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03-24-2017, 09:03 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 26
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AC not cooling enough when in 90's
We have the Forest River Rockwood 8289 WS and found the AC does not keep the RV cool when the temps rise into the high 80's and more. Unit has one AC, 13,500 btu. Anyone experience same and what was done to improve efficiency?
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03-24-2017, 09:06 AM
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#2
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Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
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Use the quick dump.....Been in 90 to 100 degree weather in the last couple weeks with no problem, but I also use a box fan...I also cover windows on sun side
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03-24-2017, 09:10 AM
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#3
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Insert witty title here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: About 30 miles west of Beantown.
Posts: 4,023
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Use quick air dump
Close blinds to keep sun out
Make sure your roof is clean. A dirty roof traps heat from the sun better.
Close off unused rooms
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2021 Transcend Xplor 247BH
Husky WDH with Sway Control
2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT 6.6L V8 Duramax
Forever in my memory. Forever in my heart.
Laurie J. Wood 3/22/67 - 8/23/19
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03-24-2017, 09:23 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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Do a search on A/C modifications. It'll keep you busy most of the day. Tons of ideas
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2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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03-24-2017, 09:38 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,363
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There are lots of ideas and recommendations out there, however a single 13,500 ac unit in a rig your size in 90 degree temps will have its limits.
Does your rig have a option of a second ac unit? If so, I would add one. If not, I would upgrade to a 15,000 unit... or upgrade and install a second one.
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03-24-2017, 09:46 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Middle GA
Posts: 1,289
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In addition to the suggestions above, the best thing we found to get the most out of the A/C was to manually set the fan to high and leave it there. It is more noisy and then runs all the time, but it helps. It keeps the air circulating, so you are less likely to get hot/cold areas and it also helps distribute the cool air better than the wimpy fan speeds it tries to use.
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Ben and Doreen
Home Away From Home - 2017 PT Crusader 315RST
TV - 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie 4X4 6.7 Cummins Diesel
Never Enough Time Camping!!
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03-24-2017, 09:58 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,247
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Reflective insulation in the windows will help drastically. Going to a 15K unit will only give you a little over 10% increase in cooling capacity and is unlikely to make a major difference without additional steps. Keep in mind that humidity plays a major role in an a/c's cooling capability, so it's not just about temp.
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03-24-2017, 10:09 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 222
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I put this on another page discussing the same RV AC units.
Hope it helps.
When FR installed my AC (Flagstaff 27BEWS, single unit 15K) they went goofy with the expanding foam insulation. When I removed the return filters for a cleaning I noticed that the return air ducts were partially blocked with the dried foam insulation. I took a knife and carefully (as there are exposed wires on one side) cut the foam out. Made a difference in performance and reduced the condensation. I recommend every owner do this.
RMc
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03-24-2017, 10:16 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 677
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X2 on the Reflectix over the windows makes a HUGE difference. We went from the Air running constantly in 80 degree temps to the air actually turning off in the mid 90's humid air. Plus, it keeps it nice and dark for trying to sleep past sunrise.
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2016 Grey Wolf 26DBH following a 2014 RAM 1500 Outdoorsman
Life is good...Live it!
Nights Camped - (2014) - 16 in 6 trips (2015) - 20 in 6 trips
(2016) - 21 in 7 trips
(2017) - 12 in 3 and going seasonal for at least the rest of the year!
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03-24-2017, 10:34 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 26
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8289 ws ac
Thanks for all the recommendations. Without changing the unit, I'll try several of the suggestions and hopefully a cooler unit will prevail! This is a very informative forum!
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03-24-2017, 10:35 AM
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#11
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Censored Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 342
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In my opinion any fifth wheel longer than 30 feet and with 3 slideouts should be equipped with 50 amp service and two A/C’s if you plan to camp/RV in areas where temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, this is just my opinion, your fifth wheel should have a 15k A/C as standard equipment instead of optional. What’s the R-value of the roof, sidewalls, and floor in your Rockwood?
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03-24-2017, 10:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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another couple to check... outdoor kitchen, outdoor storage areas(under dinette etc..) you can see God through alot of these places, so heat gets in.
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2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
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03-24-2017, 10:58 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Place insulated Donuts in All your 14 x 14 Vents! Big improvement! Youroo!!
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03-24-2017, 11:05 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: TX
Posts: 213
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Since yours is a big O'l 5th wheel, I would say a single 13.5k will not work when it gets up in the mid 90's. I would consider getting a second a/c installed. Even a single 15k will struggle.
However, at 90 degrees a 13.5k should be relatively ok. It may take a long time to cool it down if your just plugging it in or something, but it should be cooled off within a few hours. If it is a dometic there is a chance it's losing it's charge as well. We just went through this with ours. I post a link to my thread from about a month ago below:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...nk-126728.html
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2020 East to West Della terra 31k3s
2012 Ford F350 King Ranch FX4
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03-24-2017, 11:27 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Early, Texas
Posts: 4
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We have a 2016 343RSOK with a 13.5K in the front and 15K in the rear. The front works great. The rear, however has been disappointing. On moderate days it struggles to keep up. This is our first trailer with a ducted return air so I don't know what to check on.
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03-24-2017, 11:43 AM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Western MA
Posts: 49
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Check the skylight in the bathroom. Mine was clear bubble and clear inner shield. Acted like a magnifying glass and generated incredible amount of heat. Painted the exterior bubble with krylon white paint and put insulating silver shield inside the interior shield. Made a huge difference.
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03-24-2017, 12:18 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Suburban Detroit
Posts: 67
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What does "quick air dump" refer to?
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Rick (K8RWG), Joy, and Daffy (the spoiled Calico cat)
2014 Rockwood 8315BSS
2016 F250 SC LWB 4x4 6.2 3.73
Reese Dual Cam
Honda EU2000i
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03-24-2017, 12:21 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Vermont
Posts: 70
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Have a small Clipper 17BH and had the same problem. Took it to my dealer and they did some type of test and Coachmen replaced the unit. If it is still under warranty, why not let them deal with it. Agree with the other suggestions, especially the skylight/magnifying glass, although in cooler temps it does warm up the bathroom a bit.
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03-24-2017, 12:30 PM
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#19
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Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
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Quick air dump it when you open inside grill work by the slide tab.
Return air is the bigger vent with the filter behind it, and the outlet into RV is the smaller one. .This one has adjustable fins that you can adjust for airflow into RV
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03-24-2017, 12:37 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,363
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joy-rick
What does "quick air dump" refer to?
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It is opening up the vents on the air conditioner's grill. For units that have forced air ductwork (to send cold air to the ceiling vents throughout the camper), opening the "quick dump" vents sends all the cold air directly out of the air conditioner's grill vents rather than send it through the ductwork.
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