Air Conditioners, Where is the best pricing?

[Rofkrynn]

Hi guys, Asking here has paid off int the past so I figured I try here again

I have a 1977 27ft overlander, and I need to replace the A/C unit. I'm wanting to step up to a 15000 BTU unit and add heat strips. My LP furnace is brand new, but I thought it'd be cheaper to have the heat strips because i like my sleeping quarters to be cool.

Anyway, my questions is this. Where is the best place to get the best price on an A/C unit?

I was told to check out Palamnio Rv for my furnace and they were awesome and had the best price around. but their AC prices seem to be about the same as everyone elses. Any pointers?

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Rofkrynn

Hi guys, Asking here has paid off int the past so I figured I try here again

I have a 1977 27ft overlander, and I need to replace the A/C unit. I'm wanting to step up to a 15000 BTU unit and add heat strips. My LP furnace is brand new, but I thought it'd be cheaper to have the heat strips because i like my sleeping quarters to be cool.

Anyway, my questions is this. Where is the best place to get the best price on an A/C unit?

I was told to check out Palamnio Rv for my furnace and they were awesome and had the best price around. but their AC prices seem to be about the same as everyone elses. Any pointers?

I wonder if they go on sale when the weather is cooler, like residential AC systems.

[Bill M.]

Be careful with the selection of heat strips. We put in a smaller AC and the heat strip with it just smells warm. We run a Walmart portable electric heater instead because it is quieter and makes more heat.

[Silverflames]

I put a heat strip in my 15,000 dometic, works ok but not great. We live in fl so we only need it at night. It was not really enough when it dipped down into the 40s.. Good for taking the chill out of the morning air. Keep in mind it draws a lot of amps. 12 amps if I remember correctly.

[NJtoNC]

i like the idea of having the alternate option for heating. When you're at a campground, and the cost of electric is included, why not use the electric heat?

alternatively, at home, I'd want more 'bang' for my buck.... ie, a furnace.

[Silverflames]

If I remember correctly Colin from the VAP talked about using one of the oil filled electric radiator. I would check the amp draw, but my guess it's about same as the heat strip.

[Aviator]

I found the best price (at the moment) at AmericanRVCompany.com I went with a Penguin II 15K unit with a heat pump and even with shipping they were the most cost effective.

[jnerges]

The description of it smelling warm was awesome. Great blankets and occasionally an electric blanket if not boon docking. +1 on the oil filled radiator. The do great work.

Steer clear of kerosene heaters in the AS, makes for a messy clean up.

I have also been thinking about replacing our unit, its only 7 years old but it looks tired and sounds like an espresso grinding machine in Starbucks on a Saturday morning. (Loud)

Be interested if anybody has a solution or a place to purchase new.

[cuyeda]

This is an old thread, and interested in knowing if anyone purchases the accessory drip pan for the Penquin II. Penquin II seems like a popular choice. I bought mine from American RV, close enough to pick it up from their warehouse saving a little shipping.

The owners manual does not mention the drip pan. Since I have the interior walls down, I was wondering about a drip pan, and if I should run the drain hose between the walls, minimizing a run off from the outside down the polished aluminum. My first AC install.

[Silverflames]

From what I have read, water running down the side of side of a polished trailer leaves streaks. If you plan on polishing your trailer later down the road, it might be worth the investment.

[87MH]

Originally Posted by cuyeda

This is an old thread, and interested in knowing if anyone purchases the accessory drip pan for the Penquin II. Penquin II seems like a popular choice. I bought mine from American RV, close enough to pick it up from their warehouse saving a little shipping.

The owners manual does not mention the drip pan. Since I have the interior walls down, I was wondering about a drip pan, and if I should run the drain hose between the walls, minimizing a run off from the outside down the polished aluminum. My first AC install.

See this thread http://www.airforums.com/forums/f219...ign-14737.html , particularily post #85.

The Dometic "kit" really looked like a couple of clear plastic bra cups with some plastic piping attached...it may have worked but I opted on going with the full drip pan available from Airstream.

Would be interested in feedback from anyone on how the bra cups work.

The comment on roof runoff on polished aluminum is absolutely correct. Bear in mind that use of the heat pump on the Dometic Penguin II will cause condensate runoff from the roof mounted unit with ir without a drip kit..

[cuyeda]

Will have to find comparisons to the footprint of both drip pans. I would think the specifically made pan for the Penquin would have a good footprint profile for the Penquin. As for the Airstream drip pan, is it a generic one size fits all, or is it made for specific model AC's? I am concerned of possibly finding an oversized pan. What do I know, haven't seen either of the pans.

Any comments?

[1978Argosy27]

I too am wanting to replace ours? Wanted to have the AC/heat combo as mentioned here but is it worth the extra $? Will most any model unit fit the roof of an Argosy?! Recommendations?

Jon

[1978Argosy27]

I too am wanting to replace ours? Wanted to have the AC/heat combo as mentioned here but is it worth the extra $? Will most any model unit fit the roof of an '78 Argosy27?! Recommendations?

Newby Jon

[Wazbro]

Wanted to have the AC/heat combo as mentioned here but is it worth the extra $?

Some people think it is, I don't. I just use a 1500 wall electric heater, much quieter.


Will most any model unit fit the roof of an '78 Argosy27?!

If you have an original Armstrong unit no modern A/C will fit without modifying your Argosy roof, the Armstrong uses 2 small holes for install, new A/C use 1 large hole.

With that said you can make any A/C fit.

If you have had any thoughts about using your A/C on a generator or at home I would recommend getting a high efficiency model, otherwise get a low-profile model.