling layers and was pushing it apart. By the time I’d scheduled an appointment with Monaco and got there, all vinyl in the bedroom had been ‘blown’ away or separated and was drooping down. Fortunately, it was still under warranty and Monaco replaced the entire ceiling for me, but afterwards I pulled off all vents in the entire coach and found that most of them were beginning to do the same thing. Several hours and lots of aluminum ducting-tape later, all is well again.

HTH

[ArmyEOD]

RustyTool, I have not had a problem with the round ceiling vents mine were with the inlets to the duct work in the AC's its self. You may want to check yours out. I had 1/4 in gap all around the duct inlets in the front and more on the rear unit. From what you discribed I am very lucky that my ceiling has not come apart. Anyway, we will get them right one of these days. Just wish the OM's could spend a little more time on putting these rigs together when it would be easy.

G

[RustyTools]

George -

Ok, as I reread your post it's clearer what you meant. And yes, I had to do those areas as well. A good thing for folks to check...

[deSanford]

Thank you both for all the good info. I will get a roll of aluminum tape and duct tape and start taking the ducts loose from the ceiling and see what I have to tape up. deSanford

[monty5]

For Diplomat Don - Where did you place the third strut to aid in lifting the bed? What length did you use? Can you email he answer to me?
monty5@bellsouth.net

[Mother goose]

Hi all ! Michele here...darling hubby and I just purchased a 2000 Monaco Diplomat 38D. We are leaving California in April (for 2 months) to check out the Eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri area for a new home. Hubby is a prospector and we will be spending our days going from one gold claim to another...all across the US.
I was just wondering if anyone has some good resources or advice for a couple of new Class A owners?

[nodine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mother goose Hi all ! Michele here...darling hubby and I just purchased a 2000 Monaco Diplomat 38D. We are leaving California in April (for 2 months) to check out the Eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri area for a new home. Hubby is a prospector and we will be spending our days going from one gold claim to another...all across the US. I was just wondering if anyone has some good resources or advice for a couple of new Class A owners?

Mother Goose,

You just found a very good resource in this website. There is this section, Monaco product specify, then the Class A section, not to mention other sections that are related to various RV subjects. Post your questions and you will get some replies.

Bob