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07-27-2020, 12:58 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Posts: 16
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Adding third air conditioner?
I have been fighting this problem for over 4 years. We have a 2015 38K Expedition that has the rear bathroom. Problem is that with the hot weather like we have been having, the engine heat radiates into the bathroom and bedroom. Does not seem to do so too much while driving because the air flow removes the heat. But when you stop, the heat builds up in the bathroom rapidly. The floor reaches 98-100 degrees by the time I get set up after driving. I have tried opening the engine compartment doors on both sides to let the heat escape. This helps but the problem is still there. I have looked at mounting a fan in the engine compartment to blow cooler air onto the underside of the floor. This too, helps but does not solve the problem. I have looked at installing insulation to the underside of the floor but have decided this to be too risky. The last thing I need is for the insulation to come loose and go into the fan and radiator. Also, I would have to hire a monkey to install the insulation as a monkey is the size of a person needed to get into the space where the insulation is needed.
The only solution I can see working is to add a third air conditioner. I have checked with REV Technical Support and was told that since this coach did not offer an option for a third air conditioner they did not add any additional structural support or wiring for one and that the extra weight on the roof could be a problem.
Coleman offers a unit for non ducted applications and also offers a chill grill that contains all the control and thermostat components and is operated via bluetooth. You only have to run power to it and cut a 14" square hole through the roof where the existing a/c register is now and block off the duct to it.
Of course, this leaves the concern of roof strength.
Has anyone besides me had this heat problem? if so, have you solved it and if so, how?
Has anyone installed a third air conditioner, and if so, has it caused any roof structural problems?
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07-27-2020, 03:47 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 8,638
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guidedbomb
I have been fighting this problem for over 4 years. We have a 2015 38K Expedition that has the rear bathroom. Problem is that with the hot weather like we have been having, the engine heat radiates into the bathroom and bedroom. Does not seem to do so too much while driving because the air flow removes the heat. But when you stop, the heat builds up in the bathroom rapidly. The floor reaches 98-100 degrees by the time I get set up after driving. I have tried opening the engine compartment doors on both sides to let the heat escape. This helps but the problem is still there. I have looked at mounting a fan in the engine compartment to blow cooler air onto the underside of the floor. This too, helps but does not solve the problem. I have looked at installing insulation to the underside of the floor but have decided this to be too risky. The last thing I need is for the insulation to come loose and go into the fan and radiator. Also, I would have to hire a monkey to install the insulation as a monkey is the size of a person needed to get into the space where the insulation is needed.
The only solution I can see working is to add a third air conditioner. I have checked with REV Technical Support and was told that since this coach did not offer an option for a third air conditioner they did not add any additional structural support or wiring for one and that the extra weight on the roof could be a problem.
Coleman offers a unit for non ducted applications and also offers a chill grill that contains all the control and thermostat components and is operated via bluetooth. You only have to run power to it and cut a 14" square hole through the roof where the existing a/c register is now and block off the duct to it.
Of course, this leaves the concern of roof strength.
Has anyone besides me had this heat problem? if so, have you solved it and if so, how?
Has anyone installed a third air conditioner, and if so, has it caused any roof structural problems?
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I started running genny with both of my airs running which made all the difference when I got to campground with motor heat.
__________________
2007 Fleetwood Revolution LE 40V
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07-27-2020, 04:12 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 7
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Give thought to small mini split, been a number of blogs doing it
No new hole in roof to leak , can run refrig lines to best Bay place for outside unit
Just another option?
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07-27-2020, 04:18 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster
I started running genny with both of my airs running which made all the difference when I got to campground with motor heat.
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I have tried running generator and both a/c units but the heat overpowers them when stop to camp.
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07-28-2020, 01:10 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 126
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Structural is one concern but does the electrical system from the genny to the panel have the capacity to run three AC units??
-Kevin
__________________
2015 Fleetwood Excursion 35B / Running on FL XCS Chassis / Pulling a 2009 Mini Cooper S
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07-28-2020, 07:11 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kfriceman
Structural is one concern but does the electrical system from the genny to the panel have the capacity to run three AC units??
-Kevin
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Current a/cs pull about 10 amps each when running. Of course start up is a spike of around 16 amps but for a short time. Gen will put out 50 amps. Per leg. Current a/cs are run off separate legs. Dont believe power to be a problem. Roof loading is my concern.
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07-28-2020, 07:19 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,497
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Do you have ladder access to your roof?. If so have you gotten on top of your coach and walked around. How heavy are you, probably twice as heavy as an AC unit.
You might have to add some extra blocking when you cut a hole but my guess is that the AC weight wouldn't be a problem.
You will have to be creative to get power to the AC unit. Do you have a block engine heater? May be able to tap that line to get power there, it will have it's own breaker in the panel and as an added benefit you might have a switch on the dash that controls that circuit, would have to check amperage as it would probably use a 12 volt relay to accomplish this. You could turn it off and on as needed from the drivers seat.
I carried 2 sea kayaks on the top of my Class C without a problem, total weight was ~130lbs (probably more) plus my weight (north of 175) when I was fastening them down to the roof. Never even though about weight.
__________________
Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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07-28-2020, 07:43 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Foretravel Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Home is Where WE PARK IT...
Posts: 6,018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guidedbomb
I have tried running generator and both a/c units but the heat overpowers them when stop to camp.
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We had the same issue withour coach.. ('02 Foretravel with the M-11 500hp).
What i did was yard out that 35gal drum of a muffler and replaced with a resonator and wrapped everything with exhaust manifold heat wrap.. Mitigated the issue of excess heat.
__________________
Retired truckdriver,
'02 Foretravel... "This Shack will do"
being pushed by an '06 Scion xB
SKP's of Box Elder, South Dakota
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07-28-2020, 09:52 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2,812
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Agree with Saddlesore, removed my 75 lb heatsink muffler and put in a resonator. Big difference in bedroom temps after stopping for the night. Engine room insulation makes a difference too.
__________________
Foretravel tag axle 40 ft. 500 hp/1550 ft/lbs ism 1455 watts on the roof. 600 a/h's lithium down below.
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07-29-2020, 11:28 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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When I began to have that problem (after several years) I found that the insulation under the floor access hatch had come loose, allowing a lot of extra heat to radiate upward. I reattached it and also installed a piece of aluminum sheet there to act as a reflector and heat intrusion dropped dramatically.
An anecdote: While at a campground in Maine, 3 Prevost coaches pulled in near us and all immediately opened their rear engine hatches. Later I learned it was a family camping trip (must be nice!) and Dad had taught his sons to do that to help engine heat escape after a day of travel. They had plenty of a/c capacity, but it made more sense to vent the heat than to try to overcome it with cooling.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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