Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-22-2010, 12:53 PM   #1
64GlobeTrotter68Overlande
 
man7sell's Avatar
 
1964 19' Globetrotter
1969 27' Overlander
Snohomish , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 104
Images: 15
Question AC Can You Get An Efficient System?

The AC I have makes a lot of noise and little cold and sucks the power. Is there modern more efficient units out there? Bet there are no DC units for boondoggling...

Wife like's AC, I hate it
man7sell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 01:12 PM   #2
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by man7sell View Post
The AC I have makes a lot of noise and little cold and sucks the power. Is there modern more efficient units out there? Bet there are no DC units for boondoggling...

Wife like's AC, I hate it
What exact brand AC do you now have.

Forget the 12 volt DC issue. No such animal.

Most new AC units are efficient.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 02:00 PM   #3
64GlobeTrotter68Overlande
 
man7sell's Avatar
 
1964 19' Globetrotter
1969 27' Overlander
Snohomish , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 104
Images: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In View Post
What exact brand AC do you now have.

Forget the 12 volt DC issue. No such animal.

Most new AC units are efficient.

Andy
Andy,

It's a Duo-Therm by Domestic. Figured there would not be a 12V version but thought I'd ask.
man7sell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 02:31 PM   #4
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by man7sell View Post
Andy,

It's a Duo-Therm by Domestic. Figured there would not be a 12V version but thought I'd ask.
The original AC for a 1964 was mad by Armstrong and it was model # TAC-110.

Obviously it's been replaced with a Duotherm, but you also say Domestic, which is really Dometic.

The question becomes which model so that you could know how old it is.

Please post the model number and I will try to help you determine it's age.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 02:50 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
fotochop's Avatar
 
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans , Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
Images: 18
I've always wondered if anyone made a 8K btu type unit as the 13.5 and 15K units are Way too big for the smaller trailers. Andy? Our 15 blows like a freezing hurricane!
fotochop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 03:05 PM   #6
Wise Elder
 
Jammer's Avatar
 
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river , Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
I believe the Coleman "Polar Cub" is an 8000 BTU unit.
Jammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 03:08 PM   #7
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by fotochop View Post
I've always wondered if anyone made a 8K btu type unit as the 13.5 and 15K units are Way too big for the smaller trailers. Andy? Our 15 blows like a freezing hurricane!
Rick.

There are 4 choices, for roof AC's.

7,100, 11,000, 13,500 and 15,000 BTU.

For your 23 footer, plus being in the southern US, I would feel that the 13,500 should do the trick for you.

But, when you get those nasty hot spells that sometimes last for weeks, a 15,000 does the trick.

Also, since you have a nice looking trailer, an Airstream, putting a 7,100 BTU AC on it's roof, will make it look horrible.

Keeping the thermostat up a little higher should help your issue with the AC.

When it comes to AC's, a little more cooling is always better that a little "not enough".

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 03:11 PM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,177
I installed a 8k btu window AC in my Safari. Craigslist=$50.00 came with remote control even. New in the box cost about $200 to $250 compared to $1200+ for that low-profile coleman roof-mount job. It gets my Safari down to 65degrees on a 90+ degree day. It can easily be run with a 2k Honda generator, along with a few other things. Mine is mounted in the former furnace location and slides out for use so it can drip right onto the ground. I have since installed the old furnace shroud to the sliding tray so you can't tell it's there.

Rich the Viking
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	'64 safari 012.jpg
Views:	569
Size:	387.4 KB
ID:	94546   Click image for larger version

Name:	'64 safari 013.jpg
Views:	1441
Size:	363.8 KB
ID:	94547  

Click image for larger version

Name:	'64 safari 014.jpg
Views:	6473
Size:	353.3 KB
ID:	94548  
VIKING is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 03:20 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
SilverHoot's Avatar
 
1967 24' Tradewind
Greenville , South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,107
Blog Entries: 3
Rich,
That's a pretty cool and economical idea. I may consider that. So, is there a tight seal around the air conditioner? If so, how is it sealed?

Thanks, Michael
SilverHoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 03:22 PM   #10
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jammer View Post
I believe the Coleman "Polar Cub" is an 8000 BTU unit.
Part of choosing an AC, for an Airstream, is does it have a drain pan available for it, so the water does not run down the side of the trailer.

The Carrier, is the only unit that did not require a drain pan.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 03:46 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,177
The aluminum plate that the shroud mounts onto was riveted to the outer skin, so I drilled out the rivets and installed a gasket onto the back of the plate. I will eventually replace it with a riveted on gasket. When opened it has a foam gasket that will seal to the inside wall of the Safari. It's not as critical as the outer gasket, as it won't be used when it's raining anyway, Unless it's a really, really hot rain!
Rich the Viking
VIKING is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 05:25 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
bwaysteve's Avatar
 
1965 28' Ambassador
Irving , Texas
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 604
Images: 5
Cool Rich!
bwaysteve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 06:26 PM   #13
4 Rivet Member
 
tallytwo1994's Avatar
 
Currently Looking...
tallahassee , Florida
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 340
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by VIKING View Post
I installed a 8k btu window AC in my Safari. Craigslist=$50.00 came with remote control even. New in the box cost about $200 to $250 compared to $1200+ for that low-profile coleman roof-mount job. It gets my Safari down to 65degrees on a 90+ degree day. It can easily be run with a 2k Honda generator, along with a few other things. Mine is mounted in the former furnace location and slides out for use so it can drip right onto the ground. I have since installed the old furnace shroud to the sliding tray so you can't tell it's there.

Rich the Viking
Rich,

Have you detailed this installation in a thread?

Nice,
Carol
tallytwo1994 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 06:47 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,177
Hi Carol,
I have not done that yet, but I find myself answering a lot of questions about it so I better get to it, huh? The installation is not complete yet, but the issues of mounting it and sliding it out are done. I will start a thread on it, and I appreciate the comment.
Thanks,
Rich the Viking

Quote:
Originally Posted by tallytwo1994 View Post
Rich,

Have you detailed this installation in a thread?

Nice,
Carol
VIKING is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2010, 06:59 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
pbearsailor's Avatar
 
1957 22' Caravanner
Port Hadlock , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 864
I like, too, Rich. Get a thread going or we'll totally hijack this one.

steve
__________________
Forum Thread: First She Had to Take a Ride on a Boat

Blog: My 57 Caravanner
pbearsailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2010, 06:54 AM   #16
64GlobeTrotter68Overlande
 
man7sell's Avatar
 
1964 19' Globetrotter
1969 27' Overlander
Snohomish , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 104
Images: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbearsailor View Post
I like, too, Rich. Get a thread going or we'll totally hijack this one.

steve
Rich, go ahead hi-jack this thread, we are all interested. I can then get rid of the ugly top unit, the anti Air-Streaming drag unit
man7sell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2010, 07:09 AM   #17
Rivet Master
 
SilverHoot's Avatar
 
1967 24' Tradewind
Greenville , South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,107
Blog Entries: 3
Rich,
You have certainly generated a ton of interest in your AC solution! can't wait to see more pics.
SilverHoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2010, 08:20 AM   #18
Naysayer
 
Boondocker's Avatar

 
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville , earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,954
Images: 7
I hate to be Mr downer, but, if house units were an optimal solution, wouldnt manufactures be installing them at the factory? Will a house unit hold up to the rigors of road travel?
__________________
Rodney

Visit my photography and painting website
https://rooseveltfineart.com
Instagram is r.w.roosevelt


Boondocker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2010, 09:23 AM   #19
Rivet Master
 
fotochop's Avatar
 
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans , Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
Images: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by VIKING View Post
The aluminum plate that the shroud mounts onto was riveted to the outer skin, so I drilled out the rivets and installed a gasket onto the back of the plate. I will eventually replace it with a riveted on gasket. When opened it has a foam gasket that will seal to the inside wall of the Safari. It's not as critical as the outer gasket, as it won't be used when it's raining anyway, Unless it's a really, really hot rain!
Rich the Viking
Not only is that a cool install, but it puts you in very esteemed company as I believe the 'legendary' Fred Colwell has a similar installation. Sure keeps the profile of your trailer looking sweetly vintage. Nice work!
fotochop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2010, 09:25 AM   #20
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by VIKING View Post
I installed a 8k btu window AC in my Safari. Craigslist=$50.00 came with remote control even. New in the box cost about $200 to $250 compared to $1200+ for that low-profile coleman roof-mount job. It gets my Safari down to 65degrees on a 90+ degree day. It can easily be run with a 2k Honda generator, along with a few other things. Mine is mounted in the former furnace location and slides out for use so it can drip right onto the ground. I have since installed the old furnace shroud to the sliding tray so you can't tell it's there.

Rich the Viking
How do you keep the rain water out?

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Which is more efficient? rideair Batteries, Univolts, Converters & Inverters 2 08-01-2008 12:54 PM
2 battery system Rusty9 Batteries, Univolts, Converters & Inverters 2 07-06-2007 07:47 PM
New Exhaust System? geodude1958 Mechanics Corner - Engines, Transmission & More... 7 02-09-2006 10:58 PM
Cool efficient lighting mandolindave Our Community 0 03-11-2004 10:23 PM
Are A/S energy efficient? John Our Community 2 10-06-2003 11:49 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.