Coleman Mach 8 Low Profile 9,200 BTU Review
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โJun-22-2015 03:07 PM
One, was to be able to run it with my Honda 2000.
Second, I wanted a low a height on the unit to help lower my already tall profile. The 8" height of the Coleman is the lowest profile in the industry.
The first thing I noticed was how loud the unit was, the fan is located on the top of the unit which may or may not contribute to the sound. What I did find out is that Coleman made an upgraded fan blade that replaced the OEM and silenced the unit to acceptable levels, at least for me.
The sound inside was as quiet as you would expect and the airflow was excellent on high and on low speed suppled just enough air without blowing you out of bed at night.
I was able to run the unit in temps of 112 with no problems.
Now the bad.....my TC, and Eagle Cap is on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to insulation, that said, with the windows shades down on a 90 degree day running all day I could only get the temp inside down to 81.
That is just the most recent example of a years worth of use that has left me with no alternative but to upgrade to the same make and model but rated at 15,000 BTU's.
I will soon have the 9,200 unit on Craigslist.
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โJul-01-2015 11:07 PM
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โJul-01-2015 07:02 PM
If it werent for kids or me going in out it may do better but its feels cooler inside cause the vents are blowing cold air in a small space too.I can also arrive when its 100 degrees turn on the a/c and be comfy within a few minutes.
My toyhauler also has a 13.5 and out there it aint enough unless you do the foam in vents,foil foam stuff on windows and let it cool off overnight or in shade where it can bring it too 66 degrees overnight and rise to 85 in 111 degree day but neeed to limit in out of trailer too.
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โJul-01-2015 01:25 PM
2015 Camplite 6.8C
2012 Cherokee 39L destination
2022 F350 XL 4x4
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โJul-01-2015 11:59 AM
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โJul-01-2015 11:12 AM
1990 950 Shadow Cruiser Hard side multiple add-ons
Ancient Valco 10'x5' John boat
2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Team
One-eyed Trail Horse and one horse trailer
Rocky, Annie, Muffie traveling Fur Babies
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โJul-01-2015 11:10 AM
1990 950 Shadow Cruiser Hard side multiple add-ons
Ancient Valco 10'x5' John boat
2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Team
One-eyed Trail Horse and one horse trailer
Rocky, Annie, Muffie traveling Fur Babies
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โJul-01-2015 08:42 AM
Believe me, our entry lever, 3 season trailer is NOT well insulated.
Controlling the heat coming in was a biggy. I could feel the heat radiating out of the vents until I stuffed them with the foam insert. The window on the door has no curtain so covering it also helped. The same 1/2 inch foam covers I am making for the windows when it gets cold out will be a big help when it is hot too.
Last thing is it would have been a lot different had we been camping, had the trailer opened up and cooled down before the heat hit and been able to open the vents to pull the heat off of the ceiling. Next time I am on the roof I am pulling the screens out of the max airs, they is too restrictive and the heat build up in them terrible. The biggest thing that will help is not mounting the unit in the bunk area in the back of the trailer where the air flow was restricted.
2003 Ford Expedition with 435w tilting portable/ TS-MPPT-45
750w solar , TS-MPPT-60 on the trailer
675 Ah bank, Trip-lite 1250fc inverter
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โJul-01-2015 07:54 AM
Jfet wrote:
Northstar is pretty well insulated, yes?
We were able to bring the inside temp down to 79 with outside temps of 104 using a 6k BTU window unit in our custom built camper with 2 inch thick polyiso insulation in the walls plus double pane windows. No slides though.
If the Northstar has similar insulation, then 5k BTU should perform fairly similar...maybe getting you 80 to 84 inside when the outside goes over 100F.
Yes, it's well insulated. I also have the insulated windows and have camped very comfortably down to 19*F. It's also a small camper, 7' wide, E/W cabover and no slides.
2008 Chevy D/A 2500HD ECSB
2010 Northstar 8.5 Adventurer
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โJul-01-2015 07:45 AM
DWeikert wrote:egarant wrote:
The tech's two cents....13 and15K BTU are the industry standards, have not heard good reports from anything less than that.
Odds are the tech is primarily familiar with AC for a Class A or 5th wheel where a pair of 13k units are needed.
Please do keep us informed. I'm currently contemplating a custom install of a 5k BTU window unit on my Northstar. If 9200 BTU is too small for you...
Northstar is pretty well insulated, yes?
We were able to bring the inside temp down to 79 with outside temps of 104 using a 6k BTU window unit in our custom built camper with 2 inch thick polyiso insulation in the walls plus double pane windows. No slides though.
If the Northstar has similar insulation, then 5k BTU should perform fairly similar...maybe getting you 80 to 84 inside when the outside goes over 100F.
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โJul-01-2015 07:27 AM
egarant wrote:
The tech's two cents....13 and15K BTU are the industry standards, have not heard good reports from anything less than that.
Odds are the tech is primarily familiar with AC for a Class A or 5th wheel where a pair of 13k units are needed.
Please do keep us informed. I'm currently contemplating a custom install of a 5k BTU window unit on my Northstar. If 9200 BTU is too small for you...
2008 Chevy D/A 2500HD ECSB
2010 Northstar 8.5 Adventurer
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โJun-30-2015 11:04 AM
Good luck with this. Frustrating!
Dak
Escapee member #224325-Since 1992
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โJun-30-2015 10:26 AM
DWeikert wrote:egarant wrote:
Now the bad.....my TC, and Eagle Cap is on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to insulation, that said, with the windows shades down on a 90 degree day running all day I could only get the temp inside down to 81.
Out of curiosity, have you had unit checked? Even though it's new doesn't mean there isn't a refrigerant leak or maybe it didn't get the appropriate charge at the factory.
Just a thought...
I think I will do that.
I called my local RV shop, they will charge $126 to check it out. The refrigerant is sealed within the unit, it cannot be charged or measured, what they do is see how much amperage the compressor is drawing to determine if the unit is work to specifications.
The tech's two cents....13 and15K BTU are the industry standards, have not heard good reports from anything less than that.
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โJun-30-2015 06:20 AM
egarant wrote:
Now the bad.....my TC, and Eagle Cap is on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to insulation, that said, with the windows shades down on a 90 degree day running all day I could only get the temp inside down to 81.
Out of curiosity, have you had unit checked? Even though it's new doesn't mean there isn't a refrigerant leak or maybe it didn't get the appropriate charge at the factory.
Just a thought...
2008 Chevy D/A 2500HD ECSB
2010 Northstar 8.5 Adventurer
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โJun-29-2015 07:29 PM
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โJun-29-2015 03:27 PM
anutami wrote:
Is there a difference running it plugged in with hook ups or with a honda genny? I have only run mine while plugged in and it gets freezing cold in the camper. We were just in redding in 100 degree temps. It was exposed in the sun and the our mach 8 was running great. It is pretty much a brand new unit so do you think it will get worse overtime?
As long as the unit is getting the same amount of amps, the cooling won't make any difference. It's when you gain altitude and the generator starts to struggle, not putting out the same power levels is when you start to have difficulty even running your air conditioner. You will never have that problem of course when plugged into shore power.
I've never heard of air conditioners running worse over time in the way that you are describing....