ncrebel8
Warrenton, NC
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Joined: 07/01/2009
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Hello everyone,
I have read a lot here but this is my first post.
I need some advice. We are going to order a second A/C unit for the bed room of our Bighorn 3410. Our confusion is we have heard a lot about the 13.5 units short cycling and not removing humidity. Sounds to me like its to large of a unit. Will short cycling shorten the overall life of the unit? But I cant find much information on people who are using a smaller unit. I do not want to order a 9k and then find out that it is not big enough. Any advice or experience guys and gals?
Wesley and Niki Norwood
Warrenton, NC
2009 Bighorn 3410RE
2004 Chevrolet 2500HD
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BigLar368
Home
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Joined: 01/30/2009
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We do not have as big of 5'ver as yours as ours is only about 29'. We did add a Coleman Polar Cub (9200 btu) but it was in the living room area because we have no vent in the bedroom. We have yet to actually use our 5th wheel as were pretty new but we leave for our big trip next week. Just sitting in the driveway the Coleman 15K we already have was unable to keep it comfortable in just 90 degree heat. I researched long and hard for a second a/c since we only have 30A service and I did not want to get into the 30A to 50A conversion before our trip. The Polar Cub only pulls 8.9 amps at full load. After I installed it I checked at out meter box and confirmed it pulled exactly what it said it would. I was very surprised at how well it worked. With the unit set on high the air temp coming out the vent was 40 degrees. My other a/c got down to a best 47 degrees. So with both of them running it will cool down to about 73 degrees in an hour with the outside temp 90+. Coleman also sells another unit that is 12.5 BTU that only pulls about 10 amps. I believe it's labeled under their "Power Saver" series. IMHO I think your choice should be factored on how well the a/c unit you have now is and how much more cooling you will need. If your current unit has a hard time cooling then maybe a bigger one might suit you best. If it does ok but you only need a little more then maybe something smaller would suffice. Also if you do choose a larger unit and short cycling is a problem you can always run both units on the lowest fan setting. By doing this it allows the evaporator coils to get really cold and pull more humidity out of the air. Also allows the unit to run longer which again pulls more humidity out of the air. Good luck which ever way you choose.
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cwit
new york
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Joined: 07/20/2008
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When it comes to air they have a bigger is better rule. That being said I think 9,000 makes more sence for a second air. When camping we do everything we can on electric. Hot water, refer, all cooking inside. Oh we don't boondock. Got to have wi-fi cable. We love electricity.
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Skip N Barb Team
Dickinson, Texas
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Joined: 09/11/2007
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I recommend the 13.5 for the bedroom add on. We did, and are really happy with the performance.
Sometimes we camp where's there's no shade and the temps get 100 degrees or higher. When we are in these conditions, the central air by itself just won't keep up during the daylight hours. We turn on the bedroom A/C an put a box fan into the door way to the living area to help, and what a difference it makes!
You see, this fat boy likes it cool....really cool...
BTW, you can always adjust to a lower setting.
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Joined: 09/25/2007
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We have a 32' 5er and added a 2nd A/C to the bedroom and chose to go with a 15,000 btu. It is no larger than a 13.5 and hardly any difference in price. It performs beautifully and we have no regrets. I would do it again.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
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"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
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Humpty
Clayton, NC
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Welcome to the site! After 2 seasons with 1 A/C not being able to keep up during the heat of the day, I installed a second unit (13.5) 2 weeks ago. Got to try it out last weekend, and will really appreciate it this holiday weekend.
Love it!
We arrived mid day. Inside temp was in the mid nineties when we arrived. With both units on high, the inside temp dropped quickly to a comfortable level. After an hour or 2, I lowered the setting on the 2nd unit to low. As the sun set, I turned the 2nd unit off. At bed time, I set it to fan only to circulate the air in the BR.
I have no experience with the smaller units. They may do just as good.
I doubt I will be able to run both of mine on a 30 amp service. Maybe I will try that just for fun this weekend.
2007 Challenger 33DBB w/ Sidewinder
2002 Chevy 3500 CC DRW D/A
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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We have the 13.5 in our bedroom and this weekend it was 106 and we were in direct sun. You could hang popsicles in the bedroom. I like the idea of the box fan to move more cool down to the living area. I will try that next time. The living room stayed comfortable with the 15 unit running full tilt.
H/R Endeavor 2008
2007 Hummer H3 toad
Ranger Boat
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rjv57chevy
Texas
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I added a 2nd AC in the bedroom (13.5 unit, non-ducted). I think it is a bit too much, it does short cycle a lot at night when I'm trying to sleep. I keep the AC units fan running continous but the compressor kicking in and out so much tends wake me up. Now I only use it during the day on really hot days and for the initial cool down when you first setup. At night the main 15.5 AC keeps everything comfortable and we use an oscillating fan in the bedroom. So if you want it to run all the time a smaller unit might be a better choice to save some of the life of the unit.
2006 Dodge Cummins SRW 3500 4x4 Mega Cab; Reese 16K Slider
2008 Silverback 35L4QB; Morryde Pin Box; JT's Stabilizers
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Randyl81
Illinois
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I have the polar 9200 low profile in my bedroom and I like it cold at night and it will run you out of that room. Keeps the amps down as well. I can't imagine ever needing a bigger unit. we camp in the Midwest and it can range between 90-98 and very humid during the summer months.
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hambone243
Florida
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Joined: 03/13/2006
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I have the Polar cub 9200 more than enough here in Florida. I think it does a better job than my 15k btu ducted unit.And beside my twin Honda 2000's run both units at the same time.
2006 Chev CC SB 8.1 6spd Allison
2006 Montana 342PHT
2 AC's 
Twin Hondas EU2000i
Pullrite Superglide 16K
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