Forum Discussion

skiatom's avatar
skiatom
Explorer
Jul 21, 2020

AC upgrade / Need owners manual

Recently purchased 2014 Forest River FR3. Not happy with the AC on a hot day. I believe it has a 13.5k btu unit. Can I replace it with a 15k unit?

I am also looking for an owner’s manual for it. Forest River only goes back to 2015, as far as I can tell.
  • In an RV that size I’m not sure a 1500 BTU upgrade will make that much difference.
  • If I had a manual and brochure for it, I could tell you. I know it’s a Dometic 13.5k.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Ok for rooftop air conditioners generaly one manual covers multiple models So.
    Dometic rooftop air conditioner manual... that was my google search

    Click here

    Odds are that's the right one but if you can get the model you can go to the dometic manual archive for an even better look.

    To find model number method one
    Remove lower grill and look up you may find a sticker showing the model. size and power needs

    Method 2: up on the roof. Remove the shroud (you need to do this for cleaning anyway) clean the condenser (Fan side) while up there. again you may find the sticker.

    Hopefully still readable.

    Was the result
  • ANY Roof RV Dometic will fit your RV. When you purchase the upper unit, that is all you get. You use your existing Tstat and wiring and control box. Doug

    PS, EXCEPT the Penguin HP model
  • Pull off the lower cover and inspect to see that your cool air is going where it is supposed to. Make sure that it is sealed properly and all cool air is going in to the duct system and not in to your roof structure.
  • 1. ONE AC will NOT cool your 30 ft Motorhome
    2. a 15k will help, but you need 2 roof top units. What I would do is, usually the RV is wired for the 2nd bedroom AC unit. Install the NEW 15k in the Living room and install the 13.5 in the bedroom. IF you have 50 amp service, you will have no problems running them both. Doug
  • I had a rental fleet and all my class C over 26 feet long had a second AC installed. We put a Atwood Air Command and wired it independently from the RV wiring, so you could plug it on the 15 amp on the pedestal. In a pinch, I could plug it in the RV and run both ACs, but you had to be really carefull
  • Going from 13,500 to 15,000 is only a 9% increase in cooling so don't expect much.