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03-10-2008, 11:31 AM
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#1
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can't finish anyth
2018 30' International
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 85
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Southern Folk Chime in on BTU!
I'm considering upgfrading my 2006 19 foot Bambi for a 2007 28 foot International (I figure if I'm going bigger, I'm going for it.) I have found two units and the only difference is the BTU's on the A/C. Does the 15000 BTU a/c cool down a 28 foot international all that much faster / more efficiently over a 13500 btu unit??
I LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. GOOD AC IS A MUST FOR FOUR TO SIX MONTHS EACH YEAR.
thanks!
__________________
Javi
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL
2018 30' International Signature
(Truly Work from Anywhere)
2017 F250 "Super Judy"
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03-10-2008, 11:41 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
1964 19' Globetrotter
1955 26' Cruiser Overlander
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 608
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Go with 15000K
I also went from a 19' Bambi to a 28', only to have the 28' with a 13.5K struggle in Texas heat. You really notice it struggle in full sun, no shade... I only had the main awning on the 28'.
My current 27FB (only 1 inch longer then the 28 I had) has the 15K. I like it much better.....
It is more efficent to cool after traveling in the hot summer humid day than the 13.5 was. The 15K seems to be able to get ahead of the curve from a dead summer heat (sitting or traveling all day in the sun), but the 13.5 could never get enough "oomph"...
__________________
Kevin & Prim Li
Bandit the Siberian Husky (RIP) & "G" the Min-Pin (RIP)
Cosmo the Custom 2008 27FB Intl CCD
Maxwell the 1964 Globe Trotter
Name TBD the 1955 Overlander
WBCCI # 6155
AIR # 6155
2nd love - 2006 28' Safari LS
1st love - 2004 19' CCD Bambi
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03-10-2008, 11:43 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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I don't live in the south, but...
My wife is from Houston and I've spent some time there. My personal view would be to go big on the A/C just like you did on the trailer. It's easier to do it now than wish you did it later.
From what others who own larger trailers in the South have posted, bigger is better when it comes to A/C.
Dave
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03-10-2008, 12:55 PM
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#4
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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Go for the 15K unit. I had a 27 foot Safari in which the 13.5K unit in my opinion was undersized for the hot Missouri summers. I made sure to get the optional 15K unit when I ordered my 30' Classic.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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03-10-2008, 08:11 PM
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#5
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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No such as thing as too much A/C capacity when the sun hits that metal. It really pays to find a space with afternoon shade.
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03-10-2008, 08:20 PM
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#6
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_
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, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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hi golf...
the primary differences between the 13.5 and 15k units are condenser/cooling coil sizes and a a slightly bigger squirrel cage fan...
oh, and price.
they are within 2 lbs of each other and have basically the same electrical specs and mechanicals.
on long days of cooling and dehumidifying the 10% more btu should be significant.
IF the only improvement is 10% less running time, that's enough, because these things are noisy.
the 15k does fine in my 34 but i often close the bedroom and bath area off just to reduce the work load in mid day heat...
IF you go much bigger than 28 ft, consider 2 ac units for south florida summers.
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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03-10-2008, 09:05 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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Tub of BTU's
As a pal in the airconditioning business says-
You need enought B.T.U.'s to cool a B.U.T. the size of a T.U.B.
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03-10-2008, 09:06 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
2000 34' Excella
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 375
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For the bigger units (34') with no shade, even 15k is not enough. To get even remotely less that a heat pit you will have to close off the front from the back and install a second until in the bedroom where the fantastic fan is and then close off the front as you switch between them to keep under the 30amp limit, or install a 50amp $$ervice.
Go with as much BTU as you can, if you are stuck in the sun in the summer (Globe,AZ in a parking lot for two weeks in July '07 with 116 deg) then you need professional AC, not this amateur garbage.
So to answer your question, you will never regret the 15k choice if you live where it can get hot and sunny.
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03-10-2008, 09:15 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1956 30' Sovereign of the Road
1963 16' Bambi
Southeastern Area
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,116
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Ditto . . .
Go with 15K. You'll thank yourself for choosing so wisely.
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03-10-2008, 11:03 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Hi, while you have a choice, go for the 15K unit. You can always turn it down if it gets too cool inside, but you can't turn the smaller unit any higher than it's max if it's not cool enough. Or, it's cheaper to pay the extra $$$$ now than to pay for an upgrade later. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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03-11-2008, 05:02 AM
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#11
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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15K, no question. In this case, size does matter. Way back when, I even put a 15K on our 20' trailer.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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03-11-2008, 07:23 AM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
1975 Argosy 26
Villa Ridge
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: 1964 24' Tradewind
Posts: 162
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We have a 13.5K in our vintage 31-footer (which, given the narrower body, is more similar to the interior space of the trailer you're considering), and it can not keep up when it's anything more than 80 degrees. But the 15K in our 25-footer is outstanding, and we won't have anything but from now on, even though our Yamaha 2400 generator won't run it by itself.
__________________
Both Alex, my Argosy, and I are kids from Versailles, Ohio!
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08-07-2008, 08:36 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
1972 Argosy 20
youngstown
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 72
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Do you really want to SWEAT a few bucks from now on????
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08-16-2008, 03:31 PM
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#14
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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15K units are great, but still not enough if temps and humidity are high, when one has a long trailer (and no shade).
I've been thinking that my best route would be to install two 13.5's if I ever want to start using this trailer in the summer, and not have to drive 1,000 miles to a cooler climate.
Can't say I'll actually do it, but I have seen two 34' A/S trailers from Texas with two roof A/C units.
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08-16-2008, 04:42 PM
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#15
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REDNAX
15K units are great, but still not enough if temps and humidity are high, when one has a long trailer (and no shade).
I've been thinking that my best route would be to install two 13.5's if I ever want to start using this trailer in the summer, and not have to drive 1,000 miles to a cooler climate.
Can't say I'll actually do it, but I have seen two 34' A/S trailers from Texas with two roof A/C units.
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That's not an unusual situation. I've seen quite a few 34's with two AC units. I think it's usually been a situation where there was a 13.5 K unit up front and an 11K unit in the rear.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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08-16-2008, 08:19 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Trabuco Canyon
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 866
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I'd get the bigger one. Lots of experience w/ AC in the southwest.
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08-17-2008, 06:17 AM
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#17
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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I wonder how a small duct to the rear of the trailer would work? They do make ducted lower units for RV a/c units, though their definition of "ducted" is not the one I use.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-17-2008, 06:46 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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i was thinking the same thing for our 34' with the 13.5 unit. i was thinking of using some sort of 'funnel' like the old under dash mounted A/C vents on cars and some soft tube (about2") that i could run along the ceiling over the sliding door cutouts. the duct facing the rear, only cools the door when it is closed.
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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08-17-2008, 09:23 AM
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#19
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Plan B would be easiest, simplest, and cheapest, and is what we do:
Get a small floor fan, aim it at the back of the trailer, and turn it on "low".
A $20 fan is a lot cheaper than a second $700+ a/c, plus all the wiring involved, not to mention time and wiring for moving the front one.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-17-2008, 10:46 AM
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#20
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
Plan B would be easiest, simplest, and cheapest, and is what we do:
Get a small floor fan, aim it at the back of the trailer, and turn it on "low".
A $20 fan is a lot cheaper than a second $700+ a/c, plus all the wiring involved, not to mention time and wiring for moving the front one.
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Nope, a fan is not enough. Already have a very nice one.
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