Basement Heat Pump

[DavidInWilmNC]

I'm still trying to decide what to do about additional cooling (and heating, to an extent).  I'd like quiet cooling and want something ducted, but I don't have room in the ceiling for ducts.  I've seen one bus that had air channels / ducts in the sides over the windows that ran from the rear all the way to the front.  This was a very nice installation (the blue and white Flxible in Timmonsville) and was very quiet. 

I've set up the center air return to be used as a supply for the OTR heat and air and am wondering how well this would work for one of the twin compressor heat pumps that seem to be fairly popular.  I know that, at home, I don't like floor registers, but I also don't have the sound of a 15K RV A/C blowing there, either.  I realize that cooling is much more effective with the supplies are up high, but if I undertake that project, my bus will likely NEVER be finished.  It'd be relatively simple to connect the basement unit to the current air duct running down the center of the bus.  I'll have ducts branching off this in the bedroom, bath, kitchen, and living area.  Do these units move enough air for a setup like this to work?  I'm curious if this will be too much ductwork or if I'd need to install / add a stronger blower like the high velocity systems.  Would high velocity registers / outlets in the floor work better at getting the heat out of the ceiling area?  Another option is to some way surface mount a duct from the floor to right above the windows and run ducts there.  Of course, I could stick with roof units or mini-splits, but I still have the OTR air and would have to waste a lot of bay space.  Who's got any better ideas, experience, or suggestions?  Thanks!

David

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi David,

If you decide to go with the basement unit, I would intice you to do the 2- 15,000 btu units instead of the single 27,000 btu unit.

Reasons, 1- true 2 1/2 tons of capacity, 2- duel blowers that add up to a hi-v system. 3- if one fails you, you still have the second unit.

             4- the quietness of a basement unit is ideal, 5- no water dripping off your roof.

David, did you read all the posts in this thread?
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=5496.0

Good Luck
Nick-

[DavidInWilmNC]

Thanks for the info, Nick.  Where does one find 15k units?  I've seen 9k and the 24k models.  Are two 15k units bulkier than the single dual compressor model?  I'll re-read that thread, but I'm sure I read it.  I'm mostly concerned about having floor registers instead of something in the ceiling.

David

[NJT5047]

David, you'll be reversing the flow of air in the ductwork.  This may work OK...Nick could tell you.  But the small holes down the side of the coach are returns.  Only the two large outlets (beneath the exterior vents) are outlets.   The front inlet is under the step next to the drivers seat. 
I worried about my bus heating with the OTR heat when traveling, but found that the returns must pull the warm air to the rear by sucking all the cold air off the floor. 
Not sure that AC would work at all using those floor returns.  Be hottern %^$ near the roof...I would think.  Maybe if you could fab some ceiling returns?  That would help. 
BTW, are you coming over to Kyles Non-Rally?  Not too far from you.  If you need a halfway point, come on over!  I'm going over on Thursday not-to-early morning.   I'm just a few minutes off Hwy 74 a little north of Monroe.  I believe following 74 would be your best bet...hit I-485 and off you go.  Easy ride.     
Hope you make it.
Best, JR   704 650 0235

[DavidInWilmNC]

Hi JR,

I've reversed the center ductwork to act as a supply.  I've installed insulated 6" flex duct (residential style) and added floor registers in the bathroom, kitchen, and will add them to the front.  I replaced the ducts in the bedroom when I ripped up the floor back there and insulated them and the floor.  It'll be more like a residential / mobile home duct setup when I'm through with it. 

I won't be able to make it to any get-togethers this weekend.  We're going on a family trip to CA (San Francisco)... but not by bus, unfortunately!  I'm hoping we can arrange something this spring and/or winter at the place Darrell posted about in Beulaville.  It'd be great to see some of the folks from T'ville and meet new ones.

David

[NJT5047]

Good. It ain't this weekend... It's October 12, 13, 14.   
You'll be back and looking for something to do
We'll leave the light on for ya!   
Regarding your registers...you've done a lot of work on the air distribution system.  Way over my minimal knowledge now. 
Still may wish to find a way to suck the hot air off the ceiling. 
What did you do with the OTR heat?  Did you lose the heater? 
Or are you running it backwards? 
JR

[DavidInWilmNC]

JR,

I haven't connected that part yet.  I'll be redirecting the heat and A/C from the side outlets to the center duct when I rip out the front floor.  I want to clean that area, check air beams, seal wheel wells, and insulate.  I left the front part of the duct as a return.  I made a step out of the part that used to contain the ramp.  The step is about 18" back from the front of the upper flooring area.  The space below that is part of the return.  I also have (planned) additional returns where the originals were near the side walls.  I'm wondering if I can get high enough velocity to blow cool air upwards towards the ceiling.  If not, I may have to find some way to hide some ducts in or on the walls. 

I'll have to check those dates in Oct.  I've still got a radiator out, bumper mounts to finish, and cooling system hoses to reinstall.

David

[JohnEd]

Guys,

Your comments about "all that hot air up around the ceiling" rings true to me.  In every house I have had for the last 20 years I have practiced "de-stratification" of the living area.  All I have done is put a SMALL fan in a corner and let it run all winter long on low speed.  The floor is as comfy and is the same temp as the ceiling.  It is that easy and htere is no perceived draft.  I do it with the AC in the summer if I use that.  Costs is about 50 cents a month for energy.  Well, maybe a little more but this is MY LIE and I'll tell it like I want.

Good luck,

John

I have thought about building a small 3X3 duct into a closet that is a air circ device only and powering it with a squirrel cage.