Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: TNcanuck on June 01, 2019, 10:59:54 am
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The AC unit on the roof appears to be the original Penguin model. It cools well but doesn’t seem to be dehumidifying the air. I can’t see any condensate dripping off the roof outside either. Any ideas on what I should check for would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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If it's cooling. its working.
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Agree with @keelhauler. De-humidification is a function of the air being cooled, not something separate. So if it is cooling, then de-humidification is also occurring.
Where are you at and what is the humidity level there? If ambient air is at a relatively low humidity level you won't really see any condensate. If you have access to a humidistat check the outdoor humidity and then the indoor humidity and compare the difference if any.
Another possibility is that the fan is set on high. Seems odd but the A/C can cool too fast, bringing things down to temperature and then shutting off before it can pull much humidity out of the air. Try the fan on auto or low.
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The AC unit on the roof appears to be the original Penguin model. It cools well but doesn’t seem to be dehumidifying the air. I can’t see any condensate dripping off the roof outside either. Any ideas on what I should check for would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
You are correct in being concerned! If it is cooling, its working. If you are in Tennessee right now, there is enough humidity that it should be draining condensate. If you are somewhere else, and unsure of humidity, are there other RV's running AC? See if they are draining condensate.
Did you remove and clean the inside filter? On ours, that was a problem. I had NO idea how dirty it was until I finally pulled it out. Made it humid inside, and caused the condensate to drip inside after a while. Easy fix, however.
I would take off the top cover of the AC and investigate. After removing the top cover, there is another cover inside that gives access to the evap coil and allows inspection of the inside. Make sure the evap coil fins are clean. There can be enough crud on them that it cools, but the crud acts like a sponge and keeps the moisture in. This allows it to cool, but not dehumidify.
With the cover off you should be able to see the path the condensate takes to drain, and see if the path is clear. A glass or two of water dumped into the evap coil area should readily flow out and show the path. If not....well thats why you are in there. (exactly)
Good Luck!
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I’m in new Orleans and it’s like a river coming off the roof.
Aside from that
To be honest, if I can’t find a better option regarding the ac noise I’m going to have to get rid of this unit for one with a basement ac or ducted or quit the rv travel all together. How a person can sleep with these noisy rattle trap ac units us beyond me. I really want to hear one of the advanced rv units before pulling the trigger but I’ve had my fill of the noise. Well That and the ac should be a bigger unit in the 2552.
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Hi, thought this might be a bit of helpful info ! https://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tips/the-pursuit-of-quiet-replacing-our-rvs-air-conditioner-again/
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To be honest, if I can’t find a better option regarding the ac noise I’m going to have to get rid of this unit for one with a basement ac or ducted or quit the rv travel all together. How a person can sleep with these noisy rattle trap ac units us beyond me. I really want to hear one of the advanced rv units before pulling the trigger but I’ve had my fill of the noise.
One mans trash...
At the last festival we were parked with the 'younger family' aka 'party all night' crowd. We were so happy to have the white noise generator on (that loud AC :lol ) to allow us to sleep in all the din.
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Volkman.... yes, but is that every night for months on the road. It’s been a month so far and another 6 to 9 weeks to go.
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pappy... Thank you, I’ll research that one as well. The advanced rv ac unit is claimed to be the quietest but I really hope to experience the diff brands before pulling the trigger on replacing or some other alternative.
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Volkman.... yes, but is that every night for months on the road. It’s been a month so far and another 6 to 9 weeks to go.
You are talking to someone who used to barrack next to the runway at Pease AFB as flightline security... KC135 's and FB111's will rock you to sleep there*, at uneven intervals. ... The drone of my AC hardly is a bother. roflol I do understand that once it does get 'under your skin' it can be unbearable. Good Luck! :)(:
Wonder if TNcanuk got inside his AC yet to ensure condensate is draining. Be quite the eye opener if it was disappearing into the coach...
*OK, was refreshing my memory of 'zactly what flew out of there back in '87, and found it was closed and turned into Air NAt'l Guard a couple years after I left. :beg Dont know what they fly out of there now.
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Volkemon, thanks for the tips. I will check on the things you suggested. The inside filters are ok. Not perfect but ok! I wondered if I just need to give it a thorough cleaning, so that’s what I will do first. When I posted this I was on my way from Tennessee to Canada but where we stopped was real humid. The camper trailer in the site behind us had condensate dripping continuously and we had none. Humidity level inside our rig was 74%. We are now in Canada on the shore of Lake Erie and the weather has been very cool and windy so there’s been no need for AC. I need to get working on it so we are ready when we need it.
My next problem is the water heater. It works perfectly on electric but not on gas. Lots of spark from the igniter but it won’t light. Probably also needs cleaning. Any troubleshooting ideas are most appreciated.
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Volk. even if I could go to sleep over the tin can full of ball bearings running if my better half is miserable as well, it’s a rough journey.
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Volk. even if I could go to sleep over the tin can full of ball bearings running if my better half is miserable as well, it’s a rough journey.
Sir, there you have it. Happy spouse happy house. Were it not for the ladies that put up with us we would still be in caves. (exactly)
@TNcanuk - I have yet to have to work on my water heater....so no guidance there. (WH)
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TN.... Did you find where the condensate was /is running?
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TN.... Did you find where the condensate was /is running?
I removed the cover from the AC unit. The coils on the backside were filthy but the coils at the front where the condenser is was clean. I cleaned everything up and made sure the condensate drain was clear. That drain is on the driver side of the unit so now I at least know where to look when it’s running. However right now we are in Port Dover, Ontario with nice breezes blowing off Lake Erie. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the low 60s with no humidity! Wonderful weather, so I haven’t had the need to run the AC so far.
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TN.... Did you find where the condensate was /is running?
Nylon wire ties work great by sticking them in the a/c drain to unclog.
Barry T
I removed the cover from the AC unit. The coils on the backside were filthy but the coils at the front where the condenser is was clean. I cleaned everything up and made sure the condensate drain was clear. That drain is on the driver side of the unit so now I at least know where to look when it’s running. However right now we are in Port Dover, Ontario with nice breezes blowing off Lake Erie. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the low 60s with no humidity! Wonderful weather, so I haven’t had the need to run the AC so far.
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My husband refused to go anywhere requiring AC because of the noise. Since we live in the Rocky Mountains, it is usually not a problem. However, since we plan on attended the Phoenix reunion in Charleston, I needed to com up with a plan. We just installed, at great expense, the Houghtn AC unit. It was developed in Australia and is sold in the US exclusively by Advanced RV in Ohio. There are a couple YouTube videos about the sound...9 decibels quieter than the next best (which I think was the Coleman). Was $2,100 plus $250 shipping to Denver. Cost about $500 to have my excellent small RV shop in Denver install. If you got to Advanced RV in Ohio, costs about $2,700 installed--so more or less a wash. Required getting a separate thermostat for the furnace. When the owner of the RV shop (who originally thought I was nuts to replace a perfectly good AC at such great cost) called to say it was installed and working, he said, "My tech is standing here with icicles hanging off his beard and was able to listen to his iPod while int he RV." Owner was so impressed, he was going to look into becoming a US distributor. Have not been anywhere really hot overnight to test the true efficiency, but what we have experienced so far in testing and just cooling down for a lunch stop or when arriving at a campground, has us so glad we spent the money.
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RheaNL, that is great news to me!
I just ordered a 2552 and asked PC to credit me for the Dometic air conditioners and I will provide two of the Houghton units purchased from Advanced RV for them to install.
Barry said he would be happy to let me be their Guinea pig. :)
The Houghtons are not cheap but all of the limited info I have gotten on them is very positive.
Sounds like your husband and I have a bit in common when it comes to noise tolerance.
I hope you enjoy yours and hope your husband will be happy with it.
Please provide feedback as you gain more experience with the unit.
Regards, Jim G.
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We have been getting ready for a trip the last few days and playing with the AC in the driveway. We will be camping at 9,100 ft. so will not need AC there. It is so QUIET compared to the Dometic. Other features you will love....
Inside it is almost flush with the ceiling.
There is a giant LED temperature indicator on unit so you can see at a glance your current temp.
It is even quieter than Dometic when sitting outside the unit.
Works with a remote control. I put the storage pocket by dinette, but I've added some Velcro on the back to hang by bed at night.
Our first big test will be a week in the Black Hills in July.
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Wondering if the Advanced RV air conditioner is also a heat pump.
Haven't seen any reference to that feature on the Advanced web site, but all the Houghton brand units I can find on the web ( in Australia ) have reverse operation capability.
Pretty sure Houghton is the source of the Advanced RV units.
Does your unit have a heat mode?
Thanks, Jim G.
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Houghton does make one with a heat strip, but the only one Advanced RV carries is no heat strip. I found the heat strip in the Dometic to be useless. The only time I ran it was when exercising the generator when the PC is stored. You have to have power (generator or shore) to run the heat strip and, with power, a small electric space heater is much quicker, more efficient, and quieter. If you think a heat strip is important, you could pay for shipping from Australia. :lol
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We use our heat strip when we are on shore power and leave the rig. We never leave the small electric heater plugged in when we go out. The heat strip is set to 50 or 60 and keeps the rig from getting too cold inside while we are gone.
We also put the little heater in the front of the rig (away from the thermostat) and run the heat strip when it's cold and we want to use the front half of the rig. The little heater alone isn't enough for the whole rig but the two together keep us moderately warm.
Extreme cold and/or high winds call for the propane furnace even with electric hook ups.
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We have a Pelonis Disk Furnace. Not sure if they are available any more. About 8" high x 6" wide and 6" deep. Uses 1500 watts max. It has a built in thermostat or you can set it manually. A couple of months ago, we came across Nevada on highway 50 and stopped for the night in Eureka Nevada. Overnight temp was 25 degrees. We set the Pelonis on the floor just beyond the step up from the cab, facing the rear.
It kept the whole RV warm, no problem at all. Didn't even turn the furnace on. The Pelonis is very quiet too!
This looks like the same furnace, but not 100% sure:
https://www.wttool.com/index/page/product/product_id/47042/product_name/The+Original+Brown+Box+Ceramic+Disc+Furnace?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI362Uj-qA4wIVCv5kCh1WuwJsEAQYAyABEgKwYfD_BwE
The one I have is well worth the $.
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Don, I found a Peronist flexi furnace II (disc) on eBay. They are fantastic but no longer made. I keep watching to find another as back up.
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We’re now on the outer banks of North Carolina. On a whim I contacted Advance Rv asking if there was any chance of a time slot to have the ac changed out. They were kind to find me a slot. There roughly 600 miles out of the route I had planned so now we’re going to spend some time exploring Ohio as well. Really looking forward to the AC upgrade and have my fingers crossed that I’m going to like it.