Can you turn the Atwood Air Conditioning Vents degrees?

[Finch]

We are currently camping at Lake Havasu and it is hot! My 2016 FR3 30DS has a single air conditioner. By 1:00 pm it is not able to keep up with the heat and the FR3 gets pretty hot inside.

I am looking at the way the main air conditioning vent (the big square vent, not the small circular adjustable vents throughout the unit) is aimed toward the back of the RV rather than toward the dinette and coach where we actually sit. The only adjustment I see on that vent is to open or close the flow.

I am wondering if I could rotate this vent 90 degrees so that the air is aimed toward the dinette and couch. I know this would mean drilling a couple of holes, but would there be other problems I would encounter? Has anyone tried this?

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Finch

We are currently camping at Lake Havasu and it is hot! My 2016 FR3 30DS has a single air conditioner. By 1:00 pm it is not able to keep up with the heat and the FR3 gets pretty hot inside.

I am looking at the way the main air conditioning vent (the big square vent, not the small circular adjustable vents throughout the unit) is aimed toward the back of the RV rather than toward the dinette and coach where we actually sit. The only adjustment I see on that vent is to open or close the flow.

I am wondering if I could rotate this vent 90 degrees so that the air is aimed toward the dinette and couch. I know this would mean drilling a couple of holes, but would there be other problems I would encounter? Has anyone tried this?

The big vent is called 'Quick Cool.' After the room is cool, close it and let the ducts get the cool air.

[DutchRv]

Originally Posted by Finch

I am wondering if I could rotate this vent 90 degrees so that the air is aimed toward the dinette and couch. I know this would mean drilling a couple of holes, but would there be other problems I would encounter? Has anyone tried this?

No you cannot, the air intake/filter wont line up anymore when you do that...

Cover your vents with Camco insulation pillows helped us a lot in South Florida before I added a 2nd AC. Also, cold beer. Ice cold beer.

[Finch]

Thanks RK06382 and Dutch RV - Will give both suggestions a try. Most looking forward to the ice cold beer suggestion.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Finch

Thanks RK06382 and Dutch RV - Will give both suggestions a try. Most looking forward to the ice cold beer suggestion.

I read in another thread about using Reflective Roll Insulation behind the shades to help with the heat. I bought a roll from lowes to use for blackout shades for Alaska's midnight sun.

Lowes: Reflective Roll Insulation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwIJQDNUFIo

[anolefan4life]

Awnings are also helpful on the drivers side and bedroom window. That's on our to-do list. Meantime, we put auto windshield sun screens on the driver side and bedroom windows. Makes a,big difference

[Combatcoal]

I will be there in late July and I’m preparing for the worse. 16 30DS with only the 18,000 btu ac. I know that will not be enough so I ghave lined the crap out of the rv with reflectix with camcorder vent pillows. I plan on bringing a portable 12,000 BTU ac with a nice insulated vent hose to knock that heat down. I must run that ac to the 20 amp on the pole off a 12 gage 38 ft cord. I’ve run enough tests to know that cord can handle the amps ( 10 max).

Have you thought about a quick homemade swamp cooler? Check out YouTube vids. Those work very well in dry heat.

[Combatcoal]

Finch, you using Reflectix on your windows? You can also run a blanket across the front bunk behind the two front seats to isolate that huge front windshield heat ( even with reflectix on it). Your rv will turn into a cave, but at least it will cool down.

Finch you can also spray your roof rv down with water from your hookup which also drops the heat down

[Combatcoal]

Finch create a deflector out of Duct tape and cardboard to redirect the air flow. You get better cooling and more air flow when you dump the air directly off the unit rather than the vents, better efficiency. Also, clean your ac vent and if possible take the cover off from the inside and make sure the common wall between the outgoing cool air and the return air is separated from each other. If not your cool air rushing in the rv will get sucked pass the common wall and will get sucked into the return thereby losing efficiency.

[stellaandspike]

Have a Reflectix question...have heard that, if your camper has tinted windows, the Reflectix placed shiny side out can harm the tint. Comments?

[Combatcoal]

Never heard that. Both sides of reflectix are shiny btw.

[cavie]

I decided not to fight it. Took the trailer to MA up in the Berkshires and left it. Problem solved. Rarely need the AC.

[Finch]

[QUOTE=Combatcoal;1833294]I will be there in late July and I’m preparing for the worse. 16 30DS with only the 18,000 btu ac.

The hottest day at Lake Havasu it was 112 degrees and it was brutal - not just for us but even more so for the dog and cat. Having said that, thanks for the suggestions which I will look into. These would likely be of real help for days that are hot, but hopefully not as hot as Lake Havasu was when we stayed there earlier this week.

If I had to do it over again, I would get a hotel. They are at their lowest rates with plenty of specials this time of year.

[Combatcoal]

Thx Finch. One last question, did you use the reflectix in the windows and/or cover the vents with insulation?

[Finch]

Have not tried the reflective insulation yet, but will look for it at the next town along the way that has a RV supply store. I will keep you posted on how well it works. I did notice at Lake Havasu that many of the permanently parked RVs had that reflective insulation in their windows.

[David N Dianna]

We have been using the reflectix for over 5 years now in our Big Horn. It does help a lot in both winter and summer.
You can find it at Lowes and Home Depot,
look in the insulation isle it comes in 2 or 3 width and in large rolls.

[Combatcoal]

They actually sell 4 ft wide roll which works great for class a windshields

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Combatcoal

They actually sell 4 ft wide roll which works great for class a windshields

What is the best way to hang reflectix in the windshield? I have seen 1/2" pvc pipe taped to the reflectix.

[Combatcoal]

I have it long enough to have to fold it on ea end ( top and bottom) it naturally stays up against the glass. Then I lower the front shade down as back support. Don’t cut down the 4 ft width, but rather have it naturally fold ( bend ) at top and bottom. Don’t crease it, just let it curve over. Works great that way

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by Combatcoal

I have it long enough to have to fold it on ea end ( top and bottom) it naturally stays up against the glass. Then I lower the front shade down as back support. Don’t cut down the 4 ft width, but rather have it naturally fold ( bend ) at top and bottom. Don’t crease it, just let it curve over. Works great that way

I will try that this summer. I need it for blackout shades. Alaska does not get dark in the summer.