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| [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209454] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 16:53  |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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I haven’t seen any comparison write-ups about RV Air Conditioning units. My Intertherm Polaris is getting old and I’m wondering if she’ll last much longer. Some have 2 roof units, some prefer low-profile. I have 1 low profile unit now, though I also have a storage box on top, so what’s that all about?
What would you buy, and why?
Would you -
Buy the cheapest 15k BTU unit you can find - most bang for the buck.
Buy a high quality unit - pricing is secondary.
Low profile and toss the box - 13.5k BTU is okay
???
Who would you buy from - the Family RV Parts folks on ebay?
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209465 is a reply to message #209454] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 19:20  |
werewilfs
Messages: 329
Registered: July 2012
Location: Rappahannock County, VA
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I'm also interested in this... anyone install one with a heater and get rid of the furnace? I know they aren't good for dry camping or winter camping but enough to take the chill out when hooked into power.
________________________________
From: Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 5:53 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units
I haven’t seen any comparison write-ups about RV Air Conditioning units. My Intertherm Polaris is getting old and I’m wondering if she’ll last much longer. Some have 2 roof units, some prefer low-profile. I have 1 low profile unit now, though I also have a storage box on top, so what’s that all about?
What would you buy, and why?
Would you -
Buy the cheapest 15k BTU unit you can find - most bang for the buck.
Buy a high quality unit - pricing is secondary.
Low profile and toss the box - 13.5k BTU is okay
???
Who would you buy from - the Family RV Parts folks on ebay?
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
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Jared & Stefanie Kohl
Rappahannock County, VA
1973 Painted Desert "Onslow"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209468 is a reply to message #209465] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 19:58 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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I see Dometic is touting their Brisk 2 as the state of the art. Sadly the pan is simply powder coated steel. My old Polaris has a composite pan that will never rust.
Of course it's not blowing very cold right now. I wonder if I have someone braze in fittings if I could charge it with Duracool.
Larry Davick
On May 31, 2013, at 5:20 PM, Jared & Stefanie Kohl <vacougfan@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I'm also interested in this... anyone install one with a heater and get rid of the furnace? I know they aren't good for dry camping or winter camping but enough to take the chill out when hooked into power.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net>
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 5:53 PM
> Subject: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units
>
>
> I haven’t seen any comparison write-ups about RV Air Conditioning units. My Intertherm Polaris is getting old and I’m wondering if she’ll last much longer. Some have 2 roof units, some prefer low-profile. I have 1 low profile unit now, though I also have a storage box on top, so what’s that all about?
>
> What would you buy, and why?
>
> Would you -
> Buy the cheapest 15k BTU unit you can find - most bang for the buck.
> Buy a high quality unit - pricing is secondary.
> Low profile and toss the box - 13.5k BTU is okay
> ???
>
> Who would you buy from - the Family RV Parts folks on ebay?
>
>
> Larry Davick
> A Mystery Machine
> 1976(ish) Palm Beach
> Fremont, CA
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209474 is a reply to message #209465] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 20:51 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I have a 13.5 Dometic heat pump which does well around here (southeast).Â
Â
--johnny
From: Jared & Stefanie Kohl <vacougfan@yahoo.com>
To: "gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org" <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 8:20 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units
I'm also interested in this... anyone install one with a heater and get rid of the furnace? I know they aren't good for dry camping or winter camping but enough to take the chill out when hooked into power.
________________________________
From: Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 5:53 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units
I haven’t seen any comparison write-ups about RV Air Conditioning units. My Intertherm Polaris is getting old and I’m wondering if she’ll last much longer. Some have 2 roof units, some prefer low-profile. I have 1 low profile unit now, though I also have a storage box on top, so what’s that all about?
What would you buy, and why?
Would you -
Buy the cheapest 15k BTU unit you can find - most bang for the buck.
Buy a high quality unit - pricing is secondary.
Low profile and toss the box - 13.5k BTU is okay
???
Who would you buy from - the Family RV Parts folks on ebay?
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
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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] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209478 is a reply to message #209465] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 21:37 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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| werewilfs wrote on Fri, 31 May 2013 20:20 |
I'm also interested in this... anyone install one with a heater and get rid of the furnace? I know they aren't good for dry camping or winter camping but enough to take the chill out when hooked into power.
|
We have a single Coleman Mach 15 15K btu with a heat strip in the center hole. I put it on about 5 years ago. It moves a lot of air, but it is marginal for the southeast summers, and that's with a re-insulated coach. We keep the blinds drawn all day and that thing cranked high and you can take a 90+ degree, 90+ humidity day and just get down into the low to mid 70s. When driving it just doesn't push enough air forward from the center hole to get the driver area as cold as I'd like sitting in front of those big windows. To be honest, while driving with the blinds open and the engine hot and everything else, it's pretty marginal for the whole coach.
The heat strip, which I'm not sure they make anymore since it's kind of a fire hazard, works well down to the mid 40s. Once you push under the mid 40s you either need a furnace or a different heat system. It just can't heat the ambient air enough as it goes through (over?) the strip.
If I was doing it again, I'd go with a pair of 13.5 high efficiency AC units in the front and back hole. I'd also do heat pumps on both since we rarely camp colder than the mid 40s and that seems safer than the strips. We have no propane in the coach, so for us a furnace isn't in the cards.
By and large, what we have now is "good enough" given the budget, but doing it differently is definitely something I'd strongly consider if the money starts coming in again.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209479 is a reply to message #209454] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 21:43 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Carrier Low Profiles if you can find them, second choice, Coleman Mach. They also have the separate outdoor fan motor If I recall.
None are built internally like the Carriers. All molded plastic ducting, separate OD and ID Fans. Best RV AC unit ever made, and I have taken a lot of them apart.
The Dometics are Shit.
Given the room, a Ductless Mini split would be the best, but you would have to mount the condensing unit on the rear bumper...
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209480 is a reply to message #209454] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 21:45 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Oh, my Carrier is a 15K heat pump. Works great on park power in AZ winters...No need to burn Propane.
Ducting also helps cool the coach better. I rarely ran both, and now only need one in my TT, which has about the same interior volume as the GMC, but not all the glass, and 2" thick insulated walls.
-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"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209481 is a reply to message #209454] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 21:53 |
Dennis sch
Messages: 58
Registered: July 2012
Location: United States
Karma: 1
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im looking at GREE 13.5 it comes with a remote its new to the rv market but they been making other ac's for many years and they look good. Gree 13.5K BTU Air Conditioner Description
Cooling Capacity: 13,500 Btu/h
Cooling Current Input: 13.2 amps, Low amp draw to help performace when running off of generator power.
Refrigerant: R410A: Meets current regulations requiring use of non Ozone-depleting coolant.
Dirty Filter Alarm: No need to buy filters. Simply remove and wash. Features and alarm that even tells you when its time to do it.
Self Diagnosis: Lets you know when it is in need of repair and informs the technician what repairs need to be made.
Quick Cool Feature: Just open the baffle and let air shoot straight down. Allows for faster cooling on hot days.
3 Speed Fan Motor Air Flow Volume:
High - 482.57 cfm
Medium - 447.26 cfm
Low - 411.95 cfm
Dennis S
Panama City FL
73 260
[Updated on: Fri, 31 May 2013 21:54] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209483 is a reply to message #209468] |
Fri, 31 May 2013 22:15 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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You cannot use Duracool in a rooftop AC unit. Different type of coolant, R22 not R12 or Freeze12 or Duracool12a. There is a Duracool 22A and it is available only in 12 & 20# cylinders.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
Michigan
On May 31, 2013, at 8:58 PM, Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net> wrote:
> I see Dometic is touting their Brisk 2 as the state of the art. Sadly the pan is simply powder coated steel. My old Polaris has a composite pan that will never rust.
>
> Of course it's not blowing very cold right now. I wonder if I have someone braze in fittings if I could charge it with Duracool.
>
> Larry Davick
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209501 is a reply to message #209496] |
Sat, 01 June 2013 01:24 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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We sell and stock all the brands of roof air units.
I seldom loose a sale as we are very price competitive.
We can get you any brand and model in couple days from regional warehouses.
We use Dura Cool for the automotive application as we have all the recovery
units.
The roof units are harder to service as you need to pierce the tube.
Our ac guy does not like to work with the Dura Cools as he is more familiar
with the R134.
uraOn Fri, May 31, 2013 at 10:37 PM, Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net>wrote:
> No, I see it now - it's about half way down the page just above the
> piercing valve. <http://www.duracool.com/ecom/shoppingcart.html>
>
> I'll stop by Applied GMC tomorrow to see if Jim can order the kit.
>
> Larry Davick
>
> On May 31, 2013, at 10:29 PM, Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > Here is a video about recharging an R-22 window air conditioner. It
> similar to our rooftop units, I think...
> >
> > I see this video on YouTube but I don't see these products on the
> Duracool site.
> >
> > <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZeXa6VcK9o&feature=youtube_gdata_player
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Larry Davick
> > A Mystery Machine
> > Fremont, Ca
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209510 is a reply to message #209479] |
Sat, 01 June 2013 08:00 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Chris,
I agree with you 100%; JohnS has two of them in his GMC and they are terrific. The thing I like about them is how quiet they are. I
installed two Dometic Brisk Air 13,500 BTU units. The reason I installed two was in case one failed we'd still have A/C and wouldn't
have to replace it quickly. TomP had to do that at a rally and wound up paying over $1000 to have one installed. I got two from
AdventureRV with heat strips delivered to Houston for:
Sub-Total: $959.98
Standard Ground (Deliver To Zip code: 77346): $190.75
Shipping Insurance: $7.91
Total: $1,158.64
The down side is that they are made in China and the control knobs (mounted to the main unit) don't align in the ceiling unit very
well and they are noisy compared to the Carrier.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Choffat
Carrier Low Profiles if you can find them, second choice, Coleman Mach. They also have the separate outdoor fan motor If I recall.
None are built internally like the Carriers. All molded plastic ducting, separate OD and ID Fans. Best RV AC unit ever made, and I
have taken a lot of them apart.
The Dometics are Shit.
Given the room, a Ductless Mini split would be the best, but you would have to mount the condensing unit on the rear bumper...
--
-Chr$:
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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: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209511 is a reply to message #209483] |
Sat, 01 June 2013 08:05 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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i am still trying to find out what one is best to get, being that super cool duracool is moot to the roof conditoiner.
WHat is the best rooftop ac unit to buy, i would like a low profile if possible and freezing and heat as well from it.
i have a 6k onan, and it looks like only one air conditioner in the middle roof with two maxxi fans on each end
with one fantastic fan in the bath and the pod shifted over a few inches to get that over the bath with a 14 inch square
fan with white top for natural light in the shower. any ideas , it looks as jimk states dural cool won't work inthe roof units.
I would like to put duracool in my regular dash unit that is stock 77 palm beach and where do it get that to put in there as well?
those are my air unit questions and need help with choosing please. Please help me. mickey, ca. 77 palm beach.
On May 31, 2013, at 8:15 PM, John Wright wrote:
> You cannot use Duracool in a rooftop AC unit. Different type of coolant, R22 not R12 or Freeze12 or Duracool12a. There is a Duracool 22A and it is available only in 12 & 20# cylinders.
> JR Wright
> 78 Buskirk Stretch
> Michigan
>
> On May 31, 2013, at 8:58 PM, Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> I see Dometic is touting their Brisk 2 as the state of the art. Sadly the pan is simply powder coated steel. My old Polaris has a composite pan that will never rust.
>>
>> Of course it's not blowing very cold right now. I wonder if I have someone braze in fittings if I could charge it with Duracool.
>>
>> Larry Davick
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209534 is a reply to message #209495] |
Sat, 01 June 2013 13:38 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Larry it is just like a large window shaker those piercing valves have a tendency to leak a small schrader with a copper stub would be better. You could braze it on with brazing rod and knapp gas if you don't have a welding rig and sill fos. R22 can be found on E bay in 30 lb cylinders maybey you can find a mostly used up bottle. Is the compressor running and pumping? If there. Is a fair amount of gas in it the valves or crank could be broken but a leak is more likely. The charge is more critical in the roof air then the dash air so be carfull if you do it on the fly rather then weighing it in charge it to about 60-65 lbs suction.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] Best Rooftop AC Units [message #209593 is a reply to message #209496] |
Sun, 02 June 2013 02:20 |
Adrien G.
Messages: 474
Registered: May 2008
Location: Burns Flat, OK 73624
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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The clamp on piercing valve are good for discharge the unit, then I would replace that piercing valve with a line tap silver soldered to the tube. That make it permanent and leak proof.
Then one would have to play with the charge pressure to find where the coldest temp is vs pressure in the discharge line.
I have seen piercing vales and line tap on Ebay, and Grainger that I know of.
If temp difference hold true to a car dash AC between R-134 and Duracool, (it made a good difference in my Accord) then would a 13,500 BTU come close to what a non Duracool 15,000 BTU can do?
JMO.
Adrien & Jenny Genesoto
75 Glenbrook (26-3) Mods LS3.70 FD / Reaction Sys / 80mm Front&Intermidiate / Hydroboost / 16" Tires / Frame Rebuild / Interior Rebuild
Yuba City,Ca. Text 530-nine-3-three-3-nine-nine-6
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