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06-20-2015, 05:53 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1
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Adding 3rd AC unit to 2014 Berkshire
Hello everyone.
I'm looking to add a 3rd (quieter) AC unit to my 2014 Berkshire 400BH. I live in Austin and we have some pretty intense, humid summers and the 2 (15K BTU) units are simply not cutting it for me.
I've seen some 'old' threads on adding an AC unit to the vent space in the Kitchen area but I'd like to know if there is any new input on the topic.
- Has anyone put a 3rd unit in that location successfully?
- Is there any issue tapping into power and can the coach handle the add on?
- Any recommendation on units that offer a strong cooling function but also quiet?
Thanks.
Brandon
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06-20-2015, 06:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
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Welcome to the forum.
I have followed a few threads on it but have not read of anyone getting it done yet.
Do it and let us know how it works out.
__________________
Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
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06-20-2015, 06:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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Instead of adding a roof top one, now this might sound a bit redneck but hear me out. Get one of those floor/window ones and put it somewhere out of the way. Then run an extension out through the slides gap at the bottom of the slide and plug it directly into the pedestal so you don't have to upgrade all the electrical.
__________________
Think about things before you do them make life easier not harder.
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06-20-2015, 06:59 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
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Redneck....
__________________
Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
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06-20-2015, 07:34 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 94
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Brandon,
Be sure you ask about the installation before proceeding. About 2 years ago I thought about doing the same on our 2011. I contacted FR and their recommendation was not to make the installation due to the lack of structure around the vent.
__________________
Pat
Cudntherd
2011 Berkshire 390BH-60
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06-20-2015, 10:48 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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Do you have a OUTSIDE sun shade on the windshield and side windows. Also do you have sunshade in the slide windows as well as awnings? I found all these are key to cooling your MH. You have two 15000 a/c so you already are ahead of most of us. Adding a third sounds good but make sure they will all run at the same time on the 50amp power you have.
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06-20-2015, 10:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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Also a warm welcome to the forum.
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06-21-2015, 11:56 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeepEddyVodka
Hello everyone.
I'm looking to add a 3rd (quieter) AC unit to my 2014 Berkshire 400BH. I live in Austin and we have some pretty intense, humid summers and the 2 (15K BTU) units are simply not cutting it for me. I've seen some 'old' threads on adding an AC unit to the vent space in the Kitchen area but I'd like to know if there is any new input on the topic.- Has anyone put a 3rd unit in that location successfully?- Is there any issue tapping into power and can the coach handle the add on? - Any recommendation on units that offer a strong cooling function but also quiet?
Thanks.Brandon
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=======================
Two 15K A.C. units are equivalent to a 2.5 Ton home Air Conditioner. Should be plenty of cold air for your Birkshire. I would first have those A.C. units checked out by a technician. They may be low on Freon.
Good luck,
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06-21-2015, 12:04 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 522
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If you are in hot weather they don't come close to cooling the Berkshire. Our's have a 23 degree differential which is good. When we were in Tuscan the air temp was 108 and we didn't get below 95 inside until 10 at night. The a/c units just can't keep up.
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06-21-2015, 12:18 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by accumack
If you are in hot weather they don't come close to cooling the Berkshire. Our's have a 23 degree differential which is good. When we were in Tuscan the air temp was 108 and we didn't get below 95 inside until 10 at night. The a/c units just can't keep up.
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Just curious as to what size A/C units you have. Do you use any sun shades and or awnings. 108 is hot and no comparison to what I have encountered but we have had 95 and very humid with the 13.5 A/C hold the MH to low mid 70's. I almost always get a twenty degree drop. Of course the sun is so much more intense. I have a sun shade or awning on every window. The last thing I need to do is paint the skylight in the shower. There was a post about doing that and I haven't gotten around to it. The guy that posted it used a rattle can white paint used to paint plastic. I get a lot of heat coming in that skylight.
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06-21-2015, 12:19 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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We also have smoke colored covers on all the vents. That seems to help also.
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06-21-2015, 02:10 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Central WA
Posts: 103
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Keeping the bathroom door shut helps with the heat coming in through the skylight and fan.
__________________
Dan
2015 Entegra Anthem 450HP-1250ft lbs of torque
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Roadmaster Falcon 2 All Terrain
SMI Air Force 1
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06-21-2015, 06:04 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil57
Also a warm welcome to the forum.
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I see what you did there.
__________________
Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
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06-21-2015, 06:13 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 212
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark0224
Instead of adding a roof top one, now this might sound a bit redneck but hear me out. Get one of those floor/window ones and put it somewhere out of the way. Then run an extension out through the slides gap at the bottom of the slide and plug it directly into the pedestal so you don't have to upgrade all the electrical.
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I believe that in an RV park, when the have 50/30/20 amps available that does not mean you can run 100 amps. I believe that they are all on the same circuit feeding the pedestal. You could run the extension cord to a nearby site that is not occupied and use for power.
Someone with more knowledge than me might chime in here.
__________________
Wayne in Coarsegold near Yosemite
2013 Forest River Solera 24R
2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
ATV trailer for the following toys
2008 Yamaha WR250R,2009 Honda CRF150F
2008 Polaris Scrambler 500
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06-21-2015, 06:30 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-nickie
I see what you did there.
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Thanks Dan I thought everyone missed it.
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06-21-2015, 06:41 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 522
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil57
Just curious as to what size A/C units you have. Do you use any sun shades and or awnings. 108 is hot and no comparison to what I have encountered but we have had 95 and very humid with the 13.5 A/C hold the MH to low mid 70's. I almost always get a twenty degree drop. Of course the sun is so much more intense. I have a sun shade or awning on every window. The last thing I need to do is paint the skylight in the shower. There was a post about doing that and I haven't gotten around to it. The guy that posted it used a rattle can white paint used to paint plastic. I get a lot of heat coming in that skylight.
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The front is 15 the rear is 13.5 no outside shades. I've thought about adding a swamp cooler since the air is dry out here.
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06-21-2015, 07:17 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 593
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Shade makes a huge difference. Water mist on roof could help too
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06-21-2015, 07:56 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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Outside shades will lower the temp more than anything you do.
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06-21-2015, 09:41 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil57
Outside shades will lower the temp more than anything you do.
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This is a true fact. It makes much more different than people can fathom. I was in the solar screen business for several years . that's where we got our retirement money.
__________________
Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
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06-22-2015, 08:15 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 323
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adding a 3rd a/c?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeepEddyVodka
Hello everyone.
I'm looking to add a 3rd (quieter) AC unit to my 2014 Berkshire 400BH. I live in Austin and we have some pretty intense, humid summers and the 2 (15K BTU) units are simply not cutting it for me.
I've seen some 'old' threads on adding an AC unit to the vent space in the Kitchen area but I'd like to know if there is any new input on the topic.
- Has anyone put a 3rd unit in that location successfully?
- Is there any issue tapping into power and can the coach handle the add on?
- Any recommendation on units that offer a strong cooling function but also quiet?
Thanks.
Brandon
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Brandon I would check a few things before you go forward with this project;
1) have the a/c units checked by a qualified tech, may not be working properly
2) If you do look to going forward with adding 3rd a/c unit, make sure the vent location has enough structure around it to support the a/c unit?
3) before you look to adding a third unit maybe have the units you have now upgraded, there are what is called "commercial" units that are better in many ways this be a good solution also with out having to worry about adding a third (structure, power needs, and more)
4) see if having outside window shades might help with your issue
Hope some of this helps and stay cool if you can "hot in Texas" and Happy Camping
__________________
B.Smith
2010 Cedar Creek Silverback 35ts
2001 GMC 2500HD w/ Allison & 8.1
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