Air conditioner? June 21, 2021, 08:36:34 am My 2002 MB came equipped with a 13.5k btu roof air conditioner. We’re finding now that we’ve moved to a hotter climate. That it will not keep our unit cool enough. I’m wondering if replacing it with a 15k btu unit would make a big difference. Would it be worth the cost? I’ve had the current unit checked out and serviced and they say it is functioning well. But once the temperatures hit the mid 90’s it’s not enough to cool the rig. 2 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #1 – June 21, 2021, 09:19:04 am The larger unit might make the difference between uncomfortable and tolerable, but better insulation would be more effective. Such as, a comforter hung vertically to isolate the uninsulated cab, Reflectix panels cut to fit the windows behind the blinds, insulated pads and snap-on covers for the vents. It would be a good idea to also plan local trips outside the hottest part of the year, and escape to altitude or the shore the rest of the year.Steve 4 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #2 – June 21, 2021, 11:23:17 am Hi Lynn; You might want to update your location in your profile; I know you moved to Cedar City Utah. A far cry from the Seattle area. If you have the original A/C from 2002, I think you could benefit from a newer 15,000 btuh unit. Even though your old unit is working well, the newer one might be able to distribute air better and be quieter. Are you camping near home? Right now there is a really hot spell in the Southwest. Setting new records, inland from where I am. Maybe a good time to visit places farther north and/or higher altitudes as Steve suggested. RonB 2 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #3 – June 21, 2021, 11:26:37 am Quote from: Steve - June 21, 2021, 09:19:04 amThe larger unit might make the difference between uncomfortable and tolerable, but better insulation would be more effective. Such as, a comforter hung vertically to isolate the uninsulated cab, Reflectix panels cut to fit the windows behind the blinds, insulated pads and snap-on covers for the vents. It would be a good idea to also plan local trips outside the hottest part of the year, and escape to altitude or the shore the rest of the year.SteveThanks Steve, I’ll try insulation on the windows and vents. As far as altitude I’m living at 5,850’ elevation and it’s been over 100 degrees here daily for over a week. And the mountains behind us at over 8000’ haven’t been much cooler. We’re probably just heat wimps having come form the Pacific Northwest down to the high desert LoL 😂. 2 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #4 – June 21, 2021, 11:35:09 am Quote from: Duro - June 21, 2021, 11:26:37 amit’s been over 200 degrees here daily for over a week. And the mountains behind us at over 8000’ haven’t been much cooler. We’re probably just heat wimps having come form the Pacific Northwest down to the high desert LoL 😂.200° !!! Better go to Death Valley where it's only 130°
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #5 – June 21, 2021, 11:36:56 am Quote from: RonB - June 21, 2021, 11:23:17 amHi Lynn; You might want to update your location in your profile; I know you moved to Cedar City Utah. A far cry from the Seattle area. If you have the original A/C from 2002, I think you could benefit from a newer 15,000 btuh unit. Even though your old unit is working well, the newer one might be able to distribute air better and be quieter. Are you camping near home? Right now there is a really hot spell in the Southwest. Setting new records, inland from where I am. Maybe a good time to visit places farther north and/or higher altitudes as Steve suggested. RonBThanks Ron,I updated my location. No we took a trip to Colorado doing a little exploring of our new state. But this heatwave was clear across the state. LoL yeah definitely different than our old home. But really like the area and happy we picked a high location because it does cool off at night.
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #6 – June 21, 2021, 11:38:39 am Quote from: Linda B - June 21, 2021, 11:35:09 am200° !!! Better go to Death Valley where it's only 130° Oh I fat fingered that LoL. Thanks I fixed it.Only feels like 200. 1 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #7 – June 21, 2021, 12:22:11 pm Quote from: Duro - June 21, 2021, 11:26:37 amThanks Steve, We’re probably just heat wimps having come form the Pacific Northwest down to the high desert LoL 😂.We have camped in the summer in Florida with just reflectex in roof vents. We only cool our house to 77 so the RV at 78 is fine. 1 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #8 – June 21, 2021, 01:01:05 pm STEVENJILL 78 degrees would be great! But we have a hard time getting it below 90 degrees inside when it’s 107 degrees outside. We had to resort to starting the main engine and running the cab air along with the house air to get the temperature down. And that’s not very economical.
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #9 – June 21, 2021, 02:11:42 pm IMO, it's not worth it. Very generally speaking, a properly sized AC unit for the coach should be able to keep it around 75 degrees indoors when it's 95 degrees outdoors. After that, as the outdoor temperature increases, the AC can no longer keep up with the heat gained by the coach, so indoor temperature increases with the outdoor. Changing to the next larger size would maybe change the temperature where the AC can't keep up with the heat gained by two or three degrees. Are you parked in the shade? If not, finding some (full if possible), along with doing everything you can to keep the heat gain to a minimum as other have suggested will help some. 1 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #10 – June 21, 2021, 02:18:37 pm If you decide to get a 15K btu unit check to see that the wire size is adequate. Also go for the heat pump version instead of just the AC only. The heat mode works quite well. 2 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #11 – June 21, 2021, 02:32:42 pm Quote from: krmugn - June 21, 2021, 02:11:42 pmAre you parked in the shade? If not, finding some (full if possible), along with doing everything you can to keep the heat gain to a minimum as other have suggested will help some. I’m sure having shade would make a huge difference. But where we were it wasn’t available.
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #12 – June 21, 2021, 02:34:46 pm Quote from: Mike Coachman - June 21, 2021, 02:18:37 pmIf you decide to get a 15K btu unit check to see that the wire size is adequate. Also go for the heat pump version instead of just the AC only. The heat mode works quite well. Thanks I hadn’t thought about a more efficient heat mode. That would be a plus too.
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #13 – June 21, 2021, 02:56:22 pm After 17 years of service our 15K Dometic’s capacitor died. The external shroud had cracked and it was prone to freezing up while at max thermostat capacity on low fan speed. To avoid freeze up during prolong periods the fan had to be run on high.We replaced it with a 15K Dometic which has five vents; two side, front and rear and a vent to the floor, very helpful in regulating distribution of air flow.The unit is quite efficient in removing humidity and maintaining 70* with ambient temp ~ 95*. The filter is a fine screen which is easy to clean. Compared to the old unit, the new one is louder which may be partially attributable to the absence of the foam filter in the old unit.Malcolm2002 MB 3 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #14 – June 21, 2021, 05:40:58 pm Whn replacing your 2002 LD’s A/C, make sure to find one with the controls on the A/C’s interior panel only and not the type where the control remotely mounted on a wall. LD switched styles in 2005 or 2006.The remotely mounted controls are subject to problems, while the old, mechanical controls are mostly foolproof, newer isn’t always better. Right Jon?Larry 2 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #15 – June 22, 2021, 12:26:08 am Take Larry's advice on this one. Electronics aren't always the best on this kind of equipment.Jon
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #17 – June 27, 2021, 11:45:23 am I saw this a couple weeks ago for shade.Shade RV | Ultimate RV Rooftop Protection | United States 1 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #18 – June 27, 2021, 01:22:25 pm Interesting idea. It should be effective. Of course it precludes using solar panels on the roof, and you probably wouldn't want to install and uninstall repeatedly while traveling. But if you're going to be plugged in and staying in one place for a while, it could be a big help. 1 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #19 – June 27, 2021, 02:55:13 pm Quote from: 92 new - June 27, 2021, 11:45:23 amI saw this a couple weeks ago for shade.Shade RV | Ultimate RV Rooftop Protection | United StatesSince heated air would be trapped by the 'shade', I would worry this could adversely affect the rooftop air conditioning in still weather.Steve
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #21 – June 27, 2021, 07:31:31 pm Quote from: Steve - June 27, 2021, 02:55:13 pmSince heated air would be trapped by the 'shade', I would worry this could adversely affect the rooftop air conditioning in still weather.SteveThe company says this: We have designed our canopy to have many scalloped edges to allow airflow to the ac units. However, if your AC units vent straight up we do not recomend the Shade RV. Most units vent out of the side not the top.
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #22 – June 27, 2021, 09:35:53 pm OK, and if there's a breeze the cover would probably be a net benefit. But on a calm day, the hot air could go upward and be trapped. Maybe that wouldn't happen often enough to be a concern, though.
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #23 – June 27, 2021, 11:57:20 pm I upgraded to the 15k Dometic and found a decent amount of difference. But- the game changer is when I got a separate portable house Air Conditioner. The portable AC with TWO hoses has really made all the difference in the world. Put the hoses out the passenger window and install the factory cover that goes over the front windshield, as not to cause too much of an eye sore with the AC hoses. If I was to do it again, I would most likely keep the 13.5 AC and have simply added the portable AC. There are many options on Amazon, I went with the most expensive ~500 bucks. Although, an electric car AC setup will be in my future. Ford and Tesla make nice AC units for their cars, that put out suburb AC, small, and will not rattle the roof. Couple of lithium battles and a few panels will run it during a sunny day. If anyone has any info or access to documentation regarding electric car AC components, I am very interested. Currently, the engine has to be running for the cab AC to work. What a waste of a resource. Installing an electric car AC setup would omit the need to have the truck running to use the cab AC. Actually, that electric AC motor could probably be wired into the shore power, with a AC/DC converter. I think the Ford Focus Electric AC motor is about near 75 volts. Sorry for the rant. Hope you stay cool 😎 2 Likes
Re: Air conditioner? Reply #24 – June 28, 2021, 10:52:31 am Quote from: jrsl1982 - June 27, 2021, 11:57:20 pmI upgraded to the 15k Dometic and found a decent amount of difference. But- the game changer is when I got a separate portable house Air Conditioner. The portable AC with TWO hoses has really made all the difference in the world. Put the hoses out the passenger window and install the factory cover that goes over the front windshield, as not to cause too much of an eye sore with the AC hoses. If I was to do it again, I would most likely keep the 13.5 AC and have simply added the portable AC. There are many options on Amazon, I went with the most expensive ~500 bucks. Although, an electric car AC setup will be in my future. Ford and Tesla make nice AC units for their cars, that put out suburb AC, small, and will not rattle the roof. Couple of lithium battles and a few panels will run it during a sunny day. If anyone has any info or access to documentation regarding electric car AC components, I am very interested. Currently, the engine has to be running for the cab AC to work. What a waste of a resource. Installing an electric car AC setup would omit the need to have the truck running to use the cab AC. Actually, that electric AC motor could probably be wired into the shore power, with a AC/DC converter. I think the Ford Focus Electric AC motor is about near 75 volts. Sorry for the rant. Hope you stay cool 😎 Those portable A/Cs are pretty large. Where do you put it in your LD? And you'll need power or the genset to run it, right? What model/brand did you buy?Chris
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