Replacing A/C units

[jacwjames]

So my coach is ~+19 years old and pretty much decided to keep it, it has been pretty dependable, I pretty much know the in/outs of it after owning it for ~13 years. Know that I've maintained it, that's not saying something ain't going to break but it's paid for.

I replaced the motor in the front AC ~6 years ago and it is performing pretty good. The rear AC needs some TLC but parts are pretty much none existent. I was going to buy a new motor for it but none are available.

So now I'm thinking it might be time to replace both AC's and the thermostat. Still not sure whether to go with a heat pump or not, I don't recall every using the heat pump, my wife has only used it a couple times. We do have a furnace. Both of our current units are Dometic 13.5K BTU's but I'd like to upgrade to the 15K BTU units



So for those of you who have replaced the AC units what did you buy and install. Where did you get them??

[John24RLS]

I currently have Coleman Mach 15 A/Cs. They have new motors for them here https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 if that will fit the 13.5. Here is the Amazon link for new ones.

https://smile.amazon.com/Coleman-Pow...%2C1053&sr=1-2

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

...... The rear AC needs some TLC but parts are pretty much none existent. I was going to buy a new motor for it but none are available.

......

Have you considered getting the motor rewound? Ask around there is likely a local shop.

Might be better than a made in China new motor.

I do not know how your bedroom is set up. I have a pocket door and can cool just the br. I also replace the vent cover making it non-ducted with local control and thermostat.

A bigger unit in the br will likely result in more cycling.

[RustyTools]

Not sure which motor you have, Jim, but I just replaced am OEM fan motor ( {Amazon} DOMETIC 3310424000 Fan Motor Kit) on on my '08 Camelot. Parts list implies they are pretty much 'universal'.

[00zx6r]

We are in a similar situation Jim and decided to replace both with Dometic Penguin 15k with heat pump, I also purchased Micro air thermostat B/T Wifi and one of the 10 button Dometic thermostat for the bedroom, however I haven't have time to install it and will be install soon.
I purchased the AC units from PPL motorhome with discounted price and it still on sale now.

[jacwjames]

The motor itself seems to be OK, I need to replace the rubber grommets that support the motor, these were shot causing the AC unit to make a bunch of noise.

The problem is pretty much all the parts on my AC units are not in stock and/or obsolete. I spent several hours searching for the motor without any luck.

I took the motor and condensor wheel and sheetmetal out. I wasn't going to tear it all the way out but one of the small bolts for the grommet was sieized, ended up having to take the condensor blower off and the sheetmetal off the motor to be able to work on it. I was able to get the blower wheel off the motor but it was a chore. I was going to ahead and get a new blower wheel but there were none in stock anywhere.


It looks like long term I need to replace both AC units so looking for options.

[jacwjames]

Originally Posted by 00zx6r

We are in a similar situation Jim and decided to replace both with Dometic Penguin 15k with heat pump, I also purchased Micro air thermostat B/T Wifi and one of the 10 button Dometic thermostat for the bedroom, however I haven't have time to install it and will be install soon.
I purchased the AC units from PPL motorhome with discounted price and it still on sale now.

I just got off the phone with PPL, they have what I need in stock

https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/...-_651816HXX1C0
Recommended the 10 button thermostat also. Pirces look good. Going to sleep on it tonight.



Anyone else have any suggestions???

[docj]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

So now I'm thinking it might be time to replace both AC's and the thermostat. Still not sure whether to go with a heat pump or not, I don't recall every using the heat pump, my wife has only used it a couple times. We do have a furnace. Both of our current units are Dometic 13.5K BTU's but I'd like to upgrade to the 15K BTU units

Last year we replaced a pair of 20 year-old 13k BTU Dometic Penguins with 15k BTU Coleman Mach 8+ heat pumps. We spend our winter in coastal TX and the heat pumps are all we need unless the temp goes <35 degrees. The A/Cs draw ~12-14 amps each compared to the ~16 amps that the old ones drew.

[sibe]

depending on what you are doing, camping in park, long stay, traveler...

Research the new colemans, the heat pump units are nice,, i went opposite 15K to 13.5 pills a tad less amps, cools as well as my old unit..

Some of the newer units have soft starts etc,, This can help with load shed and load pulling in some parks when it gets busy..

As many have said replace some motors etc,, I did a fan motor with an oem unit.. about 3 years ago, then some compressor capacitors. and a hot start bandaide. then i had to keep turning thermostat last year to keep it cool.. I spend about $215 and 4 trips on the roof...

I got a good deal before the shortages,, 515 for the unit, new control plate and heat strip was about $100,, it will out last me now..

[Lowflyer1]

I got a new motor for my front unit in the spring from Dyers. Received it in 10 days.

The previous owner got a new rear AC from eBay several years ago. It was supposed to be the heat pump version but was not. And did not want to go thru the trouble to return it. So he had to change the circuit board or something so it would work with the front unit and thermostat.

Couple of things we've noticed is the heat pump is quite a bit noisier when we are watching TV and the heat distribution not as even as from the furnace. So we don't plan to use the heat pump as long as the furnace works.

[garage man]

I have a 93 Monaco which I bought 4 months ago. The AC's both worked but the front was losing the roof top cover and neither unit cooled real well. According to serial numbers both unit were more than 15 years old. I just replace the front unit myself with a Dometic Brisk II 13. 5 unit. I bought a kit that included a control unit, 4 mounting bolts, a harness connector and a Dometic digital thermostat. Total for both was under $750. I did the install following the wiring guide inside the cover for the control box and it works perfectly.
I did not want the heat pump because I hope to avoid really cold weather and the furnace is quiet.
I should say the model I chose was partly becasue it would work with my ducted set up.

Good luck to you.

[rvtips]

Originally Posted by followingsea

Have you considered getting the motor rewound? Ask around there is likely a local shop.

Might be better than a made in China new motor.

I do not know how your bedroom is set up. I have a pocket door and can cool just the br. I also replace the vent cover making it non-ducted with local control and thermostat.

A bigger unit in the br will likely result in more cycling.

=============================================
Where did you get the [ vent cover ] and do you have a picture of it?

[CountryB]

Originally Posted by docj

Last year we replaced a pair of 20 year-old 13k BTU Dometic Penguins with 15k BTU Coleman Mach 8+ heat pumps. We spend our winter in coastal TX and the heat pumps are all we need unless the temp goes <35 degrees. The A/Cs draw ~12-14 amps each compared to the ~16 amps that the old ones drew.

Do the Coleman units work with the Duo-Therm 5-button controller (or newer style Doemtic thermostats? If you need to use a Coleman thermostat does the existing telephone-like cable that connects the AC to thermostat still work?

Similar question - if going from the old style Duo-Therm with 5-button thermostat to a new Dometic Penguin unit, will the new thermostat use the old telephone-like cable to connect to the new thermostat. I know there is a circuit board you can buy to use the old 5 button thermostats, I'm asking if the telephone wire that connects the AC to thermostat is the same for both vintages of AC.

What if I have two AC units sharing a 5-button CC thermostat and I need to replace one AC unit. Can I get the older AC unit to work with the newer style thermostat or do I need to get the circuit board so the new AC unit will use the older 5-button thermostat?

Thanks

[jacwjames]

Originally Posted by CountryB

Do the Coleman units work with the Duo-Therm 5-button controller (or newer style Doemtic thermostats? If you need to use a Coleman thermostat does the existing telephone-like cable that connects the AC to thermostat still work?

Similar question - if going from the old style Duo-Therm with 5-button thermostat to a new Dometic Penguin unit, will the new thermostat use the old telephone-like cable to connect to the new thermostat. I know there is a circuit board you can buy to use the old 5 button thermostats, I'm asking if the telephone wire that connects the AC to thermostat is the same for both vintages of AC.

What if I have two AC units sharing a 5-button CC thermostat and I need to replace one AC unit. Can I get the older AC unit to work with the newer style thermostat or do I need to get the circuit board so the new AC unit will use the older 5-button thermostat?

Thanks

All good questions as the installation aspect is as important as which units you choose.

When I talked to the PPL salesman i gave him the model number of my current AC units and told him I had one thermostat. He said the AC units & 10 button thermostat was a direct replacement for my old combo and would play nice with my furnace. I want to confirm this.

I would also like to know if the newer thermostats might work as easily.

I only want to fool with this conversion once. With any luck it will be my last big mod/expense to the coach for quite a while. Already spend ~$5.5K this year beside the cost of actually using it.