Any downside to upgrading your MH’s AC units from 13.5M to 15.0M?

[Harm]

You'll never regret moving up to the two 15k units. They can barely keep up when the temps get into the 100+ range and your setting in the direct sun. I wish I would of optioned three of them!

[Steve N Sal]

I don't see any problem with it. $400 seems like a fair price to me. Good luck and enjoy your coach when it arrives.

[Uncle Dave]

Originally Posted by fred061164

Excellent comments - you really learn a lot.

Jon - regarding the generator, stock came with a 5,500 but we upgraded to the 7,000 watt unit. Hopefully that will be enough to power the bigger 2 15.0 AC units.

Terry - I also ordered the bigger AC units with heat pumps. I've never used this feature - but the stock units came with it so I thought I'd better not loose this feature.

I dry camp a lot in the desert and have lots of experience with AC and hot weather.

Your Onan 7000 should be able to start and run 2 ac units, but if you are boon docked and running a large microwave or oven and you have a heavy base load then when its really hot and the Genny is heat soaked from running for 8 hours in the heat- then the AC's may struggle starting again after they cycle.

The 15'ks bit more locked rotor amps (54) and are harder to "kick over" than the 13.5's. (48) Running them- no sweat -getting them started- different deal.

You can give the whole setup a shot in arm and prevent that by upping the hard start kits from the factory- its cheap insurance and held the whole setup out a bunch.

Uncle Dave

[gruelens]

Originally Posted by Uncle Dave

You can give the whole setup a shot in arm and prevent that by upping the hard start kits from the factory- its cheap insurance and held the whole setup out a bunch.

Uncle Dave

I would be interested to know more about what the upgraded hard start kits are and where they are available. Thanks

[Uncle Dave]

Originally Posted by fred061164

Excellent comments - you really learn a lot.

Jon - regarding the generator, stock came with a 5,500 but we upgraded to the 7,000 watt unit. Hopefully that will be enough to power the bigger 2 15.0 AC units.

Terry - I also ordered the bigger AC units with heat pumps. I've never used this feature - but the stock units came with it so I thought I'd better not loose this feature.

Originally Posted by gruelens

I would be interested to know more about what the upgraded hard start kits are and where they are available. Thanks

There are a few videos on line about the "dometic smart start"- probably the most expensive but effective solution for that brand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEu5clbUbts

Ive gone to SUPCO for hard start capacitors for coleman product and Dometic product.

Supco has an excellent guide on the issue

http://www.supco.com/images/pdfs/AC%...%20Booklet.pdf

Ive made this mod to every device I had with an AC unit on the roof and haven't lost a compressor since.

One of the largest factors in compressor life is starting quickly.

Uncle Dave

[zjgc03]

We bought a 2003 Dutch Star about this time last year and one of the first things I had to do was replace both AC units. Upgraded to two 15k with heat pumps. Next I had to get the generator serviced (replace brushes, tuning, etc) before they would start but have not missed a beat since then. We have a Generac 7.5k. Have been very pleased both the cooling and heating performance.

[fred061164]

Thanks Dave & DutchStar - great info! So far the two bigger units have held up great, but June in Dallas will be a big test. :-)

Don't like the water dripping condensation - but I'll look into that later - so far so good!

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Give or take, the 15000 uses an additional 1/2 amp to 1 amp per unit. Other than additional upgrade expense I can't think of any downside. Sounds good to me !!

Interesting: My 13,500 BTU Carrier Air V, draws 13.5 amps running,,,, One of them died due to a workmanship issue.

So I replaced it with an Advent Air 15,000 unit, this is a "Drop on" replacement for the carrier rooftop unit so everything inside remains the same.

So does the 13.5 amp draw.. Yup, it draws the same amount of power. I do admit it' is like 7 years newer though.

[Uncle Dave]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Interesting: My 13,500 BTU Carrier Air V, draws 13.5 amps running,,,, One of them died due to a workmanship issue.

So I replaced it with an Advent Air 15,000 unit, this is a "Drop on" replacement for the carrier rooftop unit so everything inside remains the same.

So does the 13.5 amp draw.. Yup, it draws the same amount of power. I do admit it' is like 7 years newer though.

Thats pretty good a comparable coleman 15Kbtu pulls 16 amps, and the 13.5 mach 3 power saver pulls 11.2.

Dave