Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » 1 AC or 2?
| 1 AC or 2? [message #293033] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 11:21  |
Justin Brady
Messages: 769
Registered: April 2015
Location: Bell Buckle, TN
Karma: 11
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As I am rebuilding my coach it's time for AC upgrades.
I was originally thinking change out the factory 2 Duotherms for 2 Penguin II low profiles.
Lately I have seen several people running 1 15K BTU unit in place of the factory 2.
Anyone transition from 2 units to 1 and have any input?
I wonder if the upgrade to 15000 btu and modern AC is a suitable replacement for the dual 70's models?
I'm in the hot south, so keep that in mind!
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293035 is a reply to message #293033] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 11:47  |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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We have a Coleman Mach 15 here in Alabama. Someday I will add a second unit. It's marginal. On a hot, humid, sunny August day, with little shade, the coach won't cool down much past the high 70s. Granted the high 70s feels like heaven compared to outside, but even with a lot of extra insulation, tinted windows, blinds drawn, and the doors opened as little as possible, you hit a wall.
Now if we can park under a tree, or the humidity or temp isn't too bad, the 15K BTU is plenty. But when all 3 kick in, there is a limit. The other thing is going down the road. We don't have a functioning dash AC, plus we have kids and animals in the back, so we use the whole coach. That 15K just can't keep the whole thing cool with all the hot air flooding in.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] 1 AC or 2? [message #293036 is a reply to message #293033] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 11:45 |
Olly Schmidt
Messages: 1265
Registered: February 2014
Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
Karma: 8
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Justin,
what is the height difference of the new low profiles compared to the
original one.
I am not near mine, so I can't measure it.
--
Best regards
Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
'76a Eleganza II, VA
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Best regards
Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
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| Re: [GMCnet] 1 AC or 2? [message #293039 is a reply to message #293037] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 12:19 |
Olly Schmidt
Messages: 1265
Registered: February 2014
Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
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Justin,
> The Penguin II is 9.5" tall and the Coleman Mach 8 is 8" tall.
> I'm not certain but I'd say the factory duotherms are ~16" tall each?
That's quite a difference...
I wonder how big the noise difference is.
--
Best regards
Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
'76a Eleganza II, VA
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Best regards
Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293040 is a reply to message #293033] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 12:30 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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SONICJK wrote on Mon, 28 December 2015 10:21As I am rebuilding my coach it's time for AC upgrades.
I was originally thinking change out the factory 2 Duotherms for 2 Penguin II low profiles.
Lately I have seen several people running 1 15K BTU unit in place of the factory 2.
Anyone transition from 2 units to 1 and have any input?
I wonder if the upgrade to 15000 btu and modern AC is a suitable replacement for the dual 70's models?
I'm in the hot south, so keep that in mind!
I live and camp in AZ and can get by with one. Ocasionally I use both Dometic 15K units but frankly it's not worth the cost.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293044 is a reply to message #293040] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 13:25 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Noise factor is in the ear of the listener, but all the overhead A/Cs are noisy. Here, in very Deep South Alabama, I have 2 A/Cs installed. They both work their little electrical hearts out to cool my 26' Avion during Summer rallies. I installed heat strips in both, but I think they are mainly a joke. Not enough heat for the amount of noise.
If you go with a heat pump, remember that the heat pump will quit producing heat at around 40 degrees F.
I have one low profile and one "standard" height unit. As I understand it, the rear A/C is better as a Penguin.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] 1 AC or 2? [message #293049 is a reply to message #293044] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 13:43 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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DYI A/C can run fan on 15watt solar panel:
http://www.impactbattery.com/blog/category/battery-desulfators-sulphation/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITtlxjvLQis
On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 12:25 PM, Thomas Phipps wrote:
> Noise factor is in the ear of the listener, but all the overhead A/Cs are
> noisy. Here, in very Deep South Alabama, I have 2 A/Cs installed. They
> both work their little electrical hearts out to cool my 26' Avion during
> Summer rallies. I installed heat strips in both, but I think they are
> mainly
> a joke. Not enough heat for the amount of noise.
> If you go with a heat pump, remember that the heat pump will quit
> producing heat at around 40 degrees F.
> I have one low profile and one "standard" height unit. As I understand
> it, the rear A/C is better as a Penguin.
> Tom, MS II
> --
> 1975 GMC Avion
> KA4CSG
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293052 is a reply to message #293033] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 14:17 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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The only downside to two units is weight. 2 gives you a builtin backup. Also at night if you sleep in back, just run the front, sleep in front, just run the back for noise reduction. Also, I don't understand why you would replace working OEM units is 6K runs them and most campgrounds include electricity. Solar gain is the only reason to run 2 midday.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] 1 AC or 2? [message #293053 is a reply to message #293049] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 14:57 |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
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Fan on Ice. Edison did that more than a century ago.
Gotta love all the extra humidity!
Dolph Santorine
DE N8JPC
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 ex-Palm Beach TZE167V100820
1-ton, Sullybuilt Bags, Reaction Arms, 3.70 LSD, Manny Transmission, EV-6010,
> On Dec 28, 2015, at 2:43 PM, Bruce Hart wrote:
>
> DYI A/C can run fan on 15watt solar panel:
> http://www.impactbattery.com/blog/category/battery-desulfators-sulphation/
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITtlxjvLQis
>
>
>
>> On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 12:25 PM, Thomas Phipps wrote:
>>
>> Noise factor is in the ear of the listener, but all the overhead A/Cs are
>> noisy. Here, in very Deep South Alabama, I have 2 A/Cs installed. They
>> both work their little electrical hearts out to cool my 26' Avion during
>> Summer rallies. I installed heat strips in both, but I think they are
>> mainly
>> a joke. Not enough heat for the amount of noise.
>> If you go with a heat pump, remember that the heat pump will quit
>> producing heat at around 40 degrees F.
>> I have one low profile and one "standard" height unit. As I understand
>> it, the rear A/C is better as a Penguin.
>> Tom, MS II
>> --
>> 1975 GMC Avion
>> KA4CSG
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
>
> --
> Bruce Hart
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Milliken, Co
> GMC=Got More Class
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] 1 AC or 2? [message #293055 is a reply to message #293053] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 15:08 |
appie
Messages: 902
Registered: April 2013
Location: denmark
Karma: 2
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Going to take mine out. Cant stand the noise
Appie
eleganza 76 "Olga" now sadly sold
6 wheel discbrake
Quadrabags
Springfield stage 2 462 olds
Manny tranny
( pictures at http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6489-olga.html
Fulltiming in Europe july 2014 til july 2016
Denmark
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293057 is a reply to message #293033] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 15:49 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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I think it would all depend on your coach, how well insulated/sealed and what kind of window treatments, you have, but if you do camp when it is super hot out, and you like it super cold, then I would want a second one for a backup.
I have a 15.5 btu atwood, and it keeps my whole coach cool, and i have crappy insulation, and bad window treatments. When the sun hits the coach, and the A/C is not on, it gets warm in there very quickly. I did not need my rear A/C at all this past summer, but I think every coach is different when it comes to heat gain, and also what it takes to cool the coach.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] 1 AC or 2? [message #293059 is a reply to message #293055] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 15:58 |
Olly Schmidt
Messages: 1265
Registered: February 2014
Location: Germany and Scottsville, ...
Karma: 8
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Am 28.12.2015 um 22:08 schrieb lenze middelberg:
> Going to take mine out. Cant stand the noise
I would not do that. The summers in Europe will become much warmer in
the next few years. Just don't run them until you really need them.
--
Best regards
Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
'76a Eleganza II, VA
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Best regards
Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293066 is a reply to message #293033] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 17:21 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I've a single 13,500 heat pump in my 23'. I propose to remove the fan in the back and replace it with a 13,500 with heat strips. Best of both worlds, and 13,500 with stock insulation isn't quite enough for a blacktop lot in August here.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] 1 AC or 2? [message #293073 is a reply to message #293052] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 20:17 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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John,
You have noted a very good reason to have two roof A/C's and that is you have a spare unit.
Tom Phipps has noted that he has two roof A/C's on his Avion, IIRC the front one is a Dometic unit that he was forced to buy from
Camping World when the one he had died at a rally in Texas. If my memory serves me well he paid TWO GRAND for that unit installed.
The second unit is the low profile unit I took off Double Trouble when I installed two Dometic 13,500 BTU units I bought from
AdventureRV on sale for around $1200 delivered!
Tom am I correct?
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
-----Original Message-----
From: John R. Lebetski
The only downside to two units is weight. 2 gives you a builtin backup. Also at night if you sleep in back, just run the front,
sleep in front, just run the back for noise reduction. Also, I don't understand why you would replace working OEM units is 6K runs
them and most campgrounds include electricity. Solar gain is the only reason to run 2 midday.
--
John
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293082 is a reply to message #293033] |
Mon, 28 December 2015 23:07 |
Jack Ramsey
Messages: 82
Registered: December 2012
Location: Tulare, CA
Karma: 1
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I also bought 2 Penguin II 13.5's for if the boss had to spend more than a day or 2 without AC, the rest of any trip might all be in motels. 2 running at slower speeds might be substantially less noisy for sleeping also.
My quandary is where to mount them.
A. The factory single location in the Palm Beach is right in front of the entrance door, and has nice reinforcement in the roof area.
B. The existing hole for the old style crank up vent is over the dinette area and NOT reinforced, but I would imaging the newer AC's are lighter. Still would feel better to take it to my welding friends and make up a reinforced area like the factory, move the AC forward, and put the vent in the factory hole.
C. This leaves the rear hole for the old vent in the new sleeping area (far back) for the AC, but would HAVE to mount the Penguin II backwards. I have seen a few mounted this way and wonder the pro's and cons of making additional reinforcement, or am I being too picky?
Reinforce or not? Move the front forward AND make another hole for the rear AC in the hallway so the rear AC is not mounted backwards?
Thanks,
Jack
Jack Ramsey
Tulare, CA
TZE165V101526
1975 Palm Beach
[Updated on: Mon, 28 December 2015 23:10] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293087 is a reply to message #293082] |
Tue, 29 December 2015 01:24 |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 782
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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2 is always better incase one fails. but if you run only one, for me it would be a Atwood Air Commander. And that's what I run.
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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| Re: 1 AC or 2? [message #293091 is a reply to message #293033] |
Tue, 29 December 2015 06:29 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Rob,
The atwoods have two fans/motors as well. For efficency and to help noise supposedly.
But they are not low profile by any means.
I do like mine.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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