MCI bus AC questions

[bevans6]

I'm planning to start removing  my bus ac components tomorrow, since they don't work.  1980 MCI 5C.  In round numbers, how much does the condenser coil weigh?  the compressor?  I will probably leave the evaporator coil in under the floor for now, unless there's a reason to take it out.  is there such a reason?

the condensor coil is right there on the door, I presume I can get it off by undoing the screws, but I'd like a little advice as to it's a one man/two man/engine hoist kind of weight...

Same with the compressor - how the heck do you get it out of there, anyway?  any tips?  Just unbolt, grab and wrestle?

Thanks, Brian

[John316]

B

I will post how I took ours out later tonight. I am on my itouch and dont type as fast.

God bless

John

[belfert]

Them compressors are heavy!  I would use the engine hoist if it fits.

[John316]

Brian,

First off, I removed most everything myself. If you are going to save everything, and want it too be usable, you have to, of course, handle it differently. We were able to sell ours, so I handled it very carefully.

On the compressor. I removed it mostly by myself. I had another guy there, but I did most of it myself. I unbolted it from the frame (assuming ours is like yours), and I tipped it down onto the first level, which is the floor next to the engine, and then I tipped/rolled it to the ground. I made sure that my feet were clear!!! An engine hoist might work well though. If I was making a wild guess, I would guess that our compressor weighed about 150 to 200 lbs. I could barely carry it myself, and I usually used a hand truck to move it.

The condenser coil on the door, wasn't a big deal. I think I had somebody help me, but I could have done it myself. I set it on a pallet jack and was able to move it pretty well. I think that weighed about 100 to 150, but I don't remember exactly. We then had a piece of aluminum bent (the sides bent up so we had something to screw too), to fit in the opening, and we now have our inverters and Oasis in there.

If it was me, and I was going to all of the hassle anyways, I would take out the evaporator too. However, if you are going to keep your coach heat, the evaporator probably has to stay (ours was in the same compartment, and I would assume that yours was too). Our heater coil was in front of the evaporator, you had to take the heater core out to get the evaporator.

We haven't missed removing it at all!!! In fact we have been very glad that we did. We wouldn't have been able to keep our front two bays completely open, if we wouldn't have removed the OTR ac. We have our inverter, oasis, and our six 8d batteries in that space. We have our generator and our tanks (which shipped today), in the third bay.

I don't think that you will regret removing it!

BTW, since we took the whole system out, heat included, we also removed the fans. We had three huge 24V 62 amp (DC) direct drive that we removed. They weighed, I would guess, 70 lbs each.

HTH

God bless,

John

[Chuck Newman]

Brian,

Was the compressor on your D series in the right rear engine compartment directly in front of the RR light assembly?  The A series is located there.  I can't muscle things like I used to plus your really in a bad position for the low back using the side door.

What do you think of hoisting it through the RR lamp assy door with a small shop crane?  Thanks.

Chuck

[Chuck Newman]

Sorry John, I meant the previous post for you.  I guess it's time to fold my tent for the evening.

Chuck

[JohnEd]

I have thought of this dilemma before when others were going thru what you are.  My take:

The OTR components seem to have resale value and it is not small.  See if you can replace the reed valves on the compressor and sell it as reconditioned....being up front on all.  Risky!

You have no use for the massive blowers nor the side/floor air ducting.  That is a rip out and sell.

All of the evap system and the thermostat and ducting up front are needed for the driver OTR AC.  You can't live without that.  Look at all the guys that have installed a roof AC over the driver as a remodel right after finishing their coach.  Big problem here.  Problem is you don't need the capacity to cool a bus full of people in 120 degree heat with 90% humadidity.  I swear you can run that system with a auto compressor making the freon.  Your condenser may be overkill but it should work but then again it might be worth more than a auto replacement.  I think this boils down to plug the hose going to the coach evaps and keep the one running to the front, install a compressor and you are good to go.  Note that MCI made a coach AC service and a driver AC service/system separate and if the coach air alone would serve the drivers needs they wouldn't have bothered.

That is what I came up with for me.  Really should check with Nick when we all get thru spit balling the issue.

John

[John316]

Chuck,

Yes ours is located in the rear, behind the RR tail light assembly. I think that could work using a lift of some sort. That might be a better way then doing it the way I did. I opened up that RR tail light assembly, and had plenty of room to move the compressor out.

JohnEd. Interesting take. We will see whether it works, or not, but we have air ducted right over the driver (something tells me it won't be enough). We didn't leave the OTR driver air in, simply because of the compressor. If we did do a driver air, it would be an electric compressor up front, that way we don't have forty five feet of line to find leaks in .

God bless,

John