Front AC Size, 13,500 or 15,000?

[edmck]

I have a 2011 Model 3100RL with two ducted AC roof units. I purchased this coach used and the dealer told me he was pretty sure the front (bedroom) unit was rated at 13,500 BTUs. I never questioned that until I read this evening that a 15,000 BTU front unit was optional in 2011. How can I tell which one I have? I’m guessing the dealer was right but it would be know for sure.

[1retired06]

Pull the cover, get the model number/etc and give dometic a call (assuming dometic).

[DQDick]

If it's like our 2010, it will be the same shape and height as your rear one.

[Dave W]

As said above, ya gotta look at numbers. Either call the manufacturer or do some internet 'diving'. Either size in the front, and Keystone, like other mfrs weren't always consistant, will work well. FWIW, the one in the front of ours is a 13.5K and has as good output as the 15K in the rear.

[jetskier]

All my Dometic units have the 15,000 BTU on the label under the cover, depending on the model, you may or may have to remove the cover.


Here's a pic of one of my unit's labels.


You can see the label through the vent holes on the Blizzard NXTs.

[edmck]

Thanks guys, turns out it’s 13,500 after all.

[oddjobal]

Mine said right on the insert 13.5k. I don't thing you would notice the difference for a 15k

[StageCoachDriver]

The front area of most Monty's is a bit higher than the rest of the unit. Most of the time installers recommend a smaller A/C for that area to keep the overall unit height down.


Your mileage may vary.

[KBC]

If you have a 13.5k Coleman high efficiency model it will run on a little over 10 amps if you end up with a 30 amp sight and it gets very hot you can run both AC’s and not trip the breaker. If you end up with a sight without electricity you can pull out your Honda 2000i and run the 13.5k and stay cool.

[DmaxDually]

Most units come with one 13 or 13.5 Btu a/c as standard equipment and is in the main living area. Then if you order the second optional 15K BTU a.c unit it goes in the bedroom which to me makes no sense. In my opinion if you order your rig with 2 a/c units the larger 15K should go in the main living area and the smaller 13.5 unit should go in the bed room.
I bought my 2012 3750FL used in 2014. I called Keystone and gave them the vin number and they were able to email me the build sheet for my unit. It listed all the options my unit came with and all the model numbers of all the appliances installed. My unit was ordered with the optional second 15K a/c unit and it was installed in the bedroom..
Give Keystone a call they may still have your build sheet on file. It's great to have. If you have to order any replacement parts for any of your appliances, like I have, you have the exact model numbers of what was installed.

[TELECOOL]

Originally Posted by KBC

If you have a 13.5k Coleman high efficiency model it will run on a little over 10 amps if you end up with a 30 amp sight and it gets very hot you can run both AC’s and not trip the breaker. If you end up with a sight without electricity you can pull out your Honda 2000i and run the 13.5k and stay cool.

You can always install an Easy Start by Microair soft starter in each a/c unit then no worries when needing to operate both units on a 30 amp connection these soft starts practically cut Your compressors start up amps in half

[mhs4771]

I don't know, but our '10 2955RL came with a 15K main unit and later we added a 13.5 to the bedroom.

[DmaxDually]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

I don't know, but our '10 2955RL came with a 15K main unit and later we added a 13.5 to the bedroom.

With the poor quality control at Keystone..they probably installed the my a/c units in the wrong positions...15K in the bedroom and 13K in the main area...They just throw them in with out checking...

[AZ Traveler]

Assuming you have ducted air it doesn't make a difference which unit is placed where. They both service the entire rig.

[DmaxDually]

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

Assuming you have ducted air it doesn't make a difference which unit is placed where. They both service the entire rig.

Yes I think it makes a difference. I have ducted air but I have 2 zones with 2 separate temp sensors like most rigs. I have a 3750FL and the main living area and aft bedroom are separated by a walk through bathroom.
One zone and temp sensor is in the aft bedroom with the 15k unit and makes up less than 1/4 of the SQ FT of my rig. The other zone and temp sensor is in the main living area with the 13K unit and accounts for 3/4's of the SQ FT of the rig.
The walk through bathroom is a buffer between the 2 zones and has 2 vents in the ceiling.
I live in FL and in the summer the 15K unit will cycle on and off has no problem keeping the bedroom 70 degs or colder if I want. On the other hand the 13K unit in the main living area never cycles and runs all day long and the temp never gets below 78 degs. I have good air flow from all the ceiling vents.
The really cold air stays in the aft bedroom and never flows to the main living area thru of the bathroom separation.
The 15K unit is too big for the bedroom and should have been put in the main area and the 13k in the bedroom..

[AZ Traveler]

Dmax,

Until it gets over 90 I can cool the whole rig with either of my 15K A/Cs, and the one configured as a heat pump will heat the entire rig. My rig is a little smaller and maybe the newer rigs have better ducting and better fans in the A/Cs.

[N. Hall]

I bought a new 3850FL in 2015, it has the 13.5 btu in front and 15 btu in back bedroom. I have an issue where the 13.5 won't cut off, even when the thermostat is set to 79 degrees. I don't think it is freezing up, I can still feel the air blowing through the ducts. Question...The front AC unit has a filter, I can't find a filter for the back AC unit?

[bleedmichigan]

Originally Posted by DmaxDually

Most units come with one 13 or 13.5 Btu a/c as standard equipment and is in the main living area. Then if you order the second optional 15K BTU a.c unit it goes in the bedroom which to me makes no sense. In my opinion if you order your rig with 2 a/c units the larger 15K should go in the main living area and the smaller 13.5 unit should go in the bed room.
I bought my 2012 3750FL used in 2014. I called Keystone and gave them the vin number and they were able to email me the build sheet for my unit. It listed all the options my unit came with and all the model numbers of all the appliances installed. My unit was ordered with the optional second 15K a/c unit and it was installed in the bedroom..
Give Keystone a call they may still have your build sheet on file. It's great to have. If you have to order any replacement parts for any of your appliances, like I have, you have the exact model numbers of what was installed.

Our 2011 3750fl has the 15 in the kitchen and the 13.5 in the bedroom.

[Charlie 3931fb]

We added a air conditioner to a trailer (5th wheeler) and I got a great deal on a 15,000 btu unit. It worked great, but the problem was it was in our bedroom and at night you could hang meat in there. I loved it but it was too cold for the wife.

[CaptnJohn]

Our 2017 had the bonus room. Two 15K units did great except for the bonus room. Our 2019 came with two 15K units and I added a 3rd. I wish the one up front (living room) had a heat pump like the one in the rear.