Rpod AC vents
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4863
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 2:44pm
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Topic: Rpod AC vents
Posted By: cody91
Subject: Rpod AC vents
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 11:43am
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Anyone found the optimal vent configuration on their Rpod air conditioner that promotes good airflow and minimizes noise? The a/c unit on my 178 has 5 vents: orward, aft, center, left, and right. Seems like the side vents don't really do much but I haven't used the a/c enough to draw any real conclusions. Cody91 |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 12:02pm
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Little difference in noise no matter how I have mine configured. To get good airflow to the beds on either end I leave the end vents open. I leave the side vent that faces the kitchenette, closed. I leave the side vent facing the bathroom open to help it dry faster after showers. The bottom vent is closed to give more pressure to the ones that are open - but if I'm setting up on a hot day I'll come in and cool off by opening that vent and standing right under it! ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 12:14pm
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Yeah I don't know why Dometic had to change what they had...I don't recall my previous ones having the issues this one has. The front facing vent on mine, is partially blocked by the unit's own intake, making it the least effective vent of them all. Guess which one faces the "bedroom" in my 179 where I'd especially appreciate cool air  One thing Dometic did fix- their unit in a huge Jayco truck camper I once owned had a potentially serious flaw- it had digital controls- if the AC power "blipped" the unit shut down, and did NOT restart unless you were there to press a button. Poor design. As for noise- it seems to me this Penguin II is the loudest AC I recall ever having, several Dometics and several Colemans on that list. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 1:56pm
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Budward, maybe you could add a reflector below the bottom vent, then open it slightly, forcing more air towards the bed? ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 2:10pm
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You can move a lot of air around with an O2 fan too. I have the 10 inch (12v. D cells, 12v. plug and 110 ac) and a couple of 5 inchers (two D cells). Nice little fans! fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: CyberShanks
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2014 at 1:25pm
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I know this sounds odd, but what I did with ours was add a few strips of duct-tape inside it. I started by taking the inside cover down (10 or 12 screws if I recall). In-between the roof portion and the inside portion is a flexible lightweight plastic, almost like garbage bag material duct tube that flaps badly in the breeze. I lined between the two with thick duct tape and made the transition as smooth as I could. It is amazing how much quieter the AC unit is now. If only Forest River would have taken the 5 minutes to complete the job to begin with.. Before taking yours apart, just look up in the center of it with a flashlight, you'll see what I'm referring to. It's ~8" or so diameter and only about 3" or so tall. Jim |