Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Atwood air conditioners
| Atwood air conditioners [message #274277] |
Tue, 24 March 2015 12:25  |
 |
mgrue
Messages: 192
Registered: October 2010
Location: Valmeyer IL
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I am looking at replacing the air conditioner on my coach and have seen an Atwood 13500 btu for a good price. I am not familiar with the Atwood so I put it to the collective mind. Are the Atwood units good reliable units or just another problem waiting for a place to happen?
Mark
Mark Grueninger 76 Palm Beach
Valmeyer IL
|
|
|
|
| Re: Atwood air conditioners [message #274284 is a reply to message #274277] |
Tue, 24 March 2015 16:05  |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
mgrue wrote on Tue, 24 March 2015 12:25I am looking at replacing the air conditioner on my coach and have seen an Atwood 13500 btu for a good price. I am not familiar with the Atwood so I put it to the collective mind. Are the Atwood units good reliable units or just another problem waiting for a place to happen?
Mark
I think the Atwood AC is a somewhat new brand in the US. I would be interested in anyone's experience with them as well. Performance, Noise, power usage?
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
|
|
|
|
| Re: Atwood air conditioners [message #274299 is a reply to message #274277] |
Tue, 24 March 2015 18:14 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I'd get a coleman Mach.
The extra fan motor allows for better heat transfer efficiency. My Carrier Low Profile has this. Outdoor fan always on high, regardless if indoor fan is on high or low.
JMHO.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
|
|
|
|
| Re: Atwood air conditioners [message #274305 is a reply to message #274299] |
Tue, 24 March 2015 21:22 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Chr$ wrote on Tue, 24 March 2015 16:14I'd get a coleman Mach.
The extra fan motor allows for better heat transfer efficiency. My Carrier Low Profile has this. Outdoor fan always on high, regardless if indoor fan is on high or low.
JMHO.
I thought the Atwood had a condenser and an evap motor?
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Atwood air conditioners [message #274311 is a reply to message #274310] |
Wed, 25 March 2015 05:26 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The brochure on the Atwood states a "dual motor design".
What those two motors do, however, is unclear. One can assume two blowers, but the second may be to open the powered fornortner valve for all we know. Behold the cynicism that marketing speak hath wrought.
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
|
|
|
|
| Re: Atwood air conditioners [message #274312 is a reply to message #274277] |
Wed, 25 March 2015 07:30 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I will be watching this post. I have an atwood in a shopping cart.
I am wanting to buy the larger 15000 btu that has the heat pump as part of it. And i think the extra btu will be nice to have.
One gmcer that was at chippawa had one and liked it. I have an email from an owner of an sob that loves his and claims he can run it off a honda 2000. I also see them in quiet a few new sobs.
Only complaint i have read and i have been googling them all winter, is the fan runs continually somehow. I will pm you some links i have saved.
I also talkes to jimk and his crew last year about them and he claimed he has sold lots and all people happy with atwood.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Atwood air conditioners [message #274325 is a reply to message #274310] |
Wed, 25 March 2015 10:59 |
<rallymaster
Messages: 361
Registered: May 2014
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Probably one motor to run the fan for the cooling unit and one to
circulate the cool air in the coach.
ronc
On Wed, 25 Mar 2015 04:26:12 -0600 Joe Weir writes:
> The brochure on the Atwood states a "dual motor design".
>
> What those two motors do, however, is unclear. One can assume two
> blowers, but the second may be to open the powered fornortner valve
> for all we
> know. Behold the cynicism that marketing speak hath wrought.
> --
> 76 Birchaven - New engine, trans, aluminum radiator, brakes,
> airbags, fuel lines, seats, upholstery, adult beverage center...
> those Coachmen guys were
> really thinking about us second hand owners...
> Columbia, SC.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Atwood air conditioners [message #274331 is a reply to message #274311] |
Wed, 25 March 2015 12:24 |
Guy Lopes
Messages: 499
Registered: April 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Karma: 3
|
Senior Member |
|
|
The installation manual from Atwood's site includes a simplified schematic.
This shows two motors, one labelled "Inside Fan" and the other "Outside
Fan". Doesn't really explain what they do though.
Guy Lopes
76 Birchaven "Orion"
Sacramento, CA
W6TOL
www.GMC-Guy.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe Weir
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 3:26 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Atwood air conditioners
The brochure on the Atwood states a "dual motor design".
What those two motors do, however, is unclear. One can assume two blowers,
but the second may be to open the powered fornortner valve for all we
know. Behold the cynicism that marketing speak hath wrought.
--
76 Birchaven - New engine, trans, aluminum radiator, brakes, airbags, fuel
lines, seats, upholstery, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were
really thinking about us second hand owners...
Columbia, SC.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Guy Lopes
76 Birchaven "Orion"
Sacramento, CA
W6TOL
www.GMC-Guy.com
|
|
|
|
| Re: Atwood air conditioners [message #274332 is a reply to message #274277] |
Wed, 25 March 2015 13:04 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Ok, now that i am back at my laptop. I have been looking at the Atwood, and almost bought one last fall. I am planning on purchasing one any day now for this year. From all I read, it seems to be a good unit, and for the cost, it is a good deal. it is not a "low profile"
I might look a little more at the coleman mach 8, I have not seen much on that one until now, but 1st glance, the amps seem a little higher then the atwood for similar BTU.
here is the link to atwood:
http://www.atwoodmobile.com/air-conditioners/rv-air-conditioners.asp
the brochure:
http://www.atwoodmobile.com/air-conditioners/air-conditioners-brochure.asp
more info:
http://www.tvformyrv.com/content/AtwoodACPresentation2014.pdf
and:
http://tincanz.com/atwood-vs-dometic/
From my research, there is two fans, and they will start at different times, and run at different times, for effeciency, and not to have a large start up load. as far as their "equivalency" stuff, that I do not know of any proof.
there is two sizes, the lower size claims to start/run off 2000watt generator. and is their 13,500 BTU model.
their 15,500 model, has a heat pump feature.
no model offers an electrical heating element.
one fan is for the condenser, the other blows air. I believe the fan that blows air will run 100% all the time when it is on, and the condenser fan will cycle on and off to maintain the selected temp. Some people on other forums complained that it does not shut off, but I have been told it is quiet enough to not really be that big of a deal.
both models come ducted or not ducted. I believe the roof unit is the same, but you buy either a ducted or non ducted lower unit. and the upper and lower are usually sold separate. Make sure you get both pieces.
I have one private email message from an owner of the 15,500 model unit:
his email is here:
I recently posted about upgrading our 2006 Cougar 294RLS from the factory 13.5 A/C to a new Atwood Air Commander heat pump.
One of my concerns on this upgrade was that our Honda 2k generator would (and did) run the factory 13.5 A/C. Upgrading to the 15K Atwood would result in no more A/C when running the genny, or so I thought.
Today I pulled out the Honda to run it for 20 or 30 minutes to exercise the generator. "Why not plug in the R/V to give it a test" I thought, as long as I was running the generator anyhow.
OK, so we're at 850 feet elevation and it was 84 degrees when I began the test. 84 is not a brutal test, but it is what it was.
I figured that it would take about 5 seconds to trip the genny off line. But, what the heck. I moved the fridge to propane, turned off the hot water heater, turned off the converter and started up the A/C. I had the "eco-throttle" in the off position.
The A/C started up, no problem. The temp. probe in the A/C discharge vent dropped down to 40 degrees. The genny was running without too much strain. I turned on the "eco-throttle" and the RPM's dropped to an easy level.
I turned on and off the A/C a couple of times to verify that the generator would pick up the load. No problems.
The voltage at the A/C outlet in the RV was at 120 volts.
So I turned on the converter, and the revs on the genny picked up slightly, it didn't make much difference. BUT, the batteries are fully charged. I'm wondering if it the genny could run the A/C and the converter if the batteries were depleted.
So, I will try and run the test later today when the temps are in the 90's. But there is no question that this Atwood Air Command is easier on the generator that the Dometic 13.5.
I'm not affiliated with Atwood or Honda, I just wanted to share the results..
Since then I have run the A/C on the jenny with outside temps in the 90s. It's never kicked the jenny off line.
Just one other note, the A/C works great, but the heat side of the heat pump leaves a little to be desired. The fan runs for three seconds every minute to sample the inside air temp. and the compressor may or may not kick on to blow warm air. It does blow a lot of warm air, it's just kind of busy with the fan coming on and off every minute.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
| Re: Atwood air conditioners [message #274333 is a reply to message #274277] |
Wed, 25 March 2015 13:06 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
One last comment:
I did talk to JimK last year, and his price was right in line with online vender sales.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Atwood air conditioners [message #274339 is a reply to message #274331] |
Wed, 25 March 2015 14:45 |
George B.
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I put new Atwood heat pumps on both of my coaches last summer as we were moving to Las Vegas and needed temporary housing while waiting for escrow to close . One family member stayed in the yellow 23ft coach during July-August in 110+ Las Vegas heat parked in direct sun most of the day and made it through relatively comfortable. However my 26ft is dark green on the sides and heats up in the sun as the insulation really is no good. The Atwood was able to keep the inside temp on the 26ft about 20 degrees under outside temps when it was in the 100's. I think these units are not as loud as the original unit on one coach and the Dometic Penguin that I had on the 26. The remote control is a nice feature. Have not tried the heating mode yet.
I hear Atwood started selling their RV AC units in the US when Carrier left the RV market.
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
|
|
|
|
| Re: Atwood air conditioners [message #274359 is a reply to message #274277] |
Wed, 25 March 2015 21:42 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Dual fan motors is a good thing.
I thought the Attwoods were like the dometics. Apparently not. Maybe they are who bought the Carrier production tooling? They don't look like carriers...
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
|
|
|
|
| Re: Atwood air conditioners [message #274367 is a reply to message #274359] |
Thu, 26 March 2015 05:08 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
|
Senior Member |
|
|
From the googling I have done on these... the atwood "air command" A/C unit was a design from Australia, and they claimed they were very popular down under. They have been bought out by Dometic, I think early last year, or in 2013?
http://www.atwoodmobile.com/
you get linked from their website to this:
http://www.aircommand.com.au/
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
Current Time: Mon Sep 23 10:28:59 CDT 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01599 seconds
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
