Pop up roof

Yvan · 02-12-2015, 06:38 PM

I saw pics of a side hinged pop up roof on this forum, can anyone please lead me back to it?
If memory serves it was over a kitchen.

EastCoastCB · 02-12-2015, 06:41 PM

that's ol' trunt's bus you're lookin for.

ol trunt · 02-12-2015, 07:09 PM

Yvan, let me know how much detail of the pop up you'd like to see and I'll re-post some pics. I don't think those pics survived the modifications made to the forum a while back. Jack

Yvan · 02-12-2015, 08:15 PM

The one with your spouse in the kitchen please, and a few more general completed shots please.

ol trunt · 02-13-2015, 12:21 AM

Yvan, here you go---

Yvan · 02-13-2015, 07:57 AM

Thank you sir

EastCoastCB · 02-13-2015, 08:19 AM

Yeah, thats one classy bus!

Tango · 02-13-2015, 09:15 AM

Hey Jack --- have you finished the insulation upgrade on the pop-up yet?

bansil · 02-13-2015, 09:52 AM

Every time I see your ride, I start singing beach boy songs

leadsled01 · 02-13-2015, 11:14 AM

OL trunt, Whats the deal with the A/C unit? Does it slide in and out of the window? Really sharp bus!!

ol trunt · 02-13-2015, 12:15 PM

Leadsled01, the a/c is actually suspended from the roof and supported at the rear on angle iron. The exhaust (hot air) vents from the rear of the a/c to an opening in the floor via a five foot long duct. The condensate also vents through the duct. The fan in the a/c seems to handle blowing the hot air down the duct without any problem even on the hottest days. Were there more space under the bus I would have split up the unit so the compressor and condenser was under the bus and the evaporator/blower was in the cabin--that would have been better looking I think.

Tango, I'll get at the insulation some day if I ever get the hydraulic jacks to stop leaking. Seems I got a bad batch of fittings as most of them have had to be replaced--messy and annoying to say the least. Jack

I used hardboard coated with shellac to form the duct.

This is a pic of the hanging bracket.

I took the a/c apart to reroute the drain.

leadsled01 · 02-13-2015, 01:36 PM

I'm amazed that duct system works since hot air rises. But you have the proof. I like the idea of separating the A/C and mounting it in different spots , but I really don't know that much about cooling systems to pull that off. Guess I will have to save my money and buy a roof top RV unit. Again I love that bus of yours.

ol trunt · 02-13-2015, 02:36 PM

Ledsled01, before you go with roof air, consider doing what others like Lorna have done. It isn't too hard to mount a regular room a/c in or above the rear door and for the price of a new roof mount you can but 4 or 5 room units (Amazon). An 8 K room a/c should be enough for your shortie--even a 6 K might do. As I recall Tango is planning to do this also so you might want to talk with him. Jack

REDD · 02-13-2015, 07:11 PM

Kick ass bus, stand up and take a bow.

ol trunt · 02-13-2015, 09:39 PM

Thanks for the compliments all. Redd and Bansil, you made me laugh. We are really having fun with the bus, Jack

Tango · 02-14-2015, 11:00 AM

I am in total agreement with Jack regarding "RV" A/C --- Having owned a couple of them is what put me on the path to using a window unit in this build. As noted, you can buy a half dozen or more high efficiency window units for the price of one "RV roof mount". But price is just part of the story. There is that big, leaky hole in the roof...the need for grossly overpriced service (when you can find it)...during which there is that big open hole in the roof to contend with...the increased chance of a tree limb or such making said hole even bigger...and on and on.

I went with a little 8Kbtu, $160.00, Energy Star unit that I can replace in 10 minutes at any Wally World in America. And they can be fitted just about anywhere. Mine is going partially in the roof, but is well protected by the element below which just about any sheet metal shop can fab for a few bucks. A roof deck will eventually fit over the flat part. Admittedly, I invested a little extra time & $ to keep the Art Deco look going, but they can be easily installed into a rear window or above a rear door. There is a stainless steel vent hood filter just inside the opening to keep bugs and critter outdoors.

And for you fortunate folks with a basement in your bus...a much larger or even multiple units can be installed below deck and the air piped where you need it. No biggie.

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