So with the split air I am installing in the bedroom, I did a little out of the box thinking. First I was just not happy with the air flow in the bay, second I didn't want to cut a big hole in the bay door. Put the condenser on a lazy Susan, will never use this AC going down the road, on triple digit days there will be no problem with air flow and the coach lines are not changed. Time will tell if this idea works as imagined.
Definitely thinking out of the box. Seems like it should generally work. A few thoughts come to mind - stick them in your list of things to watch while testing this out.
- Can you still use the a/c if you are parked close to something on the driver's side, like in a truck stop?
- That bay door isn't terribly strong or well supported while open like that. I'd be concerned about a gust of wind taking it off or tearing the rubber hinge.
- With the door up like in the photos it will pool water against the bus during rain.
- Possibly rig up a different support system for the door so that it can be securely anchored in a position that slopes the door downward to shed rain AND to firmly anchor it in place so a gust of wind can't lift up on it.
- Get fancy and switch that bay door to a side hinge mount. Even fancier a split barn-door style door with two vertical hinges so that you can open only the section needed to slide out the a/c unit.
Just food for thought. Hope you find it helpful.
Thank you for your response, 1. don't do truck stops & if that close to something no bay door would open 2. stainless steel hindges with rubber seals 3. been working in the rain at times, no pooling 4. maybe a retractable rod, will look into that 5. the whole idea is for no air restriction, having the door go sideways would hinder & I trying to keep the lines of the coach the same.
Another thing to be concerned with is the lines to the condenser. Can they stand X number of movement cycles?
Also maybe have a cut out on the door to make a mini door that it can extend through?
I've got a Mr Cool that still has not found a permanent home and your idea on first impression was a meah but new day, new look. Seems pretty promising.
Obviously not usable traveling down the road but when parked it seems like a reasonable option.
Why would you never use while on the road? Do you have the OEM AC still operational?
You can have the air opening in the floor if you don't want the bay door ventilated. Another option is installing an electric auxiliary fan to move air while the unit is operating. A smaller hole and a hose could be placed in more locations.
It does expose the unit to the elements but that is typical for this design.
There is greater risk of damage when exposed; inside the bay is optimal security.
Someone could come along, clip a couple of hoses, and take off with it.
Easier to access for service since it pulls out.
As I want cooling while in motion, I just need to quit being lazy and move the propane tanks in the already vented bay and put it in there. I do like the slider idea to make access easier.
We achieved A/C while going down the road by running our High Efficiency Dometic roof top A/C with our 2800W inverter. The total running amps @ 12V for the A/C is 100 so no problem for the 200A alternator to keep the batteries up while under way.
This is for the bedroom, the rattle box on the roof was to noisy to sleep with it running hoping this will be quiet enough. There is a front roof air that runs on the inverter going down the road. Also added thermal drapes so only the "cab area" is cooled. Our coach is GM 4106 which is a unibody, just don't feel good cutting holes in floors or sides. The way AC work is air flow, at triple digits you need as much air flow for them to work at their optimal preformace. As far a security it is bolted down pretty good and if someone wants it bad enough sure but I really don't see that much difference then seeing a big hole in a bay door.
Both the 4106 I used to have and my current 4108 have holes cut into the floor for generator ventilation. Probably a much larger hole than you'd need for the a/c unit. The bus itself has a hole for the OTR a/c unit.
Yes, the floor is structural. But, holes can be cut for ventilation without sacrificing the structure if it is done wisely. Lots of owners have done it and I have never heard of it compromising the bus if the holes are not excessive or made through major structural areas.
With the location of your a/c unit, would it be possible to have the exhaust opening for your a/c unit's ventilation be made through the bulkhead and dump the hot air into the axle area?
Yes I seen many with holes cut in them I just don't what to cut more hole in our coach. It has been raised 6 inch by the PO, I cut a large hole for the genset cooling and that is enough for me.
I would not be carving holes big enough for cooling an ac or gen through a GM bulkhead at a wheel location.
I like the slide out solution. Best airflow, owner content to pull it out when required, no more holes to make.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Get a door off a 4106 ac location and fit the pieces to your door. It'll look factory and you could mount a radiator fan with thermostat to operate as needed or on whenever ac is on.
Engine bulkhead and rearward is usually the most "structural" integrity built into a vintage GM coach among other areas.
Quote from: chessie4905 on December 20, 2021, 08:53:50 AM
Get a door off a 4106 ac location and fit the pieces to your door. It'll look factory and you could mount a radiator fan with thermostat to operate as needed or on whenever ac is on.
I took that "door" off my coach (didn't like the look) and you still need air to enter the system some ware. The condenser has its own fan, why would I what to add a fan?
If it wasn't slid out, may need a fan to move air into and out of compartment. Just thinking of possibilities.