AC Vents - Dutchmen Owners
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Dutchmen Owners > Dutchmen Technical | Towing, Maintenance and Repairs > Heating, Cooling and Appliances
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-19-2014, 02:33 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
HornedToad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland
Posts: 606
Texas
AC Vents

Sometimes a solution is sooooo simple...

I haven't gotten around to pulling my AC unit to re tape the vents, since I have pretty decent air flow this is a low priority on my long TO DO List.

I tried something this weekend that I think I'm going to stick with. I simply popped the centers out of the 4 AC vents in the den. I didn't notice any appreciable drop in the temperature at the thermostat, but man it sure felt a lot cooler with the down draft blowing on you.

I never close these vents so the caps don't matter. DW was bothered by the foil of the vent hose showing but I think I can fix that with a little KILZ white primer.

I always leave the AC vents in the bedroom and bathroom closed to force the air flow from the bedroom AC into the den. Even with these vents closed my bedroom & bath are like an icebox and I have to set that zone 5 to 6 degrees below the den to keep the bedroom AC running so it will help cool the den.

In 100 degree temps this weekend I was able to keep the trailer in the mid 70's during the heat of the day. I'm happy with that!!!
__________________

__________________

Mike & Helen
2014 Voltage 3895 EPIC III
2013 Ford F350 CC DRW FX4
HornedToad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2014, 03:00 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Tucson
Posts: 872
Arizona
Not to rain on your parade, but I keep my vents intact and have the same temps you do on 100+ days.
__________________

__________________
2014 Voltage 3600
2013 Chevy 3500 CC DRW
2019 RZR 1000XP Trails and Rocks Edition
azdryheat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2014, 03:05 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
HornedToad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland
Posts: 606
Texas
Quote:
Originally Posted by azdryheat View Post
Not to rain on your parade, but I keep my vents intact and have the same temps you do on 100+ days.
As mentioned I didn't notice any drop in the temperature, but you could actually feel the breeze from the vents while sitting on the couch and that seemed to make a difference.
__________________

Mike & Helen
2014 Voltage 3895 EPIC III
2013 Ford F350 CC DRW FX4
HornedToad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2014, 05:08 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Fanboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Chesapeake
Posts: 343
Virginia
I am going to pull the AC this spring and do some taping then. I can't fathom they did a stellar job on mine. That said, 90+ days will freeze out my wife. Never have I had 2 AC units, let alone 3. My acceptance of the current setup may be tainted, but I for sure am happy with it.
__________________
Scott n Cindy
2011 GMC 3500 4x4 DRW
2014 Voltage 3895 Epic3
Fanboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2014, 03:58 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houma
Posts: 244
Louisiana
I did the same thing (dropped the center plates) from my vents and noticed that the AC seemed to work much more efficiently. This was even after I pulled the AC from the roof and sealed the ducts.
__________________
2013 Voltage 3600 (sold)
Sinecure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2014, 01:08 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
sundancer 87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tahlequah
Posts: 3,079
Oklahoma
I'm with the Toad, I pulled mine a few months ago and let the cold air trick my mind into thinking the AC was really working better.

Having more air movement can't hurt if it helps the occupants feel cooler.
__________________
2013 Voltage 3800, 2012 Chevy 3500 HD
2010 Yamaha V Star 950
2009 Yamaha Raider
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Caravanners
sundancer 87 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2014, 06:23 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Jones
Posts: 90
Oklahoma
Hi, I picked up a 3970 Thursday. I am having an issue with the living area not cooling down. The A/C is not cooling nor cycling on and off like it should. It has good readings on the air temp but I suspect that the air flow is not as good as it should be. Any clue what might be a good fix? Thanks Jim
Grdrod1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2014, 06:30 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
eightydo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 600
Nevada
Here is a good thread on the duct not work (work)
http://www.dutchmenowners.org/forums...rking-704.html
__________________

2017 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW
2014 Voltage 3200
2005 FLHTCI
eightydo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2014, 09:51 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
arlan in arizona's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Quartzsite
Posts: 682
Arizona
I live is southwest Arizona so I know heat. I have re-taped the ducts up top and removed the vent shrouds in an attempt to cool the unit better. The problem with these things in there are to many cubic feet, not that great of insulation and not enough air conditioners. On a 105 degrees day I am doing good to keep main living area at 83 degrees. The bedroom is not a problem and the garage is better than the main living area.

What does make a world of difference are a couple or more strategically placed FANS.
__________________
2013 Voltage 3905
2013 F350 4x4 DRW
2013 RZR XP 900
arlan in arizona is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2014, 11:12 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Camper2b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Nashville
Posts: 538
Tennessee
After reading all this stuff about duct work, and correcting my own it seems this is a bigger issue than schwintek. At least the air duct system can be corrected by owners, whereas schwintek is another story.
__________________
Slim
Former 2014 Vlotage 3200 owner
Camper2b is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2014, 01:51 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
splash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Elizabeth
Posts: 120
Colorado
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sinecure View Post
I did the same thing (dropped the center plates) from my vents and noticed that the AC seemed to work much more efficiently. This was even after I pulled the AC from the roof and sealed the ducts.
Did you see a need to remove the AC and re-tape on yours? Just curious what you found...
__________________
2014 Voltage 3950 Epic III
2007 Freightliner M2 106
Yamaha Rhino & YZ450F
splash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2014, 01:55 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
arlan in arizona's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Quartzsite
Posts: 682
Arizona
Quote:
Originally Posted by splash View Post
Did you see a need to remove the AC and re-tape on yours? Just curious what you found...
I realize the question was not directed to me. But, I removed the AC and re-taped my duct work. The job the factory did was pretty shabby. I can not say that I noticed a better a flow afterward though.
__________________
2013 Voltage 3905
2013 F350 4x4 DRW
2013 RZR XP 900
arlan in arizona is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2014, 02:02 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houma
Posts: 244
Louisiana
Quote:
Originally Posted by splash View Post
Did you see a need to remove the AC and re-tape on yours? Just curious what you found...
I removed the AC and re-taped the ducts, then removed all the vents and re-taped the openings. This improved air flow considerably, but on very hot days it still didn't cool the camper well so that's when I removed the diffuser plates or whatever you call them. That seemed to allow the cold air to make its way down to our level.
__________________

__________________
2013 Voltage 3600 (sold)
Sinecure is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dutchmen RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 01:13 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2020 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
×