VA-Apraisr
glen allen, VA
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Joined: 12/23/2004
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I chose the larger 2000 model since I had hoped it would also help cool my entire RV, which it seems it will greatly assist if not accomplish on it's own. I didn't look at watt usage since it's directly hookup to the batteries (not through inverter) and primarily looked at amp hours. On ECO model, it states it will use about 180amp hours in 10 hours use (overnight sleeping) and I've got 300amp hours of BattleBorn batteries.....Getting final wiring done after the holiday and will "test" it in the driveway and overnight.
A lot of the Outer Banks, NC campgrounds do NOT have hookups, and don't allow generators run after 10pm (good luck sleeping in the heat).....so my goal was to have cool air overnight if I am down there and it's hot. Plus, just get tired of hearing the generator rattling along, but, I kept that system in place just in case I have battery issues or Murphy's Law..........
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pnichols
The Other California
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Joined: 04/26/2005
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Thanks John, for the clarification.
It looks like your choice of the 2000 model was to provide plenty of capacity "just in case" ... a good approach. I can imagine what you're talking about relative to the weather presently - and probably more so in the future.
We toured in the Southern U.S. in August (not smart - but no choice on the timing). We had to start up and run the Onan genny for A/C in the middle of the night once in order to sleep.
Our worst situation was insane humidity in only about 85 degree outside temps. I had to at the same time run both the rooftop A/C to remove the humidity and a heater in the coach to keep the inside temperature up with the AC running!
2005 E450 Itasca 24V Class C
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VA-Apraisr
glen allen, VA
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Joined: 12/23/2004
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2nd UPDATE (7/13/23).......well, final wiring completed and tried unit twice now in the driveway in full sun. One day, temps were around 88 degrees and running the unit in auto mode for about 4 hours straight and it kept the inside very comfortable. I was surprised that it covered the full 28' space. If I would close off the bedroom area it would definitely freeze you out.....!
Tried it again today and temps have reached 97 degrees....ran it for 5 hours and while bedroom was still cool, it wasn't able to push the cool air into the front of the RV. I've added a 3-speed fan in the bedroom beneath the cabinetry so it will push the air forward towards the kitchen/living area. This should definitely help, but on a 97 degree day I wasn't expecting miracles. But honestly, if I had closed off the bedroom space, it was absolutely chilly.
My volt meter on wall was at 13.0 and after running for 5 hours it was 12.5 volts. IMHO, that's pretty dang good. I haven't used it overnight yet and will set unit to ECONOMY mode which greatly reduces the amps used.
This thing is absolutely QUIET inside and out.....it sounds like a very small fan blowing and almost undetectable on the outside. I ran it while driving back from mechanic and it kept RV cool while using cab a/c and there was no additional noise (unlike running the generator while driving).
Am I impressed, YES.....will I use it often, YES.....if you have a Class C and want a backup unit for those rest stop sleepover, you'll definitely sleep better with no generator noise or worries about CO detectors going off. Looking forward to some cool nights camping on the beach!
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pnichols
The Other California
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Joined: 04/26/2005
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John, just as a suggestion if you don't already have it: You might want to also install a reversible, multi-speed fan in the front roof section of your rig.
With your new A/C running in the rear area (where it is?), turn on this fan and set it to blow out. This method should then help to draw/move the A/C cooled air throughout the interior.
We do the above a lot with our roof fan in the front roof area above the cab so as to draw air all throughout the coach's interior.
We don't have to do this when running the stock A/C on the roof because it has ceiling vents throughout the coach's interior that are adjustable. However we do have to tolerate it's noise and maybe also the generator's noise when doing this, depending upon whether hookup camping or drycamping.
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VA-Apraisr
glen allen, VA
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Joined: 12/23/2004
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Great suggestion, pnichols....I've got a fan in the front but not reversible, but, I'll definitely resolve that. Thanks for the real-world insight, I'm sure this will help. With one fan pushing from bedroom and other pulling into living area it should get good circulation going. Once moving, I'll turn off the bedroom fan.
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