Second A/C location?

[DutchRv]

KansasFR3 & Harleyreb installed their 2nd A/C in the bedroom and are happy with that.

I just received the gear and ready to install, but now I am doubting the location. Last summer in South Florida it was HOT HOT, and difficult to keep cool inside. Especially the living area. Never really had a problem with the bedroom. In our 28DS the bedroom is basically the whole rear slide. Also, the bedroom vent is in the middle of the coach, but the 'hallway' towards the living area is not, and I am curious if installing the 2nd A/C in there would be the most efficient way (to cool the living area, which seems to heat up the most...) I would hate to cool just my closet and my rear window. The Atwood 15031-15021 is non-ducted and cool airflow is only adjustable in the longitudinal axis, not width...

Perhaps I would be better off putting it in the vent upfront?

Thoughts?

[yensidcamper]

My only thought would be how much longer the electrical service line would have to run. Might be a pain to get back to the basement compartment.

[DutchRv]

Originally Posted by yensidcamper

My only thought would be how much longer the electrical service line would have to run. Might be a pain to get back to the basement compartment.

I see what you mean, but I plan to go straight down from the a/c unit and end that line with a ul listed 20amp male inlet to keep this 2nd a/c completely separate from the existing electric system. With its own 20amp breaker right by the outlet.

Using a 20amp+ rated heavy duty cord to the pedestal when at campground.

[KansasFR3]

I took a look at your floor plan again and you could install it in that front vent and just close off the ducts in the front area. This way the ducted AC pushes more volume to the rear. Or install it in the rear and close all the ducts in the rear of the coach. If you want to totally seal the duct off from the rear, just use the expandable foam to do that job.

Another thing, make sure if you put it in the front to check the dimensions. We have an Dometic unit up front and its quite a bit smaller footprint that the Atwood units, which are longer. The Atwood unit in our rear installation is only couple inches behind our UFO TV antenna. Just a thought.

[DutchRv]

Originally Posted by KansasFR3

I took a look at your floor plan again and you could install it in that front vent and just close off the ducts in the front area. This way the ducted AC pushes more volume to the rear. Or install it in the rear and close all the ducts in the rear of the coach. If you want to totally seal the duct off from the rear, just use the expandable foam to do that job.

Another thing, make sure if you put it in the front to check the dimensions. We have an Dometic unit up front and its quite a bit smaller footprint that the Atwood units, which are longer. The Atwood unit in our rear installation is only couple inches behind our UFO TV antenna. Just a thought.

Ill climb on the roof in a little with the shroud and play with it, thanks for the tip!

[DutchRv]

So it will be a tight fit up front on the roof, but it WILL fit. See pics.

Still undecided.

If I put it in the front, it will be easier to cool down the living area, where our 3 large dogs hang out most of the time, which is the reason for installing a second A/C with separate power... Already lost the A/C power once while on a quick kayak trip. Easily gets up to 100'F+ without A/C in Florida summer (this issue was resolved with a separate breaker for the A/C)

If I put it in the bedroom, I would tape off the rear plenum vents, to avoid just cooling the closets above the bed, and to promote cool air to dump towards the living area.

[KansasFR3]

Only issue I see is if to remove the cover requires it to come straight up off the unit, it won't come off after you install it unless someone unbolts the unit. Also, since I don't have a KingJack, make sure you rotate that antenna through its range of motion to make sure it interfere. Maybe you can rotate it in a manner to allow you to remove the cover. Idk.

[DutchRv]

done. very happy.

Will post some more details about install later...

Thanks KansasFR3

[325BH]

Why so close together?

[DutchRv]

Because it is hot af here in South Florida and the living area is very hard to keep cool, if at all. Never had an issue keeping the bedroom cool, so I opted for the living area...

[325BH]

Originally Posted by DutchRv

Because it is hot af here in South Florida and the living area is very hard to keep cool, if at all. Never had an issue keeping the bedroom cool, so I opted for the living area...

Do you think there will be an issue of short-circuiting the cold air from one air conditioner to the next?

I assumed spreading them out would have cooled the whole rig better. Interesting. I look forward to hearing how it works out for you.

[DutchRv]

Originally Posted by 325BH

Do you think there will be an issue of short-circuiting the cold air from one air conditioner to the next?

I assumed spreading them out would have cooled the whole rig better. Interesting. I look forward to hearing how it works out for you.

Nah. I never 'dump' but 'duct' the stock Atwood so wherever in the rig I place a second one it will always suction some. And vice versa, the second one dumps straight down, so no issues foreseen.

If one of them goes out on a 100'F day, and am running an errand, I would like my 3 large dogs to stay cool. Also part of the reason of the location. Along with a separate dedicated 20amp service for it.

Testing it today on a 94'F day. 100'F inside and it SIGNIFICANTLY got colder and colder faster. Mission accomplished.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by DutchRv

Nah. I never 'dump' but 'duct' the stock Atwood so wherever in the rig I place a second one it will always suction some. And vice versa, the second one dumps straight down, so no issues foreseen.



If one of them goes out on a 100'F day, and am running an errand, I would like my 3 large dogs to stay cool. Also part of the reason of the location. Along with a separate dedicated 20amp service for it.



Testing it today on a 94'F day. 100'F inside and it SIGNIFICANTLY got colder and colder faster. Mission accomplished.

Cool!

Here is what I did this spring:

[DutchRv]

Originally Posted by 325BH

Cool!

Here is what I did this spring:

Attachment 138850Attachment 138851Attachment 138852Attachment 138853

Wow, nice install.

Love your RV btw. What do you tow it with?

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by 325BH

Cool!

Here is what I did this spring:

Attachment 138850Attachment 138851Attachment 138852Attachment 138853

Is that an RV or walk in cooler?

[325BH]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

Is that an RV or walk in cooler?

In 100 degree temps it is any temp you want it inside!

[yensidcamper]

I would like to see where you ran the 20A line. If you get a chance would you post a pic of the outside connector?

[325BH]

Originally Posted by yensidcamper

I would like to see where you ran the 20A line. If you get a chance would you post a pic of the outside connector?

I have a 50 amp camper, so I simply wired it into the breaker box. I still have three unused breakers after this install.

As far as running the wire, I cheated and ran it through the main ac unit's duct. Some folks don't like that, but I used direct-bury Romex for added protection. I'm OK with it.

When running all three units, water heater, fridge and tv, I'm running about 55 amps... out of a possible 100 amps (50 amp service is 100 amps at 120 volts). I am nowhere near max on amp draw.

The center unit is the main 15,000 ducted unit. The front and rear units are 13,500 each.

[yensidcamper]

I have a 30 amp service and will have to run mine separately from the panel. I haven't seen anyone run their electrical like DutchRV. I will probably run it like Kansas FR3 did his.

[KansasFR3]

Looking good Dutch! Gotta keep those dogs happy, and I guess the wife too. :-) Its more daunting than it really is and everyone should just add a second AC unit to these 30'+ rigs. Single unit is just not enough. Congrats man!