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Topic: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations (Read 6559 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #20 –
Quote from: steve31 –
Don't know if you have solar or note but I discovered a trick when we were in Indio with 30 amp service. Our GV has separate unit for convertor and invertor. Turned off convertor ( 120 volt to 12 volt  ) and used solar panels to charge coach batteries. Ran everything in the coach ( TV, lights etc ) off the invertor and just used the 30 amp service for nothing but the 2 AC units. Worked like a champ.
My U225 didn't come with an inverter. I installed one to operate one circuit in the RV. Long story but the bottom line is I am limited to a 20 amp circuit with its own breaker. There's only 50 amps coming into the service box and there's 4 or 5 20 amp circuits, each with it's own breaker in the service box. One circuit goes to my coach where one of my roof AC's is going 24 x 7. Another circuit goes to an airstream trailer that's running AC 24 x 7. Then there's a washer and dryer on another circuit AND there's a big water pump that draws about 10 amps on another. When my breaker trips, it's usually because the water pump or the clothes dryer is running. I told the owner of this place, who is a disabled vet who is friend of mine, that if there is a fire in the small shed where the service box is, the water pump isn't going to work and the shed will probably burn down and the fire could easily spread to his garage and his house because that pump supplies all the water for this property.
I should really start a go fund me drive for this guy. He has a nice property but it needs a ton of work.

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #21 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
My old Coleman roof AC's still work well but I think they are using too much electric. I thought about a mini split but don't feel comfortable installing one myself and none of the AC people around here want to install one in an RV.
I know at least some people on this forum have replaced their roof units. If so, what AC units did you use use and how do you like them? How do they compare to the Coleman Mach series? Are they more efficient?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
We replaced the old Coleman ACs (working, but noisy and ancient) with the Furrion units.  We like them a lot.  Much quieter, cool quickly, and I can read the thermostat without glasses and a flashlight!  No objective measure of efficiency.

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #22 –
Quote from: erniee –
Houghton- quiet- 15,000- expensive-1400+ bucks, but worth it.
Thanks to seeing this from Ernie and then talking with him, I now have two of them.  I have only tested them for about an half hour off the genset while driving back to my storage.  I'm very impressed thus far. 

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #23 –
To anyone considering the Houghton units from Recpro please note they wont work on a 2001 U320 unless you were ready to undergo major alteration. The inside cover for plenum/diffuser is 2-3" too large and would require either cutting the plastic cover or removing both recessed ceiling trims and notching. Not sure about later models but if you don't have flush/flat ceiling don't imagine it will work. Dissapointed was looking forward to quieter A/C. On it's way back. Suggestions for reliable, quieter units?

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #24 –
I recently saw these but do not have any information or experience with them,  so just passing along another mfg you can check.

The do have 15K BTU units with Heat Pumps and ones for use with ducted systems.

ECO-COOL

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #25 –

My rear roof AC just crapped out a week ago. Compressor runs but no cool. Heat strip in it died years ago. looking at :

TOSOT Conditioner Non Ducted Rooftop High Efficiency

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Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #26 –
That looks like a great option .  The description says minisplit .  So the interior air handler has its own fan pack and the upper unit simply makes compressed gas on its own  .  Great idea and should be lots quieter and more efficient that any of the one piece units.
  Im a little surprised at the power use.    I have found that most of the new units draw less than advertised. 

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #27 –
The penguin II has an eer rating of 2.75 compared to 8.5 of this unit so it must use less power.

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #28 –
Good find ... that is the same unit as the Eco-Cool, just a different distribution channel (and currently $100 less).  Its made by Gree.

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #29 –
Anyone one have any info or experience with Atmos 4.4 A/C heat pump units with soft start. Initial research looks good. Trying to confirm interior plenum cover will work on my ceiling in 2001. Considering these for my coach if they fit.

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Spiderhitch –
Anyone one have any info or experience with Atmos 4.4 A/C heat pump units with soft start. Initial research looks good. Trying to confirm interior plenum cover will work on my ceiling in 2001. Considering these for my coach if they fit.

You might try reaching out to SDG in Elkhart, Indiana on this one.  Some photos in the following thread show an original Dometic interior trim re-used on installs of the Atmos, but it's not clear if those are ducted or non-ducted installations  Atmos 4.4 - Quieter 15k Btu Air Conditioner with Heat Pump | Sprinter-Source.com

Note some of the most recent posts in that thread indicate the Atmos itself does not actually have a soft start.

You'll also need to deal with the thermostat, especially in light of having an AquaHot.

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #31 –
Called SDG yesterday. I actually spoke to owner. It was pretty impressive and he answered a lot of questions. Soft start is available. I am sending pics of interior plenum cover and he said he will be able to tell if their unit will fit. I still have concerns with the thermostat issues and aquahot. Appreciate anyone chiming in with thoughts

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #33 –

I just installed two (2) Tosot

Quote from: Balcanthez –
My rear roof AC just crapped out a week ago. Compressor runs but no cool. Heat strip in it died years ago. looking at :

TOSOT Conditioner Non Ducted Rooftop High Efficiency

Last Month I installed two (2) of these A/C Heat Pumps on My 1994 U300. Prior to that I had One original "Penguin" in the rear and a New Furrion Chill A/C that I had installed just 9 months ago. The Furrion Chill was by far the loudest/Noisiest A/C I could have imagined. After Our Camping season up in Ohio I decided to change out both units. I sold the New Furrion at a loss, just to get rid of it. I also sold my old Dometic. These Two New Tosot are super quiet and very efficient. Much better air distribution than the Furrion, and has a remote control as well as unit mounted controls. Another plus is when on the "Heat" side the thermostat controls the fan and cycle switch , so you do not have to keep turning the unit on or off to regulate the temperature. 
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Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #34 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Curious if you pursued the Atmos further.  It looks a little like the Eco-Cool, but literature shows it to be 1.25" less tall.

https://www.sdgelkhart.com/_files/ugd/3c6d89_2e97e7c5b365493cb122d034a9be061f.pdf
I have one in the mail right now for the GV. Super happy so far dealing with the company will report back after it's installed

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #35 –
It seems to me that roof top RV AC units have a low SEER rating.

The SEER rating is calculated by dividing the total number of BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat removed from the air by the total amount of energy required by the air conditioner in watt-hours. The higher the ratio, the more energy efficient the air conditioner is.

The Houghton A3800 has a cooling capacity of 15,000 BTU/HR, the volt rating is 115v @ 14 amps

115 watts/HR X 14 amps = 1,610 watt/HRS.
BTU/HR are 15,000.
SEER equals 15,000 / 1,610 = 9.32 SEER

Compare that to a 20 SEER Mini Split.

Think of a mini split ceiling cassette replacing the roof top unit.

Tim
 

Re: Roof AC Replacement Recommendations

Reply #36 –

I would love to be able to do that, but i can't find a ceiling cassette that runs on 120v.



Quote from: TGordon –
It seems to me that roof top RV AC units have a low SEER rating.

The SEER rating is calculated by dividing the total number of BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat removed from the air by the total amount of energy required by the air conditioner in watt-hours. The higher the ratio, the more energy efficient the air conditioner is.

The Houghton A3800 has a cooling capacity of 15,000 BTU/HR, the volt rating is 115v @ 14 amps

115 watts/HR X 14 amps = 1,610 watt/HRS.
BTU/HR are 15,000.
SEER equals 15,000 / 1,610 = 9.32 SEER

Compare that to a 20 SEER Mini Split.

Think of a mini split ceiling cassette replacing the roof top unit.

Tim