| Mini-split heat pump [message #356925] |
Sat, 18 July 2020 10:25  |
Kerry
Messages: 11
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma:
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I know this is slightly off topic but I believe this would work on GMCs also.
My 2006 Discovery diesel pusher has two 13,500 Coleman heat pumps on the roof. LOUD, and marginally OK in hot weather. Near 100 degrees and you're going to be near 80 inside. Usually OK at night. Newer coaches have 3 noisemakers on the roof.
I visited a friend with a 5th wheel and was astounded at how comfortable and quiet it was inside. He showed me the mini-split heat pump he had installed and I was hooked. Here are some photos of my installation. The outside unit is behind a 'basement' door. The plastic tub that formed the basement was removed and the unit draws air from behind the unit and exhausts through the hole in the door.
The inside unit is in the center of the overhead above the dashboard and blows down the length of the coach.
The refigerant and drain lines run up the 'A' pillar behind the cover. It is not a trivial installation but doable for folks who are 'handy'.
This thing is amazing. It's only 12000 btu which is the largest 120V unit. Not only does it cool the whole coach even on 95 degree days, it is nearly silent. Sitting in my chair, I measure 50 decibels. The Coleman measures 79 by comparison which is THREE times louder. THREE TIMES. A library is 45 decibels for comparison. Also it is soft start and true inverter technology. It draws about 6 amps flat out and there is NO start surge. The compressor is variable vane and the whole unit just slows down when it needs less cooling/heating although it's hard to tell unless you are watching the amps because it's so darn quiet.
So what has this to do with a GMC you are thinking.
If I still had a GMC, I would extend the bumper a bit, move the spare tire over to one side, and mount the outside unit on the other side bumper. I've passed several tag-a-long and 5th wheels with them on the rear bumper. On a GMC, the inside unit could mount up high above the rear window. The return air is above it so it would need to hang down 4 inches or so. They want 6 but 4 should work. They make a 9000 btu unit that would probably be perfect in a GMC's smaller space. Also the heating capabilities are amazing also. It works down to ZERO degrees F and has an auto function that will switch between cooling and heating automatically.
Something for you gear heads to think about. In the next 10 years, I believe you will see units made especially for RVs. There is a 5th wheel company that has one as an option in 2020.
Kerry
[Updated on: Sat, 18 July 2020 10:29] Report message to a moderator |
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