Insulation of ac unit increases cooling?

[Sunflake]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

So the rain let up and got mine done. Like Dan, my copper freon line was already insulated (mostly). I added a little extra to fill in the gaps.


Here you can see both ends of the insulated line are exposed.


Here it is with reflectix and some extra pipe insulation.

First test this weekend in Junction, TX. Highs will be near 100. I'll report my findings as to any performance increase.

BTW, if you do not have a 3 blade fan, you need to swap your fan with the 3 blade one. The earlier fans had problems breaking. The 3 blade fan is also quieter.

Did you wash out the coil while you were up there?

[Sunflake]

Originally Posted by SouthCo

Yeah I wouldn't use a coil cleaner without verifying that it's safe for the roof, so good point though for sure.

Like you I'd prolly just use water if I was cleaning the camper...

Yeah, probably not the best idea for the rubber roof.

[Sunflake]

I'm very curious to see how much washing the coil and insulating the evaporator helps!!!!! Can't wait for you guys to get back so I know!! LOL

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by Sunflake

Did you wash out the coil while you were up there?

No I didn't wash coil. I'm going to test the insulation first. If the insulation doesn't yield good results, I'll wash coils and retest. Besides, coil looked pretty clean...at least to my untrained eye


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[Sunflake]

Can't wait to hear how it goes.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

So the rain let up and got mine done. Like Dan, my copper freon line was already insulated (mostly). I added a little extra to fill in the gaps.


Here you can see both ends of the insulated line are exposed.


Here it is with reflectix and some extra pipe insulation.

First test this weekend in Junction, TX. Highs will be near 100. I'll report my findings as to any performance increase.

BTW, if you do not have a 3 blade fan, you need to swap your fan with the 3 blade one. The earlier fans had problems breaking. The 3 blade fan is also quieter.

I was supposed to be in Junction this weekend! I had a spot at Llano River SP, but DW said it's too hot, so I cancelled it yesterday. I'm still going up there Saturday with my dad to fill his deer feeders at the lease, but that trip is all business since he has a LONG drive after we're done.

I'm looking forward to hearing whether your work paid off.

[Magnolia Tom]

Update on this mod....

Pulled into the CG around 4:30. Ambient temp was around 98 with heat index around 105. Inside temp was 94 when we turned on the AC. So far, thermostat is at 87. Doesn't seem to be cooling any faster than before but it doesn't "feel" hot inside the camper. It is already almost 20 degrees cooler than outside so maybe it works. I'd say I need more testing to be conclusive one way or another.


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[Magnolia Tom]

Almost 4 hours later, outside is 91 while Inside is 75.


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[Maestro402]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Almost 4 hours later, outside is 91 while Inside is 75.


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Is that better or same as it normally cools for ya?


Maestro402
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"Life is better in my RV"

[Magnolia Tom]

I'd say it was an improvement. Not as dramatic as I hoped but better for sure. My last trip, I set up around 1 in the afternoon. Took 7-7.5 hours to finally cool down but there were no trees. The site I'm in now does have a large shade tree so it's not a fair comparison.


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[Maestro402]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

I'd say it was an improvement. Not as dramatic as I hoped but better for sure. My last trip, I set up around 1 in the afternoon. Took 7-7.5 hours to finally cool down but there were no trees. The site I'm in now does have a large shade tree so it's not a fair comparison.


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Understood my friend. Thank you for your input though. Think it would be worth a shot tho? Since its an inexpensive mod.


Maestro402
------------
"Life is better in my RV"

[Magnolia Tom]

Yes it's a worthwhile mod. For $30 and 30 minutes it's hard to say it not worth giving it a try. Especially since you'll have extra reflectix to use elsewhere. [emoji3]


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[Maestro402]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Yes it's a worthwhile mod. For $30 and 30 minutes it's hard to say it not worth giving it a try. Especially since you'll have extra reflectix to use elsewhere. [emoji3]


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Impeccable logic sir. I'll do it before i take back to RV storage Monday


Maestro402
------------
"Life is better in my RV"

[Bookemdanno]

I'm in full agreement with Tom's sentiments. We arrived last night in Hattiesburg, MS and the digital thermostat said it was 99 inside at around 4 pm. Before I did anything else, I plugged in and got the 2 A/C's going. By 7 pm the living area was at 85 and the master bedroom was at 80. I can't prove it, but by my experience I think the interior cooled off faster with the insulation on the air handler?? But, again as Tom said for having all the parts at the house and costing me 30 mins of my time, I feel it was worth it. Just my 2 cents!

[norty1]

My logic says anything you can do to insulate something that is transferring heat from outside will help. We have always used foam blankets in the roof vents, kept shades dqwn on the sunny sides....etc. This mod is along that same line of thinking.

It has to help combined with all the other steps. The main thing I am interested in, Does it do any harm to the cooling efficiency or make it more prone to freeze up? I plan to do mine just so unless I hear differently.

I was also thinking of using some foil tape to seal some other areas while I am in there.

[Magnolia Tom]

Norty

That's what I did. I used foil tape to seal the joints of the plastic box before I covered it with reflectix


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[Fire_Instructor]

I think that I'll order the capacitors that I need for the soft-start mod, then do it all at once!

Has anyone done any kind of fan delay mod to further lower start-up amps? I did that on my previous Rockwood, but I haven't seen anything on these newer units.....

[Sunflake]

Has anyone washed the condenser coils? Because the dirtier they are and the hotter it is outside the problem compounds. Also make sure there are no folded over aluminum fins on the condenser. That restricts air flow.

[Griswald One]

Just finished the Modification. Like others mentioned I started with foil tape on all of the seams. Even if I see no insulation benefit the improvement in air flow alone will be worth having completed the Mod. I would estimate an increase of 10-20% in air flow.

That being said, I can't see how this mod will not achieve some insulating benefit. I have the low profile black cover. It was in direct contact with the box. The new layer in between has got to provide some help.

Thanks to those who suggested this idea!!!

[Maestro402]

I'm going to pick up supplies this weekend. what size tubing insulation did ya'll buy? Didn't know if it was quasi standard or i needed to go find out prior to starting this.