Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Leave AC running? (Read 742 times) previous topic - next topic

Leave AC running?

I am sure this has been covered before. I store my coach at my house with full hook ups but out side with no cover. The sides are shaded. Miami has lots of rain and high humidity through the summer months. I have been leaving the front air on with the therm. set on about 85 to control the humidity. I have a dehumidifier that I used in our airstream but it makes the interior hoter than it would be with nothing. What are thoughts on how to leave the coach in warm & high humidity weather conditions?
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: Leave AC running?

Reply #1 –
My choice is to leave both air conditioners on with thermostats set near 85F. We have been doing that for two years in Texas. I am satisfied with the results. The coach is about 100' from our house and we visit it often.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Leave AC running?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
My choice is to leave both air conditioners on with thermostats set near 85F. We have been doing that for two years in Texas. I am satisfied with the results. The coach is about 100' from our house and we visit it often.

Do you leave the fan(s) on auto or low? I have been leaving the fan on low so we don't here it cycle (it is next to our bedroom) and to help with circulation.
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: Leave AC running?

Reply #3 –
Have one or two small fans to keep air circulating.

Run only one A/C-- the longer the compressor stays running, the more condensate produced. 

Clean the air filter(s) regularly AND clean the condenser (accessed from the roof) at least twice a year or when you get that "wet dog" smell when the A/C first comes on.

The other option is to use the dehumidifier-- as long as in coach temperatures do not go over 105 degrees F, that would be my preference.

Brett

Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Leave AC running?

Reply #4 –
Thanks Brett, I have a temp monitor so I can easily monitor the temp as it sends me a email I think I will try it and watch and see how hot it gets. I think I am going to leave my ref ridge left on as I have been doing. I have read older post on the topic and for me I think it works best. That said how if any would the interior temp effect the refrigerators operation?
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: Leave AC running?

Reply #5 –

Assuming the question is for when the coach is parked for a period of time.
For me, I keep Both A/C units on, set at 75f front, 76f rear,  water runs off and  down the drain.
Works for me, winter, Aqua Hot on electric, works very fine.
I also do not winterize/drain water etc, I keep the coach ready to go at a moments notice.
Everyone needs to find what fits their needs and do it.
Dave M

Re: Leave AC running?

Reply #6 –
In warm weather, I leave both air conditioner units on with thermostats around 86F. I set the fans to "Auto." In cold weather, I leave the rear furnace on and set to around 45F.

I usually leave the kitchen vent open a little bit and the small window by the passenger seat open just a little bit.

We have had no issues with musty air.

I leave the refrigerator operating on 120VAC most of the time. I did replace the electric element a couple of weeks ago. We have had the coach two years. I don't know the age of the failed electric element.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Leave AC running?

Reply #7 –
I'm doing it very much like Brett/wolfe10 recommends.  I store my coach covered, but I only have a 30amp connection.  I leave one a/c unit running and I place a fan blowing towards the other end of the coach.  I rotate each unit about every other day. I have an indoor/outdoor thermometer that records the hi and low temps, I keep the remote in the bedroom and the head unit on the dash.  Here in Arizona the temps were around 114 today when I went by.  With the front air running set at 85, the front was reading 87 and the back 91.  The highest temp I've seen was reading 96 inside the coach.  One other thing I do that most of you would not need to is, I keep a filled bucket of water in the sink to keep it form getting to dry. 

I was worried about how the coach would handle the heat and I'm happy how this is working out.

On a related note, I just had the pleasure of spending $1200ish to replace the a/c compressor along with a couple of sensors and a freon recharge.  My dash now blows nice and cold.  This will come in handy as I drive through the desert this coming Friday headed for the mountains.    The shop I took it to (an auto electric shop) was worried they would not be able to do the job for me and even said they didn't think they could because they didn't have any prints for my coach.  When I told the shop owner that I have the prints, he said bring it by.  I did, and they got it fixed. 
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Leave AC running?

Reply #8 –
I leave mine parked under cover with the roof vent in the bathroom open along with a couple of small windows cracked (front pass and kitchen), no problems in the last 6 years. I have a 50 amp service and the coach is parked 20' from the house, just can't see running the AC and fridge when the coach is not in use and sending the $$$ on to the power company. While every thing needs periodic exercise, all mechanical/electronic things will only run so long before they wear out, just can't see running them for the sake of running them while the coach is not in use, but hey that's just me, to each his own. We also use our coach about every 2 weeks.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country