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12-21-2019, 12:31 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2020 23' Flying Cloud
2019 22' Sport
Sebastian
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,234
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AC sound level survey
NIOSH offers a free sound level (decibels) app for the iPhone. I installed it and got a reading of 75 dB for my unducted Penguin II in a 22FB Sport. From personal experience and reading many other posts, this amount of noise makes it hard to sleep or listen to the radio/TV.
I asking others to use the app and post the results for their trailer/AC unit so we A-S owners or buyers can get an idea of how much difference there is across the spectrum. (ie, should my wife and I consider upgrading the AC or even the trailer?)
Thanks!
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12-21-2019, 01:34 PM
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#2
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2020 Classic 33
Box Elder
, South Dakota
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,731
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Where did you stand in the trailer? How far away from the AC unit/outlets? 75db sounds about right. Ducted air much quieter?
Just a suggestion for better comparisons if someone wants to check and we all do the measurement at the head of the bed then there would some consistency to the numbers. I’ll check mine this afternoon.
__________________
Gary
2020 Classic 33 Twin, 2019 Ram 3500 Longhorn, ProPride
NŘVPN
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12-21-2019, 01:59 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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Nice idea! In my 2018 25 FBT International, ducted dual unit, at ear level directly under the inlet screens, I get 60 db on low, 63 on medium and 65 on high. On high, sitting at the dinette I get 56 and laying on the bed with the front zone on high I get 58. With only the back zone on high I get 54. Didn't try the water pump noise, but with the air on you can't hear the water pump.
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12-21-2019, 02:13 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
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There are several free sound level apps available for Android. I use Sound Meter and Decibel X. Both register at the same levels so either one will work.
Our A/C, even on low, is so loud it makes watching TV difficult. We get the AS nice and cold, turn it off for a while, then wait for a commercial to fire it up again. A fan helps keep us cool and is much quieter. At night we turn the fan on low, close the divider and go to sleep. Having the fan on all the time helps at night, makes the noise almost constant and consistent. It takes getting used to.
The heat pump is pretty loud too. We use that when we aren't home and space heaters when we come back.
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
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12-21-2019, 02:36 PM
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#5
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,684
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Hi
One simple way to dig into this:
Visit a dealer and have them turn on the A/C in a unit with ducted air ... see what it sounds like to you / where you sit / where you sleep.
====
Sound level meters can be a bit weird. The microphones in cell phones are not set up to measure sound levels. They are set up to work best when you talk straight into them. If you grab a "real* sound meter and start comparing things, you will see differences. Measure at this vs that distance (with either one) and you will get different readings.
They are all set up to respond in a calculated way to various frequencies. That may or may not represent what "bugs you" in terms of background noise. Some people notice this or that more than others. Lots of variables.
Bob
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12-21-2019, 02:44 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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Sorry, duplicate post. See below.
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12-21-2019, 02:45 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghaynes755
Where did you stand in the trailer? How far away from the AC unit/outlets? 75db sounds about right. Ducted air much quieter?
Just a suggestion for better comparisons if someone wants to check and we all do the measurement at the head of the bed then there would some consistency to the numbers. I’ll check mine this afternoon.
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Excellent idea!
For consistency, how about using the same test distances as James from the Fit RV video below (between minutes 2:00 - 3:30). Arms length and waist level away on both high and medium fan speeds with all other sources of noise off.
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12-21-2019, 07:12 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Safari
Fountain Inn
, South Carolina
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 714
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Too Loud
We replaced our 2002 11,000 btu AC at Jackson Center in around 2014 with a 15,000 btu heat pump. This is a non-ducted system and it is much louder than the 11,000 btu AC. I'll get the app and measure the sound level.
__________________
Bud
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12-22-2019, 09:07 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
I'm In
, Kentucky
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridgerunner3
We replaced our 2002 11,000 btu AC at Jackson Center in around 2014 with a 15,000 btu heat pump. This is a non-ducted system and it is much louder than the 11,000 btu AC. I'll get the app and measure the sound level.
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Our 23' has the 15K BTU A/C. On high it is pretty loud, but you can talk over the noise. TV is difficult even on the low speed fan. When it's in the 90s outside, it's nice and cool on the inside. It reduces the humidity to a pleasant level and makes sleeping very comfortable. My wife can sleep through anything, up to and including a train wreck. I've learned to live with it, better than no A/C.
__________________
-Rich
Rich & Yvonne
2006 Safari SE -Dora-
2004 4Runner SE 4.7L V8
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12-22-2019, 10:05 AM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1971 21' Globetrotter
Pittsburg
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 24
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I know I have to turn off the unit to talk on the phone. It is very load, I can't stand it. The bad thing is, I'm about to stay in my Airstream for 2 or 3 months, while I build my tiny home (since my current house sold, I'm moving as I write this, to the Airstream). I'm glad it's winter and I will not need to run the A/C.
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12-22-2019, 10:29 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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As long as it is white noise, I am good with it. Most camp grounds are so loud now days the only way I can sleep is with that AC fan on. Dogs Barking, loud vehicles, stereos, TV's etc should not be in that environment. I have heard that the heat pumps are loud and the low profile units. Most likely the most quiet units would be the mini split units.
Perry
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12-22-2019, 10:35 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2012 27' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
San Angelo
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 32
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I don't remember what our sound level is sitting at the table in the rear but we got around the worst part by running the AC in the bedroom area when we were in the living/dinette area and the living area AC when we are in the bedroom. I also use noise canceling head phones when I'm trying to read or watch TV in the front when the wife is asleep in the back. Works for us. Another solution is to not "camp" when the AC needs to be run much.
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12-22-2019, 12:34 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 508
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db levels 11,000 BTU Penguin/25’ Intl
Using trusted “Decibel X” iPhone app
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12-22-2019, 12:35 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2012 Avenue Coach
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,719
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FYI.
Here is Advanced RV's response to Jame's (Fit RV) ac noise video I posted above.
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12-22-2019, 03:43 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2020 23' Flying Cloud
2019 22' Sport
Sebastian
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,234
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Thanks, all! A-S owners are on top of things.
I ran my test again at different speeds:
Compressor on: Hi 77 dB, Med 75 dB, Lo 72 dB
Fan only: essentially the same.
All were taken with the phone sitting on the dinette table approximately 4’ under the AC.
NIOSH limits its app to iphones because they say the mikes are consistent enough to provide reliable results.
If I got numbers like James in the video, I would agree with Steph: It’s good enough.
The AC may be white noise, but aircraft landing lights are white too. 75 dB is like a vacuum cleaner!
I’m a country boy and like it quiet, but now that we are in Florida AC is a necessity.
A neighbor installed a split unit on the back of his Arctic Fox truck camper.
He loved the quiet, but it looked kind of Yooperish. (Sorry if you come from there.)
I would have to clear the battery tray by installing AGM’s inside, and even then it would be tight for ventilation of the condenser. No way would I put something that heavy and fussy on the back bumper, even if I had one!
Dometic has been crappy about the warranties on their stuff (second owner) so if their AC goes out, I’ll look at the Coleman “Quiet” model. Till then or the next upgrade, earplugs.
Hopefully this thread will be helpful to the shoppers out there.
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12-22-2019, 04:12 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,638
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Here's another advantage of having 50 amp service, two AC units.
I have ducted air, and if I want it a bit quieter, I'll run the bedroom air only while I sit in the living area. Reverse that for sleeping.
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12-22-2019, 04:29 PM
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#17
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3 Rivet Member
2014 27' Flying Cloud
2023 30' International
Las Cruces
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 166
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We have a 2014 FC 27FB with only one AC unit, not ducted. It was hard to hear the TV while it was running. I picked up in another thread that you can play the TV sound through the Audio system. I think it is under CD2. The only downfall is it plays what ever is on the main TV, not the bedroom TV. It made a big difference.
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12-22-2019, 07:29 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,668
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I tried playing my Samsung Smart TV sound through the Pioneer stereo I replaced the failed Sony with. The delay in the sound drove me nuts. IIRC there was an adjustment but it didn't have enough range.
In the vein of the original post, we have to turn up the TV to hear it over our 13,500 BTU heat pump, but like several others, I turn the fan ON at night to keep the noise level constant. I had an EasyStart installed so the compressor start is so quiet as to be barely noticeable.
Al
__________________
“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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12-22-2019, 07:34 PM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
2014 25' Flying Cloud
1987 29' Sovereign
1978 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 412
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wilsodf
We have a 2014 FC 27FB with only one AC unit, not ducted. It was hard to hear the TV while it was running. I picked up in another thread that you can play the TV sound through the Audio system. I think it is under CD2. The only downfall is it plays what ever is on the main TV, not the bedroom TV. It made a big difference.
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We had our son do this for us quite some time ago and it helps a lot. Next we might add a sound bar too once we figure out if that will make it any clearer over the AC or if it will just be way too much sound with both.
__________________
☘ 369goose
"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine
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12-23-2019, 05:49 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2020 23' Flying Cloud
2019 22' Sport
Sebastian
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,234
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I realized that I could use a vacuum cleaner for comparison. Our Eureka Mighty Mite registered 86 dB. Seems high. Take my numbers posted on 12/22 with a grain of salt.
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