Thinking of adding 2nd AC in Redhawk 31F

[jyh818]

After considering my options of adding a 2nd AC with heat pump over the master bedroom vent, I am leaning on the new Tosot 15K BTU AC and installing a Turbo S15 soft start exactly like how the YouTuber JD in Big Truck Big RV did his. In order to still utilize the 30A electrical (shore power or generator), I will need to install a soft start on the existing Coleman Mach 15K BTU AC. Luckily, Coleman Mach now has their own brand (1497-3601) which should work. I'm verifying my AC model number with Jayco.

Since my coach is not pre-wired for a 2nd AC, I will have to run 12/3 Romex from the vent all the way down to the breaker box under the bed. Seems feasible to access behind the overhead cabinets and down the night stand and wall. I decided not to wire it to an external 20A outlet because it would not be able to run it without shore power. Plus adding a 20A socket through the wall on the other side is a bit more difficult. My question is:

1. I should be able run both ACs at the same time on either shore power or generator?
2. Will running both ACs affect my ability to use the microwave also? Do I need to turn one AC off?
3. Are the circuit breakers in the panel standard ones like Square D available at the big box hardware stores?

Any addition tips or insights are greatly appreciated.

 

[Grumpy]

The only way you can run both or the micro etc at one time is with a "Power Management System" which is what JAYCO adds at the factory if ordered with 2 a/c's, or turning something off. The PMS sheds part of the load so the a second unit can run. I realize you are adding soft starts but the spec for the 4000 gen only allows for one 13,500.

• Air conditioner starting: One 13500 Btu air conditioner with 2000 W base load at 100°F (38°C) at 500 ft (152.4 m) elevation

 

[pconroy]

And I'll just toss out that cooling in our RV (same size as yours) greatly improved with the Airflow mod discussed on these forums. So much so, I think we can get by with the one 15K. Before that mod, I had rigged up a way to vent one of the portable AC units out the window. That helped immensely.

 

[jyh818]

And I'll just toss out that cooling in our RV (same size as yours) greatly improved with the Airflow mod discussed on these forums. So much so, I think we can get by with the one 15K. Before that mod, I had rigged up a way to vent one of the portable AC units out the window. That helped immensely.

View attachment 1069786

Thanks for the suggestion. I did add the RV Airflow foam into my main AC unit. It did improve the output in the vents, but it was not adequate enough traveling along the sun belt in the middle of summer and staying for a few days in TX. I will be making this trip a few more times in the coming years while my son is attending college there. Having that heat pump is nice as it does get quite cold there. In CA where I live, it does get chilly, but not as cold as TX.

 

[jyh818]

After doing additional research, the original idea could run both ACs on the 30A, but that's about it. Nothing else. No refrigerator, water heater, etc. So I got thinking I would set it up like what this guy did in the video below. On shore power, plug into the 20A and 30A. If boondocking, then only run 1 AC...or both and turn everything off just to cool it down. Then run only 1 at a time. A switch would allow the 2nd AC to run on generator/30A or 20A shore power.

Switch

 

[pconroy]

I like that video. He did a great job. For the three of us, we were baking inside the coach while driving. So I wanted something that would work while driving. The amp draw of the portable was low enough that the Onan generator could run it.

 

[ccradeur]

I added a second ac on my 2017 Greyhawk 29mv. Installed a 20amp outlet on the rear of my rv. I just run a 20 amp extension cord. Most campsites have a 30 and 20 amp plugin.
The second air conditioner made a huge difference!! So glad I did it.