Houghton AC for 5.0 TA

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by oldwave

The dometic penguin is noisy, but I don’t mind it enough to replace it. It does cool down fast.

Yes, the Dometic Penguin is noisy, especially if you are sitting at the dinette. But I do not sit at the dinette very much during daylight hours when the A/C is likely to run more. And in the loft of the 5.0TA, it is not as loud as it is at the dinette. And since one of us snores (I’m not saying which one), I use foam earplugs to sleep. The A/C noise is slight. And the one who snores has never complained about A/C noise. And Having spent a week in Monument Valley a couple of years ago with daytime temperatures exceeding 105° F, the 11,000 BTU Dometic was more than adequate to keep the trailer cool. It has never had a problem in Florida, either. If it dies, I will replace it with another 11,000 BTU unit. I suspect that the 13,500 BYU Coleman would cycle on and off constantly. In other words, IMO the 11,000 BTU is perfectly sized to my trailer.

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by oldwave

The dometic penguin is noisy, but I don’t mind it enough to replace it. It does cool down fast.

I don't want to pay for the Dometic..and then replace it. If I can get the Coleman, I will but its no longer an option at this time. I can get the Houghton with Heat pump for $1400 or without heat pump for $1000.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

I don't want to pay for the Dometic..and then replace it. If I can get the Coleman, I will but its no longer an option at this time. I can get the Houghton with Heat pump for $1400 or without heat pump for $1000.

sofmerc - I am nowhere near as knowledgeable as you but what I got out of the earlier discussions was that 9500 btu unit (without heat pump) is more appropriately sized for a 5.0 like camper...

[cpaharley2008]

Very true, anything larger than the 9500 btu will chill you down before it cools you, been there...

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Very true, anything larger than the 9500 btu will chill you down before it cools you, been there...

I live in Florida...and intend on summer camping along the gulf coast/Fl coast.. Seems to me 9500 wouldn't be enough, but I'm no expert on this stuff... I would hate to do an install and find out its anemic in the hot Fl sun... Has anyone installed a 9500 in a 19' or larger escape who regularly camps in the Southern states?

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by kavm

sofmerc - I am nowhere near as knowledgeable as you but what I got out of the earlier discussions was that 9500 btu unit (without heat pump) is more appropriately sized for a 5.0 like camper...

I haven't seen the earlier discussions about the 9500 btu unit.... Any direction to a thread?

[hrewer]

Hi, we have a 2017 17B. We were very unhappy with the noise of the Dometic A/C. We finally bit the bullet and got the Houghton 13.5 and switched it over. We haven't had many chances to use it yet, but our early evaluation trials make it seem that it is that it is much quieter than the Dometic. It fit neatly between the Maxx Fan and the solar panel but there wasn't much room to spare!

[kavm]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

I haven't seen the earlier discussions about the 9500 btu unit.... Any direction to a thread?

A search might be your best bet. This is one of the threads...
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...c-19803-2.html

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by kavm

A search might be your best bet. This is one of the threads...
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...c-19803-2.html

Been through that thread...still don't know what it has to do with size (BTU). Mostly about thermostat controls and shroud color of Coleman.... I would like to see a southern state camper with a 9500 BTU install say its adequate in the summer heat. Even ETI uses the 11000 Dometic...And had the option of 13500 coleman for a while.
Even ETI said that some people wanted more BTU in their video when they first offered the Coleman.. What am I missing here?

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by hrewer

Hi, we have a 2017 17B. We were very unhappy with the noise of the Dometic A/C. We finally bit the bullet and got the Houghton 13.5 and switched it over. We haven't had many chances to use it yet, but our early evaluation trials make it seem that it is that it is much quieter than the Dometic. It fit neatly between the Maxx Fan and the solar panel but there wasn't much room to spare!

Is your summer camping in real hot climate or not so much? I would love to hear your reports on the 13.5. Thanx for weighing in!

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

I live in Florida...and intend on summer camping along the gulf coast/Fl coast.. Seems to me 9500 wouldn't be enough, but I'm no expert on this stuff... I would hate to do an install and find out its anemic in the hot Fl sun... Has anyone installed a 9500 in a 19' or larger escape who regularly camps in the Southern states?

I also live in Florida……near the Gulf Coast. When I camp, I do not want to sit inside all day long. I prefer to do my “camping” activities outside. If sitting inside all day, might as well stay at home. The problem is, going anywhere for outside recreation in Florida in the summer is more like doing a stint in a sweat lodge than camping. I prefer to camp in locations where the thermostat is NOT under Satan’s control. But either a 9,500 BTU unit or an 11,000 BTU unit will have the capability of making the inside feel like a meat locker after the Southern summer sun goes down. Even “in the hot Florida sun,” the 11,000 Dometic is anything but anemic. And a 9,500 will not be either; it may just run longer or continuously.
I somewhat but not to a great degree understand the desire to reject the brand(s) of appliances that ETI installs in an attempt have the “perfect” trailer. However, in reality, the perfect trailer does not exist. If it did, this forum would be devoid of threads describing modifications made by owners. I, too, have a long list of mods. The bottom line is it is not likely that the parameters of your question will be answered because only a small percentage of Escape owners have gone to the bother of installing a non-ETI supplied A/C, and only a handful of them, if even that, have likely installed the 9,500 BTU from the manufacturer you are considering. I believe I fit into the same category as most Escape owners. When something breaks, I will replace it but I won’t over-analyze what the replacement will be. As I stated in an earlier post, I am perfectly happy with the 11,000 Dometic Penguin. If it is no longer available if and when my current A/C dies, I will investigate what is a suitable replacement.

[kavm]

Carl, your point is very well taken…

I totally understand that your main point is elsewhere. However, FYI, we had included the Coleman option from ETI in our build sheet. But, ETI had supply issues and needed us to confirm acceptance of black AC unit for our build, if that’s what they had. It was at this point that we dropped the AC from our build.

[oldwave]

The cowl is black and could have been replaced easily when they became available. That said, I’m sure there’s fine air conditioning installers near you.

[cpaharley2008]

Having owned a myriad group of trailers all with various sized a/c units, I can unequivocally say that smaller is better. An oversized unit will freeze you before it cools you. A smaller size unit may run longer but you will feel more comfortable while it is in operation. I enjoyed my 9500 btu unit a lot more than the larger 13,500 but units.

[dcavit]

ETI sent picture showing 31 inches from rear of plenum opening to edge of solar panel. Should have plenty of room for A/C install. Plan to install 13.5BTU Houghton once trailer arrives.

[kavm]

Looks very good. Am I right in understanding that the AC would be installed on top of the raised while vent and there are 39" following that?

[dcavit]

A/C replaces the shown roof vent and uses that same opening. There is 31 inches not 39 inches from back of plenum to leading edge of solar panel.

[kavm]

Thank you! 31" should be enough. The total length of the RecPro AC is 39.5" and The portion on the vent is 13.5-14". The remainder is well short of 31"...

Many thanks for resolving this concern...

[ocala guy]

The 13500 houghton per their web site reqires a minimum roof thickness of 3 inches if I read it correctly. In looking at my roof thickness I don't have that on my 21. A concern also is the raised roof area covered in fiber glass under ac which has plywood to support the ac unit. My penguin just fits on my 21. The rubber feet on the bottom pan just make it on the raised portion of my roof. It sure is loud when running and has developed thermostat issues on auto cool. It will shut off somtimes then start right back up. Not sure exactly what the cause is but in looking at the thermostat it was very loose on the wall and probably got that way from vibrations while traveling. The scews only go into the thin paneling with no wood backer.

[kavm]

Ocala Guy - After your post, I confirmed the minimum roof thickness on the Recpro website - it is 1”. If the roof is thicker than 3 3/8” - you require a thick roof kit. The weight is 99 lbs - heavier than Coleman at 82 lbs. I list that comparison because Coleman is / was a Escape option.