Visit our Popular Forums

2012FB · 01-16-2015, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cory_can

Someone posted this in another thread and I figured other ducted air owners would be interested in seeing it. They were shown in a new "2015" Classic Twin model video. Looks like a retrofit could be easy.

Directional vents that also allow you to close.

Here is the response from Airstream for a part number on the Grills.

"Hello, I contacted our parts department and they gave me this part number for those grills. 382233-02"

Now to find out how much??

Hibby · 03-15-2015, 08:10 PM

Wow! These are great! Especially for over the rear beds in the bunkhouse... I will see if I can order some.

Hibby

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

**moosetags** · 03-15-2015, 08:25 PM

Please let us know how much they are. When we get Lucy to JC we paln to get her a set.

Brian

switz · 03-16-2015, 06:53 AM

VSOP on brandy stands for very specially over priced which usually applies to Airstream parts as well.

Hibby · 03-16-2015, 09:34 AM

I just called Airstream and they are $35 each. They also gave me an updated part no. 382276-02

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

mefly2 · 03-16-2015, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hibby

I just called Airstream and they are $35 each. They also gave me an updated part no. 382276-02

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

More reasonable than expected ...

switz · 03-17-2015, 04:06 AM

Hopefully they are metal for that price. It was mentioned above that the interest is in these for over the bunk. Metal could withstand an accidental head bump better than plastic and won't deteriorate like plastic over time.

RareStream · 03-17-2015, 03:12 PM

I can verify that they are not only metal but actually stainless...they look great; just recently saw them in some 2015 trailers from the dealer in Mississippi on a trip.

**moosetags** · 03-17-2015, 03:34 PM

I am seriously considering upgrading Lucy to these vent registers when we get her up to Jackson Center in April. Does anyone know if these allow you to cut off individual vents, or a they directional only?

Brian

RareStream · 03-17-2015, 04:42 PM

I honestly don't know for sure, but they didn't LOOK like it...they definitely turn and are adjustable for direction, and are very well built; they look expensive. Unless there is a "trick" to closing off one vent, it wasn't readily apparent...but that doesn't mean it's not possible. I slightly doubt it, however.

**moosetags** · 03-17-2015, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RareStream

I honestly don't know for sure, but they didn't LOOK like it...they definitely turn and are adjustable for direction, and are very well built; they look expensive. Unless there is a "trick" to closing off one vent, it wasn't readily apparent...but that doesn't mean it's not possible. I slightly doubt it, however.

Thanks for that information. If I can't close off individual vents, I'm not sure if I want them.

Brian

BAB · 03-17-2015, 05:27 PM

I installed 12 of these adjustable vents in my new Classic, and really like them. CAUTION: getting the old ones out is not easy. They are stainless steel -- including the clips that hold them in. The new ones are very nice looking. The underside is a heavy grade of gray plastic....much easier to snap into the ceiling, the outer (visible) section is stainless steel. You can swivel them in any direction you like, and also adjust the amount of air...which is the idea. They were around $25 each at Out-of-Doors Mart -- they ordered them for me and arrived in a few weeks.

rodsterinfl · 03-17-2015, 06:38 PM

What an interesting thread. I just caught up with it after posting way back. The new directional restricting vent covers should really help to dial in airflow. Sounds great. I found the dB readings in the thread. Very interesting. From my "low fan" readings on a non ducted soft grommet, pre-EPA altered unit, it sounds like the sound level is similar (ducted 52 bedroom, 61 center intake, 58 dining area) versus (non-ducted 55 bedroom, 62 center, 58 dinette/sofa area); however, there is difference. Some hypotheses can be developed- Ducted air is quieter than the current non-ducted offering, the system is less apt to increase in noise using a higher setting and sound levels, while slightly better than original penguin models are very similar in noise level.

As I said earlier, this is a potentially fantastic change to Airstreams as RV air conditioning has much to be improved upon. It all comes down to how it is implemented. Interestingly I have been playing with the full timing idea and realize that I may need to get something a bit larger (maybe not) and looked at an older Winebago with basement AC recently- another RV AC idea. I found that it was abandoned surprisingly. The salesman said it was the bomb but reading on RV forum I found that people are having trouble getting parts for their units and are having to convert to roof AC as several posters have shared. So much for that implementation and purchase!

The ducted air sounds great and from your comments so far it sounds wonderful- except for the info on leaking- ugh. If in a situation of having a newer non-ducted unit like PharmGeek or others, I am not sure I would trade but rather hunt for the info on the soft grommet reference. But if buying now, why not go for the latest right?

BAB · 03-17-2015, 07:41 PM

I haven't done scientific sound levels in my new trailer, but it is possible to talk in a normal tone of voice, and also possible to actually HEAR the television set with the A/C running. We got up to 80 today and the ducted is astoundingly quiet. There is NO comparison with my 2012 Intl. Also, I think that unless it's the heat of the day, running the front unit (15,000 BTU) may keep the rear of the trailer moderately cooler. I suspect that running both my allow me to hang meat!

Hibby · 03-17-2015, 08:14 PM

There is absolutely no comparison to prior years.... The ducted air is a wonderful change. We traded in our 2012 30' FC for a 2015 30' Bunkhouse (ducted air) and couldn't be happier. We only have one 15,000 BTU A/C unit, but our temps don't usually get into the 90's for more than 2-3 weeks out of the year. We never got into the 90's after our purchase last year, but I would tell you that my experience is that we would have no issue at all with keeping cool with only one unit at those temps.

The only complaint that I would have is the top bunk at the rear could get awfully cold, since it's right under the A/C vents, and I think that the redirection would solve that problem.

Hibby

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

mefly2 · 03-17-2015, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAB

I haven't done scientific sound levels in my new trailer, but it is possible to talk in a normal tone of voice, and also possible to actually HEAR the television set with the A/C running. We got up to 80 today and the ducted is astoundingly quiet. There is NO comparison with my 2012 Intl. Also, I think that unless it's the heat of the day, running the front unit (15,000 BTU) may keep the rear of the trailer moderately cooler. I suspect that running both my allow me to hang meat!

Go back and read my earlier posts regarding measured sound levels ... same model AS and configuration measured from the same measuring positions with the same instrument... the only difference was that one was our 2013 Eddie Bauer and the other was a our new 2015 Eddie Bauer WITH ducted air!. Same time of day, same parking location ...Nothing was lab calibrated, but it is the detailed sound difference values that are important. A position with regard to sound pressure levels is easily concluded. Ducted Air wins hands DOWN FOR SOUND and that does not even take into account evenness of the temperature throughout our 25.
Why else would we have taken the hit on a nearly new trade in ... the 2015 is superb.

Members fought this information when we first posted ... looks like now it is accepted that the ducted is significantly quieter for both AC and heat pump...we told you so way back in July of 2014!

graysailor · 03-18-2015, 09:32 AM

My 2015 30 footer of course has ducted air. Very nice but not exactly whisper quiet as I had hoped. Only 30 amp service at this campground so only using 1 HP which is keeping the trailer quite comfortable. During the day when it warms up two Fantastic Fans might be nice as I only have one. I think in reading this thread that the adjustable vents might be necessary for those with bunk beds but for me with the rear bedroom the existing vents seem to be working fine.

KJRitchie · 03-18-2015, 10:23 AM

I'm sold. The only issue with the ducted air is the less than stellar TV antenna Airstream now uses.

Kelvin

m.hony · 03-18-2015, 11:02 AM

The ducted air is definitely quieter. I just hung out in Nelson's trailer 4 a little while. That trailer is awesome. Makes mine look like a dinosaur-

Hiho Silver · 03-18-2015, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I'm sold. The only issue with the ducted air is the less than stellar TV antenna Airstream now uses.

Kelvin

I noticed they also changed to a Clarion brand multi function radio, and the newer window shades are either all the way up or down, unlike the levolors we now have.

We have a 2014 with 2 a/c units we are very happy with, but the wife doesn't like cooking with the galley a/c blowing on her. When we looked at the 2015 models we decided to hold on to what we have, and just run the a/c unit in the opposite area from where we are hanging out, when possible

Also we have made some changes and hopefully have most of the warranty items repaired, and don't want to start over with a new unit at this time.

Sandy