| Author | Message | ||
| don goldsmith (Bottomacher)
Registered Member Username: Bottomacher Post Number: 238 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.15.86.59 Rating: N/A |
I need to buy a couple of rooftop a/c units. Does anyone know factually if one brand is better than another, and if so, why? Thanks. I'll be getting a/c only, no heat strip or heat pumps. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 276 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221  Rating: N/A |
We have two 220 Volt Dometic Duo Therms and one 110 Volt Coleman. I find that the duo therms outperform the coleman in the cooling department considerably. I suspect it's becuase the 220 volt compressors are more efficient than the 110 unit. (Message edited by timb on February 28, 2009) | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1356 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
I'd do a search over on the rv sites; you probably will find more info as almost all of the under 100 thou. units use roof tops. I don't know how the Duo Therms are now, but they didn't start very well on low voltage that the Colemans would start on on the older models that I or my family were using. Same btu rating. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 653 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.32.92.133 Rating: N/A |
Don, check out the Carrier they have a good unit and are a better price than the Duo Therm and want ever they call Coleman nowdays | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 270 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 70.211.122.44  Rating: N/A |
Hi Don, Folks buy the Dometic Penguins for their 3 speed fan for quiet sleeping, 15,000 btu capacity, and their low profile. Plus 3 year parts and labor warranty as well as 5 yrs on the compressor. Good Luck Nick- | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 654 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.32.92.133 Rating: N/A |
Don, if want used units Davenport removed 4 Penguins from his Eagle they were ducted units Nick can tell us if you can use them with ceiling mount or not.I'll call Sunday and see if he still has them he was trying to give them to me in Dec.There was nothing wrong with the units he didn't want roof mounts. good luck | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 715 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.9.58 Rating: N/A |
If you enjoy the pretty places , the older campgrounds , I would be concerned more with the starting/running amp draw , and ability to NOT burn out from low voltage. FF | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 831 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.76.104  Rating: N/A |
The only difference between ducted and non-ducted, are the inside ceiling assemblies. The non-ducted type have the electrical controls built into the ceiling panel, and the panel is designed to expel and intake the air properly. The ducted type use an external (remote) control panel, and are designed to vent through ducting. I bought two used ducted type Coleman, and had to buy two non-ducted inside ceiling panels for them. The used variety generally go for 100-300 each. I paid $250 ea, plus the panels at $40 ea. Coleman are the least expensive, while Carrier is probably the highest. The Carrier roof-top model vents through the top, leaving the fan blades vulnerable to leaves, ice, etc., falling down, and into it. The Dometic Penguin model is a "low profile" model, and won't make your bus look like it's got carbuncles (as a more conservative person here hates to see) (they're testy people anyway) With any of the models, an easy start capacitor can resolve "big start draw" problems. (ask Nick) | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 655 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.32.92.133 Rating: N/A |
Don, when I bought Carriers for a friend they were the best buy www.rvsupplywarehoue.com some of the supply houses rip you buy selling the ceiling part seprate and high freight.For comparsion check www.pplmotorhomes.com they have all brands | ||
| don goldsmith (Bottomacher)
Registered Member Username: Bottomacher Post Number: 239 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.15.86.59 Rating: N/A |
I really appreciate all the replies. I've been looking at ebay, and carrier seems to be even cheaper than coleman and some dometics, although my mind is giving out trying to keep apples to apples. I don't mind the higher profile units, but I don't want to change start capacitors in a unit under warranty. I'd love to hear more about the used penguins. I prefer new ones, but I am still building the bus, and I fear that the warranty will run out before I can really use the units. | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 271 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 70.211.179.119 Rating: N/A |
Hi John, The Dometic ducted units do have different controls then non ducted. The non ducted units have standard manual controls and relays while the ducted units have a 12v dc control board that not only operate the cooling modes but also operate the Comfort control center thermostat. Good Luck Nick- | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 69 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
I have three Coleman 13,500btu that have been 100% reliable and cool very well (15yrs old). Usually use the front and rear going down the road and the center when parked. They only have a two speed fan-like medium and high so they are a bit noisy for night time use. If I were to do it again, would opt for the Duotherm Penquins since they are lower and have three speed fans. The low profile Carrier is also one to look at. Do not eliminate the heat strips as a possible way to heat your bus in a pinch. They do work-you have to close the vents to slow the air and it takes about 5 minutes for them to warm up-but they do work. Heat pumps are very effective down to about 40 degrees. The advantage of the heat pump is that it will put out almost as many btu's heating as it does cooling compared to electric heating that only puts out about 5600btu's. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 531 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 70.212.145.222 Rating: N/A |
FF...and anyone else with a basement twin compressor unit...: do you use it "going down the road"? If so, how do you have it set up? Thanx. RCB | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 272 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 75.198.147.156 Rating: N/A |
Hi Chuck, I have two basement units. Each are 15,000 buts. The advantage with two seprate units is the increased fan power, and the ability to shut 1 down if power requirements are not ideal. Usually, we only need two to cool the coach down and 1 will maintain temp. I never use them while driving. That's what the coach air is for. Good Luck Nick-  | ||
| Wayne Ellenburg (Wlnburg)
Registered Member Username: Wlnburg Post Number: 45 Registered: 6-2008 Posted From: 128.158.1.163  Rating: N/A |
I would be interested in used unit if Don does not want them. |