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Roof AC Units - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Roof AC Units (/showthread.php?tid=5508) |
Roof AC Units - bi222444 - 08-12-2007 05:55 Have to replace roof AC unit, the original Frigiking has given up the ghost. Is there any big difference between Carrier, Coleman or Dometic units or are they all basically the same? I am leaning towards the Carrier only bacause on EBAY there is a listing with a price of $ 399 and $ 85 shipping, it sounds reasonable, when compared to the other listings I see. Fred Wells 1980 FC NY Roof AC Units - Pete Masterson - 08-12-2007 07:13 Unfortunately, so far as I can tell, there's no reliable statistics on repair rates for RV rooftop AC units -- so it's a bit of a gamble no matter what you choose. One difference to consider is that some ACs are low-power units. For example, I replaced 2 of my Dometic Penguin units with Dometic Brisk Air High Efficiency units. (One original was damaged by a tree branch and the other (bedroom) unit was simply not running well with a very oily smell.) The main reason I picked the Dometic units was that the thermostats did not require changing. And, they were "drop in" compatible with the ducted system I have in place. (The interior grill from the old units was retained.) I selected the slightly more expensive high- efficiency units because they draw only 10 amps vs. 14.5 amps for the same BTU -- and this gives a little more flexibility when managing power usage. Note: the Penguin units are low profile, so the Brisk Air models are taller -- but my King Dome sticks up higher than either, so it didn't change my effective overall height. So, I'd compare on price, BTU capacity, and power use ... so long as there isn't something particular to your coach that mandates one brand over another. It's all a gamble as I've had a 50% failure rate. One of the two (new) units 'froze up' and after taking it back to the dealer, their test showed that it was low on freon. (Freezing up is the common symptom of this.) Under warranty, they replace the whole unit rather than simply charging it up -- and I've been backordered since the beginning of July with my service date twice delayed... However, I can't say that the Dometic units are unreliable as the center unit (Dometic Penguin) still works just fine on my 12 year old coach. Pete Masterson '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 El Sobrante CA aeonix1@... On Aug 12, 2007, at 10:55 AM, bi222444 wrote: > Have to replace roof AC unit, the original Frigiking has given up > the ghost. Is there any big difference between Carrier, Coleman or > Dometic units or are they all basically the same? I am leaning towards > the Carrier only bacause on EBAY there is a listing with a price of $ > 399 and $ 85 shipping, it sounds reasonable, when compared to the > other listings I see. > > Fred Wells > 1980 FC NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Roof AC Units - freewill2008 - 08-12-2007 08:08 We replaced our roof coolers with the Coleman high efficiency model last summer. They only draw about 1200 watts to deliver the same amount of cooling that the old Dometics gave at 1500+ watts. The performance difference is they don't get cold quite as fast - not a big deal in the long haul. We are really pleased because they are easy on the genset, and we can run both units on 30amp power. The installation was a snap except I had to extend the power cable on the rear unit. They cost a little more, around $1300 for two with shipping. If you cool the coach by genset, the 20-25% savings in power will equate to 20- 25% less fuel at $3 gallon. Don't know how reliable the Colemans will be in the long run, but no problems so far. (Wish I could say the same about Shurflo pumps and Donmetic fridges!) Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bi222444" wrote: > > Have to replace roof AC unit, the original Frigiking has given up > the ghost. Is there any big difference between Carrier, Coleman or > Dometic units or are they all basically the same? I am leaning towards > the Carrier only bacause on EBAY there is a listing with a price of $ > 399 and $ 85 shipping, it sounds reasonable, when compared to the > other listings I see. > > Fred Wells > 1980 FC NY > Roof AC Units - Henry Jay Hannigan - 08-12-2007 16:08 --- Fred: Are u 100% sure ac is shot? Tought one of mine was gone but after taking it aprt, I discovered only the plastic imppeller fan wheel had blown to smithereens!!!..a cheap fix and I am back in cold AC! Regards, Hank 90SP36..stored in Vegas In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bi222444" > > Have to replace roof AC unit, the original Frigiking has given up > the ghost. Is there any big difference between Carrier, Coleman or > Dometic units or are they all basically the same? I am leaning towards > the Carrier only bacause on EBAY there is a listing with a price of $ > 399 and $ 85 shipping, it sounds reasonable, when compared to the > other listings I see. > > Fred Wells > 1980 FC NY > Roof AC Units - bi222444 - 08-13-2007 02:43 To Everyone, Thanks for the advice and input. I have two units not working now. Due to space restrictions I going ahead and replace one unit right away [ this unit never worked and the previous owner told me it was shot ] with a 13500 Carrier.It should be the closest match for the rear Frigiking unit [Carrier took over Frigiking ] that is there now and will fit as there is room to fit it's 42" length. The front unit can only be 34" long to fit in the space and still have room for air flow from the condenser. Before I replace that unit I will tear down the rear unit to find the location of the capacitors [ run / start ] and relays. IF it seems doable, I will test and replace the defective parts, if it is the compressor it would make more sense to just replace the unit. Dometic make one that will fit in the space I have to work with in front. Again thanks for the help. FRed Wells 1980 FC NY --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Henry Jay Hannigan" > > --- Fred: > Are u 100% sure ac is shot? Tought one of mine was gone but after > taking it aprt, I discovered only the plastic imppeller fan wheel had > blown to smithereens!!!..a cheap fix and I am back in cold AC! > Regards, > Hank > 90SP36..stored in Vegas > > > > > > In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bi222444" > > > > Have to replace roof AC unit, the original Frigiking has given up > > the ghost. Is there any big difference between Carrier, Coleman or > > Dometic units or are they all basically the same? I am leaning > towards > > the Carrier only bacause on EBAY there is a listing with a price of $ > > 399 and $ 85 shipping, it sounds reasonable, when compared to the > > other listings I see. > > > > Fred Wells > > 1980 FC NY > > > |