So my 95 Newmar has a ducted AC system with front and rear ac unitsHowever the outlets only have directional grills and they cannot be switched off.I seem to remember that my old Beaver had outlets that could be switched off as well as directedAnyway, the bedroom is an ice box and the living room is an oven despite my window coverings, dyson floor fan etc etcSo I fashioned some vent covers from a cereal packet - cut circles and then cut them in half and attached one half to the ceiling half of the circular vent and one half to the rotating part so as I turn it, it opens up more of the vent, up to 50% of it's original flow.I installed these contraptions into the 2 rear outlets and the one in the central bathroom area.As this is a ducted system with everything connected to each other, can any ac experts see any issues with this? Is it likely to cause a problem with the rear ac which has to push a little harder now?

havasu wrote:So my 95 Newmar has a ducted AC system with front and rear ac unitsHowever the outlets only have directional grills and they cannot be switched off.I seem to remember that my old Beaver had outlets that could be switched off as well as directedAnyway, the bedroom is an ice box and the living room is an oven despite my window coverings, dyson floor fan etc etcSo I fashioned some vent covers from a cereal packet - cut circles and then cut them in half and attached one half to the ceiling half of the circular vent and one half to the rotating part so as I turn it, it opens up more of the vent, up to 50% of it's original flow.I installed these contraptions into the 2 rear outlets and the one in the central bathroom area.As this is a ducted system with everything connected to each other, can any ac experts see any issues with this? Is it likely to cause a problem with the rear ac which has to push a little harder now?why not just do like I do and run the front AC and not the rear? bedroom stays nice and so does living/kitchen area?

I have a 2001 Mountain Aire same set up, two 2 A/c's we run the front A/C at night turn the rear one off. Cool/cold air makes it way to the bedroom thru the duct work.Or you may use both but set the temp on the rear one a little higher than the front therefore the rear will only come on if it gets to warm.Both are dometics and controlled by a single theromstate which shows front and rear zone. Good luck

Deadbat - Because the front AC is not sufficient to keep us cool when it's 107F outside like it is right now :)Front vent temps have dropped 3F since trying this and I'm at 81F inside and dropping :)

1998 and newer Newmar motorhomes have 18 total round ducts. 9 intake and 9 exhaust. I do not see a problem with your modification, but I would add 3 more exhaust ducts in the living area. Your model probably has at best 10 or 11 total round louvers. Newmar found that with fewer than 18 total, when they came out with Dometic Heat Pumps in 1998, the original Heat Pumps could NOT have a freeze control, so Newmar Heat Pumps would freeze in hot weather due to lack of return and exhaust ducts. Dometic AC only units had a freeze control. Adding the extra ducts increased cooling capacity and flow. So, I would add the extra exhaust ducts up front and see if that would not help get a better cold air to the front. Your design has not changed much in 20 years on a Newmar. The only difference is later models (1998 to current) Dometic introduced a 15k AC/HP unit. If you get the chance in the future replace the front unit with a 15k and that will help also. 1998 thru 2002 under Newmars warranty, Newmar paid to have the extra round ducts installed. 2002 to current the 18 were standard. Doug

Any chance you can find replace grills that have adjustable louvers. Like you I find the air distribution better when the flow can be moderated in some locations.Downside, DW is always asking for some to be opened or closed depending on..........pick a reason.

Ducted AC question | Good Sam Community

havasu
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
Deadbat - Because the front AC is not sufficient to keep us cool when it's 107F outside like it is right now :)

Front vent temps have dropped 3F since trying this and I'm at 81F inside and dropping :)
RE-TE
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
I have a 2001 Mountain Aire same set up, two 2 A/c's we run the front A/C at night turn the rear one off. Cool/cold air makes it way to the bedroom thru the duct work.
Or you may use both but set the temp on the rear one a little higher than the front therefore the rear will only come on if it gets to warm.
Both are dometics and controlled by a single theromstate which shows front and rear zone. Good luck
deadbat
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
havasu wrote:
So my 95 Newmar has a ducted AC system with front and rear ac units

However the outlets only have directional grills and they cannot be switched off.

I seem to remember that my old Beaver had outlets that could be switched off as well as directed

Anyway, the bedroom is an ice box and the living room is an oven despite my window coverings, dyson floor fan etc etc

So I fashioned some vent covers from a cereal packet - cut circles and then cut them in half and attached one half to the ceiling half of the circular vent and one half to the rotating part so as I turn it, it opens up more of the vent, up to 50% of it's original flow.

I installed these contraptions into the 2 rear outlets and the one in the central bathroom area.

As this is a ducted system with everything connected to each other, can any ac experts see any issues with this? Is it likely to cause a problem with the rear ac which has to push a little harder now?

why not just do like I do and run the front AC and not the rear? bedroom stays nice and so does living/kitchen area?

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