10 replies to this topic

[Rollrs45]

Well, my search for a fix to the poor A/C performance on our Outback has come to a conclusion. In case you're not familiar, I wanted to install a second A/C in the front bunkhouse. Our 5'er has 30 amp service, a 13.5 b.t.u. Coleman, and the coach is not wired for a second A/C. To accomplish my task, Keystone engineers recommended our 5'er being converted to 50 amp.

The conclusion from the dealership? $7,000 minimum (could be more), they couldn't warranty it because they've never done it before(what?), and they didn't really want to do it to begin with. Their suggestion was to ship it back to Keystone.

Not happening!

My solution is to install a 15K and get the windows in the coach tinted. I know there isn't much difference in the 13.5 and the 15K, but any improvement is worth the cost.

Maybe I should just go buy a new coach like some of you.......... NOT!

The lesson in all this is not to buy the first model of any new floor plan!! 6 months after my purchase all the suggestions I made to Keystone are installed on the newer units. GREAT!

Mike

[Crawfish]

Mike, have you considered buying a portable A/C unit? That's what I did and it solved the summer heat overloading my A/C problem. It would be a lot cheaper I think.


Leon

[Rollrs45]

We have looked into it and it's been considered. I think we're gonna try the new 15 K and see how it does. If its still not enough we have thought about the portable units. I think they're about half the price of a new 15K.

Mike

[Wolfpackers]

Mike,
Thanks for the insight on the A/C. I now know that I want two A/C units & 50A service in a new camper...if it ever happens. My unit keeps the camper nice & cool until outside temps get above 90, then it doesn't do so good. I may have a fixable issue, but not sure right now. We don't tend to camp in hot weather anyway, but have been out the past two Junes and found out that we don't want to do it again. Sounds like others with fiver RV's and one A/C have the same issues. A friend of mine has a Montana with one A/C and was camped beside me last June with no problems...not sure what size his A/C is.

Hope you, Marci and family are doing well.
Brent

[Rollrs45]

Wolfpackers, on 02 March 2011 - 10:15 AM, said:

Mike,
Thanks for the insight on the A/C. I now know that I want two A/C units & 50A service in a new camper...if it ever happens. My unit keeps the camper nice & cool until outside temps get above 90, then it doesn't do so good. I may have a fixable issue, but not sure right now. We don't tend to camp in hot weather anyway, but have been out the past two Junes and found out that we don't want to do it again. Sounds like others with fiver RV's and one A/C have the same issues. A friend of mine has a Montana with one A/C and was camped beside me last June with no problems...not sure what size his A/C is.

Hope you, Marci and family are doing well.
Brent

We're doing great Brent, thanks for asking. The last few months have been stressful with a few deaths in the family, but we have persevered and are doing well. Hope to see you guys soon!

Mike

[Mrs CampingNut]

A/C in the South = Chillin in a nice pool or lake with a very cold beverage in hand

Hope you get your cooling issues resolved. Mike, we really like the floor plan on your trailer.


C-

[jim]

WFCO 50 amp panel $90.00
Marinco 50 amp detachable cord $241.50 This could be done alot cheaper with an attached cord, but you might not have space to store it inside so I went with detachable.
Marinco 50 amp power inlet$96.30
50 amp breaker$24.00

You need the above plus enough 6/3WG Wire to reach from the power inlet to the converter. Figure 3 bucks a foot for that and prolly need about 20 feet.

So I come up with $511.80 needed in materials to convert to 50 amp service in the trailer.
How in the world these idiots come up with 7 grand is beyond me.
I'd figure it would take about 2 days if I were to do one and a dealer should be able to do one in a day.

[Rollrs45]

They said they would have to run the wire up to the second AC unit which required fishing through the walls. I was wondering why they wouldn't just follow the existing duct work to make it easy. Then they mentioned some problem with going through Styrofoam walls to reach certain points. Again, why not just follow existing wiring.

I got the feeling they just didn't want to tackle a job that big. I did the parts work up prior to approaching them, so I knew about how much cost in equipment I would have. You could add another $500-$700 for the new AC the second AC I wanted installed in the front bunkhouse. They would have to cut a new 14x14 hole to drop in the new one, but how hard can that really be? They may have thrown out 7K to try and discourage me. Like I said, they didn't act like they wanted to do it. I've done several mods to this and a prior coach. However, something this big was a little out of my comfort zone. Especially the electrical wiring part.

Mike

[campingnut]

mike sounds like a cool mod to do.
im like you i only get shocked when messing with electric.

but we have our own MR SPARKEY here in ga.
maybe you can talk him into helping with that part.
just dont give him any drinks until after he's done.

lamar

[OutbackMac]

All i can say is thanks Mike for making suggestions to Keystone so we didnt have to go through the same issues. Mike always was a team player

[Rollrs45]

OutbackMac, on 17 May 2011 - 12:04 PM, said:

All i can say is thanks Mike for making suggestions to Keystone so we didnt have to go through the same issues. Mike always was a team player

Haaaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaaaaa, Not funny Mac!

Mike