-
AC description
-
Jon,
You write beautifully in describing the HVAC on Prevost conversions. I’m in the process of moving from a “conventional RV”, (2001 Monaco Exec) with three noisy rooftops.
We’re looking at a 2000 Prevost Featherlite Vantare. The coach was sitting in a Florida late morning day with ambient temp about 82 degrees. The interior was pleasantly cool and not a peep could be heard from the AC. There was alow noise outside…not a problem to me.
Outside, he opened two bays on the PS and said the bus had Prevost bus air. He then said that there were CruiseAir units behind the front cap. In addition, there is Prevost driver air.
As I understand it, “driver air” works the same as my Monaco; an independent engine-driven compressor supplying refrigerant 43 feet up to the heat exchanger and dash blowers in front.
What is the purpose of the CruiseAir’s? Another system with blowers connected to the same duct work as the bus air?
A description to a Prevost newbie would be greatly appreciated, especially before I make an offer on it.
Thank you!
Tom Gauger
Titusville, FL
Shermans Dale, PA
-
Tom, excuse my immediate reaction being a problem with semantics, or a seller that is clueless.
If the coach has OTR (over the road air) as you look at the engine from the rear you are going to see low and to the right a large belt driven compressor. No compressor, no OTR.
When we discuss driver’s air it is often in the context of it being the only Prevost installed A/C and it is powered by a smaller compressor usually located on the LH side of the engine bay. But my OTR system does have driver’s air which has a separate temp control from the whole coach OTR temperature control.
As to house A/C systems different converters used a wide variety of systems including roof airs which are whole system units (evaporator and condenser combined) roof mounted. They are the type used on conventional motor homes. Other A/C units are Cruisairs and they are split units with the condensers in the bays or behind a bumper or both. Vantare also used a large A/C unit, located in a bay which had output equal to 2 roof or Cruisair units. Coleman was a manufacturer of those units which are like a miniature version of house units you see outside the home sitting on a slab.
Vantare did make coaches with OTR, but they also made coaches without the OTR systems. If there is no OTR it will have driver’s air, engine driven, plus other types of house A/C units which will be powered by shore power, generator or inverters.
-
The sales person spoke rapidly and I did not absorb it all. I think there is a lot of equipment driven by the Series 60, so I’ve attached some pictures.
Tucked away on the right side of the picture is a large yellow compressor
Behind the hydraulic drive for the fan is another compressor.
In two bays up front on the right is a large air conditioning system with a pair of fans facing downward.
I did not get to see the two CruiseAir units behind the nose cap. How these all relate is what I’m trying to understand.
-
OTR / Bus Air only works with the engine running and keeps the interior nice and cool. When parked you would need the Cruisair’s to cool/warm (assuming heat pump) the interior. If the bus was parked and the engine not running what was keeping the bus cool was the Cruisair units.
-
What you are calling a “yellow compressor” is the 50DN alternator. That coach does NOT have Prevost OTR A/C. Looking at pic lower right there is a small alternator where the large Carrier compressor would be if it did.
-
So, to be clear, drivers air and Prevost OTR air does not work when parked. If you were parked, the engine was off and it was cool, this A/C was being provided by 3 or 4 Cruisair units (roof air would be noisy). My CC Prevost has what CC calls OTR air but it’s just an additional “dash” air that is produced by a 2nd engine A/C compressor that feeds the midship and bedroom area. Works great, but also only works when the engine is running.
-
Tom, this is your dash air compressor. As others have said, no OTR (Bus Air).
-
OTR Prevost AC Compressor’s usually look like this “Carrier O5G 41CFM”. Got one in the shelf if anybody needs one. Straight from Carrier.
-
“Outside, he opened two bays on the PS and said the bus had Prevost bus air.”
“He” apparently doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Proceed with caution
-
Pay attention to what Dick just said.
Walking away or asking to speak to someone who is not making stuff up is your best bet.
-
Now I know.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL
Log in to reply.