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Old 01-16-2011, 06:17 PM   #1
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Second A/C

I am beginning my research for a 2nd a/c. We have the Duo-Therm Comfort Control (5 buttons)thermostat. There is also a temp sensor next to the sliding closet door in the bedroom.

Do I *have* to get a particular brand of a/c for this to work correctly?
 
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Old 01-16-2011, 10:55 PM   #2
Johnnyg
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Do a search on 2nd AC.
There's some threads that might help.
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Old 01-17-2011, 12:40 AM   #3
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I would think any will work, but the new A/C will work independently of the second A/C unit.
The sensor is probably for the first unit only.
I haven't seen the newer trailers and thermostats with the ducted air from back-to-front, so maybe I am missing something.
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Old 01-17-2011, 01:14 AM   #4
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Sounds like you have the same set up as we do... All of the wiring is there, just has to be fished out. You should have the ducted unit and one of your 5 buttons is for the second air... We went with the Duomatic low profile for ours and love it.

Helen
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Old 01-17-2011, 01:32 AM   #5
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quote:Originally posted by adelmoll

Sounds like you have the same set up as we do... All of the wiring is there, just has to be fished out. You should have the ducted unit and one of your 5 buttons is for the second air... We went with the Duomatic low profile for ours and love it.

Helen
Cool, I did not know how they are doing the wiring now for the second unit. Thanks Helen
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Old 01-17-2011, 03:48 AM   #6
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We have the second a/c and a temperature sensor in the m/b. During our walk-thru the rep showed us how to set the temps for the two zones. We have set different temps for the m/b (door closed) and lower area and verified using thermometers that the system works. I am not an expert on a/c or the new duct work, all we know is the new system works real well with two a/c in 90+ temps.
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Old 01-17-2011, 03:52 AM   #7
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quote:Originally posted by Ozz

I would think any will work, but the new A/C will work independently of the second A/C unit.
The sensor is probably for the first unit only.
I haven't seen the newer trailers and thermostats with the ducted air from back-to-front, so maybe I am missing something.
Ozz, I believe the "sensor" forward, in our bedroom, is linked to the wiring for the forward a/c; do not know where the rear sensor is...perhaps part of the wall thermostat???? Michael
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Old 01-17-2011, 06:08 AM   #8
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My 2006 unit is prewired for a 2nd A/C. The prewiring is only 110 AC and not ducted or have control wires back to the original ducting or the wall thermostat. The wall thermostat and sensor are in the center of the RV because it was designed to support 2 A/Cs that were installed together in the factory. The original A/C has been wired for the sensor in the thermostat on the wall. While there are 2 zones (via a switch) for that control panel and since I did not buy a dual A/C RV, the factory did not duct and run a control wire for the second unit as well, they only ran the ac power line. I believe their mentality is that they didn't want to put in the cost of this for an owner who may never get a 2nd A/C. At the factory, running a few feet of 110 ac is much less than running the DC control wires and the ducting.

In my case the 2nd A/C will be independent just like Ozz mentioned. It will have its own thermostat, sensor and return because they are sold that way. There may be an option for a remote wire to relocate the sensor or connect it to a common controlled thermostat like what they would have at the factory for a dual A/C unit, but after market, you will have to run this yourself and then there might be a specific model to buy if you want to be able to do this. Personally, I could run ducting and a control wire myself, but it's way more work and just don't feel the benefit. Others may think different, just know it will be more than just pluf and play. There will be ducting and wiring work to do and possibly some baffle controls. I don't know because I didn't investigate this any further because I am satisfied that I would just drop in a second independent unit.

With my floorplan this means that this new A/C unit may affect the thermostat for the original unit and blow more cold air at it. This only means that to cool the air to the rear of the rig where the original A/C works, one might need to set the temp to a lower temp so that the rear A/C cools better and because the thermostat cannot control the new unit because it's not wired to it and needs to be "faked out" by lowering the temp. Don't forget to cover the vents to the front of the rig because they will no longer be needed because of the new unit. Also remember to connect to 50amp if you do this. 30 amp will probably not cut it. This does not cause the original A/C to work any harder to cool its area, it prevents the unit from stopping too soon because the new unit affects the central thermostat.

I hope this all makes sense. I'm just passing on the information I learned from a few conversations with RV air specialists over the recent years. At least when I finally get the dollars together I'll know what to do. Ozz is an air specialist and can hopefully concur or correct what I wrote.
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Old 01-17-2011, 01:28 PM   #9
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We put a Dometic Penguin 13.5 in the MB, You need to order 3 parts, the main unit, the electronic control box, and the inside cover. Once installed, the Thermostat needs to be reset to identify the new unit, then you're good to go. Was really great the past summer on the outer banks with temps in the upper 90s, kept the inside nice and cool.
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Old 01-23-2011, 08:48 AM   #10
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quote:Originally posted by mhs4771

We put a Dometic Penguin 13.5 in the MB, You need to order 3 parts, the main unit, the electronic control box, and the inside cover. Once installed, the Thermostat needs to be reset to identify the new unit, then you're good to go. Was really great the past summer on the outer banks with temps in the upper 90s, kept the inside nice and cool.
How did you reset the Thermostat?

Bill
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Old 01-23-2011, 08:53 AM   #11
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quote:Originally posted by adelmoll

Sounds like you have the same set up as we do... All of the wiring is there, just has to be fished out. You should have the ducted unit and one of your 5 buttons is for the second air... We went with the Duomatic low profile for ours and love it.

Helen
Hi Helen, Thanks! Does your BR a/c blow out the other vents or is it just for the bedroom?
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Old 01-23-2011, 11:05 AM   #12
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If you install the Quick Cool grill, you can have the BR unit blow into the rest of the unit, nice in the evening you can run the BR unit and keep the noise from the living area. Or if you want to cool the BR in a hurry, you open the vents on the Quick Cool grill and you can turn the BR into a meat locker.
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