Ductless Split AC

[msheldon]

I've been looking at what to do about a/c in my bus (PD4501), and am coming to the conclusion that the ductless split type may be the best way to go.

Given that the temps here can reach 120F, and the layout of the Scenicruiser, I'm considering three 12,000btu units. One for the lower section, one for the upper front section, and one for the bedroom..

The compressor/condernsers I may be able to fit in the engine compartment, where the original OTR a/c condenser was, set up so the air pulls inward.

Any comment, advice?

Also, what brands and or sources does anyone have experience with?

[Kristinsgrandpa]

So far I only have two 12,000 BTU mini-splits and one of them is going in where the OTR A/C compressor sat, the other in the spare tire compartment.

As for shopping it's like anything else, shop for price or shop for warranty.

I looked for a long time before I bought, then I bought for price.
Some of the top name brands cost 5 or 6 times as much as I paid. Mine have been sitting in the basement, patiently waiting, until the warranty has run out.

Ed

[Jerry Liebler]

MS,
    I'm not at all familiar with the senic but I used a conventional 10,000 BTU window unit centered on the step above the engine in my 4107 it easily cools the bedroom/bathroom 1/3 of my bus.  If you could do a similar thing it'd save several hundred dollars.  It was rather simple to add a couple of louvered openings on the sides of the cap and duct air from them to the sides and top of the outdoor portion of the unit and add a duct straight back from the rear of the unit out the center of the rear cap through another set of added louvers. Since I had to build cabinets for that area anyway, accommodating the air conditioner just became part of their design.  I think 2ea 12,000 btu units will do real well cooling the rest of your bus. I'm sure you've seen my posts.  I have an 18,000 btu heat pump split and it's doing real well cooling my smaller bus.  I looked real hard at energy efficiency and power usage in choosing mine.  With the combination of my inverter (SW2512), house battery, and efficient air conditioners I should be able to stay cool on the hottest days while plugged into 20 amps or less.  And I can stay cool in front charging the house battery from the engine.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120
 

[Bosshosssport96]

Michael,besides the split system or the roof top,their is another unit out their made by Dometics,its a self-contained unit.All systems components are built in a single compact low profile chassic that can be installed in a lower bay or stowage compartment,or under a bunk or seat,anywhere from a 7K to a 14K is avavilable.

This is the system that I'm going to put in my own cruiser(three of them)I personally like the beauty of these old girls,and don't have no desire to put all the garbage on top of her.I also have no desire to clog up my baggage compartments either (tanks,water heaters,and what have ya.Baggage compartments are for what you want to put in them(motorcycles,quads,fire pits,luggage or what ya).Their are other aeras thru out the coach(at least in a scenicruiser) to put all this other items in.Their are many ways to skin a cat,even these big cats..............Frank

[msheldon]

I guess I'll do some more looking and calculating.

Window units are not what I'm looking for. I'm trying to preserve the stock appearance of the 'Cruiser, which is the primary reason for not using roof units. Cutting a honkin big hole in the back kinda defeats the purpose.

Frank, I've seen the dometic units, but getting any kind of hard data/price on them without resorting to talking to a salesman has been fruitless so far.