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Topic: Need to replace roof airs (Read 846 times) previous topic - next topic

Need to replace roof airs

Sitting here in Yuma and front air conditioner quit working.  Both are the original ones so time to replace both.  Tomorrow I'll be driving to Wittmann where I'll have access to a shop to replace them so just need to find 2 somewhere in the Phoenix area.
I hope to find either Atwoods or Furrions, thanks to those who've paved the way for these replacements.
I'll update this post later once I get this completed.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #1 –
We've been happy with our Atwood Air Command (non ducted) units that we purchased/installed in May of 2019.  They were a great improvement over the original Penguins.  The fact that the fan runs constantly is sometimes annoying, like when we're trying to watch TV with the front unit turned on.  Other than that one little irritation, we think they're a good product.  They excel at maintaining a consistent set temperature throughout the whole coach (a direct result of the fans running continuously to keep the air circulating).

It appears they are now available from several sources online.  For a while right after we got ours you couldn't find them anywhere.  But WOW has the price ever gone up!  We paid $1728 (including shipping, no tax) for TWO white units including the inside ceiling assembly (purchased from My12voltstore.com).  I'm seeing where some sellers want almost that much for ONE unit now.  Smells like price gouging to me.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-RV_Air_Conditioners-sf-System_w_Ceiling_Assembly-pt-With_Heat_Pump.aspx

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #2 –
We were in NAC last week and replacing both AC's was a consideration. Mine are OEM but the thermostats are getting cranky. Non-ducted Atwood Air Commands are un-obtanium currently. We decided to wait until we have to replace them.

I have to unplug the front AC at the thermostat when not using it. When power is off it still cycles on and off intermittently. MOT tried to find a replacement thermostat but couldn't

I regret not buying a pair before Domtetic bought Atwood.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #3 –
Quote from: folivier –
Sitting here in Yuma and front air conditioner quit working.  Both are the original ones so time to replace both.  Tomorrow I'll be driving to Wittmann where I'll have access to a shop to replace them so just need to find 2 somewhere in the Phoenix area.
I hope to find either Atwoods or Furrions, thanks to those who've paved the way for these replacements.
I'll update this post later once I get this completed.
Please do I I'm thinking of replacing mine too I have the same year coach trying to learn something  . What is the  reason for choosing an Atwood's or Furrions .
Rick & Hilda looking forward to full- timing one day for now couple of months at a time
1999 U270 3602
Built number  5530.  Feb 1999            Motorcade  number 18438
8.3 Cummins Allison six speed with brake  retarder
Purchased Nov 28 2019

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #4 –
Rick I want something that is much quieter than the original Dometics. Of course these are 22 years old and vibrate quite a bit, I changed the fan motor grommets on the front one recently but it's still making lots of noise.  They still cool well but aggravatingly noisy.
The Atwoods and Furrions have dual motors, one for the fan and one for the compressor.  Plus they're not stuck on the old design.  So they should be much quieter. 
But it depends on what I can find, I'll be near Phoenix for a couple weeks so would like to get these replaced while I have access to a friends shop.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #5 –
Check the shops in Quartzsite,may have what you want.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #6 –
Agree with Chuck have had ours for fours years and they work well.👍
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #7 –
Just ordered 2 Furrions units from Camping World for total shipped of $1872.67 with tax.
They have a sale on and have 90 left.  About 10-14 days shipping time.  Get 'em while they're on sale!
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #8 –
Will the two units that Forest just ordered in reply # 7  fit my 2003 U320 heat pump units, how do I make sure?

Regards

Klaus
The world is not interested in the storms you encountered, but whether or not you brought in the ship.
Raul Armesto

2003 U 320 4020 Unit 6145

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #9 –
Turning to the right, finally.  Oil patch terminology.  Finally received everything from my May 18th order and put the A/C units on the roof thanks to Tom McCloud and his scissor lift, not to mention his awesome shop.  Got the old units down and the new units on the roof.  Tomorrow I'll lock them down and start the wiring using Beeman's great writeup. 
There is a difference in the wiring on my coach.  The 12 Vdc wire to the front A/C is jumpered over to the rear A/C through the conduit.  But I already ran a new wire from inside the closet so I'll probably just use that.
The outside temperatures here in Arizona are over 100 and next week will be 114º.  Inside Tom's insulated shop with 20' ceilings the temps stay 85 to 90º.  We should be finished tomorrow and will plan to leave here early on Monday heading to Colorado.  Anybody who has driven from Phoenix to Flagstaff on I-17 know how the climbs are but we should get to Flagstaff before it gets too hot.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #10 –
I ordered after Forest and somehow got them before he did. My roof paint job is baking in this heat.  Furrion ACs go on on Monday. Crank up manual fork lift gets above the top of the coach.  Then remount the satellite dish and solar panels.

The Furrion thermostat will run AH down to 60°.  I want to be able to use the AH set to 38° or 40° for minimal heating while in storage at cold temps.  So I will probably add a separate LR thermostat that has lower set points in parallel.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #11 –
Got both A/Cs installed and running yesterday, moved the coach outside and let the A/Cs run overnight and will run all day in the 111º heat.  Plan to leave early Tuesday for the cool mountains.
Installation was pretty straight forward just time consuming, took all day to get them installed and wired up.  I spent the majority of the time working on the tiny wires for the thermostat.  These are so small the connector at the thermostat won't hold them securely and they'll break from any vibrations while driving.  I tried to tin the ends with solder but that didn't work.  When I put power to the A/Cs I had an E3 error which is communication lost between thermostat and units.  I ended up using these Dolphin connectors and a short piece of 18 gauge wire.  These don't require the wire to be stripped so I think it'll work out ok.
But my Aquahot won't work yet.  Not sure why, I'll speak with Rudy later today and we'll figure it out. 
They are much quieter, running on high fan speed using my sound meter app on my phone I'm seeing 65 dB right under the grills and about 50dB at the recliner.
Also my closet door just clears the grill so no problem there.  But the wooden trim/clear plastic covers for the two overhead lights in the bathroom need about 1/4" cut to mount them back up.  Or maybe I can move one of the clips?
I didn't take any pictures since Beeman did a great job with his installation here and mine was similar:  AC Renovations -Furrion Chill 15K
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Need to replace roof airs

Reply #12 –
Furrion Chill roof A/C fan motor always running (on low) could make sense in some environment, but with RV's in not real hot weather it may not be best energy option.

Anyone found a way to have fan turn off when the roof unit is not calling for cold?

Also did someone say the Furrion has a built-in compressor soft-start?

Thanks,

Barry