AC in the heat

[tomthyme]

So, what do you expect from your rig AC?

We have a 13k BTU AC in the front/master and a 15k BTU in the living. At present, the main 15k AC is keeping the rig at 10-12 degrees lower than the outside temp, with the bedroom AC running (all ducted). So, is this reasonable to you? We would like 20 degrees cooler and are ready to buy something new. The current 15k unit is 3 ears old, our 2nd on this rig. Maybe that's the price of living n Texas?

Thanks all!

Btw - Destin is awesome .. Our first visit!!

[wantabe351]

I feel the heat and humid weather way before my wife,So being our 5er has a 15k in the rear and a 13k in the bedrm..We start running the ac as soon as the the outside temp gets to 78. Doing all of the above helps but we bought 2 large fans- one in the livingrm (pedestal type) and the other for the bedrm, and wow do the 2 fans make a big change in how much ac you need to keep cold

[rockhillmanor]

tomthyme wrote:
A couple of answers...

. we have all windows covered with reflective bubble stuff
. our roof vents have fantastic fans and vents on them, but we have not put the pillow insulation in yet
. there was no shade

in Destin FL

where we were
. one day we left for a day on the water at 830 and got back around 2. It was 87 outside and 78 inside - no doors had been opened, etc. until we got home
. we have tried the 'quick cool' feature but that doesn't seem to help
. we run a ceiling fan, 1 tower fan and 2 smaller fans all day
. we keep it dark (no lights)
. we don't cook inside when it is hot
. we were on a concrete pad (reflects heat)
. if there is a way for me to add a 3rd air to my already built rig, I would love to hear it

So, all in all, we were disappointed. We are thinking of swapping our airs for 2-15kbtu units from Dometic. We have read good reviews about the new Coleman 15k units too.

Thanks for the ideas and input folks. Hopefully we can figure this one out. We don't full time, but have a

trip to Door County at the end of August

so we will definitely need good AC for the trip.

Thanks again!

Don't be disappointed! You were in Destin, FLORIDA! That's what the problem is not your RV!

I won't sit in an RV with the windows totally blocked for the sake of being cool, but I sure had to come up with answers when I was parked in Florida.

Pick up some 'removable' limo tint from Walmart and put it on the windows. Take your time applying it and it looks like a professional job. I was only going to use it for the time in Florida but I've left it on. Keeps the coach area cool when traveling.

Get those pillow vent inserts.

And they make a insulation cover for RV door windows. Lot of heat comes thru that window. I didn't mind covering just that window.

You won't experience ANY of that horrific type of Florida heat in Door County, WI.

Your RV air conditioning will freeze you out in Door County!! I used to live near there. :W

[tomthyme]

A couple of answers...

. we have all windows covered with reflective bubble stuff
. our roof vents have fantastic fans and vents on them, but we have not put the pillow insulation in yet
. there was no shade in Destin FL where we were
. one day we left for a day on the water at 830 and got back around 2. It was 87 outside and 78 inside - no doors had been opened, etc. until we got home
. we have tried the 'quick cool' feature but that doesn't seem to help
. we run a ceiling fan, 1 tower fan and 2 smaller fans all day
. we keep it dark (no lights)
. we don't cook inside when it is hot
. we were on a concrete pad (reflects heat)
. if there is a way for me to add a 3rd air to my already built rig, I would love to hear it

So, all in all, we were disappointed. We are thinking of swapping our airs for 2-15kbtu units from Dometic. We have read good reviews about the new Coleman 15k units too.

Thanks for the ideas and input folks. Hopefully we can figure this one out. We don't full time, but have a trip to Door County at the end of August so we will definitely need good AC for the trip.

Thanks again!

[waltbennett]

tomthyme wrote:
So, what do you expect from your rig AC?

We have a 13k BTU AC in the front/master and a 15k BTU in the living. At present, the main 15k AC is keeping the rig at 10-12 degrees lower than the outside temp, with the bedroom AC running (all ducted). So, is this reasonable to you? We would like 20 degrees cooler and are ready to buy something new. The current 15k unit is 3 ears old, our 2nd on this rig. Maybe that's the price of living n Texas?

We've a single 15k unit on our Monty. Last year we went out to CA and encountered 114 degree (but dry) heat. We consistently got an 18 to 20 degree drop during the day, but this was with all windows and vents blocked with reflective insulation, awning out, but no shade. Since we were visiting relatives, we spent days in a nice air conditioned home and only went back when the sun was down. The AC would actually cut off before daylight after getting the inside temps down to 74. What you are experiencing could be due to humidity, no window insulation, lights & other inside heat sources, and opening & closing the door. I'd also check your ducting to be certain it's working and not blocked.

[rockhillmanor]

I think it also has to be said that WHERE you are RV'ing makes a BIG difference how well your AC can keep your RV cool.

For years I only RV'ed in the Midwest and had no problem keeping the coach cool in the summer no matter how hot it got.

THEN I went to Florida. The intensity of the sun in the South is just incredible. Quite frankly I was shocked that my ac could not keep it cool inside the RV without a LOT of help from me. It was a big learning curve for me the first time I decided to stay in Florida in the summer.

It's just part of learning the ins and outs of RV'ing in the Southern heat.

Why do you think the Snowbirds beat feet back up North before summer hits? :B:W

[rhagfo]

Well can't be too disappointed with out OEM Dometic 15K BTU on our 2005 Copper Canyon, we sit in full sun and at 98 outside we were at 80. We are looking at a second 13.5K unit for the bedroom.

[belairbrian]

allen8106 wrote:
You'll want the units to run on high speed in the summer or you run the risk of the evap coil freezing up.

This is so true. We weren't cooling very well until i read dometics notes about icing with low fan speeds. We now run the Fan on High all the time.

In fact I don't use the auto fan setting at all. Just let it sun constantly.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I rolled my own for my sky lights. It makes a huge difference, both summer and winter.

[rockhillmanor]

The roof vents!
The roof vents is where all heat and cooling comes in and escapes!! All the lid is plastic and it just 'sits' on the frame. It is not insulated in any way. And if you have the white ones the heat coming in is unreal.

I have 3 roof vents and once I put the pillows in you could FEEL the difference just standing underneath it and in minutes you could feel the difference in the inside coach temperature.

Made for an RV and they fit right it. The best ones are the ones with the "silver foil on one side and cloth" on the other. The rubber type ones suck, look tacky and don't work as well.

Put these in your roof vents and sit back and feel the difference in summer AND winter. :C




This is the 'Sun Shield' one with the silver backing that blocks "100% of UV rays". IMHO the best one to buy to keep the heat out.

""The Camco Sunshield RV Vent Insulator fits snugly in an RV vent opening with a full 3" of foam to help stop heat transfer, keeping your RV cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The reflective surface blocks 100 percent of the sun's damaging rays, keeping you and your belongings protected. This Camco RV vent cover insulator fits standards 14" RV vents and is a smart choice for passive climate control in your vehicle. This insulator is designed with reliable insulation that will last as it keeps you comfortable for many seasons in your RV""
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-SunShield-RV-Vent-Insulator/29764495?action=product_interest&action_...

[murphysranch]

We were in Chowchilla this past weekend where the temps were in the high 90's. The lowest our 13000 AC got was 80, and we don't even have humidity out here! Do you think that the Reflectix would work if we suspended it along the side of the rig?

[Gearitis]

We cut Reflectix, which you by by the roll at Lowes or Home depot, to conform to each and every window. We place it in the windows, tuck the corners and then pull down the day\night shades to hold it in during the heat of the day. We have taken temps with our infrared thermometer with and without the windows shields on a 100 degree Central Texas Day in full sun, and it is a good 15 degree difference, just using the Reflectix. We have now cut it for the sky lights in the kitchen and Shower and you can tell more difference, and it makes it pretty dark on a full sun day.
We use it also in the winter in the windows to keep heat in and it adds about 15 degrees back to the rig in 20 degree 20 mph wind. Found that out on our Christmas Trip to Kansas city! We are a believer in the Reflectix solution.

[allen8106]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
So I ordered 3 and it is really nice to set all 3 at 69-71 on low fan speed in near 100 degree weather and be very comfortable.

You'll want the units to run on high speed in the summer or you run the risk of the evap coil freezing up.

[LynnandCarol]

Yes when in the heat (i.e. South-TX), you must help the AC! We have insulated cabinets, put weather stripping inside storage access doors that are also accessible from the outside, used the insulated cushions for vents, caulked some areas, and cover some windows with the insulated foil type covers. Also switched to LED lighting as the 921 bulbs give out to much heat. Every little bit helps keep the unit cooler and makes the AC not work as hard.

[kzspree320]

dahkota wrote:
Are you parked in the sun or in the shade? It really makes a huge difference.
During the winter, solar gain can boost the inside temps 20-30 degrees above outside temps if there is no wind. Same thing happens in the summer. You might only be seeing 10-15 degrees because too much of your rig is in direct sun.

This is on the money. We were in full sun last weekend. It was 91-92 outside. Best we could do with both ACs running was 77-78 degrees. I wondered if we had a problem and got the infrared thermometer and shot it in the AC vents. The temps at the vents were in the mid to upper 50s, or about 20 degrees cooler than at the intake. That means the ACs were working fine. It's really tough when you are in full sun with no shade to be found.

I bought my infrared thermometer at Auto Zone for about $25. It works great for checking AC, temps around the wheel bearings, etc. I highly recommend this to help you know if the ACs are working right. if the temps at the vents are about 18-20 degrees cooler than the ambient temp inside, the ACs are working fine. Good luck.

[dahkota]

Are you parked in the sun or in the shade? It really makes a huge difference.
During the winter, solar gain can boost the inside temps 20-30 degrees above outside temps if there is no wind. Same thing happens in the summer. You might only be seeing 10-15 degrees because too much of your rig is in direct sun.