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Old 03-03-2017, 01:05 PM   #1
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Cockpit A/C in pusher vs gasser

Thinking about moving up to diesel pusher from class A gasser. Living in Texas cockpit A/C is really important and have done everything to maximize it including the curtain behind the seats trick. To be clear, the gasser cockpit A/C meets specs. So wife says, "a DP is quieter up front, is it also cooler?" So given the fact that the front windshields are about the same size and heat transfer at 65mph on a 100 degree day is equal, is there anything different about DP cockpit A/C efficiency or is it pretty much the same as in a gasser?
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Old 03-03-2017, 01:56 PM   #2
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Well, in a Pusher you reach over to the console and press GEN START, fire up the ginnie and then turn on the main A/C. 110°? No Problem

Seriously now (Actually I WAS being serious but...) If you move to a Berkshire (and, I think A Sportscoach) the windshield is double pane so there is a bit better insulation (and wind noise proofing) there.

And quiet is not the word for the difference between a pusher versus a gasser - you do not have to shout to talk Even with the Gennie on - it is a hum in the background.

Torque Comparison? Heh-you tell me: we go up 8% grades at 70MPH towing a Jeep Cherokee in the left lane passing everything else

Back to the A/C - on a "Normal" day - say 80° the cockpit A/C will probably suffice - and BTW the cockpit A/C when coupled with the roof A/C will darn near freeze you out on even the hottest days!
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Old 03-03-2017, 03:28 PM   #3
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BamaBob, Yes normal day of 80 w/ dash only, no problem. 90 or so, w/ dash & both roof - will get by. 100 degrees, not so much. Thanks for the reply.
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Old 03-03-2017, 08:24 PM   #4
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I have the curtains behind the seat and have not yet run out of AC in the cockpit. We've seen OAT's in the high 80's and have yet to run with the rear AC on.
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Old 03-04-2017, 02:41 PM   #5
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I'm with Bama Bob! I've never had trouble staying cool up front. One day when OAT was in the high 90's, my rooftop units shut down (I was a newbie, and didn't know to shut the A/C off for a few minutes when transitioning from shore power to generator). I was sitting up front perfectly comfortable, but noticed my kids were coming up front sweating bullets. The in-dash a/c was keeping me cool, even in a hot coach.

We've been out in 100+ days, and haven't had problems keeping the coach in the 70's. But, I have a Charleston, and it has three 15000BTU A/Cs...

With the pusher - it's extremely quiet up front. A couple of times when starting a drive, I'd wonder why the transmission was complaining when I put it in gear. Turns out I hadn't started the engine.
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Old 03-04-2017, 03:17 PM   #6
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Our standard trips take us through Arkansas and into Texas, so I understand what you're saying about the Texas heat (we both grew up in the DFW area). Our old coach was a gasser and the heat from the engine offset quite a bit of the cooling capacity from the cockpit AC. Not so with our newer DP. Like someone else said, we almost always run the generator and the house AC unless it's just particularly cool weather. I don't want to get somewhere for the night and have to worry about cooling everything down before we can eat, sleep, etc. The genny doesn't consume enough fuel to make it worth doing without that AC, quite frankly. The cockpit AC in our Legacy DP is very good and, as others said also, the noise reduction is fantastic. even with the generator running up front where the gas engine would have been. Last summer, we had to spend two months in Texas when my parents passed away (June and July) and the heat was, as usual, terrible. The only thing we did while parked (with the windshield pointed westward) was go down to CW and buy one of those $12 insulated foil windshield things and put it between the windshield and the night shade. Nice and cool after that.
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Old 03-04-2017, 03:38 PM   #7
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to answer the question: not much difference.... though,

the gas units come with the Air and Heat configurations built in from [Ford],
but the rear diesel units do not - the factories install their own configurations, using
~3" flex piping, cooler box on the outside fire wall, etc., but the overall difference is negligible at best - in either case, the generator can run the overhead house units anytime on either platform.
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Old 03-04-2017, 07:38 PM   #8
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"]Seriously now (Actually I WAS being serious but...) If you move to a Berkshire (and, I think A Sportscoach) the windshield is double pane so there is a bit better insulation (and wind noise proofing) there."

I don't understand the double pane windshield, I thought motor vehicles had windshields made of laminated safety glass. Is this double paned windshield new and only offered by
Forest River?
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Old 03-04-2017, 07:42 PM   #9
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The only time it's double pain is when you break it.
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Old 03-04-2017, 07:49 PM   #10
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yes, all windshields are double paned with lamination in between, by law

and yes, double pane breakage is doubly painful ; )
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Old 03-04-2017, 07:53 PM   #11
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So , not truly double paned as in increased insulation. , yes windshields are a pain when borken.
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Old 03-04-2017, 10:19 PM   #12
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I don't think automotive, and other various safety glass, is referred to as "double pane". It is referred to as "Laminated". In fact there are often more than two layers connected with interlayers. But we're talking semantics here.
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Old 03-05-2017, 12:20 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by formerFR View Post
to answer the question: not much difference.... though,

the gas units come with the Air and Heat configurations built in from [Ford],
but the rear diesel units do not - the factories install their own configurations, using
~3" flex piping, cooler box on the outside fire wall, etc., but the overall difference is negligible at best - in either case, the generator can run the overhead house units anytime on either platform.
What about the heat that is generated from the engine itself?
Last summer driving in 90+degree heat with coach ac and cab ac running and I was still sweating. I could feel heat generated from engine.
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Old 03-05-2017, 12:34 AM   #14
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When warm inside, turn generator on and run ACs, what's less than a gallon a hour to keep cool, well worh the $2 bucks or so to have a happy family.
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Old 03-05-2017, 04:16 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gohawks View Post
What about the heat that is generated from the engine itself?
Last summer driving in 90+degree heat with coach ac and cab ac running and I was still sweating. I could feel heat generated from engine.
When you are in a pusher, the engine heat is 43' away fro the cockpit
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Old 03-05-2017, 08:21 AM   #16
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When you are in a pusher, the engine heat is 43' away fro the cockpit
That was my point. Former was suggesting there isn't a difference. I don't have a diesel but I would think not having a heat source right under your feet would make a big difference.
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Old 03-05-2017, 04:50 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaBob View Post
When you are in a pusher, the engine heat is 43' away fro the cockpit
And blows AWAY from the bus, instead of into and around it.
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