Coleman Mach 10 NDQ air conditioner

[Dave58]

Those generators are a pretty nice feature on the new Ford trucks��. Plus now you have remote start too.
Unfortunately I don’t have that on the Honda.

[Colorado Kirk]

Well...this is gonna sound selfish....

Hey Tia,
First, sorry for the problem and inconvenience!
I'm wondering if Samuel let you know if the shortage is due to supply chain problems or if there is a technical problem with the AC itself? We have a 5.0 coming out of production on April 19 and curious if we're gonna experience the same "challenge".

[kavm]

I am not Tia and not talking with Samuel. However, I have been in contact with ETI recently on this topic. I do not believe that there is a technical problem with the AC. There is/has been a supply issue with Coleman - which is likely temporary. The issue could even be resolved in time. Anyway, they have even received ACs in black shroud rather than white. That’s a possibility as we were shown picture of an Escape with black AC on the top.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

I seen many of the older a/c covers deteriorate from the UV exposure. I wonder if this will be worse on the black units .I also would think the cover itself would get hotter than the white. Post up a picture of the black unit on top of the white trailer.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

I seen many of the older a/c covers deteriorate from the UV exposure. I wonder if this will be worse on the black units .I also would think the cover itself would get hotter than the white. Post up a picture of the black unit on top of the white trailer.

When a cable installer was fastening wires to my white house, he apologized for the black zip ties, but explained that they last a whole lot longer than the white ( which were more susceptible to UV degradation ).

[DWM3]

Oficially told Samuel today No AC at all. They don't have the Colman with soft start in white ( which is what we ordered), but offered non-soft start in black or a Dometic, We just plan to see how it goes and if we think we must have AC I expect it will be the RecPro quiet unit. Trailer should now be delivered the week of March 1 instead of the week of "who knows".
I simply won't accept the loud Dometic under any circumstances. We decided that the Coleman was enough quieter that we would go with that one and save the aftermarket hassles of buying one and having it installed or just doing it myself. But the fates did not cooperate and I really don't want to keep waiting for Coleman to get it's act together.
Supply line issues seem to rotate. First it was awnings, then refrigerators, then ovens. So now it's AC units. It's just the times we live in. Have to just roll with it.

[kavm]

We dropped the AC from ETI with exactly the same rationale...

[JeffreyG]

Based on this conversation, I'd tempted to skip the AC as an option and install on my own anyway. I was going to get the Coleman Mach 10 with soft start, but I was hesitant as to how well it will really work given the very high capacity in a small trailer.


I'm the kind of person that likes to run AC on the warm side (like 75-78 F) and mostly use it for drying. Oversized AC tend not to be good for this, it's better to have a smaller unit running longer cycles.


Kinda like the look of that Houghton 9500 BTU unit, but I will have to do a lot more research.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by kavm

This is what we plan to get. We don't have our camper yet, so no point ordering already... I noticed that it is available in lower capacity 9.5K as well, but that does not have the heat pump feature. I assume the heat pump is useful to have...

Originally Posted by MZL1312

Yeah, I was looking at the 9.5 as well. Since the trailers have a separate propane furnace anyway, I don’t think the heat pump is necessary- unless I’m missing something.
Also, I think the lower capacity better matches the volume in the 21 (and 17s and 19). Helping lessen the short cycling issues. Right?
But would love to hear from others more knowledgeable

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

Based on this conversation, I'd tempted to skip the AC as an option and install on my own anyway. I was going to get the Coleman Mach 10 with soft start, but I was hesitant as to how well it will really work given the very high capacity in a small trailer.
I'm the kind of person that likes to run AC on the warm side (like 75-78 F) and mostly use it for drying. Oversized AC tend not to be good for this, it's better to have a smaller unit running longer cycles. Kinda like the look of that Houghton 9500 BTU unit, but I will have to do a lot more research.

Glad to see Houghton offers a 9,500 BTU unit! As a data point I have installed 9,000 BTU Fujitsu mini-split heat pumps in both an older 19 and a newer 21. They cool and dehumidify perfectly but they also have inverter compressors. If you want good dehumidifying I would go with the 9,500 BTUH unit. Otherwise you risk short-cycling with an oversized unit. These should also be smaller, draw less amps and possibly be even quieter than the 13,500 BTU Houghton unit. I would ask Rec Pro if the units have any certification of actual capacity. The mini-splits I reference are residential units with AHRI certification.

[Greatboatz3]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

Based on this conversation, I'd tempted to skip the AC as an option and install on my own anyway. I was going to get the Coleman Mach 10 with soft start, but I was hesitant as to how well it will really work given the very high capacity in a small trailer.


I'm the kind of person that likes to run AC on the warm side (like 75-78 F) and mostly use it for drying. Oversized AC tend not to be good for this, it's better to have a smaller unit running longer cycles.


I kinda like the look of that Houghton 9500 BTU unit, but I will have to do a lot more research.

I am close to finishing my build list, one major item left is A/C. I was going to settle for the Goleman Mach 10 w/ easy start $1312 I believe. I spoke with Melisa recently and learned the Mach 10 may not be available due to production issues. Some members are considering installing their own A/Cs.
There seems to be considerable interest the Houghton A/Cs sold by RecPro, The low profile 13.5K and the 9.5K models have my interest. Both have are quiet and have the PTC soft start and a dehumidifying features and a remote the is also a thermostat.
The problem is getting it installed . If one dose not order A/C from ETI is the wiring installed? I spoke to some form Camping World to see if the would install one. They only install what the sell but if the were installing an A/C that was not a replacement, Installing from scratch, it would cost $1500 or more for labor.

Questions:
Is a vent installed by ETI if one does not order a A/C?
Is the opening for the vent in the same location that the A/C would be mounted? these require a 14"x14" opening.
Does anyone know if ETI would run the wiring for A/C if it is not ordered?

Our hope is to pick up our 21C in early August in Washington and leisurely drive cross country to NC, but I wouldn't want to do it without A/C.
Any suggestions? Thanks

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Greatboatz3

I am close to finishing my build list, one major item left is A/C. I was going to settle for the Goleman Mach 10 w/ easy start $1312 I believe. I spoke with Melisa recently and learned the Mach 10 may not be available due to production issues. Some members are considering installing their own A/Cs.
There seems to be considerable interest the Houghton A/Cs sold by RecPro, The low profile 13.5K and the 9.5K models have my interest. Both have are quiet and have the PTC soft start and a dehumidifying features and a remote the is also a thermostat.
The problem is getting it installed . If one dose not order A/C from ETI is the wiring installed? I spoke to some form Camping World to see if the would install one. They only install what the sell but if the were installing an A/C that was not a replacement, Installing from scratch, it would cost $1500 or more for labor.

Questions:
Is a vent installed by ETI if one does not order a A/C?
Is the opening for the vent in the same location that the A/C would be mounted? these require a 14"x14" opening.
Does anyone know if ETI would run the wiring for A/C if it is not ordered?

Our hope is to pick up our 21C in early August in Washington and leisurely drive cross country to NC, but I wouldn't want to do it without A/C.
Any suggestions? Thanks

My advice - avoid Camping World.

Is a vent installed by ETI if one does not order a A/C?
YES.

Is the opening for the vent in the same location that the A/C would be mounted? these require a 14"x14" opening.
YES.

Does anyone know if ETI would run the wiring for A/C if it is not ordered?
YES. All trailers should now be “A/C Ready” which is a 120V power wire run from the power center to area of the roof opening. No control wiring is run.

Why don’t you see if a reputable RV place in Washington might order the RecPro Houghton unit ahead of time and do the install when you pickup the trailer. That way you have the quieter unit you want and have it for your trip!

PS having no control pre-wiring is of no consequence with the Houghton units. They have a remote control.

[Greatboatz3]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

My advice - avoid Camping World.

Is a vent installed by ETI if one does not order a A/C?
YES.

Is the opening for the vent in the same location that the A/C would be mounted? these require a 14"x14" opening.
YES.

Does anyone know if ETI would run the wiring for A/C if it is not ordered?
YES. All trailers should now be “A/C Ready” which is a 120V power wire run from the power center to area of the roof opening. No control wiring is run.

Why don’t you see if a reputable RV place in Washington might order the RecPro Houghton unit ahead of time and do the install when you pickup the trailer. That way you have the quieter unit you want and have it for your trip!

PS having no control pre-wiring is of no consequence with the Houghton units. They have a remote control.

Dave, Thank you for your reply and information. I located a RV Repair shop in Bellingham WA, Pro RV Repair & Rebuild, 40 minutes south of Sumas. They are a small shop that does RV roof and fiberglass repairs. I spoke with the owner Matt and he has dealt with RecPro for other items but has had his eye on the A/C units. He left me feeling confident he could do the job.

I not certain which model would be the better fit for a 21C the 13.5K or the 9.5K. Looking through RecPro's A/C descriptions under the questions section on the 9.5K they stated the 13.5K has a Heat Strip not a heat pump. I called RecPro and confirmed this. The 9.5 does not have a Heat Strip. It is rated for 400 sq.ft. vs 650 sq.ft. for the 13.5K. The 21C is 120 sq.ft. so it should be more than adequate. The 9.5K is quieter at high speed but louder at low speed 54.7/51.4 H/L vs 56/47 Decibels. I like a heat strip to take the chill out of air w/o blowing you away. If I got a 9.5K I would add a wall mount electric heater so as not to carry anything extra. One Big advantage of the 9.5K for me is that with the PTC Soft Start it has a Max power input of 1590W so I hope I could operate it with my Honda 2000 generator. Like everything the are currently non backorder. If anyone has any thoughts or recommendations I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks Jim.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Greatboatz3

Dave, Thank you for your reply and information. I located a RV Repair shop in Bellingham WA, Pro RV Repair & Rebuild, 40 minutes south of Sumas. They are a small shop that does RV roof and fiberglass repairs. I spoke with the owner Matt and he has dealt with RecPro for other items but has had his eye on the A/C units. He left me feeling confident he could do the job.

I not certain which model would be the better fit for a 21C the 13.5K or the 9.5K. Looking through RecPro's A/C descriptions under the questions section on the 9.5K they stated the 13.5K has a Heat Strip not a heat pump. I called RecPro and confirmed this. The 9.5 does not have a Heat Strip. It is rated for 400 sq.ft. vs 650 sq.ft. for the 13.5K. The 21C is 120 sq.ft. so it should be more than adequate. The 9.5K is quieter at high speed but louder at low speed 54.7/51.4 H/L vs 56/47 Decibels. I like a heat strip to take the chill out of air w/o blowing you away. If I got a 9.5K I would add a wall mount electric heater so as not to carry anything extra. One Big advantage of the 9.5K for me is that with the PTC Soft Start it has a Max power input of 1590W so I hope I could operate it with my Honda 2000 generator. Like everything the are currently non backorder. If anyone has any thoughts or recommendations I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks Jim.

Great plan. For sizing re: cooling/dehumidifying see my post #29. Personally I wouldn’t worry about the heat strip. Small electric will be quieter.

[Jack!]

Originally Posted by kavm

We are a few weeks behind you. We too heard about the supply issues around Coleman. Also, that there is a possibility that Coleman unit might be in a black shroud - a sharp visible contrast. I just don't know how visible the rooftop AC unit is.

I also learned that Coleman adds 1" to the height of the trailer - raising the Escape 5.0 to 9’3 ½” at its highest point. Is this something that should concern us a lot?

We need to decide whether to proceed with Coleman (with possibility of supply issues or black external unit). For us, the AC has been a marginal inclusion. So, I am going to look at threads on alternatives.

The 5.0 with Coleman AC highest point is 9'8". Coleman adds 1 inch. The 5.0 is 9'7" measured at top of the Dometic AC.

Max. Exterior Height 10' Top of TV Antenna (9' 7" Top of AC)

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Jack!

The 5.0 with Coleman AC highest point is 9'8". Coleman adds 1 inch. The 5.0 is 9'7" measured at top of the Dometic AC.

Max. Exterior Height 10' Top of TV Antenna (9' 7" Top of AC)

The graphics they provide on the ETI website now showing heights is pretty nice.

[Mike G]

I like the sound of that Houghton A/C . FWIW, I ran across mention on another rv forum of an add-on baffle plate that reduces A/C noise. Users say a 5-6 dB reduction is realistic. https://wackoproducts.com/
The company name is a little weird, but product reviews seem to be good.


(edit) On second look, they are all for ducted systems.