Red Dot 5045 AC unit

[bevans6]

I was browsing the old posts and found a reference to a Red Dot 5045 AC/Heater unit.  Looks like a neat unit, mount it in the dash beside the driver.  What I don't understand is how it can deliver 33,000 btu's of cooling, with 475 CFM of fan, from 11 amps at 27 VDC and only weigh 47 lbs.  Our trusty rooftops take 14 amps at 120 volts (over 5 times as much power) and weigh more than double!  What's the magic here?

http://www.rdac.com/Pages/product_pages/units_pages/5045_unit.html

Thanks, brian

[belfert]

This is an evaporator only.  You need to have a seperate condensor and compressor.  Usually these are used with engine mounted compressors.

[JohnEd]

Brian,

I have seen these mtd in themain salon and in the bedroom.  They run off of the engine ac compressor or also mount a separate compressor sand concensor for a complete stand alone system.  This is over the road for the entire bus.

John

[rv_safetyman]

I installed that unit in our Eagle.  Works like a champ.  I has what I think they call the back wall option.  That is, you can deflect the air flow to the back of the unit.  I welded up tubing on a plate and mounted my defrosters to the back. 

I also plumbed my AquaHot into the unit for heat.  Again, it works great.  I can defrost the windows without ever starting the engine.  You can also use the AC to defog the windshield. 

I had planned to do a fancy install, but for now, it is mounted against the dash frame and that works just fine.

Jim

[bevans6]

how are they for cost?  I haven't been able to find an on-line price anywhere yet.

Brian

[TomC]

That Red Dot 5045 will be at least $1,000.00 new, then factor in buying the compressor ($250.00) and the bracketry, freon lines, receiver dryer with trinary switch, using either a condenser in front of your radiator (not good if your cooling is marginal) or buying a Red Dot remote mount condenser with fan (another $1,500.00), and your system is getting up there in cost. 
Personally, this is why I just run my roof tops (my front roof top can blow right on me) going down the road.  With my 2.25" blown in insulation, two 13.5btu A/C's will keep my bus in the 75 degree range when over 100 degrees outside.  You may burn a bit more fuel when the generator is running, but for the cost of the dash air, you can buy alot of Diesel fuel. Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

No need to spend the kind of money TomC is talking about, several  make the units like Pro-Air, Frigiking and others for less than 1/2 of what Tom quoted.   http://www.discountvantruck.com

good luck

[luvrbus]

Price the hose,and fittings from  Ackits.com with everything it will run about 1500 bucks for a unit .
I have done several and never spent over 1500 for a complete system as most have the list price posted and will bargain with you

good luck

[dickegler]

Hi All,

I'll throw in my vote for Lamar Welch, Welch Industries.   Long time supporter of the bus groups.  I purchased a dash air/heat
  unit, installed it in my Eagle 05, and was very pleased.     

http://www.welchindustries.com/


Happy Bussn

Dick Egler

[TomC]

Proair and such are just Red Dot units rebadged.  While maybe not as much as I said, I would only buy from Red Dot since they make the units anyway for the other companies.  I still maintain, that mounting a compressor, running the lines, mounting an outside condenser, mounting the evaporator, and other parts, you'll be very close to $2,000.00 for the system.  Compare that to what two roof top airs cost- about $1,500.00.  Good Luck, TomC

[mikelutestanski]

Hello:    my dash air system  was $2500 and is a split system with the mci 7 original evap ;and an additional evap located in the kitchen for a total of about 27000btus  the compressor and hose came from lamar welch and is mounted on top of the blower gearbox.  The condensor is a red dot unit mounted on the roof.    about 800 dollars.  the red dot evap in the kitchen was 250  and is a 17000btu unit.  
     R134 is the refrigerent..  
    The system works fairly well except the original dash evap puts out about 9000 btu when converted to r134.( originally r12)  the dash fans are a bit noisy but that i can modify at some point.. having said all that would do it again because texas gets hot when going to brownsville in the summer..   and if I need it I can crank up the genny and add the front air unit..
  Incidently my one front roof air would not cool  the dash area when the sun beats thru the windshield..
one other consideration is hose or copper which needs to run from front to back .. this adds to the cost.
     Regards and happy bussin   mike

[luvrbus]

TomC, you have been misinformed about Red Dot making all the systems I been to the Pro Air plant and FWIW there are 3 other manufactures of units in Dallas. Priced a 33,000 BTU unit Thur 1528.56 less the compressor brackets for a 8v92 with shipping to AZ

good luuck

[busdriver58]

Hi Clifford,

How much could be the total cost for installation?

[TomC]

As I said, once you get all things installed and worked out $2,000.00 should be in sight. Good Luck, TomC