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05-16-2019, 09:57 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Chino Valley
Posts: 226
M.O.C. #23720
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A/C ????
2014 3150RL 2 A/C units. Second trip for the new to us ride. Went to LV for a few days, temps running in mid to upper 90’s. In the morning with the sun on the back and drivers side, the ducted A/C barely kept it in the upper 70’s. Of course the bedroom stayed nice. Reading some of the posts on here that’s about normal. Any input?? Solutions??
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Steven & Denise
New to us 2014 3150RL
Chino Valley, AZ
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05-17-2019, 12:47 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
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Most likely your return air vents in the den on the ceiling are partially collapsed and so not working properly. I cut me 1 1/4'' diameter pvc pipe 9'' long and installed them in the return air ducts to open them up. I used 2 in each vent where some have used 1. I stuck my pipe in the vent parallel with the vent then turned the pipe and inserted it in the duct toward the center of the rv. You can push it the whole length of the pipe or more up in the duct and this will help the return air work much better. I am sure there are some other ideas others may have but this is something many on this forum have done that is very easy to do for less than 10 bucks.
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05-17-2019, 01:54 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Paola
Posts: 5,739
M.O.C. #4961
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You need to do what Texan said above. I did that and it made a difference.
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Dennis & Linda Ward
Paola, Kansas
Montana 3735MK Legacy Edition
1200 watts of Solar
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05-17-2019, 07:47 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Since we summer in Kansas we made a number of changes. First we did as suggusted above. Then we took the supply ducts off the ceiling and cut every other fin off to improve air flow and before we put them back we cut the sleeve down so it didn't protrude into the air ducts anymore. Both of those things made a real difference. Last we gave up an added a third AC and wired it so it can run at the same time the other two did.
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Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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05-17-2019, 07:57 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,900
M.O.C. #19944
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Ditto advice above - the air return can easily be done there - opening the vents like DQ mentioned helps - this is harder to do at a campsite, might just try removing 4 of them - 2 in bedroom and 2 in main cabin just to get you running but do the air return first
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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05-17-2019, 09:23 AM
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#6
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: ALBUQUERQUE
Posts: 248
M.O.C. #12840
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Not too long ago I read that someone had made modifications to the vents on the units themselves. Testing with a meter it seems the lovers on the units restrict air flow significantly. He cut them out and replaced them with wire screens. The modifications allowed the units to vent more efficiently and therefore run much more effectively. Simple fix.
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05-17-2019, 10:53 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,900
M.O.C. #19944
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McIver
Not too long ago I read that someone had made modifications to the vents on the units themselves. Testing with a meter it seems the lovers on the units restrict air flow significantly. He cut them out and replaced them with wire screens. The modifications allowed the units to vent more efficiently and therefore run much more effectively. Simple fix.
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my only thought is the louvers provide air direction - good for when an individual may not want air directed at them and also would aid in stirring up the general air - food for thought. and screen might actually slow down air movement … not sure - would need an AIR Expert
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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05-17-2019, 12:56 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Fulton
Posts: 456
M.O.C. #20688
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Just pop a couple of the directional vents off. You will be amazed at the difference.
I did do the pvc fix in the return air. But we had another issue with the back unit not being mounted directly over the opening. Had some water coming through the back return vents, mobile service found and repaired. Submitted pictures and bill to Keystone and they reimbursed.
That really made a difference!
__________________
Wayne & Malinda
2018 Montana 3731FL
MORryde IS/DiscBrakes
2017 F450 DRW KR 4x4
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05-17-2019, 01:11 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sdgood1
2014 3150RL 2 A/C units. Second trip for the new to us ride. Went to LV for a few days, temps running in mid to upper 90’s. In the morning with the sun on the back and drivers side, the ducted A/C barely kept it in the upper 70’s. Of course the bedroom stayed nice. Reading some of the posts on here that’s about normal. Any input?? Solutions??
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Not normal. Blocked/collapsed ducting a common problem. Follow some of the posted recommendations and you will feel a difference.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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05-17-2019, 03:47 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Chino Valley
Posts: 226
M.O.C. #23720
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Thanx all. Home now , so will really look into the problem and try some of the fixes.
__________________
Steven & Denise
New to us 2014 3150RL
Chino Valley, AZ
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05-17-2019, 06:39 PM
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#11
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: ALBUQUERQUE
Posts: 248
M.O.C. #12840
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The vents on the roof unit are the ones I am talking about.
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05-18-2019, 12:44 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2017
Location: new caney
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #19873
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I forgot to mention you can buy the air-ducts that have the vent slats further apart and are directional at PPL. This allows more volume of air. I believe they are about 8 bucks each. I installed these on mine. You can also add a couple of extra ducts to bring in more air at a particular area. When you are running in the mid to upper 90's you tax the limits of the a/c. If you can keep the inside 20 degrees cooler than the outside then consider yourself lucky.
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05-18-2019, 04:50 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 352
M.O.C. #12394
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What is PPL?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texan
I forgot to mention you can buy the air-ducts that have the vent slats further apart and are directional at PPL. This allows more volume of air. I believe they are about 8 bucks each. I installed these on mine. You can also add a couple of extra ducts to bring in more air at a particular area. When you are running in the mid to upper 90's you tax the limits of the a/c. If you can keep the inside 20 degrees cooler than the outside then consider yourself lucky.
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______________________
2013 F350 SRW King Ranch
2011 3400RL
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05-20-2019, 07:42 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,900
M.O.C. #19944
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good resource
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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06-21-2019, 07:02 AM
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#15
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Topeka
Posts: 95
M.O.C. #22922
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Does anyone have some photos of this procedure? I can't quite wrap my head around this. We are spending a couple of weeks in Branson. It's hot. Need relief.
Thanks.
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Steve & Ginger Patterson
2018 Montana 3811 MS
2018 GMC Denali 3500 HD Duramax
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06-21-2019, 01:23 PM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Fulton
Posts: 456
M.O.C. #20688
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Steve a quick help not the fix is just pop off the vent covers. This allows so much more air flow. They are kinda hard to get off the first time and you’ll think it going to break but will come off. Just pull down and you’ll notice that some spots move some don’t . Put your fingers on either side and pry down.
As for the pvc in the return air ducts take the cover and filter out then take the plastic mounting down.
Insert a pvc pipe and turn as you do this the return duct only runs cross ways, push to the sides carefully so as not to damage the duct. Do this to both sides so 8 pieces of pipe are needed.
I wish we could post pictures from I phones on this site, don’t have a computer.
__________________
Wayne & Malinda
2018 Montana 3731FL
MORryde IS/DiscBrakes
2017 F450 DRW KR 4x4
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06-21-2019, 02:13 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,900
M.O.C. #19944
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there are already some pics on another string … could not find them
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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06-21-2019, 02:55 PM
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#18
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Topeka
Posts: 95
M.O.C. #22922
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I found some pics and installed the PVC pipe to open up the return air vents. I just took the vent covers off. It's 89 degrees outside, and still 81 inside even after 3 hours. We closed curtains on the sunny side, and will just start fresh tomorrow and see if we can keep the temp inside from matching the outdoor temp
__________________
Steve & Ginger Patterson
2018 Montana 3811 MS
2018 GMC Denali 3500 HD Duramax
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06-21-2019, 03:03 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,485
M.O.C. #21044
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return air duct fix
I watched the youtube "Keystone Montana Factory Tour 2019" and at about the 30 minute mark they are looking at a roof with the ductwork installed inside the roof joists. At 30:14 mark he discusses an improvement they made to return air register placement. I would love to see a video of someone poking the PVC up into the return air because I am not following the written instructions very well either.
Here are some screen shots of what I think we are seeing for the duct placement in the video. If this is correct - maybe someone can describe the fix better looking at the pics...or maybe I got the sketch wrong.
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MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
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06-21-2019, 03:18 PM
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#20
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Montana
Posts: 65
M.O.C. #23285
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Open up the air return vents on the ceiling across from one another and in line with the AC unit on the roof. Vents with the covers on them shown in the 1st pic. I took my phone and placed it inside the vent holes looking toward the centerline of the unit where the Ac is and took a couple pics. This is where you may see the ductwork collapsed and people are running PVC pipe lengthwise from the vent toward the AC in these ducts to open them up.
As you can see in my unit, a 2018.5 3791 RD, the factory was proactive in placing blocks of styrofoam in the ducts to prevent a collapse so I am good there. Pics need to be rotated 90 degrees the right with the screws facing up and down, sorry. However, one of the ducts in the bedroom was collapsed right at the end of the duct at the return vent. I simply placed an aluminum block I had laying around to open the duct more at that point and the flow increase was substantial in the bedroom and bath.
As well, we have the 4 air out vents on the ceiling in the kitchen pointed directly toward the ceiling fan. Cool air directed there spreads nicely throughout the kitchen and the elevated living room in our unit. It is 94 degrees here in the shade in southern Florida (though the RV is in direct sun) and with the moving cool air it is quite comfortable with the thermostat set at 78-80 degrees.
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