Heat blockers

[Motodad]

2011 Berkshire 390bh
3 questions.
We just bought it used about 6 months ago.
Live in central Tx and the past 2 times we went out its been 100deg. Best temp I can get inside is 80. Both ACs are 13500 btu. Is there a good looking non drilling outer sun shade that I can install. Or should I do inside reflective material? Or maybe upgrade to a 15000btu in the living area? Also has anyone found a fix or had the problem of a squeaking drivers side day and night shade. I've tried everything and still squeaks while driving. Last issue is the outside has no lighting when camping. Any way to light up the whole side the door is on? Thanks guys!

[po 185]

look at magne shade .com I have them and they do help with the heat

[jrlebaron]

I switched my living area a/c to a 15000 btu and it made a difference. It keeps about 10 degrees cooler then the outside temp. Jim

[bob caldwell]

A lot of folks insulate the inside of the outside A/C housing covers with the reflective material...cut to size and duct tape in...reports say makes a difference.

[Mmnsc]

On the drivers side shade the screws on the bracket closest to the front of the coach are probably striped out and cannot be tightened. There us no solid wood up there. You might want to try to put a screw insert like you would use in drywall to be able to get the screws to hold tight.

2x on the magne shade. Going to a high capacity a/c does help.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[silver]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

A lot of folks insulate the inside of the outside A/C housing covers with the reflective material...cut to size and duct tape in...reports say makes a difference.

As well as this I also painted the top of the AC and vent covers and shower skylight white. This will also help.

For lightning I put LEDs under slide to solve this problem. By putting under slide on edge they can stay there when slide is retracted. Works great.

[dcheatwood]

I've used the car windshield screens (shiny silver) to block sun from entering my fiver while parked. Set against inside of window. Worked pretty good reflecting heat out. Not sure how you'd keep it in place while moving. Maybe Velcro?

[accumack]

Ours has the 15k up front 13.5k rear and they don't really keep it cool in 100 degree weather. People have had good success with magne shades that go on the outside apparently keeping the heat out is the best solution. Those shades are expensive though. It will probably take a multi prong approach to make it cooler in the heat.

[Phil57]

Awning on unprotected windows. Sunshade on windshield drivers side window and door. I prefer Magna Shade as I don't want to do anything on a ladder. Sunshade on slide windows.
I have two 13500 btu AC units and can keep it cool on the hottest days. I don't do 100 degrees. If it's that hot I just move north.
Also when it hit out I find the drop down air works better than the ducting. We also have a floor fan that moves the air around.

[jcowles3]

I have magma shade too well worth the money. Also have extra 8,000 btu Ac that we duct out drivers window. Been here in Arizona at 110 dog and you just can't do much. Shade all glass so sunlight does not get into the vehicle. Once it's through glass so is the heat; stop it outside. After this photo I'm getting shades on all windows. We need 20,000 more btu's! Enjoy!


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Motodad]

Thanks guys for the info. I work in the heat all day so when we are traveling I want to be cool. Guess I'll just have to spend 3k more to get down in the 70s.

[jcowles3]

Aim for big btu's because adding 8k btu's did not produce a large differential in temperature... For me in southwest. Aim higher than me to stay cool.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[lefaivre]

Silver .... I like the LED mod you have done. Would you mind posting some more photos to better show where and how they are mounted and where you wired it.in for power

[accumack]

I'm painting my a/c covers white front is done I'll do the rear today. Just putting my hand under the cover in the sun I can feel a difference. I have to get more paint One cover used a full can of paint.

[Motodad]

Worried if I get a 11-12000btu stand alone Ac that the 110 Ac outlet will trip a breaker.??? Or gen won't handle it.???

[jcowles3]

Mine did fine with everything else going... Micro included no hairdryer... For what it's worth.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[I-RV]

Silver - How did you attach a shade to the shower dome inside. I find a lot of heat coming in that dome, especially when parked in the sun. I'd like to put some insulation material, but the sides of the dome slope and nothing there to hold it in.

[Phil57]

As well as this I also painted the top of the AC and vent covers and shower skylight white. This will also help.

I believe this is what Silver said. I have heard of people painting the outside of the skylight white. It makes since and there is a lot of heat coming in from it.

[jmgllt]

Sliver, yes I would like to know where you got power from.