Powered bedroom A/C duct

OK guys, let me throw this out and see if anyone has ever attempted this. Being retired from the communications industry, in which we use a lot of small flat "muffin fans" for equipment cooling, I have often kicked the idea around of installing one of these is the bedroom A/C vent, to see if it would move more volume of cool air there. Problem was, the ones that I had ready access to were either 24V or 48V powered. I recently found a source for them for 12VDC or 120VAC applications. I ordered one of the 12VDC ones, which moves approximately 90 CFM of air, and simply "rigged" it to operate temporarily. Not too loud, and does move quite a bit of air. My next step is to make a housing that will screw down to the existing duct with the vent cover removed, attach the vent cover to this housing, just wire it over to the ceiling light for 12V (the current draw is very small), and "ler 'er rip". Anyone attempted this? Results?

I have done this with the heat duct as it did not seem to put out much heat in the bedroom (28rk) and the fan works like a champ. The combo of heat rising ( upper bedroom) and the fan make it nice and warm. Let us know how it turns out.

Regards,

Keith

you may have a new gadget to throw on the shelf at camping world.

Keith, do you have pictures of this successful mod? How did you wire it, and how is it regulated?

TC

TC's reply has gotten me to thinking about something--I am going to initially try this with the 12VDC fan that I have, using a small on/off switch on the vent mod itself, since I have 12V readily available, but if it appears to help the A/C in the bedroom, I think I will swap the fan for the 110VAC model, pull some plenum rated wire back to the A/C unit itself thru the duct work, and wire it for on/off operation with the A/C fan.

OK guys, the results of my A/C "mod" for the bedroom. I "rigged" the whole contraption together, and ran temporary wiring to it. (Never underestimate the power of duct tape) Our outside temp here right now is 87 deg., inside the 'Cat I have the A/C on and set on 70 deg. The unit is cycling on and off, and maintaining 70-71 deg throughout the length of the RV, including the bedroom. I measured the bedroom temp with a digital thermometer placed on the bed pillow. Before, the best I could get was on a hot day about 10-15 deg. warmer in the bedroom. Drawback---with the bedroom fan powered unit on, the A/C vent at the shower at the top of the steps (my unit is a 29RLBS) is rendered useless, as the air flow normally coming out of this vent is being "sucked" past it to the powered vent. On the plus side, the cool air flow at this bedroom vent is about doubled, and the velocity is greatly improved with more air being pushed to headboard area of the bed. Does not seem to impair the airflow to the living room area. Why doesn't shutting off the flow at the shower vent accomplish the same thing? Don't have a clue, but the fan sucking that extra air and blowing it out with some force has a very positive effect on the bedroom area cooling. Sort of a poor man's answer to a second A/C unit. I am in the process of making the whole thing "pretty", and will post some pics when finished if anyone is interested. I am also going to still toy around with the 110V version.

When you get it looking pretty, we want ASAP!!

TC

Ok Guys--here is a pic of the finished product. Note the on/off switch. And like I said this thing really works well for me. Keeps the bedroom as cool as the rest of the unit, something I could not achieve before. (I hope this photo turns out well--first time I have inserted a photo thru this program.

EZ - What kind of fan did you end up using (Brand, model, etc.)?

TC

Now that is COOL!!!
(pun intended)

TC wrote:EZ - What kind of fan did you end up using (Brand, model, etc.)?

TC

It is a 12VDC muffin fan from Backwoods Solar Power, www.backwoodssolar.com, model is A-MUFFAN-12, sells for $15. I think I may order one of the 110VAC versions, (same price), and "toy around" with it, wire it back to the A/C to come on/off with the A/C, but in a way I like being able to run it without the A/C on, or I may attach a small adjustable thermostat to this one to shut down at times. (I have been told that since I retired, I have way too much time on my hands, but this kind of stuff I hafta just sort of "work in" my schedule)

I wonder if a person could cut a thin plate/roofing tin maybe??, to mount a fan on to so the whole thing could sit up in the duct, and still have the vent covers flush with the celing? Just a thought...

TC

BTW EZ, I've been drooling over that website wishing I had deep pockets. They have some COOL stuff!!

That is cool,,,, another pun intended.

ezrider6298 wrote:Drawback---with the bedroom fan powered unit on, the A/C vent at the shower at the top of the steps (my unit is a 29RLBS) is rendered useless, as the air flow normally coming out of this vent is being "sucked" past it to the powered vent. On the plus side, the cool air flow at this bedroom vent is about doubled, and the velocity is greatly improved with more air being pushed to headboard area of the bed. Does not seem to impair the airflow to the living room area. Why doesn't shutting off the flow at the shower vent accomplish the same thing? Don't have a clue, but the fan sucking that extra air and blowing it out with some force has a very positive effect on the bedroom area cooling. Sort of a poor man's answer to a second A/C unit. I am in the process of making the whole thing "pretty", and will post some pics when finished if anyone is interested. I am also going to still toy around with the 110V version.

Could you move the fan down closer to the A/C unit and put the whole thing in the duct work to push the air to the bedroom and bathroom vents. Just a thought, The fan might be to big. But they do make smaller ones. Just my two cents.

Possibly--but because of the small size of the duct and considering the fan would need to stand on its' end to suck in and blow out, I don't think a fan that small would move much air. And as for flush monuting it, I considered that, but the vent hole would have to be enlarged to accomodate the fan, and with the fan sitting in the duct, I think the fan body would block the air it was trying to pull thru it.

Keith, please explain how you were able to install a power heat duct fan on your 28rk in the bedroom/bath area?

Good Job!! I think Radio Shack sells those fans.

Sorry for the delay, and thanks Phillip for pointing out the question.

In the bedroom side of the sink vanity is a heater outlet with a round plastic cover. I took the cover off and mounted the fan in the hole, using some caulk tape to seal it in. I drilled a small hole for the two wires to go inside the vanity. Inside the vanity the wires connect to a rechargable 12v battery, the type used for R/C airplane starters. I got the battery at a hobby store for about $18. I put in a switch and mounted it in the front of the vanity next to the door.

I simply connect to the battery if I am going to be in cold weather and in the evening when I want some heat, I switch on the furnace and the fan - bedroom gets nice and toasty.

The furnace provides the heat and the fan is enough to help the furnace by drawing the warm air out of the duct that goes from the rear of the rig to the bedroom.

Hope this helps.

Can we switch to the heater. Has anybody ever though about adding a filter to the air intake. On the 30RLBS the hole under the refer would have to be enlarged to a 14 by 20. I have the room. I am wondering if it would work? The 30RLBS, which is made no more, is the big brother to the 29RLBS.