Missed! 50% of Solution Dash Air Problem

[Pubtym]

I agree with most of the dash air design, service, and problematic operations. However, not mentioned is 50% of the problem. Most Coach builders do not add sufficient driver-pax compartment floor insulation under the basic carpet and under carpet on the doghouse. Consequently...in hot summer...even if you have 37 degree air coming out of the dash vents...and the radiated floor temp or doghouse heat is 105-140F..that 37 degree air is nullified pretty quick. I have measured the radiated heat coming up to the floorboard over the front tires in my Itasca Model 35U. The basic carpet floor temp under driver legs on a 85 degree day reflected tire and pavement temps of 105-140 degrees inside. Incidentally, I measured the carpet temp just in front of the MAX Air return (pax side) and it was 105 degrees. So...the MAX Air cooling is really reduced once the tires and floor heat up from the radiated heat. So, that's the explanation why MAX Air efficiency drops off...

I developed and tested...driving over 4000 miles.. in this recent heat wave, interior surface mats for the driver and pax floor areas that reduces those temps by 20-40 degrees. With that level of radiated heat reduction the dash air is much more effective.

Basically, go to carpet remnant store, buy at least 4-6 sq yds carpet in desired color..with at least a 1/2 inch loop texture. On butcher paper, draw a template for mats for both driver and pax sides. Make sure pax side extendes up under dash in front of MAX AIR return duct. Also, make sure template extends under and around seats to at least 6 inches behind each seat.

Go to Home Depot. Buy one roll of 24 inch Reflectix insulation ($20). Buy general purpose adhesive in tube. (Lock Tite). Buy a can of high temp heat reflective bright aluminum colored spray paint.

Start project by cleaning underside wheel wells with good water-soap spray. Let dry. Thouroughly coat the under driver and passenger outside wheel well areas with the heat reflective paint.

Cut your carpet mats as per your templates.

Cut your Relectix pieces so as to leave a 1" border under the carpet mat. This allows better air ciculation and the mats edge to lie flat.

Glue your Reflectix pieces to the under side of each carpet mat leaving the 1" border. Use spot glue technique..a dab about every 6 square inches.

If you really want to professionally finish each mat, take the mats to carpet store and have them stitch a carpet trim border on the edges.

If you have other interior mats, lay them on top of these thermal mats.

An added benefit to these thermal mats is cold weather warmth. They will keep interior heat inside rather than let BTUs go to outside through floorboards.

I posted pictures of the mats project in the photos forum under "Pubtym"...gthermal...mats.

[Pubtym]

I agree with most of the dash air design, service, and problematic operations. However, not mentioned is 50% of the problem. Most Coach builders do not add sufficient driver-pax compartment floor insulation under the basic carpet and under carpet on the doghouse. Consequently...in hot summer...even if you have 37 degree air coming out of the dash vents...and the radiated floor temp or doghouse heat is 105-140F..that 37 degree air is nullified pretty quick. I have measured the radiated heat coming up to the floorboard over the front tires in my Itasca Model 35U. The basic carpet floor temp under driver legs on a 85 degree day reflected tire and pavement temps of 105-140 degrees inside. Incidentally, I measured the carpet temp just in front of the MAX Air return (pax side) and it was 105 degrees. So...the MAX Air cooling is really reduced once the tires and floor heat up from the radiated heat. So, that's the explanation why MAX Air efficiency drops off...

I developed and tested...driving over 4000 miles.. in this recent heat wave, interior surface mats for the driver and pax floor areas that reduces those temps by 20-40 degrees. With that level of radiated heat reduction the dash air is much more effective.

Basically, go to carpet remnant store, buy at least 4-6 sq yds carpet in desired color..with at least a 1/2 inch loop texture. On butcher paper, draw a template for mats for both driver and pax sides. Make sure pax side extendes up under dash in front of MAX AIR return duct. Also, make sure template extends under and around seats to at least 6 inches behind each seat.

Go to Home Depot. Buy one roll of 24 inch Reflectix insulation ($20). Buy general purpose adhesive in tube. (Lock Tite). Buy a can of high temp heat reflective bright aluminum colored spray paint.

Start project by cleaning underside wheel wells with good water-soap spray. Let dry. Thouroughly coat the under driver and passenger outside wheel well areas with the heat reflective paint.

Cut your carpet mats as per your templates.

Cut your Relectix pieces so as to leave a 1" border under the carpet mat. This allows better air ciculation and the mats edge to lie flat.

Glue your Reflectix pieces to the under side of each carpet mat leaving the 1" border. Use spot glue technique..a dab about every 6 square inches.

If you really want to professionally finish each mat, take the mats to carpet store and have them stitch a carpet trim border on the edges.

If you have other interior mats, lay them on top of these thermal mats.

An added benefit to these thermal mats is cold weather warmth. They will keep interior heat inside rather than let BTUs go to outside through floorboards.

I posted pictures of the mats project in the photos forum under "Pubtym"...gthermal...mats.