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Atwood Air Command AC

I have been looking at the Atwood Air Command ACs for some time and finally bit the bullet and purchased 2 units when I saw that Dometic is buying Atwood.  The Air Command is made in Austrailia and as such the Dometic deal is pending on the Air Command AC division due to the need for government approval.  I figured I better buy them quick before Dometic had a chance to "improve" them! 
Today I replaced my one year old Dometic noise generator AC with the Air Command.  What a HUGE improvement!  The unit is so quiet on low that you have to listen to make sure it's running, and on high it is still very quiet--- much quieter than even the original Duo Therm Penquin original unit.  I am extremely pleased with the swap out.
I purchased the units from My 12 volt store through eBay.  They appeared on my door step in 2 days on the Texas coast.  The 15,000 btu unit was very reasonable at $656.00 plus $79 shipping.  It came with complete installation instructions and took about 2 hours to install start to finish.
No modifications were required to the coach.
Don't know if anyone has any experience with these units or not, but I am very pleased and the Dometic excess noise problem is solved once and for all.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #1 –
Do they use existing duo therm thermostat?
1998 U270 34'

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #2 –
I believe 1997 was the first year of ducted air.  Does the 1996 have a single thermostat on the wall or do you control at the units themselves?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #3 –
The 96' has a wall mounted thermostat but it did not work with the Dometic unit I replaced.  The Atwood unit has a built in digital thermostat on the ceiling unit with push button controls but it also comes with a hand held wireless remote for unit control.  Really slick.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #4 –
Speaking of replacing very noisy air conditioners (well, only one is noisy; the other is very, very quiet ;) ):
 
Both of mine are the A/C with heat pump. Most that I see for sale are only A/C's. Is there any problem with replacing the A/C+HP with an A/C and relying on the furnaces for heat?
 
Anybody BTDT? What did you use?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #5 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
Both of mine are the A/C with heat pump. Most that I see for sale are only A/C's. Is there any problem with replacing the A/C+HP with an A/C and relying on the furnaces for heat?
 

Only if you run out of propane.... (I'm thinking you have propane since you mention "furnaces").  Plus if you are paying for 50 amp and are at temperatures you can run the heat pump, you won't use the propane you pay separately for.

We continue to install heat pump models, despite having an AquaHot.  Nice to have redundant systems and we do use the heat pumps when we have 50 amp hookup and don't want to use our diesel to run the AH.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Michelle –
We continue to install heat pump models, despite having an AquaHot.  Nice to have redundant systems and we do use the heat pumps when we have 50 amp hookup and don't want to use our diesel to run the AH.

Heat strips work and are cheaper units. If you aren't paying for metered electricity, heat strips are quieter too.

Also, once you get below 50deg, the heat pump performance drops.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #7 –
The Atwood unit I bought is a heat pump model---it was an excellent buy.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #8 –
Forgot to mention a couple of things.
The Atwood units are available both ducted and non ducted, the 15000 btu is standard with a heat pump, and the inside ceiling unit is the same size as the old Duo Therm ceiling unit, so it covers the "shadow" of the old unit on the ceiling.  All the units come with the wireless remote control.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #9 –
John,
 
Did you hook it to your Comfort Control Center, or just use the new control panel?
 
I will be replacing both A/Cs and maybe one furnace. Would sure like to interface with the existing control since it controls the furnaces as well as the A/C and heat pump.
 
I think I read somewhere that it will interface with only the five-button version (which I have), but could not find any details.
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #10 –
Hi John and Trent,

If you are upgrading to the five button Dometic thermostat and happen to have no use for the old 4 button style...I would appreciate having it whether it works well or not.

Jim

308-440-5154
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #11 –
Jim,
 
Sorry, mine already had the five-button control when I bought it eight months ago.
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385
 

Re: Atwood Air Command AC

Reply #12 –
I don't think the Air Command will interface with the existing control center.  My coach had the old standard thermostat mounted on the wall.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280