Community Forums

ocn · 10-18-2011, 03:02 PM

After 2 outings in temps around 100 this summer, we've confirmed our RV needs a second A/C unit. It has a wall mount thermostat and wiring in place for a rear A/C unit. Any suggestions on the best places to shop for one? Any recommendations on units with low power draw? or other advice to a newbie?

TXiceman · 10-18-2011, 06:44 PM

You have to decide whether you will need a ducted or non-ducted air for the second unit. Will the thermostat support a second unit?

Simplest one will be a non-ducted unit with it's own thermostat.

Ken

LadyFitz... · 10-18-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

You have to decide whether you will need a ducted or non-ducted air for the second unit. Will the thermostat support a second unit?

Simplest one will be a non-ducted unit with it's own thermostat.

Ken

If the wiring is already in place for the second A/C, there is a good chance the wiring for a thermostat is already in place. If so, cutting a hole in the wall and fishing it out shouldn't be too difficult. It would be a huge improvement over a thermostat installed on the A/C's lower unit.

Wether to get a ducted or unducted lower unit would depend on whether there is ductwork already in place or easily accessable.

I would suggest a call or email to the manufacturer to see wht your RV actually has in place and where.

ocn · 10-19-2011, 05:07 AM

I should have mentioned that our RV has the wall mount thermostat, power and thermostat wiring already in place. And it is ducted.

Someone at a race this year mentioned a place in TN that they bought what they described as a lower power consumption A/C unit to upgrade their RV. But couldn't remeber the name of the business. Any ideas?

TXiceman · 10-19-2011, 07:50 PM

The two manufacturers of RV A/C units are Coleman and Dometic. There is another one here that is coming from china. Coleman is the better of the two, but both have a low energy model.

Since you already have the t'stat wiring in place, you will have to go with the same manufacturer as the front unit and the style may well be dictated by the t'stat.

Most of the manufactures have gone with a dedicated t'stat and you are stuck with that now.

Ken

LadyFitz... · 10-20-2011, 02:37 AM

Coleman has a Power Saver line in their Mach I and Mach III series (and I do know how to spell whether and what).

The new A/C will have to have its own thermostat; you can't use the one connected to the other A/C. Also, if you do get a Coleman Thermostat for the wall, get the digital kind, not the mechanical one.