Low Profile A/C is it worth it?

Pirates55 · 01-16-2014, 06:24 AM

Only option I'm still trying to decide on is the regular size or the low profile 13,500 btu second a/c unit. Anyone have opinions or better yet the actual spec between the 2. My dealer says you pick up about 3" of clearance.

If anyone has the low profile unit and can post up a few pictures I would be very grateful. It seems that it might look better but I'm trying the weigh the pros and cons.

Does the low profile cool just the same as the regular unit, etc...

lgray · 01-16-2014, 07:52 AM

A dealer once gave me his opinion that the low profile units are nosier. Not sure if there is truth to this, but probably something to look into.
I was under the impression that most of the “regular units” are 15,000 btu instead or 13,500. If that is the case, probably better cooling and larger unit shouldn’t have to work as hard.

Dave_Monica · 01-16-2014, 08:07 AM

I looked up the specs for the Sabre line but they don't list a height on their 5th wheels. Do you know what it is? If the height is already near 13' without the bedroom A/C, the 3" difference height between the two units may be very important.

Dave

**dcheatwood** · 01-16-2014, 08:24 AM

I have low profile in bedroom. It is loud, so we don't use it at night. Don't need 2 a/cs at night anyway.

AquaMan · 01-16-2014, 08:49 AM

I'm between 13'2" & 13'4" with a normal size AC and one of the tallest 5ers out there. My Front AC only sits about an inch taller than the rear AC though. The low profile is more for aesthetics on 5ers, as most are not going to chance that low overpass. 5ers are designed and built to be under 13'6" with normal AC installed. Of course some may argue the wind drag on a full size unit, but when you're already pulling a sail, don't thing it really matters.

Pirates55 · 01-16-2014, 11:13 AM

anyone with the regular size a/c have any comments on how loud it is??

Pirates55 · 01-16-2014, 11:14 AM

My dealer gave us an option to upgrade the main A/C in the living area from 13,500 to 15,000. He says the front A/C is a 13,500 whether its a low profile or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgray

A dealer once gave me his opinion that the low profile units are nosier. Not sure if there is truth to this, but probably something to look into.
I was under the impression that most of the “regular units” are 15,000 btu instead or 13,500. If that is the case, probably better cooling and larger unit shouldn’t have to work as hard.

Cyoul8r · 01-16-2014, 11:47 AM

I have the Penguin II (low profile), 13,500 BTU. It's 9 1/2" tall, 15.5 amps, and 96 lbs. My original height (2012 Sabre 32RCTS-6) was 12' 7" and with the 2nd AC installed in the bedroom I'm at about 13' 5". Just have to be aware of your height when traveling. I use 14' as a standard. It's noisy but any AC would be that is installed above the bed. I don't think you can get away from that. I will say that 13,500 BTU delivers plenty of cooling and I live in Arizona. I also like the looks of the low profile better.

Pirates55 · 01-16-2014, 12:14 PM

Any chance you can post a few pictures of the low profile A/C. Just curious how it looks. Is it louder than the standard A/C you had in your previous 5er.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyoul8r

I have the Penguin II (low profile), 13,500 BTU. It's 9 1/2" tall, 15.5 amps, and 96 lbs. My original height (2012 Sabre 32RCTS-6) was 12' 7" and with the 2nd AC installed in the bedroom I'm at about 13' 5". Just have to be aware of your height when traveling. I use 14' as a standard. It's noisy but any AC would be that is installed above the bed. I don't think you can get away from that. I will say that 13,500 BTU delivers plenty of cooling and I live in Arizona. I also like the looks of the low profile better.

lgray · 01-16-2014, 12:20 PM

I would ask the dealer for the manufactures spec’s on decibel levels for both the Dometic and Coleman Penguin, low profile and regular. We have had both Dometic and Coleman and much prefer the Coleman.

bob213 · 01-16-2014, 01:21 PM

Due to storage height restrictions I had a low profile on my last trailer. New trailer has standard height unit. Both 13500btu. I don't notice a considerable difference in noise or cooling from either unit and both are ducted the same.

Cyoul8r · 01-16-2014, 04:33 PM

Pirates55

I sent you a PM.

iceblaze580 · 01-16-2014, 07:20 PM

On my 5er my 13.5 is alot louder than my 15

**dcheatwood** · 01-16-2014, 11:07 PM

larlino · 01-17-2014, 08:45 PM

We have the Dometic Penguin II low profile 13.5 AC in the front bedroom of our 2013 Columbus 320RS. The initial AC unit was like having an airplane take off in terms of noise level at the head of the bed when the compressor came on at night. The RV tech we had come and look measured the amp draw of the compressor and said that it was defective... changed out AC's on warranty. The 2cd unit is maybe a little quieter. The RV tech said that the low profile units have the compressors mounted horizontally and that when you turn the compressor on its side it makes the unit vibrate more and therefore makes it noisier.
Like one prior poster stated, we use the bedroom AC during the day in the Texas summers, but always run the living room unit alone at night because of the noise. In researching the Penguin II, I found a lot of discussion of the noise with the penguin II and Dometic came out with a soft grommet kit to address the problem in older units, but I don't think they've made much of an impact. If the regular profile 13.5K unit is as quiet as the 15K regular unit in the living room, I would gladly sacrifice a few inches of clearance to have a quieter AC in the bedroom.
Hope this helps.
Larry O

AnchorsAweigh · 01-17-2014, 09:56 PM

Checkout these restrictions.
RVSafely.com

We traveled 95 to FLA and passed thru Height Measurement Sensors, It may have been Georgia. You will not go thru the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel if you are over 13 feet 6 inches

Had to replace the Brisk Air II with a Penguin II both 13.5 KBTU to be under 13 feet 6 inches. We had ordered the low profile but ...
Set our hitch down to 15 inches and raised the pin box up all the way. The bed clearance is 7.5 inches. We are now under 13 feet 6 inches but not by much.

AC noise difference? They are both too noisy to sleep under. Use bedroom AC while downstairs via ceiling duct and no need to increase TV volume. Run the main AC at night.

jtstromsburg · 01-18-2014, 04:22 PM

I added a regular 15k unit to my front bedroom and have used both units at night once. I ducted it too, so that helps with noise some. 30k btu will freeze you out, if wanted, even when it was 105° with no shade. I have a 39' fiver
with three slides.

Sent by me

Cajun Happy · 02-02-2014, 03:09 PM

When I was ready to make the deal on my Columbus 365RL, I had one dealer tell me they only order standard A/C units due to the noise. I told him I was looking at another RV (Same Model) at a different dealer with a low profile Dometic. He suggested I listen to this unit. Went to the dealer and had the A/C on and it sounded like a freight train coming along in the bedroom. I had the dealer swap out the low profile for the standard (15K) unit. My DW and I are very happy that we did this. Big difference in the noise level!!! Puts me at 13'7"on the TV.

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