AC / Fan question

Hi PC'rs -

I have a question regarding the noise level of the house AC while running.

We have a Jayco Melbourne (to tide us over until we can get a PC!) and when the AC is running, even on low, the noise from the air blowing through the ducts is so loud it makes it hard to hear anything on the TV or hear casual conversation.  On high, it's even more of a problem. Now I realize just about all RV manufacturers use one of several brands of roof units, however the ducting from manufacturer to manufacturer is different. 

Would be interested to hear from some of you all (sorry y'all, forgot I live in the south now) (you'ns, you guys?) on experiences w/ your PC.

Thanks much.

Yes, the AC noise can be a problem at times.  We overcome it by running the TV sound through the surround sound system.  Won’t help with the conversation, but with five speakers running, the TV is much easier to hear.

Our 2007 roof-top a/c is noisey as all heck when on high.  All PCs are ductless to help keep the over-all vehicle profile as low as possible, and best possible insulated ceiling.  The bad comes with the good.  For me, the low profile was more important than a quiet ducted a/c system.

As gophoenix describes, the surround sound over-comes.  Just crank up the sound.

With our short 2350 with no slideout and insulated glass, we most often get by with the a/c on low once cooled down.  We could make the entire interior one big fridge with the place buttoned down, shades drawn, and also run the chassis a/c.

The longest models with all the slideouts likely need the roof a/c on high to maintain a comfortable temp.

Our 2007 roof-top a/c is noisey as all heck when on high.  All PCs are ductless to help keep the over-all vehicle profile as low as possible, and best possible insulated ceiling.  The bad comes with the good.  For me, the low profile was more important than a quiet ducted a/c system.

As gophoenix describes, the surround sound over-comes.  Just crank up the sound.

With our short 2350 with no slideout and insulated glass, we most often get by with the a/c on low once cooled down.  We could make the entire interior one big fridge with the place buttoned down, shades drawn, and also run the chassis a/c.

The longest models with all the slideouts likely need the roof a/c on high to maintain a comfortable temp.

Ron - Hmmm, something I hadn't thought of with a PC - completely ductless you say?  I am indeed curious then, particularly from those w/ 3100's, how the rooftop unit works cooling the rear of the coach (bathroom?!).

Ron - Hmmm, something I hadn't thought of with a PC - completely ductless you say?  I am indeed curious then, particularly from those w/ 3100's, how the rooftop unit works cooling the rear of the coach (bathroom?!).

 The only ducts we have in our 5 year old 2350 are near the floor, dedicated to the furnace for heat.  One heat duct facilitates the bathroom nicely....more than nicely.  I was thinking of replacing that round heat register with an adjustable one so not to pump so much heat into the bathroom.

In hot weather with the a/c running and the bath door closed, it gets hot in the bathroom.  When parked we leave the bath door open a little which works okay.  While on the move we keep the bath door latched closed for obvious reasons.  It is only then that it gets warm in there.  With exception to the bathroom, our short rig would not benefit from a ducted system unless ducted = quiet.

I would assume all PCs made since 2004 share a similar story, but I could be wrong.  Maybe PC-USA does something special for the largest rigs.  I can only speak for my shorter 5 year old model 2350.

No problem in our 3100, but never really thought much about it.  However we always have the two interior doors open accept in the morning.  The bathroom door can only be in the open position when travelling in the 3100 (unless someone locks themselves in!).  You can see from the exterior picture that the AC is centered over the coach area.

At a PC owner’s club rally, the couple next door spent winters in Texas on the Rio Grande.  They had two ACs installed in their 3100 with 50 amp.  Don’t know if that was really necessary.  He seemed a little obsessive and had many, many other changes built in.  

Thanks guys for the replies.  There should be an award for "best RV owner's forum". This one would win, for sure.

 I think I can adequately deduce then that the noisy fan noise will likely be universal across different manufacturers.  As to the virtues of ducted, vs. non-ducted, I can certainly see where it would be unneccesary in a shorter unit like Ron's. I can say with certainty though in our 32ft. Jayco, without being ducted the unit would struggle to keep the rear of the coach cool.  I'm supposing though that a well-placed fan should be able to remedy that situation, even in the 3100.    And good to know there is at least a heat duct in the bathroom of the PC.

I'm sensitive to this as we spend a good bit of time in Texas in the summer (Go Rangers), so I doubt I need to expand on why I'm asking about AC issues.   

-Mike