Roof AC Units

[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

[Pete Masterson]

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]

[freewill2008]

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
>

[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" 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
>

[bi222444]

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"
wrote:
>
> --- 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" 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
> >
>