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Old 01-16-2019, 07:45 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 12
Coachwork: Thomas 5 window w/o wheelchair lift.
Chassis: 2002 Ford e450
Engine: Powerstroke 7.3
Thomas Short Bus Air Conditioner removal

Have a 2002 Ford E450 with a Thomas Minotour 5 window bus body on back. I has an AC unit in the back and the unit under the bus behind the drivers seat. I would like to remove both of these units in due to the need for hot water for the heater from the motor and to put a unit that runs off the RV power.

I already know I'm going to cut the hot water lines that run under the bus from the block to the back. What I do not know is do I have to evacuate the freon from the main AC system, or is the AC in the back on a seperate AC / freon system and I will have to evac. that one too. The reason I ask is in the bus, when I flip the AC rocker switch on the acc. panel, the AC does not come on. I have to turn the AC dial on the dash to AC for the system in the back to turn on too. If I have to evac the AC, I should be able to go to any garage that handles AC, or even an HVAC contractor (it is a Carrier system).

What I want to end up with is a AC / heater for the front (drivers) section of the bus and have a propane heater for the back part, or even a heat pump system (use the space under and behind the drivers seat for the outside unit). Thanks

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Old 01-16-2019, 07:54 AM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,751
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
if you have to turn the dashboard A/C on to get the rear iunit workiong, you have a factory Tie-in system.. the unit outside under the bus is your condensor.. you likely domnt have a condensor in front of your radiator.. you will only have one freon circuit that needs evacuated.. then you will need to obntain a front mounted condensor and lines from a ford van to install in place of the rear outside under-bus unit.. then you can have your dashboard Air conditioner and remove the rear system.. (inside and outside units)
-Christopher
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Old 01-16-2019, 05:40 PM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 12
Coachwork: Thomas 5 window w/o wheelchair lift.
Chassis: 2002 Ford e450
Engine: Powerstroke 7.3
So my best and cheapest bet is to evacuate the freon, and just tie the in an out line from the under bus unit and recharge the system.
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Old 01-21-2019, 07:20 AM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 12
Coachwork: Thomas 5 window w/o wheelchair lift.
Chassis: 2002 Ford e450
Engine: Powerstroke 7.3
How many out there just said the heck with it and left it in?
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Old 01-21-2019, 07:27 AM   #5
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,751
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
your easiest route to keep the dashboard A/C is to re-use the under-bus condensor .. however that said.. there are plenty of E-series vans in the boneyard that had factory dash-only A/C where you could pull lines , condensor, etc and rebuild yoiur dash A/C as it wouldve been on a factory van. that gives you the under-bus space where your condensor was if you need it for storage / tanks, etc.
-Christopher
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