Best air conditioner

[Ajunghans]

Wondering what is the best unit to install?

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Ajunghans

Wondering what is the best unit to install?

What is your definition of 'best'??

[Isuzusweet]

IMHO the best A/C unit to get is none at all.

If you can get away with installing a couple of Maxxair fans, one to blow in and another to blow out, you could very well get away without having to buy and maintain an expensive A/C unit. This would also save you quite a bit of weight and decrease water leaks into the trailer.

Cheers
Tony

[Melody Ranch]

Tony obviously does not live in Texas. I have Dometic, Coleman and Carrier low profile. Even though Carrier is no longer making the low profile...it is, by far, the best I have.

[Lumatic]

Unless you are doing your camping up north, Fans won't keep you comfortable. The question is 13.5 or 15,000 BTU units. The difference being you can run a 13.5 off generators for a 15 you need shore power. I got a low profile Dometic Penguin. Works good but an AC which sits higher would be a bit more quiet. Isuzusweet is kind of right. Speaking for myself most of the time I don't use the AC, even here in the southwest, but when it's hot out it's really hot and can make the difference between enjoyment and misery.

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Tony obviously does not live in Texas. I have Dometic, Coleman and Carrier low profile. Even though Carrier is no longer making the low profile...it is, by far, the best I have.

Nope, I don't. I live in the GWN and when it does get humid here I just head further north. In the summer the further north you go, the longer the day you have to enjoy.

Cheers
Tony

[Melody Ranch]

I think I'd like those longer days, Tony.

[Farmer Erin]

I'm trying to decide now between 13,500 and 15,000 for our 1967 Airstream Overlander 26. And I live in Texas. What do you mean by "shore power"?

[55AS]

Originally Posted by Farmer Erin

I'm trying to decide now between 13,500 and 15,000 for our 1967 Airstream Overlander 26. And I live in Texas. What do you mean by "shore power"?

Shore power means being plugged into a 30 amp receptacle. My 67 Overlander was cooled by a 12,000 BTU mini-split unit which was ultra quiet and drew only 11 amps. It was mounted up front but still cooled the trailer nicely except for the bathroom. I would think 13,500 would work well unless it was super hot. We simply opt not to go camping in the height of the Texas summer.

[AtomicNo13]

It is unreasonable to think you can be comfortable in an AS without AC. Fans don't cool the air rather move it at it's current temp in the hopes of evaporating moisture on your skin... In humid climates, that's a no go!
Get a Penguin

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by Ajunghans

Wondering what is the best unit to install?

Consider where the condensate goes. Make sure that whatever you buy will work with the existing drain pipe. Water running on the roof all the time during the summer will encourage algae growth on the surface.
I've replace a few with Dometic Penguin, one with Dometic Brisk Air, and a long time ago one with a Coleman. I like the Penguin best.

[pteck]

This is a really old thread. The OP likely has made a decision long ago.

For posterity of future users, I did a lot of research here in circa 2018/2019.

The highest rated capacity units are the Atwood Air Command units (now acquired by Dometic). They are rated at 16k-18k output. They are a bit different of an animal in regards to thermostat and condensate collection. But then again, so are the newer Dometics with catch cups vs catch pans that Airstream use to use in the 2000s.

That said, of Dometics formal line of A/Cs, the Blizzard NXT is the "best" in terms of cooling output and airflow. Penguin is best for low profile aesthetics.

Even though all models are rated at 15k BTU, there are meaningful output differences that aren't capture in numbers. Here's some data suggesting detail differences between compressor/fan/refrigerant capacity which would lend to output differences.

[Farmer Erin]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Unless you are doing your camping up north, Fans won't keep you comfortable. The question is 13.5 or 15,000 BTU units. The difference being you can run a 13.5 off generators for a 15 you need shore power. I got a low profile Dometic Penguin. Works good but an AC which sits higher would be a bit more quiet. Isuzusweet is kind of right. Speaking for myself most of the time I don't use the AC, even here in the southwest, but when it's hot out it's really hot and can make the difference between enjoyment and misery.

Thanks for sharing this information. Ultimately, we want to be off-grid so I went with the Penguin II, 13,5000. We'll see how it keeps us cool mid-August.

[mikextr]

@pteck

Wish I had seen your chart before I bought my Brisk II 15K. Looks like NXT is the way to go.

[nvestysly]

Even though this is an old thread it may be useful to add some new information. For us, the "best" air conditioner would certainly be more quiet than the existing units in our trailer or our Class B.

Advanced RV has exclusive rights to sell what appears a very quiet air conditioner. I don't know all the specs so some of you may find it's not suitable for your situation. Advanced is in the business of building and upfitting Class B's so I don't know if the unit is suitable for a trailer but it seems like it would work on a trailer too with use of a drip pan and drain hose.

[55AS]

Originally Posted by nvestysly

even though this is an old thread it may be useful to add some new information. For us, the "best" air conditioner would certainly be more quiet than the existing units in our trailer or our class b.

Advanced rv has exclusive rights to sell what appears a very quiet air conditioner. I don't know all the specs so some of you may find it's not suitable for your situation. Advanced is in the business of building and upfitting class b's so i don't know if the unit is suitable for a trailer but it seems like it would work on a trailer too with use of a drip pan and drain hose.

$2749...

[byu2beach]

Did you install one of these quiet air conditioners in your Interstate?

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by byu2beach

Did you install one of these quiet air conditioners in your Interstate?

Hello, welcome to Air Forums.

No, we did not install the quiet AC from Advanced RV. We had hoped to stop by their place to see the unit in operation sometime in spring 2020 but our travel plans changed.

I'm curious if you've heard of other brands of AC, or other sources, for the AC that Advanced RV sells. If there's a lower price or better alternative please do elaborate.

[byu2beach]

Originally Posted by nvestysly

Hello, welcome to Air Forums.

No, we did not install the quiet AC from Advanced RV. We had hoped to stop by their place to see the unit in operation sometime in spring 2020 but our travel plans changed.

I'm curious if you've heard of other brands of AC, or other sources, for the AC that Advanced RV sells. If there's a lower price or better alternative please do elaborate.

Recpro RP-AC3400 is the one that I've been researching both on Amazon and direct from Recpro $1124. I just don't know anything about Recpro accept that they are an RV and Marine accessory supplier. My research thus far shows me that the "Houghton" units are manufactured in the same plant as "Dometic" and "Recpro" units are manufactured. Import records verify shipments from Ningbo Hongdu to Advanced Rv, Dometic, Atwood and others. The China Company is Ningbo Hongdu Electrical Appliance Co,, China. It appears the units are being Manufactured by, sold by and shipped by Ningbo Hongdu. Houghton has basically disappeared but their name lives on. I messaged Wachuko about his unit but thus far haven't received a reply. Finch Australia Australia, a major Houghton distributor, may play a role, I'm just not sure.
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