Unfortunately, with a non-ducted AC, there is not much you can do to quiet it down. There are a few things though.

First, close the big vent and use the front, back, and side vents. That will make it a little quieter.

Second, run the fan speed on low instead of auto or high. That will also make it a little quieter. Plus, it is easier to get used to a constant sound rather than the intermittent start/stop and speed switching of the auto setting.

Third, and more difficult, remove the inside shroud. Be careful as there are multiple places where there are screws and not all of them are visible. Take some thin closed-cell foam sheet material and use spray adhesive to glue it to the inside of the shroud avoiding the track for the large vent and making sure not to block any of the other vents. Then replace the shroud. This will also cut the sound a bit.

Last, since you have a 179 like ours, sleep with your heads toward the wardrobe side and your feet toward the slide-out side. The wardrobe will help block some of the noise.

Hopefully, these suggestions will help.

Jato, thanks for the idea re the a/c.  I was thinking of buying an Easy Start for our ac and need to replace the shroud, but I'm loathe to invest anything in a Dometic product more than a couple years old.  I've already been told that they consider our 2009 a/c unit ancient and obsolete.  I could buy a portable unit as you describe from Amazon for between $240 and $325, depending on the brand and features and have something quieter, more trouble free and efficient, and easier on the generator.

The two problems:  Where to put it and what to do with the hole in the roof that the Dometic now occupies.  The latter problem, the hole in the roof, shouldn't be a big problem to patch.  a piece of flat fiberglass with a little reinforcing and insulation under it should take care of the issue and a flat panel on the interior, painted to come close to the paneling would solve that problem. ... or even a nice skylight to illuminate the interior.

The second problem, where to put it, is a little more complicated, but far from insurmountable.  Since we have a 172 with the upper bunk partially removed, making a storage shelf, I think there is enough space to put it on the shelf next to the head, and build a surround on the open side to help hold it in place.  When we get back from Colombia, I'm going to take some measurements to see if it will fit.  Since we tend to travel with a minimum of stuff, the loss of about 2 cu.ft. of storage space will be de minimus.

Greetings Fred,

Our 'hole' in the roof was taken care of at the factory when we got our 177.  Their solution, put in a  roof vent that is very similar to the fantastic fan, but w/o the fan part.  We really like it as it adds a lot of light and brightness to the ceiling and the rest of the interior.   The 2nd part was no problem on our 177 as it is a portable unit and the exhaust hose can be extended to 42 inches.  So the unit can sit anywhere on the floor as long as it is within 42" of a window for the hot air exhaust.  If we don't need it, we just keep the unit in the back of our Explorer.

Jato, I found a stainless steel dryer style vent in Amazon that would be simple to install and would make venting easy without the need for access to window.  With the 172 the windows are limited [adding to the value of a skylight in the hole from the existing AC] and the unit would be competing for the very limited space floor space.  But, if I use the shelf that remains from the old upper bunk and put the vent in the port side wall behind where the unit would go, it would be easy to attach the exhaust hose and put the AC on the shelf only when needed.  As you note, the benefit of a portable unit is that it's easy to take out of the trailer.  In fact, most of the places we camp, we need heat in the morning and our AC very rarely ever used, so we could just leave it in the garage for most trips.

The more I think about it, the more I'm intrigued with the idea.  It would be easy to fabricate a cover for the exhaust vent when the AC is not in use.  Making the cabinet separation for the old bunk shelf would also provide some functional storage space with slide in and out shelves, and I could make a removeable vented side panel to easily access the exhaust hose to dis/connect it.  Using the existing AC circuit, by rerouting the romex under the wet bath and up the wall behind the toilet with a plug added in a convenient spot.  And a nice side benefit would result from removing the old roof unit since it would reduce windage, thus improving gas mileage.  

While my wife takes care of all her annual medical exams and catches up on all the family gossip with her sisters here in Colombia, I am passing time sorting through possible installation and function issues.  Next week we leave the oppressive tropical heat of Cartagena and head to the land of eternal spring in Medellin, where AC and heat are never needed.  I only wish we could bring our Pod here.  The places to visit would be absolutely spectacular.

  

Fred,  Sounds like some great places where you are in Colombia.  Never been there but have been east of there across Venezuela in the country of Guyana a couple of times.  Hope to return soon, great country! 

What was really a blessing with the a/c unit received was the 'connectors' that came with it.  The 4" plastic vent is maybe 14" long when folded and extends to 42", the heavy duty plastic vent has accordian style pleats and folds up very easily.  One end attaches quickly and easily to the a/c unit and the other end snaps into a fabricated plastic panel for the window that can expand or contract in length by using a thumbscrew which was included.

Yes, when in the high country of Colombia think of struggling with temperatures between lows of 55 and highs of 78, beautiful green mountains, good food, and very friendly people.

From looking at the exhaust tubes, it looks like it will slip right over the stainless steel dryer vent I found on Amazon that is available in a 6" diameter.

Had to poke around to find his email: info@perfectcasita.com. Sent in an inquiry and got this response:

This is a real problem for a few, and no big deal for many.  If the number of pod owners that complain compared to the total members on this site are an indication it would hardly pay to make the mentioned kits. 

For me it is no problem.  It cools the pod and doesn't keep me fom sleeping. 

Seems to me that those who live in the majority of the country have on a number of occasions have been grateful for the capacity of the current AC.  Others who live in cooler climates have decided to do without AC.  It is what it is. 

FWIW slowing down the blower motor can cause the coil to freeze.  Then you have reduced noise and no cooling until the coil thaws out again.  "Solving" one problem may very well cause another one.

Of course, during the day, running the fan on high or letting the Auto setting set the speed works. I have not had any indication of the coil freezing in all the time we have had our RPod and run the AC.