Forum Discussion

dodgerdog's avatar
dodgerdog
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013

I have a camper

I have a camper without an Ac unit... Any suggestions on size make model brand ? Where to buy? I have a 1994 lance 9'6" already wired for a non vented a/c unit...


Any help or ideas appreciated...

Mike C.

19 Replies

  • You can't go wrong with a 9000 series Polar Cub in a TC. A 7000 to 9200 btu works great. I have the 9200 btu unit with heat strip. I would not go larger than a 1100 btu unit. The 9000 series Polar Cub works well with one Honda 2000, and with mine I can still charge my battery.

    It is my understanding from reading the Forum over the years, if the A/C is too big for the RV, it will not be as efficient. It will recycle more often and for that reason the on/off can be very annoying.

    I really question the value to the heat strip. The wind chill seems like it overrides the heat you gain. When I bought my Polar Cub 9200 btu unit (new-2005), the heat strip was an additional $50. To add it later was $150.

    If you buy a used A/C look close at the outside cover. Over time, they become very brittle, and a simple brush against them can crack the cover. It has been a few years, but the last time I checked they cost over $150.
  • You can't go wrong with a 9000 series Polar Cub in a TC. A 7000 to 9200 btu works great. I have the 9200 btu unit with heat strip. I would not go larger than a 1100 btu unit. The 9000 series Polar Cub works well with one Honda 2000, and with mine I can still charge my battery.

    It is my understanding from reading the Forum over the years, if the A/C is too big for the RV, it will not be as efficient. It will recycle more often and for that reason the on/off can be very annoying.

    I really question the value to the heat strip. The wind chill seems like it overrides the heat you gain. When I bought my Polar Cub 9200 btu unit (new-2005), the heat strip was an additional $50. To add it later was $150.

    If you buy a used A/C look close at the outside cover. Over time, they become very brittle, and a simple brush against them can crack the cover. It has been a few years, but the last time I checked they cost over $150.
  • Doing some research this morning... Dometic makes a low profile heat pump unit - the Penguin II

    The other option is a unit with a "heat strip" (resistive heating element)
  • Try to find one that is a low profile unit. Polar Cub is a good brand.

    Polar Cub

    I've considered replacing the A/C unit on my AF811. I've thought about a unit that will do heat and cool - maybe a "heat pump" style. THis would allow me to heat the rig for short time periods on shore power (in the morning or evening) and not have to run the gas furnace or deal with a space heater.
  • A 13.5K BTU unit is pretty standard, abundant, and could probably be found used. They will generally not run on 1 2,000 watt gen.
    For a truck camper I would install one of the smaller (although more rare and possibly expensive) 9k or 11k BTU units. Polar Cub makes one but there are others. These units can typically be run on 1 2,000 watt gen.
  • We bought a used rooftop unit for our TC off of craigslist. It came from a Class A, and all I had to do was replace the thermostat element. Runs like a champ, and keeps our C-10 like a freezer if we want. Removed a broken rear rooftop vent, sat the unit in the hole, ran wire, cold air. Maybe I just didn't understand the question.
  • Mr. shore power or 2 Honda's 2000s paired in sequence.. Great question thanks!
  • I'm no expert, but the first question an expert will ask is, "do you want to be able to run the AC with a generator, or are you content to only use it when on shore power?"