Popup A/C died...advice on replacement, please!

[amcc]

We opened up the popup this weekend to prepare it for our Keys trip in a couple of weeks and the A/C no longer cools It was working great when we left the Fort a month ago. This is our 1984 Coleman that we remodeled - I think the air is original - so that puts it at 32 years old. Everything I read says to replace if it's over 10 years and, well, here I am. Camping without air is not even an option - even last New Year's at the Fort was in the high 80s.

We first tried to find a used one and there's one for $300 not far from us but what's the guarantee it will work? Miami isn't a big RV town so there are very few places for repair and only one guy that says he has them...but he charges TWICE as much as I see the same ones cost online (plus tax). Our canvas is relatively new and in great shape so I'm hesitant to cut it to install a window unit or the exhaust hose plus we are very pressed for weight in our towing vehicle (6 of us) so I don't think I want to carry this additional weight in there (unless I'm overthinking this too much).

Anyone have experience buying from somewhere online? I'm looking at 13.5K BTU. I'm worried about damage in transit and then customer service if, God forbid, something was wrong with it when it came. Thanks for any advice.

 

[peg110]

Not sure what your price range is that you are looking for. If it were me, I probably would NOT buy a used AC. Looking at Camping world they have 13.5K BTU AC units for $540 - $620 and shipping to Zip code 33101 (I googled a Miami Zip code) is only $10.00

If you are handy with tools, that is the way I would go. That way you know you have a working AC. I imagine the support/service you get from Camping World will be decent too.

 

[bama_ed]

Sorry to hear about your pop-up AC, amcc.

I would go with a new (not used) replacement AC in your case same as Paul if you are going to keep using your pop-up for years. Personally I would be tempted to do it myself especially since it is a replacement and not a new addition (no hole to cut in the roof, wiring to run, etc.). There are a handful of vendors that market to the rv/trailer world and the one I hear most is Dometic. I would think the 13.5k BTU is the size to use.

http://www.dometic.com/USA/MS-7207-Recreational-Vehicles/PG-9631-Climate-Control-Systems

I would consider using the Brisk II unit and an air distribution box on the inside of the trailer appropriate for a non-ducted installation. There are plenty of YouTube videos that would be helpful. CampingWorld has it for $699 but freight shows $110 which is probably accurate since the unit weighs nearly 80 pounds.

http://www.campingworld.com/shoppin...0-btu-air-conditioner-polar-white/69935#qanda

An ebay seller has it for $440 with $69 shipping and the air distribution box for $66 with $12 shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dometic-DUO...ash=item5d689323da:g:PUQAAOSwMtxXr7JD&vxp=mtr

Speaking of which, if anything the new unit will probably be lighter than the old unit (we used to always assume an added 100 pounds for a roof-mounted AC when coming up with the towing weight).

Would love to hear about your Keys trip when you get back.

Bama Ed

EDIT: PS - I would thoroughly research the process of installing a replacement unit before I spent several hundred dollars. Plus ya'll have to find time in your busy home lives to actually DO the replacement. Based on whenever your upcoming trip actually is, timelines might be tight.

 

[tiggerdad]

There is always the option of using a portable upright AC unit, but they run about $350 but you can use it anywhere like a shop or even your home if the A/C goes out.

 

[Teamubr]

I'll agree with everyone on going new. The price difference really won't be that great and you'll have a warranty and piece of mind that it isn't near the end of it's life. RV A/C units are generally referred to as "throw aways" since they were not manufactured to have much serviceable. A few years ago, there was a large number of Dometic units that were manufactured with low freon levels. These didn't perform well, but also broke down after a year or less. Instead of recharging and repairing the bad units, Dometic shipped out new ones and told dealers to dispose of the old ones.

FWIW, our 5er has a non-ducted Dometic in the front bedroom. This would be just like you would want for your P'up. Ours is loud, even on the lowest fan setting. And its not on a remote thermostat, so the fan stays on even when the compressor is off. Apparently it is a common complaint with the Dometic. On the Forest River forums, the "regulars" suggest going with a Coleman or Atwood a/c since they are somewhat quieter.

j

 

[bama_ed]

And its not on a remote thermostat, so the fan stays on even when the compressor is off. Apparently it is a common complaint with the Dometic. On the Forest River forums, the "regulars" suggest going with a Coleman or Atwood a/c since they are somewhat quieter.

j

Jim, Atwood was acquired by Dometic in 2014. The unit may hopefully be different but unless I see some dB numbers, whatever...

In popups as far as I know, most AC units are unducted with no thermostat so the fan does run even when the compressor/cooler does not. Background "white noise" was a fact of life in my old popup and even with my Aliner the heat pump unit is the same way and doesn't prevent sleep. (and it's a Duo Therm who is part of the parent conglomerate of guess who?)

Bama Ed

 

[peg110]

Background "white noise" was a fact of life in my old popup

I actually like the "White Noise" as it helps put me to sleep. If it's TOO quiet, I can't (easily) get to sleep. Of course that's me... DW? Not so much. Go figure.

 

[Teamubr]

Jim, Atwood was acquired by Dometic in 2014.

Background "white noise" was a fact of life in my old popup and even with my Aliner the heat pump unit is the same way and doesn't prevent sleep.

I thought Dometic and one of the other 2 were the same company now, but I couldn't find confirmation when I posted. And I couldn't find the specific thread on the FR forums where they were discussing the benefits of the various brands, other than I remembered the brand I have (Dometic) was deemed the loudest of the loud.

I also appreciate a little "white noise", but my A/C goes beyond a "pleasant" level. DW, who has a documented significant hear loss (but refuses to pay for hearing aids) even says it's too loud. And if DW thinks it's loud, it has to be jumbo jet on takeoff loud.

I've considered adding a remote thermostat to make it function like my other A/C. Namely, turn everything off when it reaches the desired temp, but I'm concerned going from quiet to interstate highway median volume multiple times a night would be worse than the constant drone.

j

 

[amcc]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Everything I know about campers I've learned online from great communities of campers like this one. We decided that a new one was definitely the way to go and came to grips with the $600-700+ price tag including shipping. Somehow, on one of suppliers facebook pages (not even sure how we got there, we don't have facebook), we found a special on the Dometic Brisk 2 COMPLETE for $475, no heat strip - add in $100 shipping (here in 4 days, trackable) and insurance and we are very happy We are definitely installing it ourselves, I've already scoped out youtube videos. When we did our remodel, we removed it from the roof and cleaned it so are familiar with how it fits in.

Our old one was loud and cold. I don't care about loud too much but it has to be COLD. This one says lighter and colder and quieter so will come back to give a review.

I guess it's been a summer of repairs. As we were heading home from the Fort, our coupler failed and the camper fell off the hitch. Thankfully, we were in a parking lot but I shudder to think what could have happened if we were on the highway going 70. We figure now that it had been broken for a while and it's just a miracle it happened when it did. We found a great trailer shop near there and they replaced the coupler for $30 after we thought we would have to cut it off and weld a new one on the yoke?, is that the name of that y-shaped piece of the trailer? (we are such ignorant camper owners, didn't know what a coupler was and that that was the piece that was broken until I read it online).

Thanks again for the input!!

 

[bama_ed]

we found a special on the Dometic Brisk 2 COMPLETE for $475, no heat strip - add in $100 shipping (here in 4 days, trackable) and insurance and we are very happy

No heat strip for the folks that live in Miami - good decision.

 

[Teamubr]

we found a special on the Dometic Brisk 2 COMPLETE for $475, no heat strip - add in $100 shipping

we are such ignorant camper owners,

Sounds like a great deal on the new A/C.

And I think you are quickly becoming "experts" in how to keep a 3 decade old popup going. I'm sure people will be asking for your advice soon.

j

 

[amcc]

Wednesday, we installed the unit. I love that the holes in the roof are uniform. I was happy to see that the roof framing was in very good condition despite the couple of times that water seeped because the screws loosened in transit. As always, YouTube videos got us theough the installation and it took about 3-4 hours. It looks so elegant on the roof especially since the cover of the other one had blown off and it was traveling around "naked".

It works great when we tested it...briefly...it kept blowing the fuse of the area of my house that shared the outdoor outlet so we didn't have a chance to leave it on for too long. We head out in a few hours to the keys so trial by fire is coming up - it is still scorching hot and humid!

Ed, will report on the keys. Looking forward to our beachfront site and some kayaking and relaxation. Thanks again for the encouragement!!

 

[amcc]

Follow up and mini report...We tested the a/c by fire by spending the weekend in the Keys in September. It was extremely hot, so humid you feel the weight of the air on your skin. The drive down felt great - no more embarassing taped together, cover-less unit. The park was Curry Hammock State Park, a small park 60 miles from Key West. The campground is beautiful very informative regarding the plants and wildlife. If you like birdwatching, several bird watching clubs use this as a migratory route viewing spot. Main downside - the composting bathrooms, kind of gross although they will be replacing those soon.

This the location that makes it worthwhile. There are dunes between the sites and the water so its not as perfect as Long Key but its perfect. This is our site in the middle of setup with the "toilet" getting used



Weather was typical, dodging thunderstorms and embracing them - yes that's my son in the pouring rain.



They have a great kayak trail and Saturday was perfect for it. You go through a mangrove tunnel, a couple of lagoons, and then out to a sandbar. Weather was perfect on the water.






Now for the a/c review - my family thought it was cold...me not so much. I don't remember the compressor on the old air cycling on and off but this one does. Those intervals when it was off, I was sweltering even though the fan didn't turn off. I also find that the diffusers? (the holes where the air comes out of) are not as well located and the air is guided towards the back and sides and, unfortunately, not towards me. I think I'm going to start sleeping on the little bunk because I realize that this seems like my personal problem.

If anyone is ever in the Keys, this park is worth it but you have to understand it's the Keys - the beach isn't great, it's hot, bugs (I counted over 100 no see um bites on my legs), but get out on the water and it's paradise. I leave you with my favorite picture.

 

[bama_ed]

amcc,

Thanks for the pictures and the stories. It looks beautiful. I would love to get back to the Keys. We did Key West last trip so been there, done that. I would like to stay at Long Key (or Curry Hammock if I had to) and do things in the Upper Keys. We can sorta travel off season now so I'd like to try sometime like November before the snow birds migrate.

I'm glad to hear that the AC held up. When you said it was flipping the circuit breaker at home before you left, I was afraid you might have problems on the trip. Personally, I'm not surprised to hear that although it cools the inside, the cool air doesnt' circulate well. I run a small fan on my counter top to blow my cold air around my popup interior. You might want to try the same.

Hope to see you and your family in January at the Fort.

Bama Ed

 

[peg110]

Awesome Pictures AMCC. Sounds like a successful test of the A/C. I agree with Ed about the small fan. It's amazing how just a little fan can help with the circulation.

I suspect the reason the circuit breaker at home kept flipping is that you may have been hooked up to an older or lower amperage circuit then what the A/C was drawing. That or there may have been other things on the same circuit that you weren't aware of.

Anyway, again, awesome pictures.