Quieter A/C Units

You think they could come up with something better and less expensive. Window units make less noise and many smaller travel trailers are using them. I think roof airs are overkill and junk.

I posted recently about getting rid of mine and putting in a dome. Then, buy a minisplit or high wall unit where the compressor sits outside on the tongue or the back bumper (reinforced).

They need to make a change and come up with something new. It seems we accept whatever they throw at us.

tboss wrote:
If you don't like the noise ,,turn it off and open da windows. we camped that way for years when we were kids, we did even have ac in our home, barely did have electricity.

But ... did you camp in an enclosed box out in the sun in high humidity? If you camped in tents, I'll bet they had no insulation to hold the hot air in once they warmed up and were most of the time pitched in the shade with all the flaps open during the day.

We toured the Southern U.S. a few years ago in our RV in July and August and had to endure the insane summer heat and humidity of the Gulf Coast states. No way could a mortal take that in an insulated closed box without air conditioning. :E

Dometic actually has a quieter design- and Newmar has been good in this regards as well- they both use ducted returns, which really further isolates the blower noise.
You can see the Dometic system at http://www2.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/RV-News/QuietZone/

If you don't like the noise ,,turn it off and open da windows. we camped that way for years when we were kids, we did even have ac in our home, barely did have electricity.

Same set up except my AC is ducted. Still loud. Always surprised how quite it is when they reach the temp setting and shut off. Nature of the beast probably.

Hi,

Yes more information might help. But likely you can not change the A/C and find one that is significantly more quiet.

If you have ducted air, then the air flows out of vents in the ceiling, several feet from the air intake with the air filter in it.

If you do not have ducted air, then the air intake will be in the center of a larger grill, and have all the air blowing out of that grill cooled off. Many times a non-ducted air will also have all the controls mounted to the grill.

I had a 1985 RV with non-ducted air, and bought one with ducted air to make it easier to sleep with the A/C on. Still both are noisy, the ducted is 'much' quietier, but not as silent as the one in my house.

So ducted air is something to look for in the next RV. You can not change a RV that was built without air ducts to a ducted air system. The air ducts must be installed at the factory. If the RV was built before about 1990, it will not have air ducts in the ceiling.

Good luck!

Fred.

to answer your question no,

our A/C is noisy as well, but here in florida.

we just turn the sound Up on the stereo or TV.

after all its right above our head in kitchen area.

fgcook wrote:
I have a 2014 40' with 2 AC units on the top. Not sure of the brand but suspect Dometic? They seem to cool alright if you can stand the noise! I think the heat is ducted but I doubt the AC is. We bought this MH with the idea that we would use it 2 years and then figure out what we want or did not want in the next MH that we plan to keep a while. Any recommendations?

Your post points out things that bug me. You do not know what brand AC units. Do you not have the Large owners operators manual packet? That will have your appliance brand and model numbers. A 40 foot should have ducted air. You think the Heat is ducted, but doubt the AC is??? WHERE does the cold AC air come out at??? 99% of motorhomes have ducted air and the AC cold comes out the ceiling mounted ducts. The FURNACE will come out the floor ducts. IF you have Heat Pumps (this is where the owners pack comes in), then in HEAT mode the heat will indeed come out the same ceiling ducts as the Cold air on AC. Remember, your AC units are mounted right over your head. Doug

i have never heard of a quiet a/c on an RV. Some people have improved the noise after finding some obstructions in the duct work. But mostly I think it is the nature of the beast.

A lower fan speed sometimes helps. Hope someone has the answer, if indeed this was your question.