Forum Discussion

BJean's avatar
BJean
Explorer
Oct 27, 2019

Air Conditioner

Is it possible to add an air deflector to roof air without putting to much strain on the unit.
  • BJean wrote:
    Is it possible to add an air deflector to roof air without putting to much strain on the unit.


    1) Strain on what?
    2) Depends on the unit but may be OK structurally
    3) Will overload a 30 amp connection possibly
  • BJean wrote:
    Is it possible to add an air deflector to roof air without putting to much strain on the unit.


    are you talking about inside air deflector? Should already be one or more on the unit. there are 3 on mine. I can direct air straight down or close them off to direct air into the roof ducts.
  • agesilaus wrote:
    BJean wrote:
    Is it possible to add an air deflector to roof air without putting to much strain on the unit.


    1) Strain on what?
    2) Depends on the unit but may be OK structurally
    3) Will overload a 30 amp connection possibly


    Will have no effect on the 30 amp breaker. If there is an extra load it would be on the 15 amp breaker feeding the unit.
  • I think the OP wants to add an air deflector to the top of his RV by attaching it to a roof-top AC unit. He is concerned that the force of the wind might be too much for the AC structure.
  • What is the purpose of and air deflector on the roof top unit? It already is designed to be aerodynamic.
  • Why would you think you need to do that if you mean something physically attached to the roof in front of the AC unit while going down the road?

    Mitch
  • I think he wants to add a downforce when he is racing on the Motorhome Race circuit:B Fun over with. As others have pointed out, there is no reason to add any type deflector IF YOU ARE CONCERNED about the force on the AC cover. They are designed for hi wind travel. If you want a deflector to force the RV down like in Nascar, there is nothing you could add that would increase the down force. Now, Last month, I saw a NBC BOX truck for uplinkingregional broadcast's with New York Plates entering Downtown Ft Worth Texas. The Dometic AC was installed backwards. I assume it was installed backwards due to the roof top space and could not face forward due to the roof configuration. There was a LOT of roof top equipment on the Box truck. Doug
  • You can add a mini spoiler to the rear top of the AC shroud to push air down behind the AC unit. This will create the downforce you are looking for to hold the AC wheels to the ground for better traction in turns.
    No modifications to the AC unit steering mechanism is necessary, this is just crazy talk, and I don't know why people keep wanting to modify the AC steering all the time. Leave that alone, it is adjusted from the factory and should never need adjusting.
    I once saw a guy use metal HVAC ducting to re-route air behind the AC unit, but this was a mess and required drilling into the roof. It had the desired outcome, but did make a lot of rattling noises in cross-winds.
    The thermos solution is still the go-to best ever way to accomplish this.

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