Man it's hot ( or I need Air Conditioning suggestions)

[bubblerboy64]

For the most part running down the road if I run the air conditioners
off the generator I do reasonable well. However, there are time when
that just doesn't cut it. My engine air doesn't work and I really don't
want to make it work, due to power drain. (Need every horse I can get
at the wheels). I was thinking that it would be nice to have a AC unit
that would replace the engine air function and be ducted to blow air
back from the front of the coach. I know there are ducted air units in
trails etc but I can't figure a way to use that type of thing because I
really don't have any ceiling to duct thru. It would be nice to figure
out something that would blow cool air down from the upper dash area.
Any thoughts? Idea's. A fan blowing over a big ole chunk of ice is the
only idea I've got to this point.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC

[robert nloomas]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
John I use the roof A/C while going down the road.to move the air
to the front I also use a floor fan and that seams to do the trick.
Bob Loomas 1095 PT 36
Harahan La.
>
> For the most part running down the road if I run the air
conditioners
> off the generator I do reasonable well. However, there are time
when
> that just doesn't cut it. My engine air doesn't work and I really
don't
> want to make it work, due to power drain. (Need every horse I can
get
> at the wheels). I was thinking that it would be nice to have a AC
unit
> that would replace the engine air function and be ducted to blow
air
> back from the front of the coach. I know there are ducted air units
in
> trails etc but I can't figure a way to use that type of thing
because I
> really don't have any ceiling to duct thru. It would be nice to
figure
> out something that would blow cool air down from the upper dash
area.
> Any thoughts? Idea's. A fan blowing over a big ole chunk of ice is
the
> only idea I've got to this point.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>

[Chet Geist]

John,

I don't know the set up on your 1973, but on my 1981 I have disconnected the dash A/C clutch. I then run the front roof A/C and turn on the dash air to suck the air over the dash A/C evaporator and back out the ducts. This gives me all the air I need going down the road. Quit your complaining about being hot. In June we have had only two days where the high was below 95 degrees and the coolest night has been down to only 75 degrees. Hang in there you will get that snow soon enough.

PA Dutchman

Chet Geist

1981 FC33, Austin, Texas

-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of bubblerboy64
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 11:34 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Man it's hot ( or I need Air Conditioning suggestions)

For the most part running down the road if I run the air conditioners
off the generator I do reasonable well. However, there are time when
that just doesn't cut it. My engine air doesn't work and I really don't
want to make it work, due to power drain. (Need every horse I can get
at the wheels). I was thinking that it would be nice to have a AC unit
that would replace the engine air function and be ducted to blow air
back from the front of the coach. I know there are ducted air units in
trails etc but I can't figure a way to use that type of thing because I
really don't have any ceiling to duct thru. It would be nice to figure
out something that would blow cool air down from the upper dash area.
Any thoughts? Idea's. A fan blowing over a big ole chunk of ice is the
only idea I've got to this point.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC

[Pete Masterson]

I got a 12v electric fan that plugs into the cigarette lighter. It oscillates (moves back an forth). It makes a world of difference when I'm sitting in the fishbowl while driving. Just the moving air compensates for the radiant energy from the sun beating in the windows. 

You might give one a try. I got one for about $10 on sale at a Camping World near my home. Here's the one I have:

<http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/...3&src=SRQB> (you may need to reassemble this URL).

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jun 15, 2008, at 9:33 AM, bubblerboy64 wrote:

For the most part running down the road if I run the air conditioners 

off the generator I do reasonable well.  However, there are time when 

that just doesn't cut it. My engine air doesn't work and I really don't 

want to make it work, due to power drain. (Need every horse I can get 

at the wheels). I was thinking that it would be nice to have a AC unit 

that would replace the engine air function and be ducted to blow air 

back from the front of the coach. I know there are ducted air units in 

trails etc but I can't figure a way to use that type of thing because I 

really don't have any ceiling to duct thru.  It would be nice to figure 

out something that would blow cool air down from the upper dash area.  

Any thoughts? Idea's.  A fan blowing over a big ole chunk of ice is the 

only idea I've got to this point.  

John Heckman

central Pa

1973 FC 

[Scott Forman]

Do your dash A/C fans work? On my '82 FC, the compressor was
disconnected but the fans still blew fine. I would aim the vents of
the front roof air straight at the front bulkhead and then run the
fans...the air would blow forward from the A/C and then get pushed
back into my face from the fans. Kept things tolerable for me up
there.

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
>
> For the most part running down the road if I run the air
conditioners
> off the generator I do reasonable well. However, there are time
when
> that just doesn't cut it. My engine air doesn't work and I really
don't
> want to make it work, due to power drain. (Need every horse I can
get
> at the wheels). I was thinking that it would be nice to have a AC
unit
> that would replace the engine air function and be ducted to blow
air
> back from the front of the coach. I know there are ducted air units
in
> trails etc but I can't figure a way to use that type of thing
because I
> really don't have any ceiling to duct thru. It would be nice to
figure
> out something that would blow cool air down from the upper dash
area.
> Any thoughts? Idea's. A fan blowing over a big ole chunk of ice is
the
> only idea I've got to this point.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>

[Ryan Wright]

Not sure how your coach is laid out, but: I've got the cruise-airs in
the basement. Previous owner of my coach added a fourth, roof A/C, up
front. It has little directional vents that I can aim generally in my
direction. Works quite well and the generator can power all four A/C
units just fine.

If you already have roof air up front and that still isn't cutting it,
then Pete's suggestion of a 12 volt fan is probably your best
(certainly cheapest) bet and should work quite well. It sounds like
you've got cold air in the coach, it's just behind you and the big
windshields are ducting enough heat in to keep the cold air away from
you. So blow it up front and you're set.

-Ryan

On Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 9:33 AM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
> For the most part running down the road if I run the air conditioners
> off the generator I do reasonable well. However, there are time when
> that just doesn't cut it. My engine air doesn't work and I really don't
> want to make it work, due to power drain. (Need every horse I can get
> at the wheels). I was thinking that it would be nice to have a AC unit
> that would replace the engine air function and be ducted to blow air
> back from the front of the coach. I know there are ducted air units in
> trails etc but I can't figure a way to use that type of thing because I
> really don't have any ceiling to duct thru. It would be nice to figure
> out something that would blow cool air down from the upper dash area.
> Any thoughts? Idea's. A fan blowing over a big ole chunk of ice is the
> only idea I've got to this point.
>
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC

[bubblerboy64]

I think I am going to try the fan and see if that will help me out.
The real problem likely is the position of the forward most air unit
which is back of the driver a distance. If I could slide that unit
forward a foot or so it would help a lot, no practical way to do
that, and of course when the coach was built (and the engine air
working) no need. My ideal solution would be a small air conditioner
positioned where the condenser housing is and have air ducted
straight down from that location. I know we are an inventive bunch
and I just figured perhaps some one had an ideal solution.

My weekend project was to set up my Honda Fit to use as a "toad". Had
some difficulty working on the car because of limited room in the
engine compartment but I got it done. Not going to use the toad much
but the wife likes the idea of a "spare" since The Napper is far from
new.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC



>
> Not sure how your coach is laid out, but: I've got the cruise-airs
in
> the basement. Previous owner of my coach added a fourth, roof A/C,
up
> front. It has little directional vents that I can aim generally in
my
> direction. Works quite well and the generator can power all four A/C
> units just fine.
>
> If you already have roof air up front and that still isn't cutting
it,
> then Pete's suggestion of a 12 volt fan is probably your best
> (certainly cheapest) bet and should work quite well. It sounds like
> you've got cold air in the coach, it's just behind you and the big
> windshields are ducting enough heat in to keep the cold air away
from
> you. So blow it up front and you're set.
>
> -Ryan
>
> On Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 9:33 AM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
> > For the most part running down the road if I run the air
conditioners
> > off the generator I do reasonable well. However, there are time
when
> > that just doesn't cut it. My engine air doesn't work and I really
don't
> > want to make it work, due to power drain. (Need every horse I can
get
> > at the wheels). I was thinking that it would be nice to have a AC
unit
> > that would replace the engine air function and be ducted to blow
air
> > back from the front of the coach. I know there are ducted air
units in
> > trails etc but I can't figure a way to use that type of thing
because I
> > really don't have any ceiling to duct thru. It would be nice to
figure
> > out something that would blow cool air down from the upper dash
area.
> > Any thoughts? Idea's. A fan blowing over a big ole chunk of ice
is the
> > only idea I've got to this point.
> >
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa
> > 1973 FC
>

[Pete Masterson]

It's not that it's even hot up front ... it's that you're often sitting in the sun and the radiant energy is making you warm. If there's some air flow (like from a fan) then you'll feel cool. 

When the sun is coming from the left front, I'll be baking while my wife (in shade) is "freezing."

Sometimes, I've been too hot, then turned so the sun is behind me and within moments I'll start feeling too cold.

The fishbowl effect is quite considerable.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jun 15, 2008, at 9:56 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

<snip>

If you already have roof air up front and that still isn't cutting it,

then Pete's suggestion of a 12 volt fan is probably your best

(certainly cheapest) bet and should work quite well. It sounds like

you've got cold air in the coach, it's just behind you and the big

windshields are ducting enough heat in to keep the cold air away from

you. So blow it up front and you're set.

[Ryan Wright]

On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 4:46 AM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
> My ideal solution would be a small air conditioner
> positioned where the condenser housing is and have air ducted
> straight down from that location. I know we are an inventive bunch
> and I just figured perhaps some one had an ideal solution.

Well, I'm sure you could find an old ceiling unit, tear it apart and
duct it in. Sounds completely doable to me.

-Ryan

[bubblerboy64]

Ryan, I think it's doable if a guy could find the right "stuff" and
had the skills needed. I am going to try the fan which suits my
budget and I do believe I can plug it into the outlet all on my own.
I see some limitations to my ideal solution. Space being the
biggest. I have seen air conditioners on cargo vans which might be
useful (wider then long) but having searched the web I can't find
them. Perhaps they are a thing of the past. I don't have much space
from the nose of the bus back to the railing which goes around the
roof ( railing in not the correct term) but you know what I am
talking about. If you could mount the air compressor roof unit and
get that situated a guy could figure out how to duct it thru the
upper dash or even use the existing defrost vents. Finding the roof
unit which would fit is the first and likely biggest hitch. There
are air conditions used on off high way equipment which look
promising but they seem to be all hydraulic pressure operated. Some
body will likely point me in the direction eventually. I am going to
K-mart and get me a fan and see how that works. KISS. Keep it simple
stupid. Always good advice. There might be enough cold air in the
coach as has been suggested and this might do it for me. It
certainly would be simple. Let you know.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 4:46 AM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
> > My ideal solution would be a small air conditioner
> > positioned where the condenser housing is and have air ducted
> > straight down from that location. I know we are an inventive bunch
> > and I just figured perhaps some one had an ideal solution.
>
> Well, I'm sure you could find an old ceiling unit, tear it apart and
> duct it in. Sounds completely doable to me.
>
> -Ryan
>