|
|
07-25-2018, 01:46 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Sherman
Posts: 326
|
Collapsed return air vents
I have done the mods on my air vents to seal them and have considerably more air flow so I decided to check out the return air plenums. Now I wish I had not opened up this can of worms.
When the return air plenum in the living area was installed (I use the term loosely) they cut the entire bottom of it off so that the air is totally exposed to the back side of the ceiling. Instead of it being a sealed rectangle it is three sided. Needless to say it is not sealed where it comes in contact with the back side of the ceiling so the hot air in the attic area is sucked into the return air.
On top of that they ran electrical wiring under the sides of the plenum where it contacts the ceiling making an even larger area for attic air to be sucked into the return system.
In addition to that, the plenum is collapsed in the center so even if it were sealed it would still severely restrict the return air flow.
I have read of people using 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe to open up the collapsed areas but that will do little due to the gaps between the plenum sides and the ceiling.
Waiting on solutions from you very smart RV owners.
__________________
2017 Alpine 3401RS,Titan Disc brakes,Morryde SRE 4000, 2016 Ram 3500HD Laramie SRW,LWB,4X4, Aisin transmission
|
|
|
07-25-2018, 02:01 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Schulenburg
Posts: 1,164
|
Any chance you're still under warranty?
__________________
Joey
2017 Hideout 308BHDS
2006 F-350 6.0L PSD CC 4X4
|
|
|
07-25-2018, 02:45 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Columbia
Posts: 128
|
Block those off, open vents on a.c. to dump directly and use a fan to circulate air around inside of camper.
__________________
Favorite post to date....
Originally Posted by ctbruce View Post
Then you're in the right spot. We're kind of like a 12 step program for wayward Rvers.
|
|
|
07-25-2018, 02:46 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Sherman
Posts: 326
|
Out of warranty. Doubt Keystone would do anything anyway.
__________________
2017 Alpine 3401RS,Titan Disc brakes,Morryde SRE 4000, 2016 Ram 3500HD Laramie SRW,LWB,4X4, Aisin transmission
|
|
|
07-25-2018, 04:23 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Schulenburg
Posts: 1,164
|
You might try them anyway.
__________________
Joey
2017 Hideout 308BHDS
2006 F-350 6.0L PSD CC 4X4
|
|
|
07-26-2018, 05:59 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,015
|
If it where me I’d try inserting two pieces of the PVC pipe and see how it does.
Keystone Alpines are not perfect and I’d bet a good cup of coffee that none of the other brands are either.
If you are getting adequate cold air flow after sealing your AC ducts and blocking off the furnace returns that’s really all you are after.
My 2014 has lots of “why’s this done this way” items but in the long run they work so I don’t try to rebuild the whole RV.
Only other recourse for what your after is drop the entire ceiling. And there’s no way I go to all that trouble.
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
|
|
|
07-26-2018, 06:38 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Sherman
Posts: 326
|
ChuckS, The PVC trick is what I was thinking about but I contacted Keystone and they told me that although it is out of warranty they may cover a repair. We will see.
__________________
2017 Alpine 3401RS,Titan Disc brakes,Morryde SRE 4000, 2016 Ram 3500HD Laramie SRW,LWB,4X4, Aisin transmission
|
|
|
07-26-2018, 12:25 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southeastern Connectiut
Posts: 1,306
|
Let us know how you make out
Good Luck,
__________________
Pull Toy
Steve & Jan, Ava & Emma (Mini Schnauzers):
2016 F350 Lariat 4X4 Powerstroke CC/SB "PULLTOY V"
2013 Alpine 3535RE "MAGIC CARPET IV"
Proud Navy Vet!
|
|
|
07-26-2018, 02:50 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Schulenburg
Posts: 1,164
|
I was hoping for that response. Good luck.
__________________
Joey
2017 Hideout 308BHDS
2006 F-350 6.0L PSD CC 4X4
|
|
|
07-26-2018, 03:11 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: El Paso
Posts: 155
|
I have a 2017 Alpine 3660FL. I added additional vents and return air vents. The return air are directly under the a.c. unit. Ac works much better now. It should work for you as it did on my alpine. U could just block off the old return air ducts.
|
|
|
07-27-2018, 01:00 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Sherman
Posts: 326
|
E Rod, My return air vents are on each side near the walls in line with the A/C unit. Is that where yours were? Did you add two more returns just closer to the A/C unit?
__________________
2017 Alpine 3401RS,Titan Disc brakes,Morryde SRE 4000, 2016 Ram 3500HD Laramie SRW,LWB,4X4, Aisin transmission
|
|
|
07-27-2018, 01:07 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: El Paso
Posts: 155
|
Mine are on each side as well. I added one additional in center at each unit. I also added 7 additional air vents. 2 in bed room, 3 in kitchen and 2 in living room . Made a HUGE difference.
__________________
2021 F350 Lariat Ultimate Pkg,FX4,CC,LB
2017 Alpine 3660FL
|
|
|
07-28-2018, 07:26 AM
|
#13
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Newport
Posts: 3
|
I have seen some of the threads regarding the A/C ducts collapsing along with the return air ducts. I have a front kitchen 5th wheel and I am having a hard time cooling it. It has the window in the front cap. I have put the foil insulation in the inside of that as well as the same on the rear double windows in the rear bedroom. The rear unit seems to cycle continuously until it gets the bedroom cooled of and then cuts off as it should. The front unit will eventually catch up after dark and cut off. I have seen it get up to 92 degrees in there during the middle of the day with both units running. Any suggestions?
|
|
|
07-28-2018, 09:44 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: El Paso
Posts: 155
|
Check your duct for debris or blockage. I used an inspection camera. Also added extra vents and return air as written in above replies. I only had two vents in living room, two in kitchen and two in bed room. I added 2 to living room right as the air exits the unit into the duct and added 2 to bed room and did same as the front living room. Added 3 to kitchen and added a return air grille right underneath the a.c. unit. Made a huge difference. Other than very hot days i can run one a.c. instead of two.
__________________
2021 F350 Lariat Ultimate Pkg,FX4,CC,LB
2017 Alpine 3660FL
|
|
|
07-28-2018, 10:10 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Sherman
Posts: 326
|
GaryAnita, Pull all of the vents off and see if they are properly sealed where they meet the duct. Most are not. Use aluminum HVAC tape to seal them. That will improve your air flow.
You can use your Cell phone in Video mode with the light on to look in the ducts if you do not have an inspection camera.
__________________
2017 Alpine 3401RS,Titan Disc brakes,Morryde SRE 4000, 2016 Ram 3500HD Laramie SRW,LWB,4X4, Aisin transmission
|
|
|
07-29-2018, 03:15 PM
|
#16
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Georgetown
Posts: 18
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by E Rod
I have a 2017 Alpine 3660FL. I added additional vents and return air vents. The return air are directly under the a.c. unit. Ac works much better now. It should work for you as it did on my alpine. U could just block off the old return air ducts.
|
E-ROD looks like we ordered the same vent covers you have. We haven't installed them yet, but I was wondering if you had to remove the base from the old vents or were you able to use the new vent covers with the old base?
|
|
|
08-02-2018, 12:39 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: El Paso
Posts: 155
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barseven
E-ROD looks like we ordered the same vent covers you have. We haven't installed them yet, but I was wondering if you had to remove the base from the old vents or were you able to use the new vent covers with the old base?
|
I removed them completely. Taped up the gap between ceiling and duct. These vents have much better airflow than the original.
|
|
|
08-02-2018, 04:07 PM
|
#18
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 14
|
What vent covers are you using?
TIA
-Ray
|
|
|
08-02-2018, 08:21 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: El Paso
Posts: 155
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RayT
What vent covers are you using?
TIA
-Ray
|
Not sure on brand. Got them through Amazon like $6 a piece. I added 7
|
|
|
08-07-2018, 07:52 AM
|
#20
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Patterson
Posts: 48
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by E Rod
Check your duct for debris or blockage. I used an inspection camera. Also added extra vents and return air as written in above replies. I only had two vents in living room, two in kitchen and two in bed room. I added 2 to living room right as the air exits the unit into the duct and added 2 to bed room and did same as the front living room. Added 3 to kitchen and added a return air grille right underneath the a.c. unit. Made a huge difference. Other than very hot days i can run one a.c. instead of two.
|
Erod ... there's a few of these vents on Amazon. I want to make sure what I buy will fit in my "current" vent locations. Can you please take a picture and give us some dimensions, please?? Maybe give us the link to the Amazon item too, please?
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|