New Air Conditioners

Topic: New Air Conditioners (Read 2199 times) previous topic - next topic

New Air Conditioners

May 13, 2019, 11:24:06 am

We're spending a beautiful dry sunny Monday (NO RAIN) in the shop at Nacogdoches Motorhome Service getting our two new Atwood A/C units installed. Just finished the one in the bedroom, and it is working great. Got it set on 65 degrees, and is pretty chilly back there. David and Seth are working on the front one now. Should be done easy before noon. These guys are living up to their excellent reputation on the Forum. I've not seen anything (so far) that I would do different (and I'm pretty anal).

Detailed performance report to follow.

Atwood 15,000 BTU Non Ducted AC with Heat Pump

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #1 – May 13, 2019, 12:04:36 pm

Please take a lot of pics on how they ran everything and how its connected .. we have had a couple big topics of discussion on this in the last 2 weeks

Thanks

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #2 – May 13, 2019, 01:19:52 pm

David,

In our case, there was not much to hooking up the units. We have non-ducted air, and each of the old units had a individual analog thermostat. The original A/C controls were completely separate from the (propane) heater controls.

The wiring for the new units could not be much simpler...just connect 3 wires for 115V power, and turn the unit on. There is a separate remote control for each unit, so the old thermostats will not be used. I will remove them eventually.

The new units are cooling really well, although it is not too hot here today. There is much less vibration felt from the running compressors. The (constant) fan noise is not too intrusive - I think we will quickly get used to it.

SO FAR - SO GOOD!

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #3 – May 13, 2019, 01:56:54 pm

Sent you a pm Chuck

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #4 – May 13, 2019, 02:31:05 pm

let me know how the cooling is.. is it faster better? even cooling? Better overall?

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #5 – May 13, 2019, 03:12:52 pm

Have to give us a few days for a proper test, but so far exceeding our expectations. When first turned on, they cool down very quickly. The noise level is low, but more importantly the noise is less "irritating" than the old Penguins. We feel a lot more air "movement" in the coach, which makes the temps feel more consistent throughout. I think the fan design and air routing on the new units must be superior. We like them!

PS: New units also a lot quieter when standing outside the coach. With both of them running I can just barely hear them. We will NOT be a noise nuisance to our neighbors in full hook-up parks.

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #6 – May 13, 2019, 03:59:24 pm

Chuck,
as David says...lots of interest on this. Would it be ok to ask what it cost to have it installed. We are interested in 1500btu and we are ducted. Thanks

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #7 – May 13, 2019, 04:48:10 pm

Installation just costs "shop time" whatever it is where you get it done. At Nacogdoches Motorhome Service they currently charge $100/hr which is pretty reasonable these days. The installation took almost 4 hours, so it was $400.

I was very happy with the work we had done. David and Seth were both very careful to do a neat, professional job. They kept our coach plugged in while working, and cleaned up the interior when finished. I recommend the shop without reservation. They are staying busy, and don't have a lot of room in their parking lot, so it would be best to call and make appointments ahead of time.

Nacogdoches Motorhome I RV Service and Repair

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #8 – May 13, 2019, 05:31:14 pm

Thanks. We drove by them last week. We know we will be seeing them some time soon. That is a VERY good rate, these days.
Thanks

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #9 – May 13, 2019, 10:33:05 pm

My 2000 U320 is there now to have everything gone through, fluids serviced, and a new radiator installed so I can put it up for sale. I've mentioned before on other threads that the guys there do great work! Once they button up the 2000, I'll be taking them my new-to-us coach to have everything looked over and add a new Splendide. Glad to hear your experience is positive as well!

As a reference, the Toyota dealership here charges $115 or $120/hr. because they can, and that's using "flag" time. One hundred dollars an hour at actual shop time is quite a bargain! On my last visit, I had an isolated problem and David spent about four hours trying to replicate the issue. No problem was found and he only charged me for one hour which I really appreciated. David, Seth, and Bruce are industry veterans, and not only professional, but honest. Highly recommended and glad everything worked out for you Chuck!

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #10 – May 14, 2019, 08:36:03 am

Well, we spent our first night with the new Atwoods, and they are a big improvement over the old Penguins. With the old A/Cs we could never sleep with the rear unit running. It made too much disturbing noise when the compressor/fan kicked on and off. Even just the fan noise was way too loud. Always had to run the front A/C at night, and used a portable fan to blow some cold air back to the bedroom.

With the new Atwoods, much nicer! We didn't actually need the A/C (cool) running on both units, so we ran the rear unit on FAN, and the front unit on COOL. The fan noise on the new units is much more pleasant - did not disturb our sleeping at all. My wife normally likes to sleep with a rain CD (white noise generator) playing in the bedroom CD player at night. Helps cover up all the strange noises outside the coach. She says the A/C fan noise is a very good substitute, and worked fine for her.

SO FAR - SO GOOD!

Oh, one small disappointment on the Atwoods. Even though the inside ceiling panel measures the same dimensions as the old Penguin panels, because of the rounded corners the new panels do not completely cover the dark "shadow" left when the old panels were removed. We will need to get some carpet stain remover and see if we can clean up some of the visible stains. Not a big deal, but thought I'd mention it.

Will take and post some photos later today after we get moved to our next location.

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #11 – May 14, 2019, 11:01:58 am

Chuck, Soft Start installed?
15000btu Vs 13500 OEM that I have
Did you get them from attwood? Maybe a "6 pack deal"

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #12 – May 14, 2019, 11:29:35 am

John,

No "soft start" installed - they are just "stock" with whatever is standard equipment.

I ordered them from My 12Volt Store. They shipped from a warehouse near Dallas, so a short trip by truck to NAC. No shipping damage found.

Atwood 15,000 BTU Non Ducted AC with Heat Pump

For those who fret about "Made in China" there are inspection tags on these units indicating they were manufactured in Australia!

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #13 – May 14, 2019, 11:50:31 am

I agree with everything Chuck has shared about the AC units, we installed ours almost two years ago and they work perfectly. Chuck just says it better then I do👍😁

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #14 – May 15, 2019, 04:24:46 pm

Finally got around to taking some snap shots (below).

New Atwood units still working great! Fingers crossed for long-term reliability. We are sleeping like hibernating bears with the rear unit running all night right above our heads. The (low) fan noise is actually quite soothing (in our opinion), and the greatly improved air circulation is keeping the temperature much more consistent throughout the coach interior.

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #15 – May 15, 2019, 04:53:13 pm

In addition to the A/C function, I find the heat pumps very efficient.

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #16 – May 15, 2019, 05:16:59 pm

Is it normal for the ac on the rear to be off center of the roof? Never noticed before.. older style?

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #17 – May 15, 2019, 05:25:18 pm

Quote from: DavidS – May 15, 2019, 05:16:59 pm

Is it normal...?

Yes, it is on the '93 GV. The front unit is offset to the curb side, and the rear unit is offset to the street side.

Thinking about it, it makes sense for the rear unit, because it allows the air flow a straight shot through the bedroom door into the bathroom.

As for the front one...don't ask me.

Perhaps to allow a bit more head room for tall people standing in front of the couch?

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #18 – May 15, 2019, 10:24:46 pm

Chuck, off subject however I was curious as to the CG you're were in when these pics were taken, looks very manicured.

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #19 – May 15, 2019, 10:43:31 pm

I made a wide luan trim ring for my new ceiling assembly, wide enough for an Accent that looks planned vs ought oh! To hide the shadow. Sanded it slightly, applied some howards wax and feed. Looks good as most luan has a pretty grain and close to my faded walnut cabinet color.

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #20 – May 16, 2019, 07:49:06 am

Quote from: Bill and Marsha – May 15, 2019, 10:24:46 pm

...off subject however I was curious as to the CG you're were in when these pics were taken, looks very manicured.

I never mind going off subject - do it all the time!

Campground is the Shady Pines RV Park in Texarkana, TX. One of our favorite parks when in East TX. We have been stopping here for years, and it always looks exactly like in the photos - clean, neat, quiet and peaceful. Only demerit is they don't have online reservations - you have to call them. Other than that, highly recommended. Added a couple more photos.

https://shadypinesrv.com/rv-park/

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #21 – May 16, 2019, 08:04:00 am

For me the "demerit" is a plus.
Chuck,how are the filters in that unit,easy to clean and replace?

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #22 – May 16, 2019, 08:19:43 am

Quote from: John44 – May 16, 2019, 08:04:00 am

...how are the filters in that unit, easy to clean and replace?

Yes. Filters don't amount to much - just a plastic frame with flow-thru mesh filter material. They pull out and snap back in - one on each side of the cover plate. To clean, you can vacuum them off or wash them. Easy.

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #23 – May 16, 2019, 08:24:35 am

Plus 1 on Shady Pines. We stayed there for a couple of nights last month.

Re: New Air Conditioners

Reply #24 – May 16, 2019, 08:29:50 am

How much higher are the new AC on the roof? I have 12 ft door on my shop so can't add much more to the height on my coach.

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