New A/C

[VKC]

One of my 2 11k air conditioning units has to be replaced. I have a 2018 29 MV WITH A 30 amp service. I was told I could put a new 15k unit in its place with no problem because the new ones start up easier. Any comments??

[Topperace]

Depending on what type/make AC you get, might want to consider installing
either an EASYSTART or SOFTSTART device...helps reduce the start up current draw that normal RV ACs start with... I just installed SOFTSTARTs in both our
Coleman Mach 8 ACs so we could run off the 30 AMP service we currently have
in the park we are at for three weeks....worth it to stay cool in this AZ heat...

[VKC]

Originally Posted by Topperace

Depending on what type/make AC you get, might want to consider installing
either an EASYSTART or SOFTSTART device...helps reduce the start up current draw that normal RV ACs start with... I just installed SOFTSTARTs in both our
Coleman Mach 8 ACs so we could run off the 30 AMP service we currently have
in the park we are at for three weeks....worth it to stay cool in this AZ heat...

Thanks.

[VKC]

What size ac do you have?

[pconroy]

Call Airxcel/Coleman. There's a rumor afoot that their ACs (some or perhaps the 15K) comes with soft start caps already installed.

[Topperace]

VKC - we have two 15K Coleman Mach 8s...they are early 2019s, and the research that I got was they didn't have soft start Caps in them... one
is a 2020 that just replaced the front AC that broke, but it definitely did
not have a soft start cap on it... both original configs started real hard...
now I don't hear the "thump" when they start...

[VKC]

I called Airxcel/Coleman and only got recordings. My repair shop and I have looked for a ducted Coleman Mach 11000BTU AC with no luck. An electrical company had a cable to low across the highway and no flag men or anything else. They are being nice but We have a big group leaving Monday for a trip. I don’t know what to do. I only have 4000 miles on it and until this the full body paint was perfect. Any ideas??

[VKC]

I only have 30 amp service on my camper

[Topperace]

Since you are leaving Monday, you could get one of those small portable
AC's and use that as a gap while you have a replacement AC on order...
we used those in our house, they work well, just need to work out where to duct the vent to outside while using... they are fairly inexpensive, but will take
up some room...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091P5ZW3B...f_rd_i=1193678

[VKC]

Great idea. I have one from when I had rent houses

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by VKC

Great idea. I have one from when I had rent houses

When our 3 year old Mach 8 15K died, I got really angry. But that's beside the point.


Amazon had 'em but I found one on an website from an RV dealer in Az. Could be everyone's out of stock because of the pandemic.


Topperace has an excellent idea. Since our single 15K AC isn't enough to cool our rig, I'll plunk a portable AC unit in, and run the hose out the window. I fashioned up a window fitting out of ply.

[Camper_bob]

FWIW, I replaced my front Coleman AC unit on my Greyhawk with a high efficiency 13.5K unit. By spec, the HE 13.5K model pulls about the same amps as the standard 11K unit (+~1A running draw, high fan). In use, it acts JUST like the 11K unit did from a power standpoint. The increase in cooling capacity was not as dramatic as I had hoped, but every little bit helps.

If I had it to do over again, I might install a 15K unit and a Micro-Air Soft Start system. Depends on the numbers... The running amps would be a little higher, but the Micro-Air would solve the locked rotor amp problem so the system wouldn't get overloaded on startup.

My Greyhawk is equipped with a power management system that will shed various loads to keep it under 30A, and I run a Hughes Watchdog as well.

AC units are going to be tough to come by in any case right now. Supply has been VERY short lately, and manufacturers are snapping them up to finish incomplete units from what I understand.

[Frozen North]

My intention is to have a Mach 8 installed on our Eagle. I had the original Mach removed last week because I was unhappy with the 13' 7" height when hitched to my Ram 3500. A 13' 9" bridge certainly got my attention. Although the shop removed the Mach, they had to cover the opening because it seems that no Coleman ACs are available anywhere. Everyplace I've looked online shows "backordered" or 10-12 week delivery. Another pandemic-related shortage?

[hikerjohn7]

So you can run two Soft-Start ACs on 30 amps?

[VKC]

Put a 13,500 AC with soft start in place of the 11,000. Been camping for 2weeks and no issues.Water Heater, 2ACs and everything else on 30 amp service. Thanks

[Blackey]

I replaced my Coleman ac unit in my 5ver with an Atwood 15000 unit and it uses less power than the Coleman but an 15k and a 11.5k unit combine use less than the Coleman did the tech that turned me on to the Atwood acs said he has put a 15k and 11.5k on a 30 amp rig without problems the 15k unit I have contains a heat pump for cool weather.

Currently I’m only using the 115k unit in the bedroom since that’s where I spend the Majority of my time. Later when the temps hit mid 90s I’ll turn the 15k unit on full time and use the bedroom unit as needed.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by pconroy

When our 3 year old Mach 8 15K died, I got really angry. But that's beside the point.


Amazon had 'em but I found one on an website from an RV dealer in Az. Could be everyone's out of stock because of the pandemic.


Topperace has an excellent idea. Since our single 15K AC isn't enough to cool our rig, I'll plunk a portable AC unit in, and run the hose out the window. I fashioned up a window fitting out of ply.

Now this is a good ideal, we went to Las Vegas last year and could have use this along with our 2 a/c's, so where did you get this from, Amazon?

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Big1

Now this is a good ideal, we went to Las Vegas last year and could have use this along with our 2 a/c's, so where did you get this from, Amazon?

The portable unit?


Craigslist. Around these parts there are dozens up for sale every few months. We swing by a few that are close to us. We've picked up two and both have been like-new for a fraction of what they want new.


If you want new new, Home Depot and Lowes have them.


The one I have pulls about 9 amps.

[qs271a]

My new 2021 Eagle HT 24 RE came with two Airexell/Coleman AC's. They both had the soft start capacitors already installed in them. They both fire right up immediately.