Heat wave and dual A/C

Logan0171 · 07-09-2016, 07:17 PM

We are currently camping in central Florida where the temperature hit 101 today with a heat index "feels like" 108. Our campsite has zero shading. With all curtains closed, including the skylight shade in the kitchen, the main 15,000 btu AC was struggling. With the single AC running non stop the inside temperature climbed to 82 before I turned on the bedroom AC to help. With both units running I was able to get the inside back down to 77 again. This is the first time I needed dual AC. If anyone is on the fence about ordering that 2nd AC. If you may find yourself in triple digit temperatures at 80% plus humidity I would highly recommend it.

**norty1** · 07-09-2016, 07:28 PM

Agree. We have used ours much more lately than in past years.

Kim Gass · 07-09-2016, 07:43 PM

send me your furnace. Its in the upper 40's. Its been warmer . One day to 80..
Welcome to Maine.

MIFL19H · 07-09-2016, 09:00 PM

I highly agree...

We had to use both of ours in early June while camping at Lake Louisa State Park on Hwy 27 west of Disney. No shade at all there...

We traveled from Babler State Park in St Louis down to 7 Points Campground in Nashville today and had to run both of ours to get her cooled down.

I like you, highly recommend having 2 AC's on the BHBE if you will be Camping in the Summers. I posted a thread about the need before ordering ours and it was 10 to 1 to order the 2nd AC. I also like having the upgraded 50 Amp wiring.

SouthCo · 07-09-2016, 09:29 PM

Yep we ordered the dual ac on our BHBE. Couldn't find a BHBE on a lot that had both ac units. Haven't needed it yet but cheaper to get it up front. And like anything, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it...

edatlanta · 07-10-2016, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan0171

We are currently camping in central Florida where the temperature hit 101 today with a heat index "feels like" 108. Our campsite has zero shading. With all curtains closed, including the skylight shade in the kitchen, the main 15,000 btu AC was struggling. With the single AC running non stop the inside temperature climbed to 82 before I turned on the bedroom AC to help. With both units running I was able to get the inside back down to 77 again. This is the first time I needed dual AC. If anyone is on the fence about ordering that 2nd AC. If you may find yourself in triple digit temperatures at 80% plus humidity I would highly recommend it.

Completely Agree!

pawpaw · 07-10-2016, 04:48 AM

I absolutely agree with using both A/C units when necessary. Over the July 4th weekend, we camped at one of the lakes in our area. The temps were in the mid to upper 90s with humidity to match. We have the silver bubble wrap type of insulation in the windows and used the bathroom door to enter and leave the trailer so the living area wouldn't have the furnace blast every time the main door was opened. Within an hour of arriving at our campsite (about 1PM) our trailer was nice and comfy inside with both A/C units running full blast. We also have wall mounted oscillating fans. Our daughter and her family arrived at about the same time in their TT with only a single 15KW A/C unit on their 28' rig. They kept coming over to our unit to get cool while their unit was struggling to cool off. (the grand kids were in the lake getting cool). After sundown, their unit was finally cool enough for them to stay in. Needless to say, my daughter is now planning to have a second A/C unit added ASAP (their TT is prewired for it).
Happy camping everyone!

Fairenatic · 07-10-2016, 06:29 AM

Even with dual A\C's, my unit struggles to keep the temperature below 80 degrees by mid afternoon. Need to fabricate some kind of air deflector for the thermostat. The air blows right on the thermostat in the bedroom causing it to prematurely cycle. Not good for keeping cool or the life of the A\C unit. I also do not like the fact that the thermostat can cycle so quickly. Most thermostats I ever owned have settings for how long it stays on before shutting off again.

It may be time to spend some bucks for a digital thermostat in both rooms and may even have to spend the BIG bucks for wireless so that the thermostats can be placed in more realistic locations that truly reflect what temperatures you want where in the TT.

But yeah, if you camp in the summer, two units are mandatory.

P.S. I also placed some reflective heat barrier on the entry door window to keep the afternoon sun from shining through onto the hall thermostat (the engineer needs to be shot for this stupid placement).

shadester · 07-10-2016, 07:37 AM

We were in S Florida this past March & April, with temps just breaking the 90's. I heard ours offered the optional 3 airs. The best we could do was 82 in a partial shaded lot with one air. Just had a front bedroom unit added and will try that. But after reading the comments here I'm thinking I'll end up with the 3. My prior units were 38' or less with two airs and did just fine. This is our first 5th, so with the high ceilings and overall square footage it's probably a no-brainer.

jloco · 07-10-2016, 01:29 PM

I didn't go with the dual AC units, but I'm certainly glad I opted for the 15k option. My trailer is located on cape cod and we had a few very hot days last week. I was able to maintain a comfortable 70 degrees inside while the outside temp was in the 80's and my camper sits in the blazing sun until about 4pm. I honestly don't think the standard 13.5k would have kept up. I have the 38fdds, so it's a big rig to keep cool.

Chrislorl · 07-10-2016, 02:27 PM

Welcome to Florida

We too have two AC units, we negotiated the extra at delivery. Over the 4th of July weekend we were camping with no shade and with both running and a small fan to push some air out of the bedroom it was very comfortable. I honestly couldn't even imagine not having two down here.

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