|
Floor ducting - keeping critters out...
Here's something I posted on a different Trailer forum. In the faith of helping others, here's some lessons learned / Mods that can be applied to your RV's "in floor" heat ducting system as well...
Note: Do NOT use fabric or aluminum screen mesh. Only use thick wire "real" steel screen - purchased at most home hardware type stores. And, only use real steel flex pipe. Same "real steel" materials used on home's gas dryer exhaust systems.
---------------
On my 2006 Jayco, I've done a simular "screen the air duct vent" trick. Like you, I removed floor vent covers and installed steel screen wire mesh on their insides. Two layers of steel screen that cannot be seen from their top side. But, thick enough wire to stop underside critters entering the inner trailer via floor vent small openings.
Unlike many, I also removed the LP furance (4 screws, gas pipe + its external double tube pipe) and installed several layers of steel screen under it. And, I've installed several layers of steel screen on its air intake opening as well. In addition to this, I removed the fabric vent tubing and replaced with "real" steel flex pipe. Same "must use real steel" building code on home dryer venting systems. This screening has kept the critters out. To me, this steel screening design should be minimum factory build. And, the screens should be made in a sliding track system - like home dryer exhause venting systems. Thus, easy removal and cleaning every fall.
On the negative side, I have to manually remove these custom screens every fall and "blow them out" with an air compressor. Easy cleaning task for the floor vents. A PITA for the screens around the LP furnace air intake opening. And, a very PITA for the screen layer between the floor and the furnace output as well. Thus, I soon made the furance screens as a "sandwich + 2 screws" holding down design. Thus, a much easier way "to remove & clean" design - compared to my 1st custom screen design. To my surprise, the screens close to the furnace start to load up with lint and other "stuff". Just like a stick house dryer exhaust vent screen critter entry filter loads up with "stuff" as well. Based on build up amounts, we could run these screens for up to 3 years (before risk of fire). But, I clean these screens out every fall (as part of my winter closing tasks).
Hope this mod helps others as well...
Sorry... No current digital pictures. Will take and share some pictures this weekend...
.
|
Linear Mode
