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07-26-2016, 09:32 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,645
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Insulation of ac unit increases cooling?
In this thread (clicky) Murphie posted an interesting comment; so interesting, in fact, that it deserves its own thread so I took the liberty of posting Murphie's comment in this new thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Murphie
The guys over on the Forest River forum have done a mod on the AC. It is an interesting read and those who have done it claim it has help a lot. The have insulated one of the pipes and the condenser. If your AC can't keep up this is the mod for you. We have the 15 k btu AC and it cools our trailer fine. On real hot days we will set the AC on low and start it about an hour before needing it and it will not have to be turned up at all.
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Here is a link to the thread that I think Murphie refers to: AC thread on Forest River Forum.
To Murphie and others, what do you folks think about this mod? If it actually makes a perceptible improvement in the cooling ability of my AC, I'm in favor of it. I think the mod has got to help, but just how much I don't know.
__________________
There's lots of advice and information in forums... sometimes it is correct. For example, all of my posts are made by a political appointee who got the job as a reward for contributions to my diesel bill.
2011 Jayco 28.5RLS; 2021 Chevy Duramax; Pullrite Superglide Hitch
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07-26-2016, 10:24 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Magnolia
Posts: 4,841
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I saw that thread as well. I used to own a FR trailer and still lurk on that forum from time to time. I will be doing this to mine to see if any positive results can be had
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2016 North Point 377 RLBH, with a few mods, disc brakes, shocks, Sailun g rated tires, wet bolts
2014 Ford F350 Platinum sold
2017 Ford F350 Lariat, CC, 6.7PSD, DRW, Trailer Saver BD3 hitch
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07-26-2016, 10:33 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,217
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I saw Murphie's mention of that mod and went looking for it, but couldn't find it. Thank you to RVhiker for linking it here.
Tom, I'm interested in whether you see any improvement. Even if it is a slight improvement, it's worth the investment. I already have the reflectix and the pipe insulation sitting in my garage taking up space. I was planning to use it for some other insulation projects around the camper, but I'll hold some aside for this one.
I'm also pretty sure that I need to get into my vents and my air return and tape up some gaps, so I'll have the silver tape then as well!
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07-26-2016, 10:35 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Magnolia
Posts: 4,841
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I've got the supplies in my garage as well. Going to do this before my week long trip this weekend. I will report my findings.
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__________________
2016 North Point 377 RLBH, with a few mods, disc brakes, shocks, Sailun g rated tires, wet bolts
2014 Ford F350 Platinum sold
2017 Ford F350 Lariat, CC, 6.7PSD, DRW, Trailer Saver BD3 hitch
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07-26-2016, 12:00 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Interesting. Would like to know "real world" findings on this. How does it work? Do you notice a dramatic difference? Will it damage any of the components over time? That sorta stuff...
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2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
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07-26-2016, 05:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Tooele
Posts: 187
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They do the same thin on your AC at your house. The insulation around the evaporator ( The big box) should keep cold air from escaping insuring all the air blows into the trailer. The insulation on the suction line to the compressor (the big copper line) keeps the refrigerant returning to the compressor cold which does two things. 1) The cold refrigerant cools the compressor windings. 2) Keeping the suction line from warming up also translates into lower discharge temp or head pressure leaving the compressor, which helps it run as efficiently as it can.
Also spraying/washing the outdoor coil with water removes dirt and debris keeping head pressure down. You should also wash the outdoor unit at your house once a year. Higher head pressures equal hotter gas which equals last cooling and more energy consumption.
If I need to clarify anything please let me know.
Hope that helps explain it.
__________________
Patrick
HVAC Tech
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins
2016 Jayco Jay Flight Elite 27BHS
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07-26-2016, 06:20 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 3,493
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Well darn..now I'm thinking I need to do the same thing on Thursday when I go pick up the 5er and get it ready for travel to FL. Doesn't look like it should take more than 30 mins for both units. I'm game, I'll try it too.
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Dan
'24 GMC 2500 AT4X AEV Edition
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07-26-2016, 06:29 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,424
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Well looks like this forum yet again sends me up the ladder, anything to improve the setup is worth a try. Stock is boring!
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1999 Suburban 2500 4x4
2016 Jayflight 23RB Elite, Fiberglass, Polar Package
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07-26-2016, 08:55 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Tooele
Posts: 187
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You may be surprised how much dirt you get out of your home condensing units. Washing out condensers is part of our maintenance contracts. Some of the AC units that run year-round when we wash them out in the spring looks like chocolate milk running on the ground.
I'm curious to see if you notice any difference In the air temperature after you wash out the ones on the trailers. Give me a shout back and let me know what you think. More than likely they've never been done. That would be interesting to see what my refrigerant pressure gauges show before and after you get them washed. Just be sure not to use high pressure and don't spray from the side. You don't want to bend the aluminum fins over. Not very difficult of a maintenance item to do .
__________________
Patrick
HVAC Tech
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins
2016 Jayco Jay Flight Elite 27BHS
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07-27-2016, 06:12 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunflake
They do the same thin on your AC at your house. The insulation around the evaporator ( The big box) should keep cold air from escaping insuring all the air blows into the trailer. The insulation on the suction line to the compressor (the big copper line) keeps the refrigerant returning to the compressor cold which does two things. 1) The cold refrigerant cools the compressor windings. 2) Keeping the suction line from warming up also translates into lower discharge temp or head pressure leaving the compressor, which helps it run as efficiently as it can.
Also spraying/washing the outdoor coil with water removes dirt and debris keeping head pressure down. You should also wash the outdoor unit at your house once a year. Higher head pressures equal hotter gas which equals last cooling and more energy consumption.
If I need to clarify anything please let me know.
Hope that helps explain it.
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Makes sense to me! Give you 3 guesses to what will be my next mod, and the first 2 don't count!
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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07-27-2016, 06:24 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Friendswood
Posts: 917
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When washing/cleaning a condenser should you use any cleaners or just use water??
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07-27-2016, 07:00 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: MD
Posts: 3,856
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lx22f/c
When washing/cleaning a condenser should you use any cleaners or just use water??
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They do make a cleaner just for it. I buy it from Home Depot for my home units... Not sure of the brand/name offhand but I can look when I get home.
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2017 JayFlight 28BHBE
2014 JayFlight Swift 264BH (Sold)
2007 GMC 2500 Sierra Classic Crew Cab LBZ Duramax / 6spd Allison
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07-27-2016, 03:00 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 3,493
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I just finished the mod. Had to hurry as lightning storm was headed toward RV storage lot. Took me 25 mins to do both a/c units.
I didn't have to use my foam pipe insulator, as it was already on the copper tubing?? Bonus for me, as I got done faster...actually, just as it started to rain.
Hopefully it will help the 5er cool down faster. I won't have a verdict until we travel to MS on Saturday and ultimately ending up in FL.
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Dan
'24 GMC 2500 AT4X AEV Edition
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07-27-2016, 03:03 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 2,065
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookemdanno
Hopefully it will help the 5er cool down faster. I won't have a verdict until we travel to MS on Saturday and ultimately ending up in FL.
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Following this thread as I'll be real interested to know if it helps. Thanks for the update.
__________________
Don
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07-27-2016, 03:04 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Magnolia
Posts: 4,841
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Dan
Beat me to it again! Been raining here all day. Haven't been able to do mine yet but hopefully the rain has stopped long enough for me to get on the roof and get it done
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__________________
2016 North Point 377 RLBH, with a few mods, disc brakes, shocks, Sailun g rated tires, wet bolts
2014 Ford F350 Platinum sold
2017 Ford F350 Lariat, CC, 6.7PSD, DRW, Trailer Saver BD3 hitch
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07-27-2016, 03:09 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 3,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom
Dan
Beat me to it again! Been raining here all day. Haven't been able to do mine yet but hopefully the rain has stopped long enough for me to get on the roof and get it done
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Yea, but you got me beat on the tires! I'm nervous about the trip to/from FL with the Rainer's! I keep checking them, both backside and front for any signs, but nothing YET. My goal is to keep them for 1 year and then upgrade.
Sorry to get off topic, now back to a/c's!
__________________
Dan
'24 GMC 2500 AT4X AEV Edition
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07-27-2016, 03:21 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Greenbush, NY
Posts: 752
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Following!
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Be Safe, and Everyone Goes Home,
Rick
2014 RAM Laramie 2500 w/6.7L Cummins Diesel and Automated Safety Hitch
2016 377RLBH Jayco North Point
300W of Suntech Solar w/Rogue MPPT Controller & Xantrex 2000W PSW Inverter
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07-27-2016, 04:27 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Tooele
Posts: 187
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthCo
They do make a cleaner just for it. I buy it from Home Depot for my home units... Not sure of the brand/name offhand but I can look when I get home.
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They make a cleaner but if it's like the one I use at work it's very alkaline and can burn skin. I would just flush it with water.
__________________
Patrick
HVAC Tech
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins
2016 Jayco Jay Flight Elite 27BHS
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07-27-2016, 05:29 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Magnolia
Posts: 4,841
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Insulation of ac unit increases cooling?
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.
__________________
2016 North Point 377 RLBH, with a few mods, disc brakes, shocks, Sailun g rated tires, wet bolts
2014 Ford F350 Platinum sold
2017 Ford F350 Lariat, CC, 6.7PSD, DRW, Trailer Saver BD3 hitch
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07-27-2016, 05:51 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: MD
Posts: 3,856
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunflake
They make a cleaner but if it's like the one I use at work it's very alkaline and can burn skin. I would just flush it with water.
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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...
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2017 JayFlight 28BHBE
2014 JayFlight Swift 264BH (Sold)
2007 GMC 2500 Sierra Classic Crew Cab LBZ Duramax / 6spd Allison
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