Community Forums

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 05-25-2007, 02:19 PM

Understand all about the KISS principle. My point was that, although I don't use it, the heat pump is sort of a joke on our rig. We use an "EdenPure" space heater in the bedroom and a small catalytic space heater in the living room when things get cold. The propane furnace units, although great to warm things up, make a lotto noise.

Jestme13 · 05-28-2007, 03:58 PM

very hot this weekend camping, and we had DW's dad with us, so, the basement A/C got a work out and I can report IT WAS EXCELLENT. Cooled quickly, fairly quiet for RV air system, and really cooled the coach going down the road, I am so Happy I could just ! Compared to my last coach, this is heaven.

Jimmy Jam · 05-29-2007, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the replies folks...

I guess one of my main wonders/concerns was the noise factor compared to roof units as well as comparisons in efficiency (for those who have had both)..

As far as the noise in the bedroom, I assume that it wouldn't quite qualify for that "white noise type" that makes a lot of folks sleep better, huh??

Jestme13 · 05-29-2007, 05:20 PM

let DW purr in yer ear for sleep therapy

Joe Gilbert · 06-07-2007, 02:01 PM

I have a 2005 Dolphin and the heat pump is certainly not a joke. Mine works down to 38'F and will keep the coach as warm as you want.

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 06-07-2007, 02:11 PM

I also have a 2005 Dolphin and would expect that we have the same unit as you. Are you sure the heat pump is doing the work or is it the furnace kicking in after the heat pump gives up? Our manual clearly states that the heatpump will attempt to warm the place up but after 3 cycles back to the furnace the heatpump get locked out for 90 minutes. I'd really like to know what unit you have and if it's the same as mine, why mine doesn't work as good as yours.

Fred and Bonnie · 06-08-2007, 05:45 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376:
I also have a 2005 Dolphin and would expect that we have the same unit as you. Are you sure the heat pump is doing the work or is it the furnace kicking in after the heat pump gives up? Our manual clearly states that the heatpump will attempt to warm the place up but after 3 cycles back to the furnace the heatpump get locked out for 90 minutes. I'd really like to know what unit you have and if it's the same as mine, why mine doesn't work as good as yours. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rick, this is why I mentioned to set the thermostat no more than 3-4 degrees above the "room" temperature. You will have to monitor the thermostate and keep increasing the "Set" temperature, but you will eliminate the cycling between the two units and eliminate the possibility of a "Lockout"

Fred

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 06-08-2007, 06:09 PM

That's a good idea about adjusting the thermo that way but I don't want to be a hall monitor. We turn the furnace on long enough to warm the place up and then the EdenPure goes on. It's whisper quiet and cheap to operate. Thanks for the tip though.

JKCTAZ · 06-09-2007, 04:03 PM

OK,so tell a new guy what to expect with a basement (or any unit). Out for a picnic today (our first trip, picked it up last night) and ran the gen and A/C whole time, including driving each way. Set the stat to 'cool', fan on 'Hi' and temp to 75. Outdoor temp was mid 90's. Coach was cooler than outside, but i doubt we got it lower than mid 80's inside. This is after 6 hours, ran it in morning so coach was not overheated at start, ran dash air at max on both legs of driving. Just thought it would get cooler. Not sure I want to camp in a weekend of 100+ in AZ.

Normal, or check the charge in the A/C?

Thanks,

Fred and Bonnie · 06-09-2007, 07:39 PM

Jeff the temp should have held at 75 with the OAT in the 09's. First I would check the air filter, mine is under the bed, and I presume yours is located there. I have found ACE Hardware stores to be the best source for the 10X20X1 filters. The upgraded pleated items go for around $5.00. I am not a big fan of the chassis air; I prefer to run the gen and the central air, with a small fan circulating the air towards the front. I believe the typical test is to place a thermometer in the air outlet (I would use the bedroom) and the output temperature should be 15-20 degrees below the outside temp.

For what it's worth, we keep the vents and shower skylight plugged with foam cushions, goes a long way on improving both heating and cooling. When the temp is above 100 we use insulated material on all the windows, especially the front(When parked).

Hope this helps

Fred

JKCTAZ · 06-10-2007, 04:14 AM

Thanks Fred. Without the dash air I would have cooked. Filter is new on basement AC (under bed). I'll get my thermometer out this afternoon and check temps with everything on full blast. May just need a charge to the system. Regardless, I like the basement AC. Ran quiet, cleans up the roof and I have plenty of storage as it is.

Fred and Bonnie · 06-10-2007, 08:35 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JKCTAZ:
Thanks Fred. Without the dash air I would have cooked. Filter is new on basement AC (under bed). I'll get my thermometer out this afternoon and check temps with everything on full blast. May just need a charge to the system. Regardless, I like the basement AC. Ran quiet, cleans up the roof and I have plenty of storage as it is. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jeff I forgot to mention, make sure all the air outlets are open, National tecks have stated they must be open or the air flow is restricted.

Fred

Fred and Bonnie · 06-10-2007, 07:01 PM

Jeff, I was running my AC this afternoon, the inside and outside air temp was 80Âº and the output air temp in the bedroom was 50Âº. It would appear the system is quite capable of putting out real cold air. I would have to go with your idea of having the unit serviced, possibly both compressors are not turning on. On that thought, did you check the 30/50amp power switch, being sure it's in the 50amp position?

Fred

Blake Sprague · 06-13-2007, 04:23 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 06 Tradewinds:
Jimmy,

We own a 2006 Tradewinds with the basement AC/Heat Pump unit. We really like it. We have now owned both (roof units and basement) and like the performance of the basement unit. For us, loss of the small basement space was not an issue. Frankly, the basement has more storage than we need. You are also able to switch the unit to operate on a single compressor if you have less than 50 amps available. Really no different than running one roof mount AC unit on less than 50 amps.

Bottom line... we like the set-up.

Safe travels.

Larry </div></BLOCKQUOTE>