RV AC units - Questions
I have a KZ Spree 240bhs, about 24' long box that has 1 13500btu AC unit on top. Any time it gets over 85 degrees, this unit essentially fails to cool the camper to an acceptable, comfortable temperat...
Forum Discussion
15 to 20 degrees below the ambient temp. is all you can expect from a 13,500 BTU AC.
This is proved by science.
"The ability of an air conditioner to provide a comfortable environment for the consumer is dependent upon the following conditions.
Air conditioners are rated primarily by their ability to remove heat. The thermal measurement used for detecting a gain or loss of heat is the British Thermal Unit (BTU). One (1) BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. An air conditioner rated at 13,500 BTUH can remove 13,500 BTU’s of heat in one hour.
The ability of an air conditioner to cool down a vehicle or maintain a consumer desired temperature is dependent upon the heat gain of the vehicle. The physical size, the amount of window area, the quality and amount of insulation, the position exposure to sunlight, the number of people using the vehicle and the outside temperature may increase the heat gain to such an extent that the capacity of the air conditioner is exceeded.
For example, if the air entering the air conditioner (the return air) is 80°F (26.7), the supply air (discharge air) will be 60° to 65° F (11.1° to 18.3°C). As long as this temperature difference -15°F to 20° F (11° C to 8.4°C) is being maintained at the air conditioner, the air conditioner is operating properly."
Use a thermometer to measure the temp. of the AC right at the vent, if it is 15 degrees, or more below the outside temp, the AC is working correctly, and the cooling problem lies elsewhere, like insulation, air leaks, parking location, type of material parked on, number of people/pets, appliances running, mis sized unit, etc.
This is proved by science.
"The ability of an air conditioner to provide a comfortable environment for the consumer is dependent upon the following conditions.
Air conditioners are rated primarily by their ability to remove heat. The thermal measurement used for detecting a gain or loss of heat is the British Thermal Unit (BTU). One (1) BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. An air conditioner rated at 13,500 BTUH can remove 13,500 BTU’s of heat in one hour.
The ability of an air conditioner to cool down a vehicle or maintain a consumer desired temperature is dependent upon the heat gain of the vehicle. The physical size, the amount of window area, the quality and amount of insulation, the position exposure to sunlight, the number of people using the vehicle and the outside temperature may increase the heat gain to such an extent that the capacity of the air conditioner is exceeded.
As a general rule, air supplied (discharge air) from the air conditioner will be 15°F to 20°F (11° C to 8.4°C) cooler than the air entering (return air) the ceiling assemblies bottom air grilles.
For example, if the air entering the air conditioner (the return air) is 80°F (26.7), the supply air (discharge air) will be 60° to 65° F (11.1° to 18.3°C). As long as this temperature difference -15°F to 20° F (11° C to 8.4°C) is being maintained at the air conditioner, the air conditioner is operating properly."
Use a thermometer to measure the temp. of the AC right at the vent, if it is 15 degrees, or more below the outside temp, the AC is working correctly, and the cooling problem lies elsewhere, like insulation, air leaks, parking location, type of material parked on, number of people/pets, appliances running, mis sized unit, etc.
