Air Conditioning Question

[Bethany533]

I have a 1984 Classic 300 motorhome. Unfortunately, I need to replace both iar conditioners. The front AC works but only provides slightly cool air. The rear AC has never worked (the motor is rusted and frozen). I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with.
1. Someone told me the rear AC was meant to work only with the generator. Is this accurate? Since it has never worked I'm not sure, but this does not seem correct.
2. I live in the New Orleans area so the heat gets pretty rough. Should I get 2 15,000 BTU units or stick with the 13,500 for both?
3. What brand and unit seems to be the best and most long lasting?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Bethany

[Punch]

Hi Bethany, I can only provide you with a probable answer and a couple of opinions....

If your '84 is the same as the later ones, then if you are hooked to shore power, you can only run one AC unit at a time. There should be a switch, and in mine that is in the upper cupboard above the sink, which enables you to switch between the two. It looks just like a standard wall light switch, and if not there, look in likely other cupboards. If however you have the generator working, it will run both units, and the switch must be turned to Rear (I think) and then both will turn on if they can.

I would say get the best deal that you can find on two 13,500 BTU Coleman units. Definitely avoid the ones with inbuilt heat..... you are paying for nothing worth having. The difference between 13,500 and 15,000 BTU is only that you will use more power to get very little more cooling.

If you don't already have one, a thermostatically controlled roof fan is a very useful item that can save you a lot of money by rendering the roof AC unnecessary much of the time. Either MaxxAir or Fantastic Fan, but make sure you get one that can run when you are driving and when it rains.

[Bethany533]

Thanks Bob! I have a switch but it says AC/Microwave. Is there another switch that I should be looking for?

I did put in a Fantastic Fan and it works great! Very happy with it.

Thanks for your comments on the AC units. The old units were Coleman. Hopefully the 2 13,500 units will work out for me.

Bethany

[Punch]

Originally Posted by Bethany533

Thanks Bob! I have a switch but it says AC/Microwave. Is there another switch that I should be looking for?

I did put in a Fantastic Fan and it works great! Very happy with it.

Thanks for your comments on the AC units. The old units were Coleman. Hopefully the 2 13,500 units will work out for me.

Bethany

Hi Bethany.... it looks as if yours is different to mine. Maybe it is the same as the one mentioned in this 1983 310 manual?



...which would indicate that if on the generator, the rear AC would automatically be powered, and you could presumably choose the front AC on the 6 position switch to have them both working? That would mean that on shore power, you could only choose one or the other AC unit, and then only if you were not using the microwave or whatever else might be selectable by the switch. Is your switch a 6 position switch? If not, then I am no use to you, and you'll have to await advice from someone with the same type of switch as yours.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Bethany533

Thanks Bob! I have a switch but it says AC/Microwave. Is there another switch that I should be looking for?

I did put in a Fantastic Fan and it works great! Very happy with it.

Thanks for your comments on the AC units. The old units were Coleman. Hopefully the 2 13,500 units will work out for me.

Bethany

Beth.

I would suggest that you go with 15,000 BTU AC's.

Andy

[Melody Ranch]

I will bet you are already set up with 50 AMP power. If so, you can run both AC units. If your plugged into a 35 AMP service then you are restricted to one unit and the microwave. I live in the same climate as you. I went with 15000 BTU units and have not regretted it. Use awnings if you have them....it helps.

[Punch]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

I will bet you are already set up with 50 AMP power....

I would go so far as to say that this is very unlikely.

[idroba]

Originally Posted by Bethany533

I have a 1984 Classic 300 motorhome. Unfortunately, I need to replace both iar conditioners. The front AC works but only provides slightly cool air. The rear AC has never worked (the motor is rusted and frozen). I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with.
1. Someone told me the rear AC was meant to work only with the generator. Is this accurate? Since it has never worked I'm not sure, but this does not seem correct.
2. I live in the New Orleans area so the heat gets pretty rough. Should I get 2 15,000 BTU units or stick with the 13,500 for both?
3. What brand and unit seems to be the best and most long lasting?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Bethany

I had an '83 310 and indeed the rear AC unit was wired only to work with the generator running. There was a switch near the stove which allowed either the front AC or the microwave but not both at the same time. When the generator was running power went to that switch so the generator then could power both AC units, front and back.

Two 13,500 units will cool the coach fine in any climate.

No opinion on the current best AC units.

[Punch]

Originally Posted by idroba

Two 13,500 units will cool the coach fine in any climate.

Agreed. It is after all just a 30 foot MoHo, and two 15,000 BTU units is what you will find in big, long units with flat sides and literally twice the volume of living space to cool. Don't waste your money..... you'll need it for the next repair

[gunner]

I installed two 13,500 penguins in mine.

[Bethany533]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Very helpful!!!