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Old 07-08-2012, 06:09 PM   #1
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Any downside to getting a 2nd air conditioner?

DH and I are getting close to placing a order for a 27FB. He mentioned wanting the second air conditioner in the bedroom and I thought I read that there might be a downside to having the second unit.

We'll be contacting the dealership next week but I was wondering if someone might clear it up for me? As I understand it, the airstream will come with 30 amp service but if we add the second air conditioner, the airstream will then be outfitted with 50 amp service?

Other than the cost of adding the second unit, is there any other downside to ordering the trailer with a 2nd air conditioner?
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Old 07-08-2012, 06:13 PM   #2
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Other than another spot for potential leaks I don't see any downside.
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Old 07-08-2012, 06:15 PM   #3
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Well, they simply replace the fantastic fan with a air conditioner, so there is already the potential for a leak
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Other than another spot for potential leaks I don't see any downside.
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Old 07-08-2012, 06:37 PM   #4
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We love our 2nd AC. Being a 34' absoutely NO air was making it down the hallway to the bedroom. We installed it ourselves so I made a few non-standard choices...we have dual 30A inlets. The regular one operates the entire trailer, just like every other 30A 'Stream...the 2nd 30A inlet operates the bedroom air. If we get into a pinch an only have one 30A outlet we can choose to run just the bed room air. If we have 50A, I uses a 50A to dual 30A pigtail.

AND since the rear air only pulls 17A...I can plug it into a 20A circuit...(and the rest of the trailer in the 30A...)
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Old 07-08-2012, 08:05 PM   #5
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It will always be too cold inside.

Duals on the MH, the rear one has its own power cord to be plugged into a regular 15/20 amp socket at campgrounds.
The 30 amp powers the front and everything else.
While on the road, the gen powers both.
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Old 07-08-2012, 08:29 PM   #6
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for what it's worth...

i really can't take the heat. (fair-haired, english blood and all that...). thus, i definitely thought we'd need the extra aircon unit for our bedroom. (we just bought a 30').

after being persuaded by the guys at the dealer, indeed it turns out they're right; the main aircon unit is quite powerful and sufficient (albeit it runs on the noisy side). it has lots of separate openings and multi-directional fins, that allow you to shoot the air straight to wherever you want it - back to the bedroom, straight downwards, forwards, or what have you.

depending on just how hot it is where you're at, it's a much much superior experience, just to have the awnings out (to deflect the sun), the windows open, and the fans on, compared with running the noisy aircon unit (or two).
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Old 07-08-2012, 08:43 PM   #7
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If you can't get any shade in your spot, are dealing with 100F or 35C and up, don't have the full awning package (or don't want to bother with it)... a 2nd A/C isn't a bad idea. It's not much more considering the total cost already... downsides are with 2 running, you'll be pushing the limits of a 30A service...

If it cools off at night or you don't need it super-cold during the day... 1 will do...
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Old 07-08-2012, 09:09 PM   #8
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I was kidding about it being two cold...

get too !
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Old 07-08-2012, 10:04 PM   #9
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second airconditioner.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sakthorp View Post

Other than the cost of adding the second unit, is there any other downside to ordering the trailer with a 2nd air conditioner?
get the second unit! you will thank yourselves. You will need ear-plugs though.
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Old 07-08-2012, 10:26 PM   #10
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If you run them both off your batteries, you'll find them batteries run flat pretty quick!
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Old 07-09-2012, 03:10 AM   #11
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50 Amps and 2nd AC

We chose to have the 50 amp service installed when we ordered our unit. It is one of the best decisions we made. We just use an adapter for the 50 amp cord when only 30 amp service is available.

Re: 2nd AC

When the temps get into the mid 90's or higher you will not regret the second ac.

Other advantages are:

-If one quits the other can be used until it is convenient for you to have the repairs made.

-When the temps do not require the use of both AC's we use the front AC at night and the rear AC during the day while we are up to reduce the noise level.

-When u have guest the temp for each area can be set for individual comfort.

Hope this is helpful.

FWIW

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Old 07-09-2012, 10:27 AM   #12
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I have dual air. The main disadvantage is that you then give up the fantastic fan in the bedroom. This means that less daylight reaches the bedroom, and it makes it more difficult to cool down the trailer when shore power isn't available.
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Old 07-09-2012, 11:12 AM   #13
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Agreed - 30 needs two A/C units - 27, I would no only because my 25 was fine with one...
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Old 07-09-2012, 11:55 AM   #14
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Agreed - 30 needs two A/C units - 27, I would no only because my 25 was fine with one...
Ours only has one. We're going to the Outer Banks in August, so I'm curious to see how it will handle it there (that's the hottest/sunniest place we usually go, so if it can handle that we should be good for 99.9% of our trips). This will be our first trip to the Outer Banks with it.

My parents have an older 34' with only one, and they're looking at putting a 15K BTU A/C in theirs. It's not as good as a second A/C, but it's quite a bit easier and should at least help somewhat. We'll probably do the same when it comes time to replace ours.
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Old 07-09-2012, 01:55 PM   #15
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If you travel into the heat from Oregon often, you cannot have too much cooling from the AC in my opinion. Some time back we upgraded the 13.5BTU to the 15BTU and at times I wish it was even larger! Really though, when it's hot we just close off the bath and bedroom and gradually cool down. The cat loves the warm back room anyhow! Happy Trails.
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Old 07-09-2012, 02:45 PM   #16
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Quote:
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Ours only has one. We're going to the Outer Banks in August, so I'm curious to see how it will handle it there (that's the hottest/sunniest place we usually go, so if it can handle that we should be good for 99.9% of our trips). This will be our first trip to the Outer Banks with it.

My parents have an older 34' with only one, and they're looking at putting a 15K BTU A/C in theirs. It's not as good as a second A/C, but it's quite a bit easier and should at least help somewhat. We'll probably do the same when it comes time to replace ours.
This week was the FIRST time I found my 15K single A/C insufficient - for my 25 FB Safari. Of course it was 106 F. I wasn't parked in deep shade either, but had full sun from about 10:00 am ON. Seriously wished I had the full awning package. Humidity was brutal too. I was trying to do some inside maintenance/cleaning/etc. Ended up flopping on the bed with my Endless Breeze fan and a spray mister just trying to keep cool. It was SO hot that I tried to take a cold shower, but the water in the hose ran hot for 5 minutes before I got ground water!

Paula
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Old 07-09-2012, 04:55 PM   #17
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There have been several occasions where I would have loved to have a second unit in my 25'. Cost aside, it would be a no-brainer for me in a 27'.
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Old 07-09-2012, 05:52 PM   #18
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Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. I think we'll spring for the 2nd unit. Appreciate the replies.......
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Old 07-09-2012, 06:06 PM   #19
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From what I read online the southern portion of the US requires double A/C units, and practically speaking as a matter of humidity control, not just triple digit temps. One cannot go wrong. The future owner can easily change this. It's a win/win.

A bit of shade in AZ goes farther to keep the vehicle cool than along the Gulf Coast, as humidity should be factored closely. Our days here in South Texas may not reach above 95F but the humidity doesn't get lower than 60% either.

My experience is that a 32' Silver Streak (better design / insulation than an A/S) cannot quite cope with local temps with a 15k unit . . but it does surprisingly well in shade past 10 a.m. with a dehumidifier also running (a big un'). When I leave (8-16 hours at a time) I turn the A/C temp fairly high and the DH to "Normal". This keeps the interior humidity at or below 55%. Yet even at .11/kwh my utility bill is still at $100/month, overall (I'm happy to splurge after six straight days into & out of the oilfield).

How to wire it in (separately or main panel change, etc) is the only real question. I've seen several nice "conversions" here (and elsewhere) so take your pick.

.
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Old 07-09-2012, 06:36 PM   #20
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Quote:
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From what I read online the southern portion of the US requires double A/C units, and practically speaking as a matter of humidity control, not just triple digit temps. ...
.
Amen Brother...
We had no real problem cooling off at 103 in Colorado with 20% humidity...BUT here in Mississippi at 90 degrees and +90% humidity it was a double AC, wide open for hours contest to make headway...The driveway looked like we had a water main break from all of the condensate
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