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New roof-top air conditioner [message #312254] Wed, 18 January 2017 18:33 Go to next message
gibsongo is currently offline  gibsongo   Canada
Messages: 116
Registered: October 2012
Location: Montreal West, Quebec, Ca...
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Senior Member
Hello all


As a northerner, the only time we used the rooftop aircon unit on our Class C in 10 years of ownership was on the four short camping trips we took to Murrels Inlet South Carolina with the kids. But my travel plans with the GMC are a little more ambitious, and since I intend to visit the U.S. south west, I guess a replacement unit for the GMC is probably in order (according to the POs, the current one is beyond toast).

I have been seduced by the low profiles of the Dometic Penguin II and the Coleman Mach 8. Does anyone out there in GMC land have experience - bad or good - with either of these units? Any other brands and models I should be looking at?

Will 13.5 K BTU be enough for a 23", or should I spring for a 15 K model? BTW - my generator will be a Honda EV6000 so there shouldn't be a problem in this area regardless of capacity.

Thanks in advance

Gordon


Gordon Gibson 1976 23" Norris Upfit Montreal West, Quebec, Canada
Re: New roof-top air conditioner [message #312255 is a reply to message #312254] Wed, 18 January 2017 18:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
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Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Living in the Deep South, you could never go wrong with the larger unit. But, realistically a 23' should be fine with the 13.5 unit. Your ev6010 will power anything that you put on the roof.
Tom, MS II - 26' with two A/C's and the ev6010


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: New roof-top air conditioner [message #312256 is a reply to message #312254] Wed, 18 January 2017 18:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gibsongo is currently offline  gibsongo   Canada
Messages: 116
Registered: October 2012
Location: Montreal West, Quebec, Ca...
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Thanks Tom. Any preference as to brand and model?

Gordon Gibson 1976 23" Norris Upfit Montreal West, Quebec, Canada
Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner [message #312258 is a reply to message #312256] Wed, 18 January 2017 19:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
We have sold many of both brands.
Most RV shops will tell you that the Dometic unit is constructed cheaply
compared to Colman.
Should you want a quote on a delivered price,we can do so at competitive
prices.
The Low profile is my choice,Lower wind drag and the 13.5 is all you need.
One hint is to turn on the unit before it reaches high temperature inside
as it is not the air, but the content in the coach that is soaked with
heat, and it does not dissipates readily.

On Wed, Jan 18, 2017 at 4:47 PM, Gordon Gibson
wrote:

> Thanks Tom. Any preference as to brand and model?
> --
> Gordon Gibson
> 1976 23" Norris Upfit
> Montreal West, Quebec, Canada
>
> _______________________________________________
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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
Re: New roof-top air conditioner [message #312259 is a reply to message #312254] Wed, 18 January 2017 19:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
gibsongo wrote on Wed, 18 January 2017 19:33
Hello all


As a northerner, the only time we used the rooftop aircon unit on our Class C in 10 years of ownership was on the four short camping trips we took to Murrels Inlet South Carolina with the kids. But my travel plans with the GMC are a little more ambitious, and since I intend to visit the U.S. south west, I guess a replacement unit for the GMC is probably in order (according to the POs, the current one is beyond toast).

I have been seduced by the low profiles of the Dometic Penguin II and the Coleman Mach 8. Does anyone out there in GMC land have experience - bad or good - with either of these units? Any other brands and models I should be looking at?

Will 13.5 K BTU be enough for a 23", or should I spring for a 15 K model? BTW - my generator will be a Honda EV6000 so there shouldn't be a problem in this area regardless of capacity.

Thanks in advance

Gordon

Gordon,

The unit we have is no longer available. It is a 15.5 and even in the hottest times in Michigan we could use it to age beef. It is nice to have and it was only a small cost increase, but I am not sure I would pay it again. One thing I would buy again (and just did as the original flamed out) is the heat strip. This is not a heat pump, just an electric element in the air stream, but real nice to have if you are paying FHU already.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: New roof-top air conditioner [message #312289 is a reply to message #312259] Thu, 19 January 2017 13:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mghamms is currently offline  mghamms   United States
Messages: 466
Registered: March 2016
Location: Ware, Massachusetts
Karma: 2
Senior Member
I've been looking to add an air conditioner in the rear of my Kingsley to replace the fan.
The Atwood 15026 heat pump is about what I'm looking for.
The problem that I have is not knowing how long it is from the 14" x 14" hole. I don't want it to interfere with the running lights and don't want to mount it backwards.
Anyone know if it might fit or another heat pump that will?


1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner [message #312290 is a reply to message #312289] Thu, 19 January 2017 13:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Billy Massey is currently offline  Billy Massey   United States
Messages: 916
Registered: January 2004
Location: Central Texas
Karma: 1
Senior Member

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/manuals/ac/MPD_15000_AC_IOM_NON-DUCTED_02_09_2016_rev_9.pdf

On Jan 19, 2017 1:20 PM, "Mike Hamm" wrote:

> I've been looking to add an air conditioner in the rear of my Kingsley to
> replace the fan.
> The Atwood 15026 heat pump is about what I'm looking for.
> The problem that I have is not knowing how long it is from the 14" x 14"
> hole. I don't want it to interfere with the running lights and don't want to
> mount it backwards.
> Anyone know if it might fit or another heat pump that will?
>
> --
> 1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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bdub
bdub.net
Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner [message #312302 is a reply to message #312290] Thu, 19 January 2017 18:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kingsley Coach is currently offline  Kingsley Coach   United States
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
Senior Member
There's Jim with the good thinking again " ... it is not the air, but the
content in the coach that is soaked with
heat, and it does not dissipates readily."

Now why didn't I think of that !

Mike in NS

On Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 3:58 PM, Billy Massey wrote:

> http://www.atwoodmobile.com/manuals/ac/MPD_15000_AC_IOM_
> NON-DUCTED_02_09_2016_rev_9.pdf
>
> On Jan 19, 2017 1:20 PM, "Mike Hamm" wrote:
>
>> I've been looking to add an air conditioner in the rear of my Kingsley to
>> replace the fan.
>> The Atwood 15026 heat pump is about what I'm looking for.
>> The problem that I have is not knowing how long it is from the 14" x 14"
>> hole. I don't want it to interfere with the running lights and don't
> want to
>> mount it backwards.
>> Anyone know if it might fit or another heat pump that will?
>>
>> --
>> 1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS

Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
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Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner [message #312303 is a reply to message #312302] Thu, 19 January 2017 19:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Mike,

In the "business" the time to get a heat soaked aircraft down to a
reasonable temp is called the "pull down time."

When I bought Double trouble it had one 13,500 BTU unit up front. When I
discovered it came pre wired for a second down the back I bought two Dometic
Brisk Air 13,500 BTU units as they drew the lowest amperage so now I have
two. When Helen and I arrived at a RV park I'd plug into the 50 amp service
and fire both units up. Even on the hottest days Double Trouble would be
cool as a cucumber in 10 - 15 minutes. Also whenever I'd take a shower I'd
open the bathroom door and hook it to the closet on the other side isolating
the back of the coach from the front. I'd fire the rear unit up and when I
got out of the shower it was most refreshing to dry myself off in the cool
environment.

However, those units are made in China and the quality control was piss
poor. The inside cover didn't align with the control knobs which are
attached to the roof unit. I had to do some rework to make them align
properly.

I don't know if the Brisk Air II models are better or not; IIRC Kelvin Dietz
bought one; perhaps he will read this and comment.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Kingsley
Coach
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2017 11:58 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner

There's Jim with the good thinking again " ... it is not the air, but the
content in the coach that is soaked with
heat, and it does not dissipates readily."

Now why didn't I think of that !

Mike in NS

On Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 3:58 PM, Billy Massey wrote:

> http://www.atwoodmobile.com/manuals/ac/MPD_15000_AC_IOM_
> NON-DUCTED_02_09_2016_rev_9.pdf
>
> On Jan 19, 2017 1:20 PM, "Mike Hamm" wrote:
>
>> I've been looking to add an air conditioner in the rear of my Kingsley
to
>> replace the fan.
>> The Atwood 15026 heat pump is about what I'm looking for.
>> The problem that I have is not knowing how long it is from the 14" x 14"
>> hole. I don't want it to interfere with the running lights and don't
> want to
>> mount it backwards.
>> Anyone know if it might fit or another heat pump that will?
>>
>> --
>> 1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>



--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS

Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
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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
Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner [message #312305 is a reply to message #312303] Thu, 19 January 2017 21:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Billy Massey is currently offline  Billy Massey   United States
Messages: 916
Registered: January 2004
Location: Central Texas
Karma: 1
Senior Member

The brisk air II units DO NOT blow air out the front. ONLY to the rear and
sides.

bdub


On Jan 19, 2017 7:26 PM, "Rob Mueller" wrote:


I don't know if the Brisk Air II models are better or not; IIRC Kelvin Dietz
bought one; perhaps he will read this and comment.
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bdub
bdub.net
Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner [message #312314 is a reply to message #312305] Fri, 20 January 2017 08:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mghamms is currently offline  mghamms   United States
Messages: 466
Registered: March 2016
Location: Ware, Massachusetts
Karma: 2
Senior Member
The venting is a problem that I didn't know. I the Brisk 2 was my first consideration be course it looked like it would fit in the rear. Looks like that's not a great option now.
The Atwood seams like a good option. Quiet and the venting seems good just not sure on the size, need the dimension from the 14" hole to the rear of the unit. I have the roof rails that I don't mind cutting for the air conditioner but don't want it to interfere with the running lights.
.Billy Massey wrote on Thu, 19 January 2017 21:10
The brisk air II units DO NOT blow air out the front. ONLY to the rear and
sides.

bdub


On Jan 19, 2017 7:26 PM, "Rob Mueller" wrote:


I don't know if the Brisk Air II models are better or not; IIRC Kelvin Dietz
bought one; perhaps he will read this and comment.
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1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner [message #312317 is a reply to message #312314] Fri, 20 January 2017 16:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Mike,

For The Blue Streak here in Sydney I purchased two of these:

https://www.caravansplus.com.au/pdf/IBIS%20owners%20manual.pdf

I will mount one facing forward and one facing rearwards you can do the same
with a Penguin.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike
Hamm
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2017 1:12 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner

The venting is a problem that I didn't know. I the Brisk 2 was my first
consideration be course it looked like it would fit in the rear. Looks like
that's not a great option now.
The Atwood seams like a good option. Quiet and the venting seems good just
not sure on the size, need the dimension from the 14" hole to the rear of
the unit. I have the roof rails that I don't mind cutting for the air
conditioner but don't want it to interfere with the running lights.
.Billy Massey wrote on Thu, 19 January 2017 21:10
> The brisk air II units DO NOT blow air out the front. ONLY to the rear
and
> sides.
>
> bdub
>
>
> On Jan 19, 2017 7:26 PM, "Rob Mueller" wrote:
>
>
> I don't know if the Brisk Air II models are better or not; IIRC Kelvin
Dietz
> bought one; perhaps he will read this and comment.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org


--
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts

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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
Re: New roof-top air conditioner [message #312318 is a reply to message #312254] Fri, 20 January 2017 16:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
Senior Member
I can try and find a moment this weekend to take a measurement off the atwood, but I am guessing it will interfere with the lights or ladder rail. it is longer and skinnier then the OEM.

I thought there was someone that did install 2 atwoods out there.

I also do not think the dometic penguin has the same inside unit as the normal dometic brisk air junk RV air conditioner Billy mentioned. Maybe I am wrong?


Penguin:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/dometic-brisk-air-13-500-btu-air-conditioner-black/48888

dometic brisk aire:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/universal-air-distribution-box-for-brisk-ii-heat-pump/69944



I was thinking that dometic just recently re-did there A/C product line, and that penguin ii is newer to market again.




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] New roof-top air conditioner [message #312321 is a reply to message #312318] Fri, 20 January 2017 16:53 Go to previous message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Jon,

Don't bother, it WILL.

IIRC the Brisk air units have an overhang of 14 inches whereas the Dometics
are twenty something.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Jon
Roche
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2017 9:32 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] New roof-top air conditioner

I can try and find a moment this weekend to take a measurement off the
atwood, but I am guessing it will interfere with the lights or ladder rail.

it is longer and skinnier then the OEM.

I thought there was someone that did install 2 atwoods out there.

I also do not think the dometic penguin has the same inside unit as the
normal dometic brisk air junk RV air conditioner Billy mentioned. Maybe I
am
wrong?


Penguin:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/dometic-brisk-air-13-500-btu-air-c
onditioner-black/48888

dometic brisk aire:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/universal-air-distribution-box-for
-brisk-ii-heat-pump/69944



I was thinking that dometic just recently re-did there A/C product line, and
that penguin ii is newer to market again.



--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/

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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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