Air conditioner idea - will it work??

Oonrahnjay · January 13, 2017, 12:50:03 PM

Quote from: lvmci on January 13, 2017, 11:55:09 AMhi Bruce, my window AC install under the drivers seat idea, was to help while driving, with the roof front AC, that was 13 or14' back, it was a front kitchen floor plan, nothing like external ducting, fans, etc, worked in the hot desert. originally tried a wheeled upright portable, with 9000btu, I thought it was to dangerous in an accident, and thought I would get more effecient with the exhaust heat out of the room, lvmci...

How many BTUs on the window unit? Did it work well? (I can see how it would being right in the driver's area.) Do you share our inefficiency experience with the portable A/Cs?

Oonrahnjay · January 13, 2017, 12:53:22 PM

Quote from: bevans6 on January 13, 2017, 09:24:46 AMHe asked if it would work electrically, so that's the question I answered. He didn't ask if it would work thermally, and everyone else had answered that already, but no one had said if it would work electrically.

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound critical. And, as I said, you were right about the factors in your post. In my mind, the electrical/thermal part is highly connected, the more un-thermals the more electrical load and the more electrical load, the more electrical issues.
I apologize if my comment came off wrong. BH

lvmci · January 13, 2017, 03:21:39 PM

hi Bruce, I put two dryer vents to direct the air, on the upright portable AC, so there was constant fan on us, but didn't feel great over 95° and the extra heat created by the exhaust heat tubing was an issue, the window unit was 9500btu, tom...

Chaz · January 14, 2017, 08:35:29 AM

Dang guys, thanks a bunch for all the info!!

Tom, I'm doing OK. Thank you for asking. Not to dwell on it but, this eye thing has kept me from driving my bus for 2 years. There is no hope to see out of it again so, if I don't get more confident in driving it, she will have to go. It is one thing if I mess up in a car but, if I mess up in my bus, it could be a REALLY bad day for other people. And I am one who does not feel that it is all about me.
I hope all is well with all you folks!! I'm not gone yet.
Take good care,
Chaz

daddysgirl · January 14, 2017, 09:38:57 AM

Hi Chaz.
Not that you need additional information, but I had a thought so I'm sharing...
I agree with previous posts on electrical efficiency and cooling capacity. I still have the factory heat/AC (converted to 134a). BUT, if I wanted to pull it all out, I would use the driver's heat/ac and spare tire compartment to add some type of system for the driver.

I have 3 13,500BTU roof air units, but when I'm driving towards the sun, I actually get tan lines from the windshields and even with one unit close to the driver...I'd never know they were there.

So, why not find a system that uses the dash vents and possibly one or two added?

Like I said, just a thought.

lvmci · January 14, 2017, 11:12:33 AM

some people use a complete auto system, just for the front, but there is package 12V systems, just expensive, lvmci...

Oonrahnjay · January 14, 2017, 06:02:47 PM

Quote from: lvmci on January 14, 2017, 11:12:33 AMsome people use a complete auto system, just for the front, but there is package 12V systems, just expensive, lvmci...

Red Dot??? Yeah, breathtakingly expensive.

B_K · January 15, 2017, 08:56:38 AM

Quote from: Oonrahnjay on January 14, 2017, 06:02:47 PM
Red Dot??? Yeah, breathtakingly expensive.

Yeah but you guys don't know Chaz. He can and does an amazing job of scrounging parts and stuff.

Chaz you could go to a junk yard and scrounge up the pieces you need for a dash system probably for less than a $100.

SORRY to hear that your eye damage is permanent!

Good luck on the A/C system and it's good to see ya back here on the board.

BK

daddysgirl · January 15, 2017, 09:08:16 AM

This is just for the sake of collaborating, but what would be the best way to use the existing in-dash system, and separate it from the coach AC ONLY.
Everything needed for a separate system is already under the dash, save a small compressor, receiver dryer...?
I'm not thinking about affecting the coach heat at all??

B_K · January 15, 2017, 09:34:34 AM

Quote from: daddysgirl on January 15, 2017, 09:08:16 AM
This is just for the sake of collaborating, but what would be the best way to use the existing in-dash system, and separate it from the coach AC ONLY.
Everything needed for a separate system is already under the dash, save a small compressor, receiver dryer...?
I'm not thinking about affecting the coach heat at all??

If indeed the original set up has not been removed then yes you would have an evaporator, fan and duct work already in place.
Then you would need to get an compressor, drier, and lines to connect it all. (of course with safety pressure switches too)

Welch Industries in Stockbridge, GA has a nice complete system for coaches that mounts in the rear tat could easily be adapted to the drivers area with longer hoses.

If your keeping your OTR A/C then you don't need a separate system, just fix the fans or whatever it needs.

BK

lvmci · January 15, 2017, 02:17:05 PM

yes the OTR AC should have driver controls and seperate fan, at least the MCIs do, you could also boost the driver fan ventilation, just a suggestion, lvmci...

Oonrahnjay · January 15, 2017, 04:17:03 PM

Quote from: B_K on January 15, 2017, 08:56:38 AM...Yeah but you guys don't know Chaz. He can and does an amazing job of scrounging parts and stuff...

I once had a friend who went to the junkyard and come home with a basket full of parts. All he needed to buy from the auto parts place was a double crankshaft pulley (and he probably could have found the right one of those at the "automobile parts recycler" with a little more time). Within a couple of Saturday afternoons, he had put together an AC system that would run you out of a Dodge Maxi-van with frostbite. Probably a little harder 40 years later with non-polluting Freon, etc., but I'm guessing still pretty easy if you know a little about what you're doing.
You can run some crazy BTU's off a single vee-belt on an engine if it's driving the right compressor and you have the right parts hooked up to it.

buswarrior · January 15, 2017, 06:22:12 PM

The trick deal would be to have this driver's AC system electrically powered, so it can run with the big engine off.

Always another variable to play with?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Oonrahnjay · January 15, 2017, 07:24:00 PM

Quote from: buswarrior on January 15, 2017, 06:22:12 PMThe trick deal would be to have this driver's AC system electrically powered, so it can run with the big engine off.

Always another variable to play with?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

I talked to Lamar Welch about that a while ago. His take is that it's technically feasible but for enough BTUs to be worthwhile, it would be a BIG, Electron-Eatin motor that you'd have to have to run it. He thinks that it would require a hefty generator running fulltime to do it. Not impossible, but cheaper/lighter/more efficient to get your cold air other ways.

daddysgirl · January 16, 2017, 09:04:09 AM

Quote from: lvmci on January 15, 2017, 02:17:05 PM
yes the OTR AC should have driver controls and separate fan, at least the MCIs do, you could also boost the driver fan ventilation, just a suggestion, lvmci...

I still have every part of the OTR system, converted to 134A. Both heat and AC work great, but...How would I boost it for the driver? That would be FAN tastic

The other thought was for those who have torn out their OTR systems. I can't imagine driving without it...those darn windshields... BUT I am going to be adding material to the area above the visor, VERY soon.