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RV Air conditioning discussed
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Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 03/22
posted
Lots of YouTube videos on RV AC and mini split discussions. Getting off the grid and being sustainable is certainly a challenge. Pros and cons for every system.

Most of these discussions are based on installation into or on 5th wheel units. These units more than likely have much better insulation than our '90s built Barth. My 94 30' Breakaway is awful. Below 40 degrees My furnace (35K BTU Atwood) runs virtually continuously. Over night without heat the cabin temp in the morning is below 50 degrees. As soon as the sun comes up and hits a side or top of the Breakaway inside temp starts to rise and in less than an hour it is 75 degrees, after 2 hours the inside temperature is over 80 degrees, even though outside temperature is just getting to 65 degrees.

If I am running down the road and temperature outside is over 85 degrees my roof air is on and to keep the front reasonably cool I have to close the rear bedroom door.

Until I do a complete insulation rework, I'm not thinking about HVAC systems! I have 675 AH battery system that I can dry camp for about 1-2 weeks if I watch my electrical usage. I don't have solar yet.

Check this YouTube video out, the guy has done a lot of research including some 12VDC and dual voltage units.

HTH

RV AC on solar


Ed
94 30' Breakaway #3864
30-BS-6B side entry
New Cummins 5.9L, 375+ HP
Allison 6 speed
Spartan chassis
K9DVC
Tankless water heater
 
Posts: 2178 | Location: Los Gatos, CA | Member Since: 12-08-2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Official Barth Junkie
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 1/24
Picture of Steve VW
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I totally agree on the insulation argument. My 86 Regal had full fiberglass insulation. While only 2" thick it was much better than my Monarch which had none. The single pane windows in the Regal would sweat and frost up, so I made Plexiglass inserts. Once I did that, it would stay warm with intermittent heater down to the low 20s. In the summer I could cool it with one AC.

Sometime in the early 90s Barth quit using full insulation. My Monarch was terrible in the cold and in the heat of summer. When I drove in the winter, anything below 40 degrees kept the furnace running almost constantly. In the summer sun the walls and roof got warm to the touch inside, needs both ACs to stay cool.

Fortunately, the curved roof of the Monarch allows access to the ceiling and I was able to put 1" styrofoam and some fiberglass in most of the ceiling.

Insulation thread here: https://www.barthmobile.com/eve...023966197#2023966197

Noticed some improvement in the cold but the walls still need insulation. The roof work has made a bigger difference in the AC use though. Since most of the heat from the sun is on the roof, the insulation there makes a big difference. Here in Florida I had been using AC by late morning, now I get at least 2 hours more time before I need the AC.

With the big improvement from the roof, I am very interested in getting something into the walls. If I could get something blown in there it would really help. I don't think home insulation (ie cellulose or chopped fiberglass) would be useful from the standpoints of moisture and settling from the coach moving. Styrofoam beads would be better, but they are not normally used in buildings due to fire concerns and are hard to find. I am still planning to do something eventually.

Bottom line: If we are looking for independence from the grid, insulation would be a big factor. A BIG difference in the thermal demand on both heat and AC.


9708-M0037-37MM-01
"98" Monarch 37
Spartan MM, 6 spd Allison
Cummins 8.3 325+ hp
 
Posts: 5270 | Location: Kalkaska, MI | Member Since: 02-04-2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 1/21
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Steve, look into urethane foam in place. Pretty tricky stuff
but, if handled correctly could be a good rigid insulator.





#1 29' 1977parted out and still alive in Barths all over the USA




 
Posts: 1028 | Location: Floral City FL | Member Since: 04-25-2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Official Barth Junkie
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 1/24
Picture of Steve VW
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quote:
Originally posted by Dick Dubbs:
Steve, look into urethane foam in place. Pretty tricky stuff
but, if handled correctly could be a good rigid insulator.


For sure, the gold standard! Thumbs Up I am trying to avoid the job of removing the wall panels. With all the cabinets, etc it would be a major project. As you suggest, the installation requires considerable skill and the correct equipment. Sure would be nice, though.


9708-M0037-37MM-01
"98" Monarch 37
Spartan MM, 6 spd Allison
Cummins 8.3 325+ hp
 
Posts: 5270 | Location: Kalkaska, MI | Member Since: 02-04-2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Steve & other Barth devotees,

Not only is it the amount of cabinets, it's the amount of fasteners anchoring them into the walls, floors, ceiling, & even the furniture. We just painted the interior walls of our Breakaway & we are thrilled with the way it looks. During the process, we attempted to remove some of the smaller cabinets. It was unreal how the assemblers (especially on 3821) anchored these components. Maybe they were being paid per fastener installed Smiler

Good Luck,

John
 
Posts: 60 | Location: Central Pa. | Member Since: 03-24-2019Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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this is just something to think about . i recall older 1960 ?? range rovers particularly when used in Africa has a single pane of alum roof apx 1.5 inches above the regular roof . sun never hit the real roof . open all around i know there is tons of junk on a RV roof but if you double roofed 60% of it , what would the reduction of heat gain be ?
does not run the generator or the ac all of which produce more heat .
 
Posts: 80 | Location: Royal Oak, Michigan | Member Since: 06-14-2020Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 3/23
Picture of Duane88
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Jack, that gapped roof is probably the absolute best one can do for sun load, air is one of the best insulators, vacuum being the best. Make sure the sun can never hit the actual roof. The problem comes with the added weight and wind resistance when traveling. My bet is it will take away a 1/2 mile or more per gallon.


1971 24 ft Barth Continental
P30 chassis
350 engine
 
Posts: 2130 | Location: Clinton Iowa | Member Since: 04-02-2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 6/19
Picture of Harold,Cat&Sam
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We have one of those gapped roof's on our newest medic unit . The ambulance company calls it a tropical roof . Basically a sheet of diamond plate across the entire ambulance box with about an inch or so air gap . It makes a world of difference on these hot southern summer days . The interior of the ambulance box is much easier to cool than without it . I was just talking to cat about this today . If we had goat rails like the Wanderlodge , it would be a fairly easy modification Mechanic Smiler


Harold
Cat
Sam Miniature Schnauzer
3.8.2009 - 9.24.2021

93 30ft Breakaway
9209-3823-30BS-11B

KE5WCW
 
Posts: 642 | Location: Mooringsport,LA | Member Since: 05-30-2019Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 1/21
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quote:
Originally posted by Dick Dubbs:
urethane foam in place ---- It has been so very long ago that I parted out my '77 that I don't recall how accessible and how
obstructed the space between the inner and outer skins were without needing to remove cabinets etc. I thought you would be able to introduce the foam thru the removal of an electrical receptacle here and there. . the biggest danger is over loading and blowing out a panel or 2. confusion

. just saying...





#1 29' 1977parted out and still alive in Barths all over the USA




 
Posts: 1028 | Location: Floral City FL | Member Since: 04-25-2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 3/23
Picture of Duane88
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Expanding urethane is a great insulator, use in refrigerators is with a $500k urethane machine very accurate volume dispensed, and still the inner and outer skins are supported with a really strong framework during the operation. Pretty sure even the most experienced application guy with a hand operated foam gun is either going to underfill or blow the panels off, do not think most installers would even give it a try. Best to remove the panels and even the cabinets, spray the foam, let it cure and shave it back for the correct fit, just like in the walls of a new house.

Blow in beads of Styrofoam can be installed in holes, electrical outlets, any opening. Not as good as foam but not much difference and for the amount of work saved by not removing panels probably the good way to go, even if it might settle a bit over the years from road vibrations.


1971 24 ft Barth Continental
P30 chassis
350 engine
 
Posts: 2130 | Location: Clinton Iowa | Member Since: 04-02-2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 1/21
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Bally Case and Cooler company was one of the early users, experimenters, of foam in place urethane. They blew up a lot of panels before they developed reinforcing forms and exact measurements before they got into full blown (get that?) production. Smiler





#1 29' 1977parted out and still alive in Barths all over the USA




 
Posts: 1028 | Location: Floral City FL | Member Since: 04-25-2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 4/08
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I have a gapped roof sorta. Solar panel cover about 70% of the roof. This solves two problems


'92 Barth Breakaway - 30'
5.9 Cummins (6B) 300+ HP
2000 Allison
Front entrance
 
Posts: 1200 | Location: Minneapolis/Yuma | Member Since: 08-17-2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 4/23
Picture of Mike/Cindi W
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Jack Finn:
this is just something to think about . i recall older 1960 ?? range rovers particularly when used in Africa has a single pane of alum roof apx 1.5 inches above the regular roof . sun never hit the real roof . open all around i know there is tons of junk on a RV roof but if you double roofed 60% of it , what would the reduction of heat gain be ?
does not run the generator or the ac all of which produce more heat .


was looking for info on mini-split AC units for rv's and came across this thread..

what you are describing above it called a 'tropical roof'


M/C-W

1991 early XL-style (maybe 1 of 2?) Breakaway... but prior to that actual (XL) designation...
2nd Breakaway w/Cat 3208T 250 hp motor 4 spd MT643 Allison trans Gilig Air suspension chassis/brakes
Data Tag: 9010 3694 34-BG-1B
 
Posts: 426 | Location: Coachella Valley, SoCalif... | Member Since: 08-23-2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Supporting Member of Barthmobile.com 6/19
Picture of Harold,Cat&Sam
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We have a "tropical roof " on the box of one of our medic units . I believe it helps keep it cooler. It seems to stay cooler than our other medic units in this Louisiana heat .
We were told that it should drop the temperature about ten degrees compared to a similar unit without it .


Harold
Cat
Sam Miniature Schnauzer
3.8.2009 - 9.24.2021

93 30ft Breakaway
9209-3823-30BS-11B

KE5WCW
 
Posts: 642 | Location: Mooringsport,LA | Member Since: 05-30-2019Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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