RecPro RV A/C
I’m looking at the RecPro 9.5K low profile A/C. I have never heard of them. Does anyone have any experience with them, or heard anything about them? Thank you. https://www.recpro.com/rv-air-cond...
Forum Discussion
Last year I installed a RecPro (Houghton) A2801 9.5Kbtu on my truck camper to replace the OE 11Kbtu Dometic Penguin II in an effort to get something quieter. It is definitely much quieter, I am not sure I would say it is as quiet as Houghton specifies, but I am very pleased and would do it again.
As noted above, the RecPro Houghton A2801 9.5 AC does not have any kind of easy start or soft start device as built. There is no additional starting capacitor or PTCR.
I installed it, ran it a couple times and then immediately installed an EasyStart (Microair.net) on it just because that was my plan to begin with (I did read a thread on another forum where someone had successfully installed an EasyStart on a Houghton 9.5). I also did not try to run it with my Honda 2200 prior to the EasyStart install. I should say that RecPro told me that they recommend against using any soft start device. They did not give me a reason. From the wiring diagram, I saw no reason an EasyStart cannot be connected and used on the Houghton 9.5. The wiring from the AC relay to the compressor is the same as Dometic or Coleman. Microair did tell me that they have customers who are using EasyStarts on Houghton AC units (I do not know which models). My Houghton A2801 9.5 has the same Boyard KFA092T 8A compressor as is in my tc’s original Dometic Penguin II. The fit of the EasyStart is tight, but it fit.
I did not check current prior to installing the easy start (running current should not be different). Running current readings after the EasyStart install are:
Low Fan only: 0.60 amp Low Fan with AC: 8.64 amp
Med Fan only: 0.63 amp Med Fan with AC: 8.75 amp
High Fan only: 0.66 amp High Fan with AC: 8.85 amp
All current readings were taken with a Fluke 87iii meter using a Fluke Y8101A clamp on current transformer. I measured current at the wall receptacle with all circuit breakers turned off except the camper’s 30amp main and 20amp AC breakers. The meter did show about 0.10 amp with the AC and fan both turned off.
In an effort to get an idea what the peak inrush current at startup may be, using the Min/Max and fast Peak settings on the Fluke 87iii, I recording the following Max peak readings during six starts: 23.36, 24.76, 30.84, 26.44, 27.40, & 28.28 amps. I realize that this may not be an accurate way to measure peak inrush, but it is best way I had available and may give an idea. I have used several Microair EasyStarts on my RV’s and installed several more for friends. The EasyStarts make a huge difference during compressor start up.
My Honda EU2200i easily starts and runs my Houghton A2801 9.5 AC, with EasyStart, with the Honda Eco Mode Off or ON. I do believe that the AC compressor does start quieter with the EasyStart. I did not try to start it with the generator prior to installing the EasyStart.
As noted above, the RecPro Houghton A2801 9.5 AC does not have any kind of easy start or soft start device as built. There is no additional starting capacitor or PTCR.
I installed it, ran it a couple times and then immediately installed an EasyStart (Microair.net) on it just because that was my plan to begin with (I did read a thread on another forum where someone had successfully installed an EasyStart on a Houghton 9.5). I also did not try to run it with my Honda 2200 prior to the EasyStart install. I should say that RecPro told me that they recommend against using any soft start device. They did not give me a reason. From the wiring diagram, I saw no reason an EasyStart cannot be connected and used on the Houghton 9.5. The wiring from the AC relay to the compressor is the same as Dometic or Coleman. Microair did tell me that they have customers who are using EasyStarts on Houghton AC units (I do not know which models). My Houghton A2801 9.5 has the same Boyard KFA092T 8A compressor as is in my tc’s original Dometic Penguin II. The fit of the EasyStart is tight, but it fit.
I did not check current prior to installing the easy start (running current should not be different). Running current readings after the EasyStart install are:
Low Fan only: 0.60 amp Low Fan with AC: 8.64 amp
Med Fan only: 0.63 amp Med Fan with AC: 8.75 amp
High Fan only: 0.66 amp High Fan with AC: 8.85 amp
All current readings were taken with a Fluke 87iii meter using a Fluke Y8101A clamp on current transformer. I measured current at the wall receptacle with all circuit breakers turned off except the camper’s 30amp main and 20amp AC breakers. The meter did show about 0.10 amp with the AC and fan both turned off.
In an effort to get an idea what the peak inrush current at startup may be, using the Min/Max and fast Peak settings on the Fluke 87iii, I recording the following Max peak readings during six starts: 23.36, 24.76, 30.84, 26.44, 27.40, & 28.28 amps. I realize that this may not be an accurate way to measure peak inrush, but it is best way I had available and may give an idea. I have used several Microair EasyStarts on my RV’s and installed several more for friends. The EasyStarts make a huge difference during compressor start up.
My Honda EU2200i easily starts and runs my Houghton A2801 9.5 AC, with EasyStart, with the Honda Eco Mode Off or ON. I do believe that the AC compressor does start quieter with the EasyStart. I did not try to start it with the generator prior to installing the EasyStart.
