European RV's and AC

[jjrbus]

I am curious are RV's in Europe or Australia better insulated than US models?

I have a 21 FT Toyota Sea Breeze class C and have been experimenting with an 8000 BTU AC. I am running into negativity about this with people insisting that a 13.5 BTU unit is needed.

My unit came from the factory with an 11K btu which
works well. I live in hot humid Florida so I know it is enough, perhaps too much?

I am hoping the 8K will work as it will run off a Honda EU2000i

I also know that other countries suggest smaller AC's, in Euorpe a Dometic Fresh Jet 2200 would be recommended at 7500 BTU's. But I wonder if I am not comparing apples to oranges??

Would like hearing from anyone that has used a smaller AC in hot humid climates. I know there are some window AC and 8K and 9K btu units out there. Jim

[bsinmich]

My 19' Roadtrek has a 7500 BTU Fedders window unit that they mount in the roof rear. I was in 95F and had no problem keeping cool.

[RobertRyan]

jjrbus wrote:
I am curious are RV's in Europe or Australia better insulated than US models?

I have a 21 FT Toyota Sea Breeze class C and have been experimenting with an 8000 BTU AC. I am running into negativity about this with people insisting that a 13.5 BTU unit is needed.

My unit came from the factory with an 11K btu which
works well. I live in hot humid Florida so I know it is enough, perhaps too much?

I am hoping the 8K will work as it will run off a Honda EU2000i

I also know that other countries suggest smaller AC's, in Euorpe a Dometic Fresh Jet 2200 would be recommended at 7500 BTU's. But I wonder if I am not comparing apples to oranges??

Would like hearing from anyone that has used a smaller AC in hot humid climates. I know there are some window AC and 8K and 9K btu units out there. Jim

Australian and European RV's are pretty different. Many local manufacturers now use Composite walls that keep out heat and retain it when it is freezing outside.

[pnichols]

Some posters report that a Honda 2000i will - or "almost will" - under certain conditions run their rooftop 13.5K A/C.

This tells me that the Honda 2000i should run an 8K A/C easily under all conditions... and probably an 11K A/C easily, too.

Also, all air conditioners of any given capacity are not the same. New high efficiency 13.5K air conditioners will probably run pretty good off a Honda 2000i.

Are the 8K and 11K air conditioners of the older design - or do they use high efficiency technology? I wouldn't buy any new RV air conditioner of any capacity unless it was the high efficiency type. You can't have too much air conditioning in an RV - but it should always nowadays be high efficiency, IMHO.

[jjrbus]

The results are in, I experimented with the 8k window unit and did a final installation. Way too much time and effort into it, however I do not play golf or fish.

The 8k unit sitting in full sun on a 95° day with 68% humidity in Florida will keep my 21 foot Toyota motorhome comfortable.

With an explanation. With the AC going the inside does not exceed 78° I live in Florida and keep the AC in the house set at 80° during the day. Any cooler and I do not want to go outside any higher and the humidity rises to an uncomfortable level.

I do not know what the actual humidity reading is in the Toy but it is comfortable. I am also experimenting with some foam window covers which may help.
Jim

[jjrbus]

Thanks for the responses greatly appreciated. First the Toyota has come from the manufacturer with as small as a 7100 BTU roof air. I cannot find anyone that has or had one. I have been scouring the net for a used one, but they are rarer than hens teeth.

The Australian site for RV AC recommends a 8800 btu roof AC for my size unit and the European site recommends about the same. Other than the US there are lots of small roof airs available. Hence my wondering about their insulation standards.

The 9200 available has too large an LRA to run off a small generator and the Lower draw 11K unit is the same BTU as I have now, which I suspect is too large for my unit.

I procastinated during the high 90's days on buying an 8000 btu for testing and the day after I bought it the temp has dropped into the high 80's. The highest temp I see in the next 2 weeks will be 92°. I have the 8000 btu duk taped and bailing wired to the unit, but need some mid 90 weather for testing. So am hoping for some input from others who have went smaller.

Yes I checked into portable units, consumer reports gives them very bad reports. And most RV'ers that have tried them give mixed reviews.

I know for a fact from living in hot humid FL that too large an AC is as bad if not worse than a small AC.

Again thanks for the responses and I hope for more. Jim

[qtla9111]

When boondocking with our previous 18ft Funfinder, we used a 5000 btu window unit. It worked great and we used our Honda 2000 and it would run up to 14 hours on a tank without even a burp when the compressor came on.

Rv roof airs are way over-sized for smaller units.

[gbopp]

Cover your Windows to keep the sun out. Then, try the 8K air conditioner.
Maybe it will be enough cooling for your application. You won't know until you try.

[RobertRyan]

jjrbus wrote:
I am curious are RV's in Europe or Australia better insulated than US models?

I have a 21 FT Toyota Sea Breeze class C and have been experimenting with an 8000 BTU AC. I am running into negativity about this with people insisting that a 13.5 BTU unit is needed.

My unit came from the factory with an 11K btu which
works well. I live in hot humid Florida so I know it is enough, perhaps too much?

I am hoping the 8K will work as it will run off a Honda EU2000i

I also know that other countries suggest smaller AC's, in Euorpe a Dometic Fresh Jet 2200 would be recommended at 7500 BTU's. But I wonder if I am not comparing apples to oranges??

Would like hearing from anyone that has used a smaller AC in hot humid climates. I know there are some window AC and 8K and 9K btu units out there. Jim

In Hot Climates like Australia, you cannot have enough airconditioning.effective insulation is important as well, plus shade cloths etc

[MobileBasset]

I have a 15k BTU AC on my 26 ft C which is probably overkill but I have been thankful for it. I travel a lot in Florida where I expect heat but the worst I have suffered was in Maryland last summer where it was 100 deg for several days. Those are times when a powerful AC is a blessing.