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Live with no dash ac?

onrecess
Explorer
Explorer
I have a gasser. It is not very cool driving with both AC units on, unless the dash air is on. I am looking at a Diesel Pusher (Dutch Star) and the dash air doesn't cool. I have heard this is common. I live in S. FL, and travel to Texas quite often. It is HOT. Will the driver's area be as uncomfortable as the gasser with no dash AC, or is the AC big enough to keep my cool?
Tom Anderson
2005 GeorgieBoy 35
13 REPLIES 13

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
I would need a significant discount to take the risk. Or have the seller fix it and provide a one year warranty.

onrecess
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks, I just wanted to be sure I could go without if worse came to worse.
Tom Anderson
2005 GeorgieBoy 35

Gjac
Explorer III
Explorer III
You may just have a small leak in the cooling system and need to add some coolant. The auto parts store sell a kit to find leaks using a ultra violet light pen. If it is a big leak you can usually see it by eye just look at the cooling lines and especially the binary or trinary switch for leaks. If the leak is large you will have to fix it before adding coolant. I have a very small leak and I add a can of 134 every 7 years.

onrecess
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks, Bill. That's what I wanted to know. I have heard of people spending thousands and never actually getting the dash air to work. If I buy the coach, of course I would try to get it fixed, but I don't want an unusable coach if it can't be reliably fixed.
Tom Anderson
2005 GeorgieBoy 35

jorbill2or
Explorer II
Explorer II
To answer What you asked ( I think ) when I bought our marquis the dash air didn’t work and I was quoted Over a thousand to replace the compressor and the dryers etc serviced. Knowledgeable people said it wouldn’t keep up and I would need to run a roof air . I let it go till later. It’s now 6 years “later” and I just run the generator and the roof airs ... I’m plenty cool while driving and I’ve now spent 2 summers traveling in Semi hot areas
. Dash air is not more powerful than the roof airs or even one large roof air . it does blow cold in your face I suppose I see that as an advantage. I can see closing off the front with some curtain contraption would keep the cab cooler on dash air alone. My question is when you get to your camp and open that curtain your met with a wall of heat and it will take time to get it back down. Why do it ? The bedroom will get crazy hot with the diesel just under the floor.
I guess folks do all that to save a few bucks in the generator use. i prefer to be comfortable all the time In The whole unit . the roof airs do that. Just my take...
Bill

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
The Dash air is intended to cool a Truck cab. Somewhere between a F-350 and a Ford 8000 or there about (Semi tractor) it is not designed to cool the entire house. so if it's hotter than .... well Not. You need every big of coolign you got.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
carringb wrote:
Why would you drive without the dash A/C on?

That's like saying your showers are cold when you have the water heater turned off...

And FWIW - the capacity of the factory dash A/C is many times greater than your house A/Cs.


Are you talking BTU's???? If so, not even close. The BTU of a MOTORHOME Dash AC unit is about 11,500 to 13,500 BTU. The DSDP he is looking at has a total of 30,000 BTU of Roof air if 2 units and 45,000 btu if it has 3 roof AC units. Class A Motorhome Dash AC systems are designed JUST for the Dash compartment. Doug

hotjag1
Explorer II
Explorer II
gbopp wrote:
Get the dash air working and hang a temporary curtain behind the driver/passenger area while driving. It will keep you cool.


Yep, this method keeps the cab plenty cool.
hotjag1
2003 40' Allegro Bus, 3 slides, 400hp 8.9 liter ISL Cummins

2000 24' Dynamax Isata

midnightsadie
Explorer II
Explorer II
that temporary curtain is a must and tucked in. will run us out of the driving area.

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
Get the dash air working and hang a temporary curtain behind the driver/passenger area while driving. It will keep you cool.

sch911
Explorer
Explorer
carringb wrote:
Why would you drive without the dash A/C on?


When your dash A/C isn't working as is the case here...
OEM Auto Engineer- Embedded Software Team
09 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 41SKQ Cummins ISL
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Toad

carringb
Explorer
Explorer
Why would you drive without the dash A/C on?

That's like saying your showers are cold when you have the water heater turned off...

And FWIW - the capacity of the factory dash A/C is many times greater than your house A/Cs.
2000 Ford E450 V10 VAN! 450,000+ miles
2014 ORV really big trailer
2015 Ford Focus ST

MountainAir05
Explorer II
Explorer II
Yes. If you don't have a dash AC then one of these will cool you. If you only have two roof top AC then you need 4 to do the good. Three will be close but not what you want.

https://densoheavyduty.com/rv