Quietest most efficient A/C

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Quietest most efficient A/C

April 25, 2019, 06:10:04 pm

Just wasted some time on You Tube by Advanced RV in Ohio rating quietest, most efficient a/c. Of course they didn't say which "won", but I think they are trying to sell a unit that they charge $2800 for??!!!
What is the best, low profile a/c out there?
Can I do the switch myself? Do I get a " ducted" one for my coach?
Need quiet units!!

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #1 – April 26, 2019, 10:28:30 am

OK. I'll answer my own question. I found some old posts regarding this issue, and it seems Atwood is "THE" unit. If Rudy likes 'em.....I like 'em.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #2 – April 26, 2019, 10:46:00 am

Quote from: GleamB – April 25, 2019, 06:10:04 pm

Can I do the switch myself?

There have been several Forum threads in the past on swapping out A/C units. From what I have read, it is not complicated, but it does require two people (to manhandle the unit) and some logistical support.

Disconnect wires, unbolt/remove the old unit, replace the mounting gasket, and drop the new one in place. Bolt it down, connect wires. Done.

You need to arrange some way to safely get the new unit up on the roof, and safely get the old unit down. Not sure what they weigh.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #3 – April 26, 2019, 10:51:03 am

The Carrier 'Air V' that Brett put in our coach is about the quietest we've had. Dometics are a good second. The COOLEST was the old Colmans, but noisy, as expected. We've been in 115 degree temps down here and running just the rear Carrier and a small fan in front, have been fairly comfy at 82 degrees!

Would I be planning to spend time up north, I'd get a AC with a heat strip; handy first thing before the furnaces warm up.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #4 – April 26, 2019, 10:57:25 am

Seems like people were raving about the Atwood Air Command units recently. Wonder how they are working out over time?

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #5 – April 26, 2019, 11:25:21 am

Have ours for two years now and they work great. Love the remotes

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #6 – April 26, 2019, 11:31:44 am

Quietest and coldest may not come in the same unit.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #7 – April 26, 2019, 12:06:02 pm

Any one installed the Atwood's on ducted 98-2001 270-295? Does the old thermostat still work for the furnace and such. OR do you have to redo the whole mess.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #8 – April 26, 2019, 03:05:43 pm

Turned on the rear Carrier an hour ago; it's now 100 degrees outside, 80 inside. 20 degrees difference is about the best we get, which is fine! Have never fired the front & rear at the same time, but, if this heat continues, will try, in spite of the noise. OR, HEAD FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY!

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #9 – April 26, 2019, 04:46:53 pm

You will be ok with just a fan Mike "it's just a dry heat"..

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #10 – April 26, 2019, 05:41:50 pm

Sort of like a microwave

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #11 – April 26, 2019, 05:58:30 pm

I installed (2 ) Atwood Air Command 15000 btu units with the heat pump myself with no problems.
I'm very happy with the units and have found the heat pumps work very well.
The remote control or the flip down controls are very easy to use, I do not miss having to use the wall mounted thermostat.

I found that if you strip the carton, except the bottom, and lay it on a ladder at a LOW angle to the roof , one person can easily push it up the ladder alone.
Make sure you buy the inner housing(unless you have a ducted sytem), it does not come with the unit.

I found the inner housing with the best price on Amazon(prime member).
The A/C unit I bought from the 12 VOLT Store. I was lucky enough that the 12 VOLT stores warehouse is only a few miles from me. I was able to go pick the unit up and avoid the S&H charges.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #12 – April 26, 2019, 06:10:20 pm

Ya, Carrier has been in the A/C business a LONG time. Their RV roof A/C were "state of the art"-- quiet, efficient and very easy to service. Sadly, Carrier is a huge corporation and suspect not willing to put up with the huge cycles the RV industry experiences. So, they quit the business.

Still some excellent units.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #13 – April 27, 2019, 02:09:06 pm

If I were to order the Atwood A/C, and I have a ducted system, do I leave the existing ceiling diffuser and the t-stat that controls the A/C AND Aqua Hot??? I don't see how the existing unit distributes the air into the ceiling ducts. Looks like some type of baffle is in the back of the chute. I would appreciate some feedback on a DUCTED system installation. Thanks

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #14 – April 27, 2019, 08:08:55 pm

I think the remote is the thermostat if I recall correctly.. Dont think any of the inside pieces are going to fit (brand specific).

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #15 – April 27, 2019, 10:46:19 pm

David is correct, the remotes and the drop down panel control the units. At least on mine not sure on the ducted units , Glenn just call the 12 volt store and ask. They will tell you

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #16 – April 28, 2019, 07:14:54 am

I recommend a mini-split system because existing RV AC design is too noisy because:

- Fans too small
- Ducts too small
- Motor hum
- AC equipment too close to user
- Lack of noise insulation

That said, I installed two Dometic Brisk Air 2 overhead units. Noisy as hell, even on low speed.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #17 – April 28, 2019, 08:31:24 am

Mini-splits sound like a great idea especially having an inverter compressor. There is a cassette design that might fit in the existing A/C opening. But where do you mount the compressor?
Too bad no one makes a combined cassette + compressor drop in unit.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #18 – April 28, 2019, 10:39:37 am

I installed a Atwood 15k heatpump in the front of my 91 I like it. Quiet compared to original coleman. They are taller than the old coleman.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #19 – April 28, 2019, 11:17:51 am

This was last June in Ajo. Only the rear was running: after the pic, we did fire the front Carrier for a while!

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #20 – April 28, 2019, 04:56:42 pm

Mike, if you feel like 87 degrees inside your coach is bearable, then you have lived in the desert WAY too long.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #21 – April 28, 2019, 05:10:16 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – April 28, 2019, 04:56:42 pm

Mike, if you feel like 87 degrees inside your coach is bearable, then you have lived in the desert WAY too long.

It's not that bad AFTER you've spent some time down here to get your blood to thin out. We are now sitting at a cool 82 degrees, watching NASCAR!

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #22 – April 28, 2019, 10:02:44 pm

And, if I am reading the thermometer correctly that is a VERY low 14% humidity. Probably feels a good 10 degrees cooler than if it were down here in the humid areas.

Same for temperature drop across the evaporator. Removing water takes a LOT of BTU's. So in the desert, air out the vents is/should be cooler.

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #23 – April 29, 2019, 09:44:59 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – April 28, 2019, 10:02:44 pm

And, if I am reading the thermometer correctly that is a VERY low 14% humidity. Probably feels a good 10 degrees cooler than if it were down here in the humid areas. Same for temperature drop across the evaporator. Removing water takes a LOT of BTU's. So in the desert, air out the vents is/should be cooler.

Ya, our humidity gauge blanks out at 10%, which happens a lot this time of year. I DO like your Carrier AC units! I also believe the great insulation of the coach is a monster help, as well. I did not believe the old saw about 'blood thinning', but when we first came down from the PNW, the kind of heat we have was nigh-on intolerable; but after eight years down here, our bodies seem to have adapted. I guess why we are called 'Desert Rats' !

Re: Quietest most efficient A/C

Reply #24 – April 29, 2019, 11:17:08 am

Getting BACK to the original question, I called Advanced RV in Ohio, to see if there was a follow up video telling us what unit they found to be best. Of course, it is one that they can only sell. It is a Houghton Belaire from Australia, and they charge around $2800 EACH to install a 13,500 btu unit. They will NOW send you one, for about the same money. When I Googled the unit, it seems a lot less expensive if one could buy direct. It seemed to be available in 15,000 btu.
I STILL don't know if I were to install an Atwood, do I leave the existing t stat on the wall to control the Aqua Hot?
There seems to be some type of wiring adapter needed, also....but it is not clear. There is a wall mounted t stat available. Is it necessary?
I am sure someone has installed these in a DUCTED system.

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