I know this has been talked about before, but I'd like to hear only from DP owners...

[Kountry_star]

Originally Posted by TXTiger

I’m not sure if it’s true or not but I, have been told to turn off the A/C first then turn off the genny. It was explained to me that if you don’t first turn off the air you could damage the A/C units and/or the circuit board.

Was told the same thing while I was having a circuit board change on our front air.

[mlpeloquin]

Never had to run the roof AC's while traveling until we got two Boston Terriers. They ride on the couch and started panting. Now we will stop when the rig starts to heat up, start the generator, and turn on the AC's. If you are going to run one, you might as well run both. Just need to figure out a way to put a fan at the bedroom end to send cold air up front. Then I would not need the dash AC. Stopping and turning would make that fan fly!

[docj]

In a day of driving we're going to burn >$100 of fuel. I can't understand why running the generator and roof A/C for another ~$10-15 is a big deal. If it's hot I run it; end of discussion.

[pobstlmo]

My 6 cents!
I use both plus the defroster fans on the windshield and a large room fan to push air around. I also have a dehumidifier with a drain to out side, this helps the A/C from cycling.
If your worried about the minimal cost? Open the windows.

[zzotte]

If I need AC, the Gen comes on the moment I leave, I turn the dash ac off and run the coach front ac all day if I have to.

Zzotte

[bill68]

What is the temp coming out of the dash registers?Do you have filters for the cab?
50 degrees or lower should be coming out of vents.If it is higher than low on charge .Is there any thing blocking condenser coil under the cab behind the generator. you should have a Delta T of 20 deg differance between supply and return u can put stop leak in RV's for 134a.

[Fourwinds93]

Originally Posted by darjacob

It's the same subject that's been mentioned numerous times in the past. Chassis A/C or coach A/C's while traveling. What's your opinion? I just returned from a short 400+ miles trip. Going out I used the dash A/C, coming home I used the coach A/C's and this is what I found; the dash A/C worked fine in the front few feet but the rest of the coach was "hot" when we stopped to make lunch/coffee. Using the coach A/C coming home kept the entire coach cool but the genny ran the entire trip. Using the genny instead of the dash air didn't seem to have any appreciable effect on fuel mileage. I'm not sure how much diesel the genny used tho... We have come to the conclusion that the coach air and genny is more comfortable. What do you use?

Evening Darjacob. I run the dash air when it will work to keep the front comfortable and the roof top when the dash can't keep up. On a real hot day and climbing some of the BC mountains, I will shut off the dash and start the generator and run the roof top. I can't say I have noticed an appreciable difference in mileage. Having said that the 4500 watt gas generator only used about half a gallon per hour. The new to us motor home with a diesel generator I haven't had the opportunity to test it out but it is an 8000 watt generator so I would expect it to use more fuel. I have run the generator while driving a number of time with no issues. The only thing I found was if you drive onto a very dusty road side pull over you want to shut off the generator as it can kick up a lot of dust. That was the old air cooled unit. Not sure about the new one. Stay safe and Healthy.

[Olroache]

Starting out I use the coach AC to cool it down then the dash while driving and mix in the coach AC prior to and during a stop. Basically a mix and match.

2009 Newmar DutchAire 44ft
425hp

[Bigd9]

Originally Posted by pobstlmo

My 6 cents!
I use both plus the defroster fans on the windshield and a large room fan to push air around. I also have a dehumidifier with a drain to out side, this helps the A/C from cycling.
If your worried about the minimal cost? Open the windows.

Do you run the dehumidifier while driving down the road? How does a dehumidifier keep the air conditioners from cycling while driving, or for that matter even when stationary?

[imca4343]

If my DP is moving, the Gen is running. And yes I turn the the a/c's off before shutting down the Gen. Also when switching from Gen to Shore Power or vise versed.

[Culpkr]

Whatever is comfortable for you is all that matters. You shouldn’t be concerned about diesel fuel as you have a D.P. I never run my gen while traveling!Too noisy. We just came up to Maine from FL and it was 91 coming out of FL. My front AC cooled us fine. When we stop in a rest area I run the gen, when we get to a camp ground I plug into elec. I don’t understand why you would run the gen while traveling.

[Cloud Dancer]

Our Dutch Star has two 15000 btu low profile roof units. The dash unit is whatever comes in the Spartan chassis.
My wife wants all of them cooling everywhere whenever SHE demands it. I'm gland we start with 150 gallons of diesel in the tank. My job is to drive safely and comfortably and not run out of fuel.

[south jordan]

Roof air is a must while you travel. You want a cool coach when you reach your destination. It takes a,long time to cool a hot coach.

[roadstar99]

We use whichever is working. Both out right now.