Adding Air Conditioner

[Vette Racer]

Ok, I want to add a air conditioner to my trailer. I have a 30 amp service with a 13.5 unit now and am thinking about the 9000 btu coleman polar air because of the amps (9.0) instead of the 13.5. (14.0) What do you think? Will it help enough or do I need to go with the 13.5 unit? I really don't want to convert to 50 amp if I can help it. The 13.5 does a good job except in 100 or better temps.

[Vette Racer]

Ok, I want to add a air conditioner to my trailer. I have a 30 amp service with a 13.5 unit now and am thinking about the 9000 btu coleman polar air because of the amps (9.0) instead of the 13.5. (14.0) What do you think? Will it help enough or do I need to go with the 13.5 unit? I really don't want to convert to 50 amp if I can help it. The 13.5 does a good job except in 100 or better temps.

[RV Wizard]

Tom, 9000 BTU's is not a lot of cooling but could be enough to compensate when you get into the really hot areas. Look at the cost difference. A 13.5 may be less than the 9. A high energy efficient model may allow you to run both with most all other loads turned off during the hottest part of the day. I am sure others will be of some help too. Good luck and keep us informed.

[Vette Racer]

Anybody else have any other ideas or suggestions? Thanks for your input Mike.

[Ensign]

I like your idea. I keep my trailer in Blythe, CA during the summer months and only have 30A service. My trailer is a 37 fifth wheel toy hauler with a high ceiling (a lot of air space. I have 1 15K BTU AC right now and it does a good job. Sometimes it gets a little warm during the day, but always gets cooled down enough at night.
Is the 14 amps for the 13.5 BTU AC at start up or when running? Same question for the 9k BTU AC? I haven't researched the Coleman unit. Is it a rooftop model? How will you run the wiring?

The only suggestion I can think of is we use a fans to help circulate the air evenly throughout the rig, foil bubble wrap in the windows to insulate them, clean the filter regularly and I adjust the AC vents to control the air flow in certain rooms (like the bathroom).
Regards
Larry

[Ray,IN]

I installed a new 2nd 13,5 btu A/C unit on our last 5er, which had 30A service. It was pre-wired for a 2nd A/C, using a 3 way switch in the ceiling for the existing unit and microwave oven. The 2nd A/C is wired to the same terminal as the microwave. When using the main A/C the microwave has no power. When the microwave has power, by changing the switch, the 2nd A/C is powered. Both A/C unit and microwave would operate with judicious use of power elsewhere. With today's technology, A/C units use much less power. I would buy the larger unit, since it is practically the same price, and wire-in a 3-way switch, or automatic alternating switch for the A/C units. Both units compressors kicking on simultaneously may be a concern, as start-up amperage is higher than operating amperage.