Roof Space on PT40

[Pete Masterson]

Looking at your photo, I note that your system appears to be mounted
to one side of the center line. (Your initial question asked about
the center line). If it can be mounted off center, you'll probably
find plenty of room between the 2nd and 3rd AC on most 'birds -- but
you should certainly verify that on any particular 'bird you're
considering. However, keep in mind that the "goat rails" to limit the
width, so you may not be able to fit between an AC and the edge --
but you might be able to install to one side of the vent/skylight in
the area between the first and second AC unit. (Worst case you might
need to install a modified (narrower) vent cover.)

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Dec 10, 2006, at 12:20 PM, Don Bradner wrote:

> Thanks. From exterior views where the air conditioners are visible,
> that wider-gap between second and third appears standard, although
> it is often occupied by a dome or other things. Most of those I
> would hope I could remove if necessary.
>
> 6 feet is plenty of room, as long as it is typically that on a WB40
> also? Anybody willing to measure theirs?
>
> To give you a visual idea of why I need space, here is a photo of
> my current rooftop:
> http://www.datastormusers.com/image/xf2-01.jpg
<snip>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Tom Warner]

Pete/Don you might think about doing what I did. I made some thick
aluminum mounting blocks so that I could install my satellite antenna
up off the diamond plate enough so that it has a flat mounting
surface. The rooftop of the 1985 PT 40 and I believe later years also
is curved and not flat.

There is no reason that you cannot build a slightly raised platform
between the roof A/C so that the stowed Data Storm antenna would
slightely clear the next roof air. I wouldnt think that would require
raising it much.

tom warner
vernon center,ny
1985 PT 40

At 03:51 PM 12/10/2006, you wrote:
>Looking at your photo, I note that your system appears to be mounted
>to one side of the center line. (Your initial question asked about
>the center line). If it can be mounted off center, you'll probably
>find plenty of room between the 2nd and 3rd AC on most 'birds -- but
>you should certainly verify that on any particular 'bird you're
>considering. However, keep in mind that the "goat rails" to limit the
>width, so you may not be able to fit between an AC and the edge --
>but you might be able to install to one side of the vent/skylight in
>the area between the first and second AC unit. (Worst case you might
>need to install a modified (narrower) vent cover.)
>
>Pete Masterson
>aeonix1@...
>'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
>El Sobrante, CA
>
>
>
>
>On Dec 10, 2006, at 12:20 PM, Don Bradner wrote:
>
> > Thanks. From exterior views where the air conditioners are visible,
> > that wider-gap between second and third appears standard, although
> > it is often occupied by a dome or other things. Most of those I
> > would hope I could remove if necessary.
> >
> > 6 feet is plenty of room, as long as it is typically that on a WB40
> > also? Anybody willing to measure theirs?
> >
> > To give you a visual idea of why I need space, here is a photo of
> > my current rooftop:
> > http://www.datastormusers.com/image/xf2-01.jpg
><snip>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Don Bradner]

I didn't think I said centerline, but I may have implied it. Ideally, for
optimal deployment accuracy, the dish should be as level as possible. That means
centerline on any curved rood is best, but off-center can be used if necessary.
In my current case, and not particularly obvious in the photo, the roof is a
two-piece peaked aluminum, about 2 degree pitch. Makes centerline mounting
impractical without a custom spacer, since the mounting plate can't be bent down
over the peak.

On 12/10/2006 at 12:51 PM Pete Masterson wrote:

>Looking at your photo, I note that your system appears to be mounted
>to one side of the center line. (Your initial question asked about
>the center line). If it can be mounted off center, you'll probably
>find plenty of room between the 2nd and 3rd AC on most 'birds -- but
>you should certainly verify that on any particular 'bird you're
>considering. However, keep in mind that the "goat rails" to limit the
>width, so you may not be able to fit between an AC and the edge --
>but you might be able to install to one side of the vent/skylight in
>the area between the first and second AC unit. (Worst case you might
>need to install a modified (narrower) vent cover.)

Don Bradner
Bird Wannabe
Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar

[one_dusty_hoot]

Hey Don, I can see your concern for roof space.
You have more antennas up on the roof than our
local TV station. Are thes all TV?
Just curious, Thanks,
bob janes, greenville, sc
without any antennas :>(


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
wrote:
>
> Thanks. From exterior views where the air conditioners are visible,
that wider-gap between second and third appears standard, although it
is often occupied by a dome or other things. Most of those I would
hope I could remove if necessary.
>
> 6 feet is plenty of room, as long as it is typically that on a WB40
also? Anybody willing to measure theirs?
>
> To give you a visual idea of why I need space, here is a photo of
my current rooftop:
> http://www.datastormusers.com/image/xf2-01.jpg
>
> Just saw Tom's post about removing the middle air conditioner. I
think that's a non-starter - I'm looking forward to having 3 instead
of 2 and actually being able to keep cool in 100+ temps!
>
> On 12/10/2006 at 11:55 AM Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> >Looking at the roof of my 'bird (a '95), the centerline has (from
the
> >front) the spotlight, a KingDome (after market) the front AC --
and
> >to the curb side is the "flying saucer" TV antenna. There is no
clear
> >area of sufficient size in front of the first AC even if you
removed
> >the King Dome.
> >
> >Behind the first AC and in front of the second AC (approximately
1/2
> >way between) is the fan/vent cover. (Some 'birds have a skylight
> >here). So, your unit won't fit there.
> >
> >Between the 2nd AC and the rear AC is a lengthy open space. There
is
> >a plumbing vent pipe about 2/3 of the way back ... it looks like
> >there's at least 6 feet of clear space. To one side is a
fantastic
> >fan vent, but on my coach, it's off center and may not interfere
with
> >your needs. The location of the fantastic fan vent and the
plumbing
> >vent pipe will vary on different 'birds by the bathroom layout --
but
> >usually they will be to one side or the other since the plumbing
vent
> >pipe is positioned in relation to the toilet and holding tank and
the
> >fantastic fan is usually located near the shower.
> >
> >Finally, behind the third AC, there is, at least, 60" clear
space ...
> >but I have a 42' model, so I don't know if that holds true for the
PT40.
> >
> >Pete Masterson
> >aeonix1@...
> >'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
> >El Sobrante, CA
>
> Don Bradner
> Bird Wannabe
> Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar
>

[Don Bradner]

Bigger ones are internet, middle one is HDTV.

The one at the far right (front of coach) is redundant and seldom used, so I
will likely leave it off the next coach. The picture was taken in October of
2005 when the big dish was being installed, and I already knew it had problems,
so I left the other one up for backup. The first big one lasted three days, the
second one three months - they were the first and second ever made so we worked
out a lot of bugs. The current one has been in use since January, and the only
time since then that I've used the front dish is when trees made it more
practical.

On 12/10/2006 at 9:25 PM one_dusty_hoot wrote:

>Hey Don, I can see your concern for roof space.
>You have more antennas up on the roof than our
>local TV station. Are thes all TV?
>Just curious, Thanks,
>bob janes, greenville, sc
>without any antennas :>(

Don Bradner
Bird Wannabe
Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar

[Pete Masterson]

All 'birds have radius-curved roofs made of steel with a second layer
of aluminum plating -- older ones have diamond plate and newer ones
have (at least mine has) aluminum with a corrugated extruded shape.
On my coach, the plating only is on the outer thirds of the roof with
the steel in the center exposed. The "wide body" (post-'89) coaches
probably have less curve than the older "all American" body models.

It should not be too difficult to fabricate a spacer blocks to level
your mounting system if you had to place it off center. 'Bird roofs
are quite strong, so the primary issue for a leveling block will
simply be to allow ample drainage for rain water.

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42'
El Sobrante, CA




On Dec 10, 2006, at 1:24 PM, Don Bradner wrote:

> I didn't think I said centerline, but I may have implied it.
> Ideally, for optimal deployment accuracy, the dish should be as
> level as possible. That means centerline on any curved rood is
> best, but off-center can be used if necessary. In my current case,
> and not particularly obvious in the photo, the roof is a two-piece
> peaked aluminum, about 2 degree pitch. Makes centerline mounting
> impractical without a custom spacer, since the mounting plate can't
> be bent down over the peak.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[ronmarabito2002]

Don:

On my 1992 PT40, there is 6'-4" between the rear A/C unit and the
skylite. Then there is another 3'-6" between the skylite and attic
fan. This is on the centerline and is 30" wide in the clear between
the aluminum walking boards. In the 90's, they did not have the
complete aluminum diamond plate cover. These can be modified to give
you the 45" width that you wanted.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, tX 92WB40 (With DataStorm)

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner" wrote:
>
> I didn't think I said centerline, but I may have implied it.
Ideally, for optimal deployment accuracy, the dish should be as level
as possible. That means centerline on any curved rood is best, but
off-center can be used if necessary. In my current case, and not
particularly obvious in the photo, the roof is a two-piece peaked
aluminum, about 2 degree pitch. Makes centerline mounting impractical
without a custom spacer, since the mounting plate can't be bent down
over the peak.
>
> On 12/10/2006 at 12:51 PM Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> >Looking at your photo, I note that your system appears to be mounted
> >to one side of the center line. (Your initial question asked about
> >the center line). If it can be mounted off center, you'll probably
> >find plenty of room between the 2nd and 3rd AC on most 'birds -- but
> >you should certainly verify that on any particular 'bird you're
> >considering. However, keep in mind that the "goat rails" to limit the
> >width, so you may not be able to fit between an AC and the edge --
> >but you might be able to install to one side of the vent/skylight in
> >the area between the first and second AC unit. (Worst case you might
> >need to install a modified (narrower) vent cover.)
>
> Don Bradner
> Bird Wannabe
> Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar
>

[Don Bradner]

Thanks, Ron. You were one of the ones I was thinking of when I said I knew there
were members of the group that had a Datastorm. Is yours mounted in that 6 ft 4
in space, or somewhere else?

On 12/11/2006 at 4:17 PM ronmarabito2002 wrote:

>Don:
>
> On my 1992 PT40, there is 6'-4" between the rear A/C unit and the
>skylite. Then there is another 3'-6" between the skylite and attic
>fan. This is on the centerline and is 30" wide in the clear between
>the aluminum walking boards. In the 90's, they did not have the
>complete aluminum diamond plate cover. These can be modified to give
>you the 45" width that you wanted.
>
>R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, tX 92WB40 (With DataStorm)

Don Bradner
Bird Wannabe
Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar

[ronmarabito2002]

That's where mine is mounted.

Ron

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner" wrote:
>
> Thanks, Ron. You were one of the ones I was thinking of when I said
I knew there were members of the group that had a Datastorm. Is yours
mounted in that 6 ft 4 in space, or somewhere else?
>
> On 12/11/2006 at 4:17 PM ronmarabito2002 wrote:
>
> >Don:
> >
> > On my 1992 PT40, there is 6'-4" between the rear A/C unit and the
> >skylite. Then there is another 3'-6" between the skylite and attic
> >fan. This is on the centerline and is 30" wide in the clear between
> >the aluminum walking boards. In the 90's, they did not have the
> >complete aluminum diamond plate cover. These can be modified to give
> >you the 45" width that you wanted.
> >
> >R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, tX 92WB40 (With DataStorm)
>
> Don Bradner
> Bird Wannabe
> Currently 2003 Safari Zanzibar
>