Air Conditioner Air Flow Increase

[rondocc]

I installed/upgraded my Coleman Mach air conditioner with the RV Airflow Systems insert. I didn't think the air conditioner was cooling as well as it should. I just recently got back from a trip to Florida after the install and WOW what a difference, I had a 25% increase in air flow from the install. What a great addition to my RV. The RV cools rapidly now from having an air conditioner that forces the air into the ductwork. I have a 2018 Freedom Elite 26HE. Installation of the RV Air Flow System has made my RV much more comfortable on those hot days.

[16ACE27]

Yes; this has been discussed here before:

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...-12980-14.html

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f4...e-22547-4.html

[Bob Denman]

Welcome to the forum, and I'm glad that your a/c unit is keeping you as cool as the "underside of the pillow"!

[Judge]

Originally Posted by rondocc

I installed/upgraded my Coleman Mach air conditioner with the RV Airflow Systems insert. I didn't think the air conditioner was cooling as well as it should. I just recently got back from a trip to Florida after the install and WOW what a difference, I had a 25% increase in air flow from the install. What a great addition to my RV. The RV cools rapidly now from having an air conditioner that forces the air into the ductwork. I have a 2018 Freedom Elite 26HE. Installation of the RV Air Flow System has made my RV much more comfortable on those hot days.

I have been considering adding this to one of my two A/C units. I had my coach at the Thor Factory Service Center for some warranty work last fall and they took it upon themselves to make some mods to increase airflow even though I did not have the A/C's on my list.

Thor made a definite improvement to the airflow but I'm still trying to decide if it would be worth adding this mod. If I do it I am considering doing it to the front A/C in hopes that it increases the flow enough that at night I would not have to run the bedroom A/C to keep noise down at night.

Questions for you.....

1) Did you notice the A/C noise dropping at all since the flow was only coming out the vents and not the louvers on the unit itself?

2) Did the coach cool off just as quickly without any flow out of the louvers to "dump" cold air directly out of the unit.


Thanks in advance!

[Hugh.vines@att.net]

I put this in my axis about 10% noise reduction but cooling is 50% better. Be sure to check the ends of your ducts are stopped up so that air will be forced through the vent. I also clean my ac coils once a year

Originally Posted by Judge

I have been considering adding this to one of my two A/C units. I had my coach at the Thor Factory Service Center for some warranty work last fall and they took it upon themselves to make some mods to increase airflow even though I did not have the A/C's on my list.

Thor made a definite improvement to the airflow but I'm still trying to decide if it would be worth adding this mod. If I do it I am considering doing it to the front A/C in hopes that it increases the flow enough that at night I would not have to run the bedroom A/C to keep noise down at night.

Questions for you.....

1) Did you notice the A/C noise dropping at all since the flow was only coming out the vents and not the louvers on the unit itself?

2) Did the coach cool off just as quickly without any flow out of the louvers to "dump" cold air directly out of the unit.


Thanks in advance!

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Hugh.vines@att.net

Be sure to check the ends of your ducts are stopped up so that air will be forced through the vent.

Thor already took care of the ends of the ducts for me. I also had already insulated the outside of both units, cut the styrofaom in the vents to smooth out the flow and sealed up the devider in the plenum.

What I am really wondering is.....

If you close the vents at the louvers on the unit itself to force all the air through the duct work, will this mod still improve air flow that much more?

[rondocc]

I can say that the air flow is more concentrated at each vent. The air flow volume at each vent was increased. Once the system is installed the dump vents are of no use as the RV Air Flow System directs all the air into the ductwork.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by rondocc

I can say that the air flow is more concentrated at each vent. The air flow volume at each vent was increased. Once the system is installed the dump vents are of no use as the RV Air Flow System directs all the air into the ductwork.

Well that completely defeats the purpose of adding an additional dump vent on the A/C cover modification that many of us have done for rapid cooling.

[Scubawise]

How did you add the a/c dump vent?

[rondocc]

Thats correct, the added "dump vent" is positioned on the return side of the AC. As mentioned earlier the RV Air Flow System directs air directly into the ducts. Prior to install the air flow was flowing around the plenum and not necessarily directed to the ducts.

[Scubawise]

I saw some folks insulate the outside unit.
Is there a vedio and where do I get the insulation material..
Lots of components under the a/c hood ..not sure where to insulate and does it really help?

[roadrunner255]

Is the ducting mod independent of the outsie unit?
Reason I ask is that I have a loaner ac unit, waiting for Thor to get the HVAC units in to replace my bad HVAC.

Cheers

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Well that completely defeats the purpose of adding an additional dump vent on the A/C cover modification that many of us have done for rapid cooling.

Yes
I did this mod and am happy with the results
Not sure I want to lose the vents in the housing by adding the styrofoam insert

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Judge

Thor already took care of the ends of the ducts for me. I also had already insulated the outside of both units, cut the styrofaom in the vents to smooth out the flow and sealed up the devider in the plenum.

What I am really wondering is.....

If you close the vents at the louvers on the unit itself to force all the air through the duct work, will this mod still improve air flow that much more?

It increased my air flow. But be careful when ordering. I have Coleman Mach 3. The install problem came with the depth of the plenum. The airflow styrofoam was too thick. The owner actually called me on Sunday. Seems I have a “shallow” plenum. So they dont make one for mine. I had to reengineer it with a hacksaw blade and knife. Once I gotir n there, the air flow out the ducts improved. Even though the dump vents no longer work. But my real test will be in August when we’re scheduled to travel through several SC state parks in 95 degree high humidity temps.

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Judge

I have been considering adding this to one of my two A/C units. I had my coach at the Thor Factory Service Center for some warranty work last fall and they took it upon themselves to make some mods to increase airflow even though I did not have the A/C's on my list.

Thor made a definite improvement to the airflow but I'm still trying to decide if it would be worth adding this mod. If I do it I am considering doing it to the front A/C in hopes that it increases the flow enough that at night I would not have to run the bedroom A/C to keep noise down at night.

Questions for you.....

1) Did you notice the A/C noise dropping at all since the flow was only coming out the vents and not the louvers on the unit itself?

2) Did the coach cool off just as quickly without any flow out of the louvers to "dump" cold air directly out of the unit.


Thanks in advance!

What mod did Thor factory do?

[reminckv]

I took the DIY route using 1” foam project board to direct the flow into the plenums. I did my own cut and fit for better transition angles than shown on YouTube. It’s like an arts and crafts project. It definitely improves flow from the vents but doubt it beats the total flow of an added direct dump vent. I’d bet it’s a lot quieter though. It’s gotta be the best $5 I’ve spent on my coach.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by reminckv

I took the DIY route using 1” foam project board to direct the flow into the plenums. I did my own cut and fit for better transition angles than shown on YouTube. It’s like an arts and crafts project. It definitely improves flow from the vents but doubt it beats the total flow of an added direct dump vent. I’d bet it’s a lot quieter though. It’s gotta be the best $5 I’ve spent on my coach.

Did you take any pics of the process?

[taylorbob1]

here's the you tube of the economy method to completely close off vents in the unit housing in favor of directing all AC air flow to the in-ceiling vents.

disclaimer: i'm not interested in doing this mod

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vhv_b-1zAk

[reminckv]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Did you take any pics of the process?

I used the video that taylorbob1 linked. The major change I made was to go from a 90 degree angle to larger angle that moved the “tent” legs out to the plenum openings.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Scubawise

I saw some folks insulate the outside unit.
Is there a vedio and where do I get the insulation material..
Lots of components under the a/c hood ..not sure where to insulate and does it really help?

There are several posts on this mod.

I used this Frost King self-adhesive insulation over the outside of the evaporator.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/E-O-12-i...V516/100028603

I also used foam pipe insulation over the cold-side plumbing from the compressor.