Ducted air- cooler/more efficient OR just quieter?

[moosetags]

The new directional vents are out already. We got Lucy's retrofitted in JC in late April. They are a vast improvement over the OEM screens.

Brian

[dames7]

Thanks, I will get some.

[hacienda2]

We have a 2015 27' FC with ducted air and only one A/C. We live in FL and definitely wish we would have got the two A/C's. There is no way to add according to Airstream. If your thinking about buying now please be aware the 2016's are rolling out. Colonial in NJ has some on their web site.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by hacienda2

There is no way to add according to Airstream. If your thinking about buying now please be aware the 2016's are rolling out. Colonial in NJ has some on their web site.

Wow, now that is interesting. I didn't realize that limitation. It would make me think long and hard if I were camping in locations without shade in hot climates. All the more to plan carefully when buying new or if you are buying a used ducted unit.

Jack

[rodsterinfl]

I just posted my results of ducted versus non-ducted on the ducted thread. I will just say here answering the thread title. Absolutely not. I have learned by spending the day at the dealer the benefits and downfalls of ducted.

Would I want it? yes, but not for quick cooling.

It is easy to continue setting up camp when first arriving entering the AS with the AC unit blowing hard cold air in your face in the hot inside but it is unbearable when you turn on the AC and it only runs without that air hitting you coming out of ducts on the far ends. It was like standing in an attic today taking sound readings. I would have to rethink my setup method to stay out of the AS until an hour or so passed at least. You need two units just like many SOB ducted models- one for quick cooling by-pass direct air (non-ducted) then ducted for maintaining the cool later and enjoying at least 6-7dB less noise on the end areas (lounge or bedroom). That or at least a bypass valve/whatever to cool more quickly. It was still really hot at 35 min.

[ttsr4us]

We just got back from a 2 month trip encompassing Texas Rockies Yellowstone and Santa Fe in our 2015 Flying Cloud 27FB. (without window awnings and only one 15000 btu ducted air conditioner. For our needs this was barely adequate and tin foil everywhere was mandatory. As a result we decided we wanted twin air (not upgradeable due to wiring from 30 amp to 50 amp (so we were informed))

So we have just ordered/upgraded to a 2016 30 Flying Cloud (delivery in 12 weeks) with twin air and window awnings as we were convinced that the addition of window awnings alone on our 27FB would not be good enough. Again for our needs as my wife is heat sensitive due to her medications. We are also hoping that the cool down from a days travel will also be faster with twin air. Another important factor for us as we travel and camp!

I also like the built in redundancy of two air conditioners as we had ours fail during our trip. Some air is better than none. I posted about the Dometic issue in the repairs thread.

Brian

[2012FB]

In the heat and direct sunlight full awnings and dual AC is a must period. Sorry the Airstream just does not have the insulation of some of the other brands especially since they went to the aluminum interior skin. Our previous trailer prior to the 2012 25FB was a 2007 32' Trail Bay with a 16' center slide out with one ducted AC that stayed way cooler than our 2012 25' Airstream. I was not about to put up with all the suggestions to keep it cool. So like you we upgraded to a 2015 Bunk with full awnings and dual air. You will absolutely love it. Come back to a hot trailer just run both for 30 minutes and you are cool. On our 25' we would leave it set at 65 from the time we got up and by noon we were out of there. It would not cool off till way past sun down. Often it was cooler outside. The same for heating up in the morning, 50 degrees in the trailer turn both heat pumps on and comfortable in no time.

I am sorry to hear you were told that you could not upgrade the 27FB to dual air. This was a major consideration on our 2012 25FB. I discussed the upgrade at length with Timeless Travel Trailers and they would have put the 2nd AC unit in on a separate 20A circuit with external receptacle that we could have plugged into the 110 circuit usually available or into a separate breakout box fed from the 50A circuit providing one 30A and one 20A. So when needed we would have just plugged it in. Had it not have been for our 14 year old this is what we would have done. The bunk was not available when we bought the 25'.

[Airstream12557]

2012 FB said -- I am sorry to hear you were told that you could not upgrade the 27FB to dual air. This was a major consideration on our 2012 25FB. I discussed the upgrade at length with Timeless Travel Trailers and they would have put the 2nd AC unit in on a separate 20A circuit with external receptacle that we could have plugged into the 110 circuit usually available or into a separate breakout box fed from the 50A circuit providing one 30A and one 20A. So when needed we would have just plugged it in. Had it not have been for our 14 year old this is what we would have done. The bunk was not available when we bought the 25'.

You are absolutely correct on the ability to add second AC with a separate 20 amp circuit. We recently sold our 2004 Airstream Land Yacht MH. It had 30 amp circuit so you could run either fornt or back AC and both could be operated from the generator. I added a separate 20 amp circuit, complete with 20 amp breaker so the rear air could be operated, when required. When plugged into 30 amp only, we could run one AC. When we needed the second AC, we plugged into the 20 amp circuit and could operate both ACs.

I won't go into the details, but the orginal wiring on the motorhome made it possible to run either AC when plugged into 30 amp only. The way my additional 20 amp circuit was designed, when operating on 30 amp only, we still had the choice to run either AC. The 20 amp circuit would only run the rear AC. This would probably not be the case when adding a second AC and separate 20 amp circuit to upgrade your Airstream trailer. I would assume that the added AC would only operate when plugged into a 20 amp circuit.

[ttsr4us]

Thanks to both for the info on the separate circuit. I'm not sure if it applies to Ducted Air which our 27FB is. I appreciate that your information is now available for other people with similar concerns.

We also have another year on the two year warranty so even now knowing your comments, I'm not sure I would want to negate that with such a mod.

In addition, my wife really likes the 'sofa' and the additional room available in the 30!

[EarlM]

Buy a yellow Marino cord they are lighter and more flexible

Just my 2 cents
Earl

[RAH]

Given my lack of roof clearance when putting my Airstream next to my house, I should be glad I don't have ducted air conditioning!

One thing we did that helped keep the interior cool was putting room darkening backing on the curtains on the pano window at the front of the trailer. After the first year, I put room darkening backing on the bedroom window. Then the next year (after August in Taos), we felt tinfoil under the curtains for the pano window wasn't quite enough. It really made a significant difference in the amount of heat from the sun.

[paiceman]

Just finished a 10,000 mile trip. Dual Ducted A/C units on our 30' FC. Lake Powell area, 107 in the shade during the day, we were camped in direct sun. Dual A/Cs cooled pretty quick and keep the trailer nice and cool. We do have an issue in that the front A/C makes a lot of noise when under a load, like at Lake Powell, in the shop now for a check.

The 50AMP cord is the only draw back to the system, but I just make do considering the convenience of 50 AMP and dual A/C. We had a 50AMP in our Motorhome and it too was a pain, but all I had to do is shove it into it's own area, now have to make it fit in the back storage area.

[graysailor]

Not always but often I use my 30amp cord and get by with only using 1 AC. I am pretty heat tolerant so often 1 AC is enough.

[Airstream12557]

Paiceman -- I have a plastic tote box for my 30 ft. Flying Cloud. The size is such that three fit side by side in the rear trunk. I place an empty tote on the ground and wind my 50 amp cord into the tote. I then put the tote into the trunk. I found this easier than coiling the 50 amp cord on the ground and then trying to place it in the trunk. I use one of the other totes for water hoses and the second for extension cords and various electrical adaptors that I think I may need.
Also, when a second air is not needed, I use a 30 amp power cord.

[laketime]

Originally Posted by rodsterinfl

Air conditioning "laws" are the same for any application. When sizing BTU to a cooling area/space the volume, insulation, heat sources (stove, avg #people, etc) are calculated tp come up with a BTU requirement. Insulation is a variable that changes everything. I calculated my unit using the lowest factor of insulation and came up with around 10, 000 BTUs required for a 25' Airstream. The ONE factor that is not included in the mix is ambient humidity/temperature. In other words, AC units work better in hot humid environments than they do in hot dry climates as they draw warm humidity and cool and dry it. I have posted about this a few times. When we were having a custom home built we had detailed discussions on AC unit matching for the house with two AC companies. We wanted the best AC for the house in FL. Both told us the same story that it is not about getting the most BTUs but finding the best match that draws out the humidity before cooling the space down too quickly. If you have too many BTUs, (too large a unit) that is exactly what you get - cold and damp. With an AS, the insulation would be a constant but WHERE it is placed- sun/shade is not. So your idea of awning use is important.

Pretty simple when you look at it that way... well said

[rp709]

You can use a 30 amp cord with adapter when 2 AC units are not needed. When it is really hot the 2nd AC unit is very nice to have. We use the front AC when sleeping or the bedroom unit when up and about, and it is much quieter that way.

[graysailor]

Not sure why but my main AC the one in the front is reasonably quiet. The one in the rear makes a terrible racket. Both are ducted. When below 40 which is not often the furnace keeps the salon area warm as toast but the rear bedroom area still a little chilly.

[Philip Jones]

Same thing here. In our 27 FB, the smaller bedroom unit is very noisy!