Best material and size to use for ducting?

[ilyafish]

Hey guys,

I am about to really get started working on my coach, and the first order of business is going to be ducting out the air.  My OTR air is in great working order, so where i am now is i removed all the side panels, so i basically have the 2 big air vents in the front completely exposed. I plan on ducting them out throughout the bus.  What is the best size to use for the ducts, and what material should i use?  I just have a fear of if i use standard ducting metal, it will rattle around and make noise.

I am also curious on how any of you guys have your ducting set up, and pictures and diagrams would be a plus too.


Thanks!

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Peach,

Your barking up my tree...lol

You have many options here. Your correct, if using thin sheet metal, [and not cross braked] it could be a noisy install. If I were you, I would try and

in vision what your layout will be and incorporate your air flow into your cabinetry. Useing toe kick space is very usefull.  Look at how the factory air

flow panels were constructed. You can mimic the same design if needed. There is really no scientific measure in the over the road system at this point

because it was designed to heat and cool 50 people. You are going to have massive air flow so make as many outlets as possible.  I constructed a 4" x 6"

aluminum "L" channel down the drivers side of my coach, from front to rear. This has numerous outlets in it and is the main air flow to the rear state room

and bathroom for my 'OTR" system. The passenger side vent mainly covers the front of my coach. It works well for me.

Good Luck
Nick-

[ilyafish]

hey nick,

agreed. i actually had the same idea in mind. since i am making this more of an entertainer coach, the front 1/3rd or so of the bus is going to be couches. i am going to be making the couches myself, so what i was going to do is construct them out of plywood, and then get some good cushions custom fit and upholster them myself. with that being said, i was thinking of running the ducting along the bottom of the couches, with maybe 3 vents or so on the bottom underneath them, then run them up and over the bunk area which is about 2/3rds of the way back, with about 2 vents coming out on top, and then go right back down to the rear lounge which is going to have a u-shaped couch and basically do the same as the front lounge, and have 3 vents, one on each side of the u-shaped couch, coming out from underneath the bottom.

now the material you used for your ducting....is this something i can purchase from you, and if so how much does it run? or is this something i should purchase elsewhere, and if so, where?

thanks Nick!

[Ednj]

Hi ,Ilya
We are about 25 miles apart, send me a PM when is a good time to do lunch.
I'll even bring the bus if you have room.
Ed

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

hey nick,

agreed. i actually had the same idea in mind. since i am making this more of an entertainer coach, the front 1/3rd or so of the bus is going to be couches. i am going to be making the couches myself, so what i was going to do is construct them out of plywood, and then get some good cushions custom fit and upholster them myself. with that being said, i was thinking of running the ducting along the bottom of the couches, with maybe 3 vents or so on the bottom underneath them, then run them up and over the bunk area which is about 2/3rds of the way back, with about 2 vents coming out on top, and then go right back down to the rear lounge which is going to have a u-shaped couch and basically do the same as the front lounge, and have 3 vents, one on each side of the u-shaped couch, coming out from underneath the bottom.

now the material you used for your ducting....is this something i can purchase from you, and if so how much does it run? or is this something i should purchase elsewhere, and if so, where?

thanks Nick!

Hi Peach,

You can just give me measurements and I can construct anything you like. I'm very fair with busnuts!
You will have to PM me for costs as it's not proper dealing busisness on the board.

Nick-