Replacement A/C's

[rvharry]

I am looking to upgrade to a heat pump and increase BTU's on a Allegro 32BA. While investigating my old Dometic Brisk Air model #59530, it was only listed as a high-efficiency without a BTU rating (these were quote 13,500 units) for #14 wire and a 15 amp breaker.
I am having a hard time trying to find anything recommended for #14 and 15 amps. The replacement seems to be model #459530 which says use #12 wire and 20 amp breaker. Has anyone re-pulled #12 wire to upgrade a Allegro.

[dougrainer]

You call Tiffin service and explain your problem. Tiffin may offer to have you come to the Red Bay factory service center IF they feel your gauge is a problem. Obviously after 10 years you have had no problems. Doug

[rvharry]

Doug,
Thanks again for your insight. at this point considering the response I got about #14 wire from factory,that #14 had been upgraded to 20 amps and 20 amp breaker, what is your thoughts as to who I might contact about a possible mistake in the wiring (wiring diagram I was given from Tiffin showed #12 wire) of my 20005 unit.
Also, what has been your experience with removing a fridge, I have removed the screws, but bottom rails seem to have been glued or spot glued in place.

Thanks again for your insight and experience
I am
Harry

[dougrainer]

I have a 2005 Allegro Bay 34 foot Workhorse in for service. BOTH AC romex is 12/3 gauge. BOTH Dometic AC units are on 20 amp breakers. Doug

[rvharry]

Doug, thanks very much for your insight.

The wiring diagram (from tiffin)I have shows #12. The junction box has #12 (white jacket) and runs about 24" and has a flat plug and changes to #14 (yellow jacket).

Like my response from service center late friday "#14 had been upgraded to 20 amps". These are short runs.

Doug I have sent you a private message on my fridge. Looks like it has spilled its guts with the yellow around boiler, need insight on removal, all screws removed, look like it is glued (or adhesive) in box under bottom rails.

Doug, thanks again for your insight.

[dougrainer]

Tiffin has used RVP(Coleman) for the past 5 years or so. As to your concern about The NEC code. Remember one thing- The Length of the run of 14 gauge wire is as important as the size. I will bet most residential runs of wiring for a appliance is 2 to 3 times the length of the run in a RV. The max length of most RV Romex runs will be 20 feet for the AC units on your size model. IF Tiffin agrees that back then the use 14 instead of 12, there are THOUSANDS of Tiffins out there with Roof AC's running on 14 gauge wire and 20 amp breakers. I am and have been a Tiffin dealer Tech for 34 years and I can state with certainty, that I have NEVER seen a Tiffin roof AC on a 15 amp breaker that was not a mistake from the Factory and all I had to do was connect the AC to the correct 20 amp that was miswired in the breaker panel. Doug

[rvharry]

Thanks for the help,
I am the original Owner, I received a partial response from Tiffin today that I need to really need to research Monday at work (I was licensed electrician, HVAC and plumber for 8 years and went back to my degree as a architect, now for 39 years).
The response was from one of the electricians at Tiffin was that #14 wire had been upgraded to 20 amps, and I could most likely upgrade to a cutler-hammer breaker that would stand a little more heat/resistance.
I only have a partial NEC at home; but NEC does allow 20 amp rating for #14 TW wire for a branch circuit dedicated for a A/C unit.
For all other circuits in a residence #14 TW is only good for 15 amps. The NEC is pretty clear about that.
NEC article 440 overides 240.4, and table 310.16 clearly states the maximum of 20 amps.
Are there any electricians out there to give me there view about this.
I am still waiting on Tiffin reply as to what unit they are replaceing the old brisk air #59530 with.

[dougrainer]

rvharry wrote:
Hi,
I have had a electrician look and confirm that what I saw in junction box in A/C is #14 wire to unit (not #12) and it is a 15 amp breaker. I have sent two emails to Tiffin to ask about there recommendation for replacement A/C and have not heard back yet. I am not upset, I really enjoy and like my motorhome, I understands it takes a few days sometime to respond. As I previously posted, I just looking for a answer to what is the replacement unit for the "High-Effency Brisk-Air" 15 amp unit from installed on my unit; and possibly if anyone has tried to repull wire to A/C unit.

Are you the original owner? I have seen where the OEM installed the AC unit on a 15 amp breaker, when the correct 20 amp was in the breaker box. You just move it over. As to the 14 versus 12 gauge. There is NO PROBLEM running a roof AC on a 14 gauge wire. The AMP ratings on the various model AC/HP units just vary no more than 3 amps max (11.5 to 14.5). You CANNOT "pull" a new wire threw the existing wire cavity. The Minimum wire size stated by the AC makers is 12 gauge, but having/using 14 gauge is OK. I just find it hard to believe you have 14 gauge FROM Tiffin AND on 15 amp breakers if you are the original owner. Doug (Tiffin dealer Tech for 34 years)

[rvharry]

Hi,
I have had a electrician look and confirm that what I saw in junction box in A/C is #14 wire to unit (not #12) and it is a 15 amp breaker. I have sent two emails to Tiffin to ask about there recommendation for replacement A/C and have not heard back yet. I am not upset, I really enjoy and like my motorhome, I understands it takes a few days sometime to respond. As I previously posted, I just looking for a answer to what is the replacement unit for the "High-Effency Brisk-Air" 15 amp unit from installed on my unit; and possibly if anyone has tried to repull wire to A/C unit.

[campguy3040]

Are you reading the "14ga and 15 amp" off of the old unit? Verify the wire ga. and the breaker actually installed. Perhaps Tiffen used larger than specified.

[dougrainer]

rvharry wrote:
I am looking to upgrade to a heat pump and increase BTU's on a Allegro 32BA. While investigating my old Dometic Brisk Air model #59530, it was only listed as a high-efficiency without a BTU rating (these were quote 13,500 units) for #14 wire and a 15 amp breaker.
I am having a hard time trying to find anything recommended for #14 and 15 amps. The replacement seems to be model #459530 which says use #12 wire and 20 amp breaker. Has anyone re-pulled #12 wire to upgrade a Allegro.

You are confused. The Breaker rating on ANY RV roof AC is 20 amps. Tiffin NEVER installed a AC breaker lower than 15 amps. They also used 12 gauge wire on all models. Where are you getting your facts? The AC rating is for MINIMUM wiring. But I have NEVER seen a AC install manual with a rating LESS than a 20 amp breaker. Doug

[tandkj]

Why don't you give Tiffen a call and see what they have to say.