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Old 11-12-2018, 01:41 PM   #1
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Question Air Conditioners 1 or 2 ??

Fellow Members,

Is a single A/C unit sufficient to cool a 28-30ft AS when in the hotter southern climates ?

What are your general experiences?

Thanks
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Old 11-12-2018, 02:12 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TINKRR View Post
Fellow Members,

Is a single A/C unit sufficient to cool a 28-30ft AS when in the hotter southern climates ?

What are your general experiences?

Thanks
TINKRR, welcome to the forum!


There have been previous recent discussions of your topic. I'm sure if you can't find it by searching, someone will be along with a link.

I do recall most advocating for two a/c's in your scenario, but the drawback is you must have 50A service and will lose a ceiling vent fan (which is a very useful feature).
.
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Old 11-12-2018, 02:19 PM   #3
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We spent the spring in our 27 International signature with one 15,000 btu AC.

Get the second AC! Could not keep up most of the time. We even put aluminum shields in the two skylights (helps a lot!), but could not get more than 15 degrees on 95 degree days.

We really thought we would be fine. Maybe in Ohio, but not in the heat and humidity of Savannah.

Buy two!
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Old 11-12-2018, 02:48 PM   #4
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Hi

With anything the real answer will always be "that depends". Are you happy if the trailer is at 85F? Some people are fine with that. Are you always out of the trailer until 8PM and leave again by 7AM? There are folks with schedules like that.

All that said, in Texas out in the sun, two AC's will barely keep a large trailer at a normal sort of interior temperature. You may well find both of them running full time for six to eight hours a day.

Shade (if you can find it) helps a lot with AC. Wind also can help some. Orientation (broad side to the sun at noon = bad) will matter. Awnings all deployed or not counts as well. That said, if it's going to be 107 today .... (or even in the 90's) you want the two AC units.

Bob
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Old 11-12-2018, 03:15 PM   #5
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NO
Two AC unit is the only way to go.
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Old 11-12-2018, 03:15 PM   #6
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2 vs 1 AC...

You will only need 2, when 1 is not cooling you enough! We always had 1 AC in our 3 25' AS's, and even in Texas summer, it was marginal. Dealers here started ordering 2 AC's for 25's on up in size as standard and told me many folks who get one, end up adding another later, a costly upgrade for sure. We were going to do one in our 28' and do special order; I am so glad we did not now..the extra AC has been very usefull in Texas and also when we visited Florida and SC last year...plus, resale will be good when you upgrade... FYI- we typically use 2 when we are in a hot location to help get the trailer comfortable, and will switch to one unit when we go to sleep, usually furthest away from the bedroom; same when watching TV...we will select the one in the bedroom when watching TV once cooled, to alleviate extra noise..
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Old 11-12-2018, 09:46 PM   #7
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I also vote for two AC units. We may have only had our AS for one summer, but 3 outings were in 100+ temps, two with no shade. Experimented running just one, but it would not get the job done in the heat of the afternoon. As stated in above post, in the evening, we run just the unit at the opposite end from where we are to cut down on the noise. Our dealer also stated they order two AC units on everything 25' and above due to complaints of AC's thought to not be working correctly in very hot conditions. At the time I figured it was just one of those things a salesperson would say to justify adding more cost to the unit, but now I'm a believer in the statement.
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:59 PM   #8
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Living in Palm Springs area, I am gone most the summer, but I come back in October, where it was 95-105 most the month. 2017 25a FC with one AC 15000 BTU, partial shade, awnings deployed, reflect in all wrap around windows (big help) and reflect Installed in both fantastic fans, with two table fans running front and rear, at 105 I could bring temp down to 86 degrees. Barely uncomfortable. If temps 95-100 marginally comfortable at best. Wish I had two ACs.
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Old 11-13-2018, 05:27 AM   #9
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Get the 50 amp /dual A/C. Period.
One A/C does not keep up on a hot summer day. With 50 amp service (which is actually 100 amps total) you can run both A/C’s, microwave, coffee maker, hairdryer, etc.
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Old 11-13-2018, 06:19 AM   #10
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Two ACs will give better performance if you can set them up and let them run without changing the t-stat all the time. But if you like 68 degrees you'll be disappointed. A single or double will work better in a shady spot, with the awnings deployed, and a constant setting.
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Old 11-13-2018, 10:04 AM   #11
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TWO AC Units!

TWO 15,000 BTU is the correct answer!
This is the only disappointment that I have with my 28' International. The single AC unit simply could not keep up in even the most "barely warm" situations. I have recently upgraded my single 13,500 BTU unit with a new 15,000 unit this is more efficient. It certainly cools better, but I have not had a chance yet to test it in 100º weather. If this bigger single unit cannot cut it, then I will upgrade my electrical to 50 amp, and put a second unit where the Fantastic Vent fan is located in the bedroom. I would buy a two unit AC from the get-go, if I could turn back time. Mike
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Old 11-13-2018, 10:04 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by TINKRR View Post
Fellow Members,

Is a single A/C unit sufficient to cool a 28-30ft AS when in the hotter southern climates ?

What are your general experiences?

Thanks
We had both a 28' and 30' and yes you will need two more often than not.
Not only that it is great to have the second should for whatever reason one of them doesn't work.
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Old 11-13-2018, 10:05 AM   #13
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Hi

Keep in mind that it's not just temperature that counts for AC. Humidity is at least as important. Trying to handle 105 at 20% RH is a lot easier than the same temperature at 95%.

Bob
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Old 11-13-2018, 10:42 AM   #14
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Two AC's for sure

We had only one AC in our 20 footer this summer in Missouri when it was in the 90's every day. It was very uncomfortable during the day. Our new 25 FB has two and, while we haven't tested it's cooling capabilities, having two heat pumps out here in October and November has been a real plus. We haven't had to use the propane furnace at all yet. Two AC units also gives you the ability to partially overcome the front-back temperature issues characteristic of the longer models.
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Old 11-13-2018, 10:44 AM   #15
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YOU NEED TWO UNITS and the two units will barely keep it cool in your trailer. Remember you are in a "tin can" with very little installation. The metal takes on the heat.
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Old 11-13-2018, 11:07 AM   #16
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We have a 30' 2017 classic, our 3rd Airstream. Get two AC units. They work well & fast cooling and are needed with the longer Airstreams.
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Old 11-13-2018, 11:21 AM   #17
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A single air conditioner would not keep my 25 foot AI even remotely cool in Las Vegas.
I have two on my 30 foot and a full awning kit. I am pleased with the result.
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Old 11-13-2018, 11:34 AM   #18
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We have a 30' 31TD Motorhome. We love the second (rear) ac unit. What we like to do is cool the rig down using two initially then turn off the front ac to reduce noise. If it gets too warm we will turn the front ac back on for a little bit. It really is great to reduce the noise factor near the living space up front.
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Old 11-13-2018, 01:13 PM   #19
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If you're wondering, get two.
Not only do you get two AC's you also get 50 amp wiring.
You don't have to run both AC's but you can when needed.
For example, you find the AC in the bedroom too noisy, run the one in the living area, the cool air is still ducted to you.
50 amp service allows you to never calculate in your mind if you can run the AC, microwave and toaster all at once.
Yes, It's an expensive option, but you'll suffer once and be glad forever.
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Old 11-13-2018, 01:34 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TINKRR View Post
Fellow Members,

Is a single A/C unit sufficient to cool a 28-30ft AS when in the hotter southern climates ?

What are your general experiences?

Thanks
......best with 2....
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