New member from Florida with questions

[Donnie_M]

I'm with Jack. I not only want to minimize weight, but I want that weight as low as possible. I don't know how much driving of coaches you have done Donnie, but up here in the area around the Smokies the roads wind and curve, and while you may not think so, sticking 400 pounds of roof airs on a coach as opposed to the weight of the Cruise Airs almost below the centerline of the axle will have a profound impact on an air bag suspension and how it controls the coach. That 400 pounds 12 feet above the road, and 10 feet above the air bags is a huge lever arm that forces the air bags (and the ride height valves) to have considerably higher internal pressures to resist leaning in a curve. Further, if the curves are spaced such that the coach ride height system gets behind the "curve" you have the leans counter to the way the coach would be expected to lean through the curve. The only difference is the frequency and spacing of the road curves will have a different effect on slow acting or fast acting ride height vales, but they will both be affected by that high mounted weight.

I'm a pilot also.

As to the assertion the Cruise airs are troublesome I have to disagree. Admittedly I don't have Cruise Airs Dometic has dumbed down to equal the quality of roof airs, but unless Dometic has completely redesigned them my 20 years experience with them has been very good. The biggest problem I see are technicians that do not clearly understand the operating pressure charts and as a result under or over charge the units. My first coach was 17 years old when I replaced all three condenser units, and I did that because one of the compressors locked up, and when I opened up the unit I saw how driving the coach for years in the snow belt during the winter had compromised the coils. I have four in the present coach which has a 14 year old chassis and so far I have not done a thing to them except clean the coiuld on occasion.

Jon, I have many hours of windshield time. Way more than you would expect!

[Donnie_M]

It's probably best that I say Good Bye, so, Good Bye POG, and happy travels!

Before I go here is a quote

"If you have not seen if discussed keep in mind that if you do not have OTR, do not plan on Cruise Airs as installed in our coaches to perform as well as they should as a substitute when traveling. They are best when the coach is not in motion. They require cool air passing through the bay mounted condensing units for maximum efficiency. When you need cooling the most the Cruise Airs are likely to let you down because the heated air radiating from a hot highway is likely to prove inadequate for cooling and the units will shut down unless the units have been modified by forcing additional air through the coils or by having a water misting system for cooling.

Roof airs are the best alternative to OTR when in motion"

and this one...

"but roof airs are a great backup if the OTR fails to work. I cannot say that about the Cruise Airs."

And this one...

"What has not been stated here and needs to be recognized is each system is likely ducted differently so in addition to being able to maintain a given temperature the AC system needs to be able to disperse its cooled air in such a manner as to not have hot or cold spots.

I have no clue whatsoever about how roof airs or installations other than my Liberty work, but I do know my OTR is superior to the Cruise Airs in cooling without having hot or cold spots in the coach. For example, my front Cruise Air moves a lot of air around the living room (salon for rich folks), but there is one spot on the passenger side sofa where the cold air blows directly on you. The other Cruise Airs and other places in the coach are OK, so give some thought to the cooling systems with respect to distribution but do not worry about having excess capacity"

[CAPT MOGUL & Sandy]

We have 2 Prevosts and live in Key West,FLORIDA . We can't use our buses during the summer months because we have roof airs and We don't like driving in the snow, either!! ?????
Ed

[jack14r]

Ed,I am surprised because the roof air that I have in my renegade really does perform quite well when it is new,it does only last so long but will work OK up to that point.Donnie's statement about a roof air on a 71 Airstream still working does not surprise me,in those days it was built totally different than the ones built today,I doubt that they cool any better just that the coils and condensers are much stronger,the motor will have bearings instead or bushings,etc..The units that I have replaced in the last 10 years are not really meant to be repaired,just replaced.They are so inexpensive that a diagnosis of the problem could cost 50% of the cost of a new unit.

[Gary Carmichael]

Hey I am just glad to own a bus, roof air ,cruise air OTR, or no air, heck I believe i will open the windows and get a suntan on the left arm, remember? We are so fortunate!

[garyde]

As usual, the great debate over A/C's has degenerated into a polarity of diverse opinions. As a famous person once said " why can't we all just get along?" I mean really, it just Air conditioners.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I'm with Gary, but I do think the discussion is helpful. We need to keep personalities out of these discussions, but I think we all learn from other's experiences.

While I like Cruise Airs for example, they are not acceptable in my opinion for cooling while driving down the road. Roof airs, by comparison are very good for cooling when driving, but as has been stated above they are also not without their weaker points, such as short life or greater noise within the coach.

Our discussions are likely not only going to help potential buyers formulate a list of their preferences for a coach, but are also likely noted by converters who may use that information to create better coaches. At least I would hope so.

I think we can get some very animated discussions going on a range of topics such as slides, driving speed, rivets, engines, converter, etc. and if we avoid getting personal we get a lot of good information from them.

Or we can have a dull forum.

[Bill1170]

Mark, You certainly started a good discussion on AC systems. I have a question for you on slides,as you stated you were interested in a single slide coach. We have 2 slides and really like the extra room the bedroom slide gives us so I would encourage you to at least look at both 1 and 2 slide coaches.
Bill

[Ray Davis]

It is highly unfortunate however that the discussion lead to a member leaving POG, one that had knowledge and was a valuable contributor.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Who left?????????