 |
|
02-18-2007, 06:43 PM
|
#1
|
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Ocoee, FL
Posts: 27
Year: 1983
Coachwork: GMC
Chassis: RTSII
Engine: 6V92TA
Rated Cap: 55
|
Rooftop AC in place of escape hatches?
I was wondering if anyone has ever used their roof hatches as a spot for either roof ac or fantastik fans?
If so, how did you get them to fit?
thanks
shawn
__________________
School Bus Driver/Instructor/Mechanic...
proud single custodial dad to 18yr old son Jeremey, who wants to try his hand at driving my RTS
|
|
|
|
02-18-2007, 07:45 PM
|
#2
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 381
|
I often wondered about the same thing... Just eye-balling it, it looks as though they're made to order for a roof mounted AC unit
|
|
|
|
|
02-18-2007, 09:53 PM
|
#3
|
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Hamel, IL
Posts: 160
|
The way it looks to me, is that the emergency roof top opening is around 18-20 inches, where the roof top is meant for 14 inches.
__________________
Jeff
95 IH 72 passenger transit school bus w/ DT466 and 545 Allison.
79 IH Scout II/392 (0.030 over) Hamilton Injected/727/D300/Full size axles/36" Swampers/Lockers/OBA/38 gal Custom fuel tank, roll bar, tube doors.
|
|
|
|
|
02-18-2007, 10:32 PM
|
#4
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho
Posts: 809
|
Roof vents
Most buses roof hatches are larger than size required for a AC unit. The hole needed for a fan or AC unit is 14 1/8 inch. Covering an existing hole usually requires some roof work and some method of reducing the hatch hole. Most roof AC units use long bolts to clamp unit to the roof with no fasteners connected to roof. Carrier units are the most expensive but seem to me to be the best of the AC units. Frank
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 10:40 AM
|
#5
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 381
|
Wow, it sure seems a waste not to use those holes...
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 10:59 AM
|
#6
|
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 1,839
|
Better that the holes are too big, if I had escape hatches I would definetly make some adapters to use them for A/C. With all that space around it you could make some really nice trim.
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 11:25 AM
|
#7
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 381
|
I was thinking along the same line... its there, might as well use it...
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 12:49 PM
|
#8
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho
Posts: 809
|
Roof vent hole
I think the most important consideration for roof AC is placement. My Crown bus has 2 roof AC units and a center fantastic vent. One AC is at thr very front of the bus to allow some creature comfort while traveling down the hiway. I think I'm also gonna make a curtain to restrict the cooling air to be a the most value to the driver. I mostly travel alone. My bus is not yet insulated so heat and cooling are not great. My plan is to drill many 1/2 inch holes and inject insta foam with care. After foam has stopped expanding, carpet will be glued to ceiling, and with wood strips screwed in place. Frank
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 01:00 PM
|
#9
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 381
|
I was also wondering about carpeting my ceiling in hopes of increasing the R value, I'm just a little concerned about the glue not being able to handle however hot the roof/ceiling may get
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 01:17 PM
|
#10
|
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 1,839
|
I think the best benefit of the carpeting is the sound deadening you will get from it.
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 01:19 PM
|
#11
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 381
|
Santa's Reindeer?
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 11:23 PM
|
#12
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
|
What you're going to find is, the gaskets they sell to seal them with are only 14" and it's pretty likely anything larger is just not going to fit the under side of the roof top unit.
You probably could formulate some kind of fan system and a screen without too much trouble though. I like having just an opening hatch up there....with screen of course...
__________________
*Cliff*
You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights
1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 11:46 PM
|
#13
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 381
|
What would happen if you cut a hole into the hatch cover itself and mounted the AC on the hatch cover?
|
|
|
|
|
02-19-2007, 11:56 PM
|
#14
|
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Hamel, IL
Posts: 160
|
I dont see the plastic hatch cover holding up to the vibration nor the weight that a roof top unit has. I would be keeping the escape hatches for just that, as they are designed for. And cutting a couple of 14" holes in the roof to accept the AC units.
__________________
Jeff
95 IH 72 passenger transit school bus w/ DT466 and 545 Allison.
79 IH Scout II/392 (0.030 over) Hamilton Injected/727/D300/Full size axles/36" Swampers/Lockers/OBA/38 gal Custom fuel tank, roll bar, tube doors.
|
|
|
|
|
02-20-2007, 12:15 AM
|
#15
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 381
|
I see your point, I was sure hoping to try avoiding cutting another hole in the roof...
|
|
|
|
|
02-20-2007, 12:45 AM
|
#16
|
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
|
Good idea with the drill a hole and fill with foam idea, Frank. Are you concerned at all about trapping water or anything? That seems like something I might want to try.
|
|
|
|
|
02-20-2007, 10:07 PM
|
#17
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 704
|
Well, if you wind up laying that bus over on it's side somehow, climbing out the roof hatch might be handy!!
I think in the long run, you'll be better off cutting a hole the correct size rather than trying to retro a hole that is too big.
__________________
*Cliff*
You just might be a Redneck if...
...your motor home used to be a school bus!
...Your living room has a steering wheel!
...Your home has brake lights
1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1989 Thomas Diesel Pusher (Cat 3208/Freightliner)
Chesapeake, Virginia
|
|
|
|
|
02-20-2007, 10:36 PM
|
#18
|
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 381
|
Quote:
|
Well, if you wind up laying that bus over
|
You see a lot of roll-overs?
|
|
|
|
|
02-21-2007, 01:48 AM
|
#19
|
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
|
It would have to be a pretty spectacular rollover to block the side door, rear door, and kick-out front windows. 
|
|
|
|
|
02-28-2007, 10:50 AM
|
#20
|
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Plymouth MA
Posts: 197
|
I see a couple obvious things:
The hatch cover is too weak to support the AC unit. Simply make a cover or adapter (sheet ply with aluminum covering, self-adhesive foam tape to seal off), place that in the opening, and use longer screws or threaded rod to replace the now-too-short ones.
Next, if you use/build the adapter, maybe set it up so that a couple hold-down latches can be built in....SOMEONE out there makes them, I've seen similar latches in hardware stores (National Hardware brand?). Then if you need the roof exit in case of a rollover, you unlatch the AC, drop it off, and bail out.
__________________
The tool storage is nice, but where do I put the bed?
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
