AC / Heat pump replacement

[Kevin F]

Hi Guys/gals,
Looking to replace one of the original AC units on our 77 Royale and looking for recommendations on which unit to go with. Our coach has two units and we were thinking of replacing one of them with a heat pump so we can limit the amount of propane usage at night. Any advise on which unit to replace/method and where to buy would be great........

Thanx a bunch

K

 

[Mike Perez]

Hi Guys/gals,
Looking to replace one of the original AC units on our 77 Royale and looking for recommendations on which unit to go with. Our coach has two units and we were thinking of replacing one of them with a heat pump so we can limit the amount of propane usage at night. Any advise on which unit to replace/method and where to buy would be great........

Thanx a bunch

K

Pretty straight forward to replace. You'll have to have a way to lift around 100 lbs off and on to the roof. As far as brand, you have options. Coleman Mach makes 13.5 btu and 15.0 btu. I know Dometic makes heat pumps too. Just be aware that once you get below about 40 degrees, the ability for it to generate heat falls off rapidly. Also, since hot air rises, the heating is not really ideal while sleeping. A/C above and heat from below is really the ideal setup.

 

[Kevin F]

Pretty straight forward to replace. You'll have to have a way to lift around 100 lbs off and on to the roof. As far as brand, you have options. Coleman Mach makes 13.5 btu and 15.0 btu. I know Dometic makes heat pumps too. Just be aware that once you get below about 40 degrees, the ability for it to generate heat falls off rapidly. Also, since hot air rises, the heating is not really ideal while sleeping. A/C above and heat from below is really the ideal setup.

Yeah I know heating from below is preferred but I dont think we'll be doing much camping with temps much below 40 and it would only be used whilst we are sleeping. I plan to keep the original ducted heater active and use it at all other times.

Since it will primarily be used at night looking for something that is preferably as quiet as possible.

Do they pertty much come as a standard size as far as fitting the existing opening? Id rather not have to do major modifications if possible.

Thanx

 

[Mike Perez]

Yeah I know heating from below is preferred but I dont think we'll be doing much camping with temps much below 40 and it would only be used whilst we are sleeping. I plan to keep the original ducted heater active and use it at all other times.

Since it will primarily be used at night looking for something that is preferably as quiet as possible.

Do they pertty much come as a standard size as far as fitting the existing opening? Id rather not have to do major modifications if possible.

Thanx

Yes, they are all designed for the standard 14" opening.

 

[JBurt]

Have you considered an electric blanket?

 

[husker92592]

Pretty straight forward to replace. You'll have to have a way to lift around 100 lbs off and on to the roof. As far as brand, you have options. Coleman Mach makes 13.5 btu and 15.0 btu. I know Dometic makes heat pumps too. Just be aware that once you get below about 40 degrees, the ability for it to generate heat falls off rapidly. Also, since hot air rises, the heating is not really ideal while sleeping. A/C above and heat from below is really the ideal setup.

As a NOTE, r-410 has greater heat distribution characteristics and will have a range of 19 degrees to 132 ish.

 

[Matt Colie]

As a NOTE, r-410 has greater heat distribution characteristics and will have a range of 19 degrees to 132 ish.

Grant,

It is true that R-410 has a great range, but the real problem with trying to heat pump from air below 40°F is there is too little heat in the air for it to work well and if you eve try, the evaporator will ice-up. Get the heat strip option, at 1500 watts it does help.

Matt

 

[LQQKatJon]

Yeah I know heating from below is preferred but I dont think we'll be doing much camping with temps much below 40 and it would only be used whilst we are sleeping. I plan to keep the original ducted heater active and use it at all other times.

Since it will primarily be used at night looking for something that is preferably as quiet as possible.

Do they pertty much come as a standard size as far as fitting the existing opening? Id rather not have to do major modifications if possible.

Thanx

I have had an atwood air command 15.5 for 6 years now.
Primary heat source and keeps the coach warm or cool.
Does not work well once it gets colder then 40 degrees outside, but that is rare.

we have heat strips on our fiber trailers. Unless you have a really well insulated or small coach. I would not count on that keeping anything warm.

my only complaint is it is a busy unit kicking in and out as it cycles. But you get used to that quickly.