More efficient A/C

[Thigh19]

I’ve got a 73 Sequoia pretty much all original. Looking to replace the rooftop a/c for something efficient. Went on to camping world and see that
new a/c run $600 to $1200. From 13.5k btu or 15k btu, some with a heat option. What are you guys using and/or recommending? Do any come with soft
start, or is that a worthwhile $300 upgrade?

 

[Matt Colie]

Thom,

I do not recall ever seeing an RV rooftop supplied with soft start installed, but it would pay to ask.

All the newer rooftop units are more efficient and effective than the OE were, so that is just not a big issue. They are required to publish the EER
for each, and you can compare those.

Your coach is a 73-26 and probably may have a 4K (BF) Onan for a generator, but that will run a 15KBTU rooftop just fine (mine does).

There are two kinds of heat option. One is a Heat Pump that converts some to the heat in the outside air to heat the interior. This is a nice plan,
but when the outside temperature gets much below 40°F, there isn't much heat left to pump. The other is just a heating element in the airstream and
that is just like a little portable electric heater, but more noise. I little portable heater can be moved to where you are.

I can't recommend my unit because they are no longer available.

If you have nothing else on the top, consider a low profile. The cost difference was minimal and your vertical clearance is reduced.

With the prices at CW, shop around. I don't know what Applied has, but at least let them quote.

Hope this helps.

Matt

> I’ve got a 73 Sequoia pretty much all original. Looking to replace the rooftop a/c for something efficient. Went on to camping world and see
> that new a/c run $600 to $1200. From 13.5k btu or 15k btu, some with a heat option. What are you guys using and/or recommending? Do any come with
> soft start, or is that a worthwhile $300 upgrade?

--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[powwerjon]

Them,
I have one of the 29.5 Buskirk Stretch coaches, so I have more to cool. I
have a 15.5K BTU unit in the middle position and a 13.5K BTU unit in the
rear position Dometic Penguin II units. On our first GMC which was 26' we
installed a 15.5K BTU Dometic Brisk Air II.

Thom, it would help here if your sig line had your general location so that
I and others can make a good suggestions for your location.

I have been in situations where both AC units were almost maxed out because
of the ambient temp and humidity conditions. An example would be be the
total eclipse that was observed a couple of years ago. The average
temperature and humidity where we were (Paducah, KY) was in the very high
90's and the humidity was 60+%. They helped keep the coach inside daytime
temps in the mid to higher 70's with drastically reduced humidity and the
night time temperatures to our comfort zone of 74 degrees and cycling on
and off.

Now what do you need and this goes back to where you live and how you use
your GMC. If you live south of the Mason-Dixon line then you should
consider 2 units. Anyone living in the Northeast, upper midwest, upper
west and upper pacific may be able to get buy with a single large (15.5K)
to meet your needs.

Now what to get and spend. The Dometic Brisk II Air, Dometic Penguin II
and the Coleman Mach 8 are pretty much in the same price range and you
should look for discounts and free shipping. Most can come with a heat
strip option (typically 5000BTU) that can come installed or obtained from
most RV sellers, I bought mine online at a discounted price and installed
them myself. You should avoid the heat pump style as the cost benefit
ratio in not there. The "Soft Start" option is where you are power limited
such a an undersize generator, or running 2 units with an undersized
generator, but shore power should not be an issue depending on how
the coach is wired. What your after is the biggest bang for the cooling
dollar spent.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020 at 10:23 AM Thom High via Gmclist <

> I’ve got a 73 Sequoia pretty much all original. Looking to replace the
> rooftop a/c for something efficient. Went on to camping world and see that
> new a/c run $600 to $1200. From 13.5k btu or 15k btu, some with a heat
> option. What are you guys using and/or recommending? Do any come with soft
> start, or is that a worthwhile $300 upgrade?
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[scott nutter1]

I would love to see a soft start option! Especially on my Coleman mach 8 low profile unit. If you go with 2 units, and your bedroom is in the aft, I
would to try to stay at 11K btu unit or less in the aft. Just so it doesn’t cycle on and off constantly at night.
Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas

 

[bdub]

I highly recommend Atwood Air Command heat pump. It pulls less power and is
very efficient. Easy startup as well.

https://www.rvpartscountry.com/Atwood-15028-Air-Command-15000-BTU-Air-Conditioner-with-Heat-Pump-White-Top-Unit-Only_p_29693.html

You'll have to buy the inside part separatly.

Whatever you do, do not even consider a Dometic Brisk Air II. They do not
direct any air toward the front.

bdub

On Sun, Apr 26, 2020, 12:23 PM Thom High via Gmclist <

> I’ve got a 73 Sequoia pretty much all original. Looking to replace the
> rooftop a/c for something efficient. Went on to camping world and see that
> new a/c run $600 to $1200. From 13.5k btu or 15k btu, some with a heat
> option. What are you guys using and/or recommending? Do any come with soft
> start, or is that a worthwhile $300 upgrade?
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[scott nutter1]

I’m with Billy on the Atwood recommendation.. it’s also whisper quiet.
Scott
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas

 

[Thigh19]

Can this be purchased both ducted or non ducted?

 

[Larry Davick]

I have the non-ducted Atwood that I bought from Jim K.

Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
‘76 Palm Beach

>
> Can this be purchased both ducted or non ducted?
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[michael1]

I have an Atwood 15K mounted up front, it is non-ducted, and I love it.

I just installed an Advent 15K in the bedroom, but have not really tested it in hot weather yet.
I went with the low profile interior distribution box with remote thermostat, it only blows towards the rear or straight down, not sure how much we
will like that.
I added soft start and an electric heat strip to the unit.
It is a tall unit, but very compact, I had no issues with it interfering with the roof rail or marker lamps.
It does however require a minimum roof thickness of 2.5 inches, I had to build a riser plate for it.

The only reason I went with the Advent in the rear was the price, otherwise I would have put another Atwood back there.
--
1973 GMC 26' Glacier - Unknown Mileage - Has a new switch pitch transmission with Powerdrive