FRONT AC UNIT - Montana Owners Club

hoserwv · 06-29-2008, 01:25 PM

WHAT SIZE AC UNIT DO I NEED FOR THE FRONT AC? WILL A 7100 BTU OR 9000 BTU BE EFFICIENT ENUFF FOR THE FRONT? ALSO WANTING A LOW PROFILE. WHAT DOES EVERYONE RECOMEND? THANKS FOR ANY HELP....BOB

bncinwv · 06-29-2008, 01:36 PM

I added a 13,500 BTU low-profile to the front. I would say your BTU rating would be based on where you primarily will use the rig. We are at Myrtle for three weeks eash summer and the single A/C did not even come close to keeping up. If you can I would get the most powerful one you can in the event the main A/C dies, then at least you will still have some sort of comfort in the rig. I believe mine was about $1000 installed. We went with a Carrier AirV. Good luck,
Bingo

hoserwv · 06-29-2008, 02:22 PM

THATS WHY IM LOOKING FOR THE FRONT AC. THREE WEEKS IN MYRTLE CAN BE BRUTAL. THANKS FOR THE INFO.

bsmeaton · 06-29-2008, 03:00 PM

We have the factory 15,000 btu/h. I would suppose we could get by with less, even half of that, but then I would be conserving.

If I had to do it over, I think I would actually consider a heat pump in lieu of AC. Not the heat strip, but the full heat pump version that most make now. Carrier has a 15,000 btu/h that is the same cost as the AC.

RRman · 06-30-2008, 08:54 AM

I'm staying for several months in Slidell LA (northshore of New Orlean's Lake Pontchartrain) helping build a church. I put Reflectix over Kitchen sink and Vertical Lving Rm Window on West side of the RV as the "campsite" only has a little shade in the morning. Also insulated both bedside windows with foamcore board inserts (to keep out light). All vents have either pillow or foamboard insulation inserts. For temps in the 90's, Ducted Rear AC runs ALL DAY, and tops out in lower 80's for main living area, meanwhile, bedroom is a chilly 73 degrees. I have a small fan oriented to blow air from the Bdroom to the kitchen/living room.
So how would a front/bedroom AC benefit me? I know I "need" more AC - but cooling a already cold area will help how? I assume installing a front unit does not connect to the existing ducts.
Advice and experience appreciatted!

Thanks!

bncinwv · 06-30-2008, 09:03 AM

RRman,
If you open the quick-dump feature on the rear (Living Room) unit and bypass the ducting to the bedroom, then you have two separate air conditioners cooling two separate areas. Hope this helps.
Bingo

bsmeaton · 06-30-2008, 09:10 AM

Yep - what Bingo said.

When running both, we open the dump damper so neither are ducted. On our 3400, I need two ACs to get a greater than 10 degree difference from the outside temp. As it gets towards evening, I shut down the front and close the dump damper to return to a ducted system using only the rear.

The Anniversary Edition models are ducted in the front as well I believe, and use remote probes in the front to control both ACs from the one thermostat.

TLightning · 06-30-2008, 09:21 AM

We got the 13.5k standard size for the front. We opted for this one because it was only $35 more than the 7.1k unit, and $120 cheaper than the low profile unit.

On edit: If you are going to do any cold weather camping, you might want to consider the heat strip option. It is around $70 plus installation.

RRman · 06-30-2008, 09:32 AM

Thanks!
I didn't think about using the dump.
The MOC is so great for info and advice!

bsmeaton · 06-30-2008, 09:38 AM

I would think the heat pump would be far more efficient than the heat strip, and they are all the same cost.

Okie Guy · 06-30-2008, 09:49 AM

I thought about having the low profile unit added to the front when I purchased my unit. I have the regular size which we added at the dealer for just $678. in Missouri. I don't regret it for a second. I can arrive at the campground turn them both on nad in just about 30 minutes the trailer is 70 degrees. When we have a shaded area the back A/C keeps the trailer at 68 degrees all day by itself. I hope this helps.

bjlks · 06-30-2008, 02:54 PM

WE ORDERED FRONT AND REAR AC INSTALLED AT FACTORY, FRONT AC IS 13500 BTU, REAR AC IS 15000 BTU, BOTH ARE DUCTED WITH SEPERATE ZONES FOR TEMPATURE SETTINGS, COOLS VERY QUICKLY.

exav8tr · 06-30-2008, 03:42 PM

We went with the DuoTherm Brisk Air by Dometic. It is 13,500 BTU. It works great but it is a bit noisy, but when we sleep at night we use ear plugs anyway so the sound does't bother us.....We rarely use it at night anyway, just an electric fan. Of course, we are in South Dakota and not SC or FL...

bsmeaton · 06-30-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by exav8tr

It is 13,500 BTU and low profile.

The Brisk Air is not a low profile unit. The Dometic low profile unit is Penguin.

hoserwv · 06-30-2008, 04:03 PM

HAS ANYONE INSTALLED A FRONT AC UNIT? IVE HEARD ITS A EZ INSTALL, AS LONG AS THE UNIT IS PREWIRED. GUESS I'LL FIND OUT. THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP. I THINK I'LL GO WITH THE BIGGER 13.5 LOW PROFILE.

bsmeaton · 06-30-2008, 04:17 PM

I've heard the hardest part is getting it on the roof, and be careful of the rubber roof material.

The pre-wire is typically indicated by a blank electrical cover near the overhead vent in the bedroom.

kerry · 07-01-2008, 04:39 AM

Bob, I just got back from Myrtle. On my Big Sky I added a 13.5 AC and a heat strip. I only had to use it a couple of times at the Beach, but am glad I had it. I went with the regular AC instead of the low profile and haven't had any problems. There are other low profile AC units beside the Penguin. Kerry

SlickWillie · 07-01-2008, 04:52 AM

We had a 13.5 Penguin installed up front last summer. Love it. I'm sure we don't have the insulation the Montana's with the Artic Package have, but if we're willing to pay the electric bill, we can keep it cool enough to "hang a side of beef" in here. It is a little noisy, but we have always used a box fan to drown out background noise at night anyway. BTW, we're in Aransas Pass, TX, and it is pretty warm here.

hoserwv · 07-03-2008, 03:25 PM

WENT WITH THE CARRIER LO PROFILE 13.5 BTU. ITS ONLY 7 1/2 IN. HIGH. LOOKS LIKE A FAIRLY SIMPLE INSTALL. NOW IF I CAN GET IT ON THE ROOF. IVE RECRUITED THE NIEGHBOR TO HELP LIFT. I,LL LET EVERYONE HOW THE INSTALL GOES. THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERONES INFO.......BOB

Imp · 07-03-2008, 05:04 PM

We just had a carrier V, low profile 13.5 BTU installed. They did run into a problem with our Kingdome (had to move it). They also had to go get longer bolts. The Montana has the attic space and the bolts that come with the a/c are not long enough. I am glad we were not doing the installation. We are still working at the adjusting of where to set the thermostat, but it sure is cooler in here.

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