I have a camper

[dodgerdog]

I have a camper without an Ac unit... Any suggestions on size make model brand ? Where to buy? I have a 1994 lance 9'6" already wired for a non vented a/c unit...


Any help or ideas appreciated...

Mike C.

[Reddog1]

I should point out, I have a 11.5 foot non-slide Bigfoot TC with a 9200 btu and Honda 2000. I too get about 8 hours on a tank of gas. I do have a gas extension, using a 3-gallon boat fuel tank. With the Honda 1 gallon, and the 3 gallon boat tank, I have about 32 hours of fuel with the Polar Cub and my 45 amp Iota charger. I could use a 6 gallon boat tank, if I had the need.

Wayne

[Reddog1]

I should point out, I have a 11.5 foot non-slide Bigfoot TC with a 9200 btu and Honda 2000. I too get about 8 hours on a tank of gas. I do have a gas extension, using a 3-gallon boat fuel tank. With the Honda 1 gallon, and the 3 gallon boat tank, I have about 32 hours of fuel with the Polar Cub and my 45 amp Iota charger. I could use a 6 gallon boat tank, if I had the need.

Wayne

[Wheelholder]

We have a 9200 btu in our 830. Does a really good job cooling the camper off. Run it on a honda 2000. It will even start the compressor in eco mode. Runs almost 8 hours on one tank of gas.

As stated above, the fan runs all the time. Compressor is what cycles. It does a good job of removing the humidity also, so I would say it is sized properly for the camper.

[dodgerdog]

Reddog1 wrote:
The 9200 will keep the TC cool enough, and will not cycle on and off as much. Keep in mind, most of the 1300 and larger A/Cs are on RVs twice the inside air space of a TC. It is my understanding, the 1300 btu units are the most popular only because they are cheaper for the RV manufactures do to the volume they buy and stocking one size A/C reduces their inventory.

I am not a Hvac guy. They could explain why you do not want an A/C that is too large.

I think you would get more informed information from the Tech Issues Forum. It is questionable this subject is unique to TCs, but some of it could be unique to TCs. I can move it if you want me too.

Wayne

Hi Wayne... No you don't need to move it to the Tech Forum... I was just curious what Lance or someone similar might of put in their units to start with... and I wanted to know from people who have truck campers that actually use them... I hear some brands are no so good some are awesome... But its all over the board... LOL... I have a travel trailer also but I couldn't tell whats in it either... I only used it one summer because I was between homes due to one falling out of escrow and I needed a place to stay til I found a place to rent... Long story....

Mike C.

[Reddog1]

deltabravo wrote:
I searched all the major manufacturers after my first post. The smallest I saw was a 9200 BTU.

It has been a long time since I checked.

deltabravo wrote:
I don't know which size my AF has, either an 11k or a 13.5, but there's times it can run non stop for a few hours straight. If it's 90+ degrees it will do that.

Is it the fan only running or the fan and compressor?

My Polar Cub 9200 fan will run continuously, but the compressor kicks in depending on its need. The time will vary, the hotter it is the longer the compressor will be kicked in.

It may be worth checking on the Thermo Cool A/Cs. I think I read they have, or had, a 7200 btu unit.

[Reddog1]

At one time, they had a 7000 btu series in the Polar Cubs. When I purchased my Polar Cub from Camping World (about 8/18/04), they only had the 7000 on the shelf. I wanted the 9200, so they ordered it (same cost) for me. I do not know if the 7000 btu unit is still available.

9001 is 9200 BTU MAX AMPS = 8.2 I have DATA INQUIRY SHEET
9201A is 8300 BTU MAX AMPS = 8.2 I have DATA INQUIRY SHEET
9201B is 9200 BTU MAX AMPS = 9.0 I have DATA INQUIRY SHEET
9201B I have no information.
9201D is 9200 BTU MAX AMPS = 8.9 I have DATA INQUIRY SHEET

I have a service manual that covers 6700, 7000, 8000 & 9000 SERIES Polar Cubs.

I was just reading the performance manual. As I understand it, if the A/C cycles on and off to quickly, it will not remove the moisture from the air efficiently. If the A/C, is too large for the space to be cooled, it will cycle on and of quickly. The 1300 btu A/C is too large for the TC, in my opinion. Will it work, absolutely, just not as efficient and typically requires a larger generator than a 9000 btu unit.

Wayne

[deltabravo]

I searched all the major manufacturers after my first post. The smallest I saw was a 9200 BTU.

I don't know which size my AF has, either an 11k or a 13.5, but there's times it can run non stop for a few hours straight. If it's 90+ degrees it will do that.

[mkirsch]

Where do you get a 7000BTU ROOFTOP unit????

[Reddog1]

The 9200 will keep the TC cool enough, and will not cycle on and off as much. Keep in mind, most of the 1300 and larger A/Cs are on RVs twice the inside air space of a TC. It is my understanding, the 1300 btu units are the most popular only because they are cheaper for the RV manufactures do to the volume they buy and stocking one size A/C reduces their inventory.

I am not a Hvac guy. They could explain why you do not want an A/C that is too large.

I think you would get more informed information from the Tech Issues Forum. It is questionable this subject is unique to TCs, but some of it could be unique to TCs. I can move it if you want me too.

Wayne

[dodgerdog]

Yes seems like that might be an option... I'm not too worried so much about heat since I am in Southern California... The camper has the thermostat Heater and a built in propane only heater down on the floor by the bathroom Plus I have a small plug in ceramic heater also.... I was thinking the 13.5 BTU would be the correct size but the 9200 keeps the camper cool enough? I am trying to go used first but I think I might end up having to buy a new one....

Mike

[Reddog1]

You can't go wrong with a 9000 series Polar Cub in a TC. A 7000 to 9200 btu works great. I have the 9200 btu unit with heat strip. I would not go larger than a 1100 btu unit. The 9000 series Polar Cub works well with one Honda 2000, and with mine I can still charge my battery.

It is my understanding from reading the Forum over the years, if the A/C is too big for the RV, it will not be as efficient. It will recycle more often and for that reason the on/off can be very annoying.

I really question the value to the heat strip. The wind chill seems like it overrides the heat you gain. When I bought my Polar Cub 9200 btu unit (new-2005), the heat strip was an additional $50. To add it later was $150.

If you buy a used A/C look close at the outside cover. Over time, they become very brittle, and a simple brush against them can crack the cover. It has been a few years, but the last time I checked they cost over $150.

[Reddog1]

You can't go wrong with a 9000 series Polar Cub in a TC. A 7000 to 9200 btu works great. I have the 9200 btu unit with heat strip. I would not go larger than a 1100 btu unit. The 9000 series Polar Cub works well with one Honda 2000, and with mine I can still charge my battery.

It is my understanding from reading the Forum over the years, if the A/C is too big for the RV, it will not be as efficient. It will recycle more often and for that reason the on/off can be very annoying.

I really question the value to the heat strip. The wind chill seems like it overrides the heat you gain. When I bought my Polar Cub 9200 btu unit (new-2005), the heat strip was an additional $50. To add it later was $150.

If you buy a used A/C look close at the outside cover. Over time, they become very brittle, and a simple brush against them can crack the cover. It has been a few years, but the last time I checked they cost over $150.

[deltabravo]

Doing some research this morning... Dometic makes a low profile heat pump unit - the Penguin II

The other option is a unit with a "heat strip" (resistive heating element)

[deltabravo]

Try to find one that is a low profile unit. Polar Cub is a good brand.

Polar Cub

I've considered replacing the A/C unit on my AF811. I've thought about a unit that will do heat and cool - maybe a "heat pump" style. THis would allow me to heat the rig for short time periods on shore power (in the morning or evening) and not have to run the gas furnace or deal with a space heater.