Are two 13.5M Air Conditioners Sufficient

[LK23]

I am considering the purchase of a 2012 Newmar Dutchstar. Are the two 13.5M roof air conditioners sufficient in hot weather? Other brands have larger AC units or an additional unit on the roof. What has been your experience?

[RJay]

It depends where you're staying. If your in 95 degree heat in Florida you would probably feel cooler with them than if your were in 95 degree heat in Arizona. Just removing the humidity from the air reduces the heat index. The other factors are the color of your rig, how much shade you have, how much of the afternoon sun hits the rig broad side, how tight your rig is and if you have sun shades on the windows. The main difference is that the 13.5MBTU units will probably run constantly in sever heat where the larger 15MBTU may cycle. But that said, if it were me and I was buying a new RV and had a choice I would opt for the 15MBTU units.

[TXiceman]

In the south in direct sun and summer, I would want two 15K units. Our 34' Avion TT has two 15K units and it is sure nice when you can cool it down in a reasonable time. For the difference is price, get the 15 KBTUH units.

And K is the convention for units of 1,000.

Ken

[RJay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman In the south in direct sun and summer, I would want two 15K units. Our 34' Avion TT has two 15K units and it is sure nice when you can cool it down in a reasonable time. For the difference is price, get the 15 KBTUH units. And K is the convention for units of 1,000. Ken

Thanks Ken, you are korrect!! Don't know what I was thinking.

[Traps90]

Since we;re also considering a 2012 DS, I would say for us up here in Canada that 2 13.5k units would be all we need. But then we rarely see heat into the 90's let alone the 100's

I kow our 36' 5'er struggled a bit but managed ok with a 15k, but up here those temps never last more than a day or two and could be years in between seeing them

If you plan on being in warmer climates I would either upgrade to 2-15k or get a 3rd 13.5k added.

Trap

[JC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LK23 I am considering the purchase of a 2012 Newmar Dutchstar. Are the two 13.5M roof air conditioners sufficient in hot weather? Other brands have larger AC units or an additional unit on the roof. What has been your experience?

You might consider a 15K for the front and a 13.5K for the rear unit.

[Mr_D]

In Yuma in 95° temps we did just fine with one 13.5 heat pump running.

[TechWriter]

I have two, 13.5K Penguins w/heat pumps & plan to replace them with 15K BTU Penguins w/o heat pumps.

I've found that two, 13.5K units on a 40-footer do NOT fit the bill.

[LK23]

Yes, I thought it was K btu when measuring an air conditioner. The Newmar web site has this:
Two 13.5M Penguin™ Heat Pump Central Air Conditioners

[RJay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechWriter I have two, 13.5K Penguins w/heat pumps & plan to replace them with 15K BTU Penguins w/o heat pumps. I've found that two, 13.5K units on a 40-footer do NOT fit the bill.

You are right. A 40 foot unit with 4 slides adds a lot of additional living area to cool/heat. That's why 42 foot rigs and up usually have 3 A/C units.

[imgoin4it]

We have a 39 ft Kountry Star DP with two 13.5K units. It cools well in the South West in Tucson, Las Vegas etc. But I make sure the sun is blocked and use two 9 in fans. One in the front aimed up and toward the back, and the other in the center bath blowing toward the front. Both set on the floor. This seems to even out the temperature through out and does a good job cooling. The front unit will never cycle during the heat of the day, it runs continuously. The bed room will get cold and I "move" some of the cool air to the center of the coach. This does fine, but the first time I have to replace a unit a 15K will go in the front and the 13.5 unit is all the bed room needs so will stay.

[RJay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by imgoin4it We have a 39 ft Kountry Star DP with two 13.5K units. It cools well in the South West in Tucson, Las Vegas etc. But I make sure the sun is blocked and use two 9 in fans. One in the front aimed up and toward the back, and the other in the center bath blowing toward the front. Both set on the floor. This seems to even out the temperature through out and does a good job cooling. The front unit will never cycle during the heat of the day, it runs continuously. The bed room will get cold and I "move" some of the cool air to the center of the coach. This does fine, but the first time I have to replace a unit a 15K will go in the front and the 13.5 unit is all the bed room needs so will stay.

You make an excellent point about using fans. The cool air settles toward the floor and using the fans moves the air toward the mid level of the room where it's occupied. Blowing air from the smaller bedroom area to the front helps in cooling the front area where it's always warmer.

[Dav5942]

We ordered 2-15s and 1-13.5 on our 42', would not want anything less!

[Route 66]

My 40' DSDP had 2 15M ACs and did not sufficiently cool when it was extremely hot and the sun was on the windshield.