Noisy roof air conditioner

Our 2016 3100 came with a Domestic air conditioner with heat.  The unit was extremely noisy while air conditioning and only used once with heat, it was even nosier.  Asked the factory once if they would switch out with a quiet unit, the answer  was no.  Did a lot of research snd settled on a “Hamilton A3800”.  I did the installation myself.  What a difference, it is 15,000 btu for either air conditioning or heat.  It works wonderfully.  It comes with a remote control so the only wiring you need to hook up is the 110volt power line.  This unit is so quiet.  We can talk in normal voices when it is running and do not even need to turn the tv up.  This had made being in our unit so much more comfortable.  I highly recommend the upgrade, you will not regret it.

Thanks for sharing this, I am going to have to add this to my list.  I am impressed that you did the installation yourself.  Did the new unit fit in the same roof cutout?  Was it very difficult getting the old unit off the roof and the new one back on? 

Who makes the Hamilton 3800 AC unit?  Is that the one sold on the RecPro website?  Also, how much higher is the roof unit compared to the Dometic low profile unit in most PCs?

Bruce Clerico

Wow!  These have gotten better on price. IIRC, weren't these available 'installed only' before?

Were these also the ones that could not be used underway because it messed with the (regulated) fan speeds? (Ah...searched the forum: https://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php?topic=3774.msg32732#msg32732)



https://www.recpro.com/rv-air-conditioner-15k-with-heat-pump-non-ducted/

@BruceClerico - I think 'Hamilton' is an autocorrected 'Houghton'

Thanks.  That's what I thought when I tried researching the "3800 RV AC."

I purchased my A3800 from RecPro.  Shipped the day after I ordered it.  Did have a problem with FedEx delivering it due to the weight but that was not RecPro’s fault.  The only problem I had with RecPro is I ordered the Non-Ducted model, when I received the unit it came in 2 boxes, one being the main unit and the second is the inside shroud.  Being impatient I took my old unit off before unpacking the new unit.  The inside parts box had the correct pieces, but then I noted on the box that the main unit came in said Ducted, of course it was Saturday afternoon and I now had an open hole in the roof of my RV.  Went in and researched it and noted that the only difference appeared to be the plenum needed between the unit and inside shroud.  I installed the unit and built my own plenum using foil lined fiberglass board.  It fits perfectly in the existing opening.  I was fortunate to have a pole barn where I used a block and tackle to pull the old one off, then drove the rv out, lowered that unit down then.  Hoisted up new unit and then drove the RV back under the new unit, then lowered it into place.  The unit has the new gasket installed, so on top just caulked it while lowering it down, and other than putting the outside cover on you are done outside.   Inside you put this frame in place, then attach with 4 long bolts, since you don’t need any of the existing control wiring I just covered with electrical tape and tucked it out of way then hooked up the 110v wiring.  Installed the plenum I made, then the inside shroud snaps in place and then installed screws and that’s it.  Another advantage to this unit is I am 6’ 2” tall and kept hitting my head on the Dometic Shroud, the one on the Hamilton is not as thick and I no longer hit my head on it.  The outside unit is taller but I have installed vent covers on all my vents and I don’t think this unit is any taller than those.  Before installing I was not hooked into any electrical so no 110  voltage to worry about and I pulled the 12v fuse feeding the unit.  This unit is operated by a remote so the existing wall thermostat will no longer work.  I have not installed it yet but I purchased just an inexpensive thermostat for the furnace only.  One of the questions was how hard to remove the Domtic, and the answer is not hard at all.  Removed outside cover (4 screws), then the inside shroud unhooked the wiring by just cutting it, then there were 3 bolts holding it down, removed those and the unit came right off.

Thanks MilaM for the detailed information!  It sounds like a straight forward installation and I like your method to lift up and down the AC units to the roof.  After reading the reviews on the RecPro website, a review mentioned that the air flow is not as strong as their original AC and they did not recommend the A3800 if it is your only AC.  I have a PC2351 with only the single AC.  On a real hot day my existing unit barely can keep up with the heat, so I am unsure if the A3800 would have the necessary power and airflow.  I see you have a 3100, do you have 2 AC units?  As you get a chance to use your A3800 on a hot day, I will be interested to know if you believe it has the airflow and power that is needed to get the job done.

Thanks again for your post.

JJ

I found several reviews on the A3800 where they mention air flow.  I believe what happened is like me they probably received one of the ducted models and did not figure out that a plenum was required.  Ours puts out so much air that most of the time we run it in low fan, high puts out a tremendous amount of air.  Without the plenum the unit would not put out much air at all.   

I found several reviews on the A3800 where they mention air flow.  I believe what happened is like me they probably received one of the ducted models and did not figure out that a plenum was required.  Ours puts out so much air that most of the time we run it in low fan, high puts out a tremendous amount of air.  Without the plenum the unit would not put out much air at all.

That would sure cause an airflow issue.  Thanks.

Did not answer your question on how many Air Conditioners my unit has.  Only one, have used it in 90 degree heat and cooled the unit just fine.

Sadly 90 degree day isn’t a test.  In June we hit 111 in Spokane in Coeur d’Alene Idaho it was 106.  When we left the desert it was 118.  90 means down to 68-70 so no test at all. When we hit North Dakota it was 101.   118 means 95-98 inside at best etc. I wish all days traveling never went over 90. Oh how often I have wished my 2552 had 2 ac units. I won’t own another without 2 units.

The custom fit 3 piece  sun shades from Heat Shield claim up to a 40 degree reduction in the inside temperature. I find them well worth the $89 price tag,  although I haven’t had to test them out in extreme heat yet.

I need to find a pole barn to install my 180 watt  solar panels