Dual a/c. How to run just one?

[3dawgnight]

We recently picked up our new 2016 30' serenity with dual a/c. Totally new to RV /Airstream life. If we are at a campsite with on 30 amp, I know we can only run one air conditioner unit. How do you turn one on without the other as there is only one on/off button and it turns both on.

[SeaLevel]

There should also be a Zone button, and each AC should be assigned to a Zone. So you should be able to turn one Zone off and set the other for Cool.

[xrvr]

Don't know but does the owners manual help?

[cabinetmaker]

Yea, that stat takes some practice. We had duals on our classic and now on our Pendleton so maybe I can help. Number one unit on stat is usually the one towards the front (facing hitch and truck and will be in the bedroom) number two is usually the rear (or more in center of trailer towards kitchen). If you run just one you need to run #2 unit so select that one on stat and set your temp and it will come on when mode button at top is selected to a/c. Now select unit #1 on stat and got back to mode button and set to off. All done! If running them both be sure not to set the stat temps the same as you want them coming on and off staggered not at same time. Airstream will handle both but park pole might not. Have fun...it's a learning experience!

[paiceman]

On our 30' FC - 2015. Number 1 zone is the bedroom in back and Number 2 is frontal area for the ACs and the number 2 zone also controls the furnace.

[groverpeters]

Originally Posted by cabinetmaker

Yea, that stat takes some practice. We had duals on our classic and now on our Pendleton so maybe I can help. Number one unit on stat is usually the one towards the front (facing hitch and truck and will be in the bedroom) number two is usually the rear (or more in center of trailer towards kitchen). If you run just one you need to run #2 unit so select that one on stat and set your temp and it will come on when mode button at top is selected to a/c. Now select unit #1 on stat and got back to mode button and set to off. All done! If running them both be sure not to set the stat temps the same as you want them coming on and off staggered not at same time. Airstream will handle both but park pole might not. Have fun...it's a learning experience!

We have Pendleton #29. We appreciate the A/C operation review! Thanks

[Howard L.]

Originally Posted by paiceman

On our 30' FC - 2015. Number 1 zone is the bedroom in back and Number 2 is frontal area for the ACs and the number 2 zone also controls the furnace.

2012 30 FC is the same. Not sure how you guys control the flow with the new ducted air. My guess is that air still goes to all outlets, just less of it with one only running.

[greghoro]

Don't have dual A/C, so just an educated guess.

Perhaps each A/C unit is on its own circuit breaker. If that is the case, just flip one of them off.


Greg

[Sisu]

We have a 2013 International 30; zone 1 is rear bedroom, zone 2 is lounge, etc. When on 30 amps we choose to run one zone, turn the other "off."

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by Howard L.

2012 30 FC is the same. Not sure how you guys control the flow with the new ducted air. My guess is that air still goes to all outlets, just less of it with one only running.

Correct, if one AC is on or both the air movement continues throughout the entire coach. It has a little more force coming out the ducts in the zone which is on, but not much. We close off a duct or so if we want different airflow and there are two in the head which are rarely open very much at all.

[overlander63]

Something I have suggested that seems to really help, is to turn on both units, but have the unit closest to where you are set a couple degrees warmer than the other one. That way, the one furthest away is the one making the noise, and everything is even quieter than the new normal, until the first air conditioner can't keep up any more, then the second one kicks on, and helps keep things cool. It works the same way in reverse for the heat pumps.

[lewster]

I always suggest that if only one unit in a dual ducted air coach is being used that you set the second unit to 'fan only'.

This allows the primary unit to operate it's compressor to cool the exhaust air with the second unit's blower helping to push the cool air throughout the trailer.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
ABYC Certified Master Marine Electrician
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center*AMS Lithium Batteries
Lifeline AGM Batteries**Magnum Inverters***Victron Energy Components
541-490-6357

[CDONA]

Great suggestion on the air boost with the AC and fan combo.
I found myself on 30 amp into a 50 amp rig, thru the plug adapter.
This wouldn't work on that rig (Alfa, basement air), but for the ones with the 50 amp, 2 AC, rigs. Is there enough room electrically to run the fan along with the AC on the 30 amp shore power?

[lewster]

Fan only is typically 3 +/- Amps and a running A/C is around 16 with both fan and compressor so that's under 20 amps.

You should be fine.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
ABYC Certified Master Marine Electrician
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center*AMS Lithium Batteries
Lifeline AGM Batteries**Magnum Inverters***Victron Energy Components
541-490-6357