A/C, heat pump, 13,500 or 15,000

[Isuzusweet]

Here is your chance to help me out.

An RV parts supplier has a sale on Coleman Mach 8 low profile A/C's with free shipping, and I want suggestions to which one to buy.....or not buy.

Heat pump or no heat pump. The price difference is $10.00 in some models; but serviceability and parts costs?

I can also get a heat strip with the Mach 8 A/C or heat pump version. The heat strip is 6000 BTU's; (remember, I took out the furnace).

13,500 or 15,000. I have an Onan Marquis Gold 6500 watt generator and have upgraded most of the electrical to 50 amp; having to only upgrade the transfer switch left to do.

13,500 a/c only is $684.99
13,500 heat pump is $819.00
15,000 A/C only is $864.98
15,000 heat pump is $879.98 (I have no idea why this one is only $10 bucks more but the 13,500 heat pump is $134.00 more than the A/C unit).

Would you buy Coleman? If not, why? and what would you prefer.

Thank you in advance.
Sidekick Tony

[bobmiller1]

I just went through this last year with the 370LE, got the Penguin low profile 15,000's with the heat pump, reconnected the factory drains.....Boom, done ! Very heavy, built better than the Colemans and look better. I have the Coleman's on my work truck......had the heat strips years ago.....they SUCK ! Don't bother 55 degrees at best (lucwarm ) at best. The heat pumps work like furnaces down to about 40F after that you're be better off outside next to a fire. I can give you my contact where I bought them, don't forget you will have to buy an ADB for each one and the drain kits, plus a remote thermostat. The wiring was a pain in the ass, only because I had never done it before. Regards, Bob

[Isuzusweet]

Thanks Bob for replying. I know that I had talked of replacing my A/C units last year, but life took over.....

It seems there are as many people that hate the Coleman Mach 8 as love it. I'm not sold on it either.

What about these; yes, not low profile, but uses less power and generate more cooling.

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/images/a...s-brochure.pdf

I can get a 13,500 (16,000 BTU equivalent) WITH ceiling unit and remote wireless control for $549.99

A 15,000 (18,000 BTU) unit with heat pump as std, ceiling unit and wireless remote control is $649.99

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[bwoodtx]

I would go with the 15K heat pump. We have a 13.5K heat pump in our '97 excella. It is good down to about 25*. We also supplement it with a small ceramic heater in the bedroom and a ceramic tower heater in the living room. This helps keep the heat pump from working so hard in colder temps while we still remain comfortable. When the time comes we will upgrade to the 15K.

[bobmiller1]

Gee, Atwood makes good hot water heaters and furnaces, are they new to the AC field ??? I'de like to see one with the shroud off before I made a decision...Dometic has been at it for years....Low Profile, high performance, really can't be beat. the heat pump is a bonus...For me between the 2 furnaces, radiant floor heat, 2 heat pumps. and engine assist aux, rear heater, I think I have all the heating bases covered. Although I like the idea of the remote control, when using the generator get your transfer switch in order before you fire up the AC units give them time to cool down after you shut them off 5 mins.before you fire them back up again. Let me know your thoughts....Regards, Bob

[Isuzusweet]

Domestic bought Atwood, which use to be Australian supposedly. They are now built in the USA.
I watched a video of a guy with the shroud off, and from what I saw I was impressed. I like the fact that it has two motors, with high and low speeds.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[NOAZRK2690]

Check out the Dometic Blizzard before you bug anything else. Very quiet compared to anything else. There's plenty of posts and videos available on line. Spending the extra bucks is worth it. Go with the 15,000 btu with heat pump.

[AtomicNo13]

In my opinion the way to go is with the low profile penguin. Global parts availability, great esthetics, and are quiet. I hear people complain about noise... Mine is very quiet! I have the 15000 btu units.... Like a meat locker!

[Isuzusweet]

Here is a little video I found in this link showing somewhat the guts of the Atwood 15,000 heat pump A/C.

https://www.etrailer.com/tv-Demo-Atw...s-AT15026.aspx

The video may take a while to load.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[bobmiller1]

The reviews look good on that unit....seems to draw less amps than the Dometic, so if the height or the looks doesn't bother you i'de go for it, i'de still like to see the insides up close before I bought one or two, Regards, Bob

[Isuzusweet]

Getting back to my original question though:

Should I get two 15,000's or one 15,000 and a 13,500? I can't run both 15,000's on 30 amp at the same time, if 30 amp is the only service available, unless I some how wire a direct line to another shore plug?

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[bobmiller1]

2 fifteens will run off the generator, if you upgrade to 50 amp service coming in you're all set unless the campground only has 30 amp. In that case you can't run both Atwood's anyway....that starting amps exceed the 30 amps that's available, remember with the upgrade to 50 amps coming in you really have 100 amps coming in, Regards, Bob

[Swillv8]

I’d go 2-15000 with heat strips.. it’s not an issue of cost, but boy spend that kind of money and not be happy I think you’d be kicking yourself. I’ve been eying the penguin 2’s, but from my understanding they are not available in Canada? Life is in the way right now, future plan........

I have a friend, their dad is an electrician( smartest guy I’ve met with electrical) I’m going off of 6-7 year memory but a conversation about a/c came up and I do remember him saying you cannot get colder a/c without more amps( this was referring to residential). But I believe physics is pretty clear, without of course the good chemicals which are banned......

So as for Atwood performing better from 13500vs 15000 I’m scepical