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Old 07-18-2016, 05:15 PM   #1
lesleyinky
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Amazing A/C airflow Improvement

So I've been asking questions lately about adding a 2nd a/c to our new 2016 31sqb. The single 15,000 btu has just not been cutting the heat of our Ky summer.
Before taking the plunge to add another unit, last night we pulled off all vent covers and the main A/C panel and began to clean up and better tape off duct work openings. To back up a bit, the air flow has never (3 weekend trips so far), felt very optimal. The master bdrm and bunk room just felt weak. So anyway, when we start really examining the bunk room vent we were stunned to realize that the duct for that vent continued more than 4 feet past the vent to the back of the TT with no more vents. Just flowed back there to nothing? Then, we checked our master bdrm and same story.....about 3 feet of dead space it went to past the vent with no where really to go.
After a trip for supplies, my husband blocked off the back sides only of each vent with some thick styrofoam type product and neatly foil taped it all off. Now, those two vents essentially have a dead end at the vent rather than several feet beyond them. As soon as we got it all out back together and turned it on we were amazed! Saw dust was coming out in both rooms and going everywhere. Apparently the air flow was so weak before, it never even stirred up that dust that was there from construction until we did this!
All this being said, the true test will be our next hot weekend trip. We may still end up needing another unit but this is bound to help!!



This bunk room picture shows how far the dead space is from the vent to the back of the trailer where the duct stopped.


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Old 07-18-2016, 10:06 PM   #2
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Excellent work...ya gotta love a bit of DIY!!!
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Old 07-18-2016, 10:18 PM   #3
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Awesome. I m going to check this scenario out in my Impact 312. Bedroom flow is nil, dame in the garage. Would be totally worth the investment in a little time and tape!

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Old 07-19-2016, 02:51 AM   #4
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I did the exact same Mod on my duct work on my current and last rig. That is the way the AC ducts are built on all units I have seen. They basically run a ceiling duct (one size fits all) the entire length of the ceiling and the vent openings are placed where ever they need to be based on the model. Not exactly efficient. I experienced at least a 30 percent flow improvemen. My 15k AC cools my 37 foot fifth wheel with no problem.
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Old 07-19-2016, 03:06 AM   #5
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Quick question:. How did you get the vents out? Do the just pull down? I have been accused of having bull-in-the-china-shop syndrome, so it's better for me to ask first! TIA!

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Old 07-19-2016, 04:31 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctbruce View Post
Quick question:. How did you get the vents out? Do the just pull down? I have been accused of having bull-in-the-china-shop syndrome, so it's better for me to ask first! TIA!

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Ha - yes, you'd hate break one! They do just unsnap from the outside. If you look closely there should 3-4 places they clip on and we just slowly pried each one off by unsnapping all the way around.


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Old 07-19-2016, 06:03 AM   #7
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did this same thing on mine in the early spring.. before the summer beach trip.
I had one fo those nice foil rolls of tape and I used right much fixing these vents and on the main unit areas. Lots of holes and gaps. they are very easy to pop off and put back on.
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Old 07-19-2016, 10:40 AM   #8
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Thanks for the tip I looked at ours today and found the same condition, fixed now with a piece of cellulose foam and duct tape
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Old 07-20-2016, 04:32 AM   #9
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Another thing I did was remove the inside cover on the AC and cleaned up and retaped (foil tape) the interior plenum areas. The factory tape job was pretty sloppy in there. This ensured the outbound duct openings were smooth with no restrictions and ensured the panel between the supply and return sides was well sealed to prevent air leaks.
A small flat head screw driver works well to remove the ceiling vent covers. They take a little coaxing but do pop off easily.
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Old 07-20-2016, 02:22 PM   #10
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I am old & dense! So you have enough room to work in through the little hole when you pop the vent covers off?
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Old 07-20-2016, 02:41 PM   #11
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It was just enough space to stick some insulation and tape it into place. This is the type he used.....

My husband stuck his cell phone camera up there and took a picture to see how far the duct went back.
This picture shows the shot facing the main A/C and the section of the duct that needed to be open....


And this is the side he blocked off....


Hope that makes sense and explains it better!


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Old 07-21-2016, 03:20 AM   #12
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Great tip. I just checked this in my 336 bhs cougar. Same thing. Not as drastic in the master, prob about 1' overrun. In the bunk house at least 4'. Used some of the thick Hvac aluminum tape to block off the ends and funnel it out the vents. Came out great. And while I was looking around in the bath vent I found the duct cutout for the vent just shoved up in the duct. Lazy. And stupid. That had to be reducing flow as well. Thanks again for the tip
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Old 07-21-2016, 11:18 AM   #13
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Great thread.

So when the duct continues past the vent to the end of the ceiling space,... is the duct end open or sealed shut? Would hate to think A/C is blowing cold air into the ceiling space.
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Old 07-21-2016, 12:19 PM   #14
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Quote:
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Great thread.



So when the duct continues past the vent to the end of the ceiling space,... is the duct end open or sealed shut? Would hate to think A/C is blowing cold air into the ceiling space.


I am assuming shut.....lets hope!
The camera photo really couldn't capture all the way to where it stopped because it was so dark.


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Old 07-21-2016, 04:53 PM   #15
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I am sure it should be pinchedshut on the ends but who knows. The best thing to do is place a small mirror at angle up into the vent and shine a flashlight on the mirror and you will get a good view of the duct runs. Works good in heat/floor runs too.
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Old 07-21-2016, 05:54 PM   #16
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Does anyone have a link to the foam they maybe used ? Amazon or Home Depot ?
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Old 07-21-2016, 06:43 PM   #17
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Amazing A/C airflow Improvement

I cut a swim noodle into a square cross section using an exacto knife and used it to close my ducts off with a snug fit.

Easiest and quickest mod yet. Thanks for posting about the extensions. Did not know about it.


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Old 07-21-2016, 08:05 PM   #18
lesleyinky
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nellie1289 View Post
Does anyone have a link to the foam they maybe used ? Amazon or Home Depot ?


This is what we used but I love the swim noodle idea someone else mentioned!
http://m.lowes.com/pd/Dow-STYROFOAM-...-ft-L/50071519


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Old 07-22-2016, 05:12 AM   #19
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I haven't done this 5er yet but did the last one with ho-hum results. I guess CRS occurred as I had completely forgotten this mod on the current 5er though not sure that the rear mounted original a/c has enough 'strength' to push cooled air 30 plus feet for a nicely chilled bedroom in this one. Adding a second a/c I found works well as it isn't ducted and feeds only the bedroom.

I'll do ours next week when we go back to the CG. I have some 2" foam insulation sheeting as well some big foam shipping blocks from a purchase that I can use with aluminum tape.

A note - I found that pulling the entire grill assembly off by removing the 3-4 screws gives you a bit more hand room
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Old 07-25-2016, 04:45 PM   #20
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Now I've got to check mine, great idea
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