BCM Community
Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Kwajdiver on November 27, 2006, 12:14:41 PM
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I'm new to RV-ing, just bought a MCI-9. The coach has two roof mount a/c units. I've been told that the older coach A/C units can be expensive to maintain and not worth the effort. Is this true? If that is the case, is there any reason to keep the compressor in the coach. If that is removed, why not remove the large blower motor and condensor located behind the driver side front wheel.
Full timer, currently working in Mobile, Alabama
God, I'm learning a lot.........LOL ???
Thanks for the input,
New to this BB
Bill Williamson
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Gonna depend on your wants, needs and abilities.
If it works, I'd recommend leaving it in. Others here will say pull it. It's a decision you have to make yourself.
It can be somewhat expensive to have fixed when it breaks. The key is to learn to do it yourself. You cannot beat the cooling capability, especially with just a couple rooftops.
I converted mine from R12 to R134. New hoses, dryer, synthetic oil, a few other things. Condensor developed a leak, and I put a used one in that a fellow gave me. new freon and back in action. I guess if it keeps breaking, I might consider removing it. For now, though, I like the cold air.
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Craig said it well. Go ahead and have your system pressure tested. If there's no pressure in there, since R12 has been "phased-out", it's prohibitively expen$ive to purchase. It also indicates something is leaky. If the leaks aren't too expen$ive to fix, the compressor and condensor are in good shape, and you convert to R134... the coach system runs rings around any number of rooftop units.
Wish I still had coach A/C...
Brian B.
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Hello Bill, Welcone to the Board...
Like Craig & Brian said, It's nice to have...
You really have to assess your needs.
Will you be traveling alot in the summer time? your roof units will be maxing out doing 65 mph and will seem to be inadiquate!
Do you live in the southern reigon? Then there is a need year round to be cool.
How much of your time will be on the road? if alot, concider keeping it.
That 11 tons of air really cools down a coach pretty fast! I usually cycle my road air for about 10 min's at a time even in the hottest of days..
Good Luck with your decision,
Nick-
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Welcome Bill, I had the very same questions when I purchased my 9 two years ago. I actually got a second compressor in case I have issues. You cannot believe how fast the factory AC works while on the road. I have also installed a basement AC to help when parked.
Do it your way!
FYI, I just purchased two 30lbs containers of 134-A for $71.00 per container at SAMS. It is hard to argue a non-leaking system maintenance for that cost.
Love to see pictures of your unit.
Regards,
Grant
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I have a 40ft transit with very large windows. I have 3 roof tops that work very well going down the road. Only need the third A/C when it is above 100. If I had your bus, I would remove the exsisting A/C and install one of the Carrier split sytems using an A-6 compressor (GM design from the 60's with 6 cylinders and capable of 60,000btu) with an evaporator in front and in back. Then you eliminate trying to support that huge compressor. Even if the A-6 goes out, it will be closer to an automotive compressor replacement rather than the $1,500 or so for a rebuilt big compressor. With the amount of hours we use the bus in comparison to commercial use, you don't need such a heavy duty air conditioning system. Course, you'll do it your way. Good Luck, TomC
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I always love your "thinking outside the box" posts, TomC!
For those of us with no factory A/C :-[, the A-6 looks very promising indeed (http://www.transportaircon.carrier.com/details/0,2806,CLI1_DIV8_ETI268,00.html?SMSESSION=NO). Wonder how much cash/ time outlay to install something like this in a 35'er?? I have plenty of room on the driver's side of my v-drive DD for the compressor, and a spare pully to boot. Maybe slap an evaporator on my factory heat unit. Dunno about the condensor, lines, etc. though.
Hmmm...
Brian B.
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Brian, I got pricing to put a replacement road A/C system in my bus from Dan Hard (www.danhard.com). My system also included heat from engine. The estimate was about $2,000 iin just parts.
The system included condenser, A/C evaporator for passengers, A/C evaporator for driver, and compressor. The passenger evaporator would go under the seats for the dinette and the driver unit would replace the existing driver's evaporator. The driver's unit would use the existing ducts for the driver.
They have dozen of different evaporator units and a number of condensers. The cost for my proposed system was probably on the high end.
Brian Elfert
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WOW! I love this site. I feel like I'm with friends that are in the same boat, or bus as it may be....
Okay, I will have the system check for leaks, see how just much it will cost to get it operational. I know the blower works will, but need to follow my duct work and see what is in tack.....
Option two: If it is two costly, remove compressor (install third roof mount), remove blower, and condenser. Use small compartment that the blower is in for mounting new LP tank, and remove my old tank. (
see my other topic, how much propane is enough).
Thanks guys and girls, Keep'em coming.....
Bill
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Thanks, Brian E. I'm in Dallas with the bus at least twice a year, so I'll check out Dan Hard for sure. $2k doesn't really sound too bad. And I wouldn't need heat, either, so maybe it'd be even cheaper.
Heck, some days I'd pay a mint just to have driver's A/C! That little 13.5k roof-top unit feels like it's ninety miles back there when I'm driving into the summertime sun!
Oh, and sorry to hijack your thread, Bill. Seems to happen a lot around here! ;D
And welcome aboard!
Brian B.
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Some folks only speak of AC but I have seen a lot of guys rip a whole system out if AC doesn't work loosing their bus heat. If you travel any in cold weather if nothing but ride around and look at Christmas lights you can't replace that good heater with propane furnace or diesel fired system costing extra fuel. That heat coming up through walls is great on a cold windy outing.
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Danhard is high end commercial stuff aimed at ambulance and armored car types.
Brian- Even though I have my front A/C near the front to blow directly on me, the best thing I did was to install a dash mounted fan to have it blow directly on me. Amazing how effective this is. And thanks for the nice compliment-just trying to add. Good Luck, TomC
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Danhard is high end commercial stuff aimed at ambulance and armored car types.
Brian- Even though I have my front A/C near the front to blow directly on me, the best thing I did was to install a dash mounted fan to have it blow directly on me. Amazing how effective this is. And thanks for the nice compliment-just trying to add. Good Luck, TomC
The Dan Hard stuff may be high end, but they have the most variety of condensers and evaporators I have seen anywhere. Some of the street rod stuff may be a little less expensive, but may not fit as well in a bus. I really like the evaporator that would replace my current driver A/C perfectly.
Brian Elfert
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Bill,
I am guessing by your handle "Kwajdiver" that you may have spent some time overseas on one of the ranges or bases?
I am a former "Range Rat" from the Eastern missle test range. :P
Cliff
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I would never recommend eliminating the existing front heater/defroster. I can guarantee that you will need the defroster and it would be hard to replace the existing one with anything better.
Richard
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I hope eventually to replace the driver's heat/AC, but the defrost on my bus is seperate and will stay. Right now, the driver's heat barely does anything on my bus, but it is a combination of a frozen valve and only the low fan setting working.
The main reason I want to replace the driver's heat/AC is because there is no driver's A/C now.
Brian Elfert
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I had a separate automotive type compressor that fed the drivers A/C unit. It worked great but unfortunately when I installed the 8V92 I had to remove it because of the added heat. It had the condenser coil in front of the main radiator and I had to install a couple of 16 inch fans there to try and keep the engine cool.
Richard
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One more thing on Danhard. Many of the evaporators that they use are actually made by Red Dot. Personally, don't see any reason to pay another person when you can go directly to the source. WWW.RDAC.com Good Luck, TomC
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To be fair, Tom, I think you'd have to go through a distributor (like Dan Hard) to buy the Red Dot stuff... right? I couldn't find a way to buy direct on their site.
Speaking of Red Dot, this unit here (http://www.rdac.com/Pages/product_pages/units_pages/2100_unit.html) looks like it could fit right up into my cap (fake Eagle-looking one the front of my Buff)... blowing blessed relief down on the sweaty driver. Nice!
Brian B.
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Kysor is another one
http://www.kysorhvac.com/index.html
My motorhome driver's air has the compressor in the rear and both the evap and condensor in front. Uses standard automotive (like my Dodge P/U) controls.
Len
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Here's another suggestion, FWIW:
Consider a portable A/C unit for the driver. Just plug it in and point it directly on you. They only cost about $300 and the one I had worked like a charm.
Problem is finding a place to put it. Other problems are:
Finding a way to vent it outside (I went through the floor with mine)
It will blow on your back if you put it behind you, but that's not too bad.
It's rather bulky and takes up a little room. Plus, you have to have a generator running or maybe an inverter.
There are dozens of options. Depends on how much you want to spend...
Jimmy