AC Setting in 90+ weather

[98st8]

Will be in Florida this week with 90+ weather and got me thinking of how you approach AC settings with those kind of temps.

Do you set on Auto or Cool and what temps? Don't want to freeze them up by having them run all the time

[Hans627]

I have two A/C's. I do not use Auto (perhaps I could but haven't had the need or desire to do so). We don't like it really cold so we set the one at 75 and the other at about 78. Usually one handles the load but if it gets too hot the second will kick in to assist.

At night we usually turn just one on and set it at about 70.

I might add that we have MicroAir Easy Touch thermostat and it can be set remotely.

https://www.microair.net/pages/the-e...SAAEgJA5PD_BwE

[CRH]

I set it on cool and let it run all the time.

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by 98st8

Will be in Florida this week with 90+ weather and got me thinking of how you approach AC settings with those kind of temps.



Do you set on Auto or Cool and what temps? Don't want to freeze them up by having them run all the time

The only air conditioner that I’ve had freeze up was the original Armstrong unit in our 1975 Airstream, when it was 37 years old. I attributed it to a low charge due to seepage of refrigerant over the years.

I wouldn’t be concerned about a newer air conditioner.

[Acheron2010]

74, use all the awnings, but keep an eye on them.

[Bill M.]

One thing you can do is to close off the part of the trailer you are occupying at the time. We close the hallway door when we sit in the front then open it at bed time. Use all the awnings. Park under a tree. We are in central Fl now but have a nice tree that gives us some shade, We run the AC when the air temp goes over 90 for an extended period, Had the AC on 2 afternoons this last month.

Right now it is high 80-s in the afternoons. We run the AC on low to mid fan speed and 3/4 of the way down the temp scale. If it gets really hot I will turn the AC all the way up. I have had older units freeze up like that but not the new one we have now. If you are in a station where it is themporarly too hot for you and if you can legally spray a fine mist of water on the trailer with a hose for immediate, short term, relief of heat. Our campground has its own water supply and that is allowed. Not allowed in many places though.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Another vote for never on 'auto'.

Also, you may find that the outlet air is colder on the lower speeds.
Turn the fan down after reaching your comfort zone.

We use a battery/ac Dewalt fan to help circulate.

Bob
🇺🇸

[LilPeanut]

The problem with ‘auto’ is it allows the fan to cycle down to low. Low speed reduces airflow over the evaporator coils which can lead to freeze up in humid ‘not too hot’ conditions. Low speed is not your friend as it reduces airflow and AC is all about airflow over the coils (keep those filters clean). My advice is find a shade tree, any kind of shade makes a big difference.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

There are two *very* different setups in AS trailers and this does make a difference in this case. Some trailers have "ducted A/C" and others have the old style approach. With the A/C hanging out in the aisle ( = not ducted ) the fan can throttle down and do fine. With the ducts, you are better off keeping it out of low speed territory.

Bob

[s1000pre]

As others have mentioned: Set the temp and fan speed, I never use auto.

Optional: Game changer traveling with dogs
I switched out my Dometic thermostat with a plug&play MicroAir EasyTouch_RV.
You can keep an eye on the temp when you can’t take Fido along. It also sends you messages when your temp hits pre-defined temps.

[PC Conner]

We live in FL. Usually camp in Key West in the summer. Amazingly, spaces are available then--not so in the winter.
We run the unit that is in the other end than where we are--bedroom AC if we are in the main salon; rear AC when we are in the bedroom. This reduces the noise. Never needed to run both.

[ChuckFeldt]

In Florida campgrounds, mid-summer, everyone runs A/C. Often resulting in low voltage. I recommend a plug-in voltage meter. Can be cheap or nice.
I bought a Prime Products - 788530 12-4058 AC Power Line Monitor $31 off Amazon. When voltage drops below 105 volts run amps increase and can damage compressor windings. Your 50A dual A/C trailer has two 120 volt circuits. Be advised that some of the fancy surge protectors may not protect you from this failure.

[seanpecan]

I was in Texas and had A/C issues.
It was over 100 degrees multiple weeks in a row.
Breaker was tripping even when A/C was set to 88. Swapped out breaker.
Still tripped.
Changed position of breaker to a cooler spot.
Still tripped.
Changed all wire nits to stronger/real connectors.
Still tripped.

Original A/C in 2005 safari classic. Worked, but thought maybe that was the issue.
Installed New A/C on the weekend for About 1k (can’t remember),
still tripped.

Did a test,
And it would not trip when being sprayed with water.
Bought a “Shade RV “ for around $900. Slight pain to set up, not too bad.
Game changer! Never tripped again!
I only use it when in a place for more than 5 days that is crazy hot.
Keeps the unit and entire trailer cooler.

[Gunta10]

We have a 2021 Classic 33 with ducted air. We are in Florida and we run both with Auto: one set to 75 and one to 78. We also use a small Honeywell fan we bought for $10 at CVS Pharmacy. This hangs off a hook from front bedroom to central aisle. It helps to circulate the air. We have found that if we start early enough, it doesn't take much to cool the coach. using both. On cooler days, in the 80's we often only use one and find it is enough. The noise level is minimal; becomes white noise.