Putting A/c condensor in spare tire compartment.

robertglines1 · March 27, 2011, 11:44:02 AM

Was contemplating this.What about air flow in and out. In behind front bumper?out thru wall at back of compartment? forced air? any reason not to have exhaust air out back wall of sparetire compartment? 98 prevost project coach. Bob

Oonrahnjay · March 27, 2011, 11:50:40 AM

Quote from: robertglines1 on March 27, 2011, 11:44:02 AMWas contemplating this.What about air flow in and out. In behind front bumper?out thru wall at back of compartment? forced air? any reason not to have exhaust air out back wall of sparetire compartment? 98 prevost project coach. Bob

Bob, the only important thing is that you've got to have good airflow through that condenser. I'm not familiar with the spare compartment on your bus, but forward facing, near the front bumper is a good thing. But *behind* the bumper might not be -- get that air intake in the open, unobstructed air. You'll need a good fan for the condenser so that should simplify the exhaust ducting; if you can find a good "low-pressure" area for your exhaust, you'll be ahead by a long way. But, all the details will have to add up to good airflow, whether you're out on the road or stuck in bumper-to-bumper.

robertglines1 · March 27, 2011, 12:00:30 PM

Would I be ahead if I sucked air thru floor of spare tire compartment? similar to how air is sucked into the stock condenser compartment?

Eagle Andy · March 27, 2011, 12:02:12 PM

Our Eagle has a radiator in the front where the spare goes to cool the generator and extra cooling for the fire breathing 8v92 it's set at about a 30 degree angle and it works great. There is a 3 inch air damm the I thinks deverts air up there but not sure It was that way when I bought the Bus. He also had a electric fan that sucked air thur. fwiw Good luck

RJ · March 27, 2011, 12:07:08 PM

Robert -

Unlike some others, I prefer to have a real spare tire up front, for three reasons.

The OEM airflow through the factory condenser is in from the side and out through the floor. If you look at where the condenser is located, it's actually in a "high pressure" point along the side of the coach, to aid the airflow.

FWIW & HTH. . .

robertglines1 · March 27, 2011, 12:16:19 PM

sounds like it would work then just have to have a exit for hot air prob thru back of spare tire compartment. I don't think the air would recirculate as long as the intake was lower than exhaust when parked. RJ I have 2 other condenser's going in that compartment(stock is long gone) If I can figure out how to get third in there I will put all three.A little extra tubing is no problem. Using a three zone set up plus stock drivers air going down road.

Depewtee · March 27, 2011, 12:26:50 PM

Bob,

My Prevost, converted by Liberty Coach, has two Cruise Aire condensors in the spare tire compartment. I will have to take some pictures, but as far as I remember it brings air in above the bumper and through ducts in the floor of that area. On another note, I am looking to take them out, but can't figure out how they got them in there!

Brian S.

luvrbus · March 27, 2011, 12:37:01 PM

Bob, I had 2 Cruisiair's mounted in the spare tire compartment for 20 years on a Eagle it never was a problem for me ,the 2 units vented out the bottom,and I had removed part of floor that was in the front of the spare tire compartment and replaced it with wire mesh to be sure of the intake air I really don't think it was necessary but it worked good for me

good luck

Depewtee · March 27, 2011, 12:53:57 PM

Bob,

I just took a few pictures of my setup. Luvrbus is right - air comes in the front and vents out through the floor.

Any value to these two units? I know for sure one of them works. Unsure of the second, but it looks complete.

Brian S.

robertglines1 · March 27, 2011, 01:47:11 PM

Thanks for pictures! gives me more in site as what to do. mounting a 12,000 mini-split in the dash area center above heat exchanger(stock) will still retain stock drivers heat and air/defroster. looking at removing floor at top of steps and putting in from top(condenser).

Len Silva · March 27, 2011, 02:11:31 PM

I did some repairs on an Eagle with that setup. The condenser in the spare tire compartment was completely trashed up with leaves and road debris. Should not be a problem if you don't neglect maintenance.

Joe Camper · March 27, 2011, 09:00:12 PM

You are pulling them not to be reused?

If so I will trade you for something.

You have howard active steering on that bus? Looks like it. Very cool. Why are you pulling the a/c's?

dougyes · March 30, 2011, 08:11:55 PM

The new MCI-J conversion coaches have the drivers ac in the tire bay.

Depewtee · March 30, 2011, 08:57:23 PM

Quote from: Joe Camper on March 27, 2011, 09:00:12 PM
You are pulling them not to be reused?

If so I will trade you for something.

You have howard active steering on that bus? Looks like it. Very cool. Why are you pulling the a/c's?

Joe,

If I can figure how to get them out I will be up for a trade. The bus came with three Cruise Airs, but someone before me pulled two of the inside units and one of the condensors. The one remaining unit, which blows cold air, is directly above the driver. I have three 15,000 BTU roof airs and the Cruise Air take up a lot of valuable space where it is mounted. I would like to do something in the future that incorporates the engine driven A/C compressor and make some type of dash air system.

Brian S.

JohnEd · March 30, 2011, 09:46:00 PM

I have see the intake "behind" the front bumper. The positive pressure is there even behind the bumper but the bumper keeps a lot, not all, of the dirt and trash out. Works sorta on the velocity filter principle. Very "neat" install with nothing showing.