Adding a 2nd ac question(s)

[davidcyndi]

Ok we bought the sprinter 311bhs. Its 35'4" and only has the one ac. Its ducted, wired, and braced for the 2nd ac from the factory. We want to put in the 2nd ac for the Texas summers that are about to start. The TT already has the coleman mach3, so we want to get another one of those. Will this one be good?
http://www.rvpartscenter.com/Product...ID=163&CID=684

Also would we have to get one of these?
http://www.rvpartscenter.com/Product...CID=684&SID=13

Does the 2nd ac run off the original thermostat or do you get a 2nd one?

And a guess at how much a company like camping world is going to charge to install all this? Just a guess.

What else would we need?

Thanks in advance for helping a newbie out.
I did search this site and google and I just couldn't find the answers I needed.

[davidcyndi]

Or would you get one of these non ducted lower units?
http://www.rvpartscenter.com/Product...CID=684&SID=13

You would also need one of the upper unit seal kits correct?

[Festus2]

You would need to get seals, etc., for the A/C in kit form or otherwise. According to CW's website catalog, the installation fee for an A/C is $111 but that price often varies with sales or other promotions.

[smiller]

Usually manufacturers do not recommend plumbing two A/C units into the same line as the units are not designed to blow into an already-pressurized duct, so you may want to get a standard air distribution unit. You can just use the thermostat that is built-in to the standard air distribution unit or add a separate thermostat, your choice (if you don't mind running the wiring.) You could also replace your current thermostat with a dual-zone unit, again if the wiring isn't too much of a hassle.

[chain_dogg]

Originally Posted by davidcyndi

Does the 2nd ac run off the original thermostat or do you get a 2nd one?

.

Its built in the unit.......set it and forget it

[jrp]

Yours may be different. My 35' Keystone Raptor was pre-wired & braced (not ducted) for an optional 2nd AC in the BR. I had the dealer supply/install the 2nd AC prior to delivery to me. The 2nd unit is not ducted into the OEM ducts, it just blows out the bottom thru its own adjustable baffles directly into the BR. It is not controlled by the OEM thermostat, it has its own local on/off Hi/Lo switch. The optional 2nd AC is intended to supplement the OEM, not work in parallel with it.
You could make some DIY mods to make it work the way you envision, but that's not part of the factory prep.

[davidcyndi]

Originally Posted by smiller

Usually manufacturers do not recommend plumbing two A/C units into the same line as the units are not designed to blow into an already-pressurized duct, so you may want to get a standard air distribution unit. You can just use the thermostat that is built-in to the standard air distribution unit or add a separate thermostat, your choice (if you don't mind running the wiring.) You could also replace your current thermostat with a dual-zone unit, again if the wiring isn't too much of a hassle.

Originally Posted by jrp

Yours may be different. My 35' Keystone Raptor was pre-wired & braced (not ducted) for an optional 2nd AC in the BR. I had the dealer supply/install the 2nd AC prior to delivery to me. The 2nd unit is not ducted into the OEM ducts, it just blows out the bottom thru its own adjustable baffles directly into the BR. It is not controlled by the OEM thermostat, it has its own local on/off Hi/Lo switch. The optional 2nd AC is intended to supplement the OEM, not work in parallel with it.
You could make some DIY mods to make it work the way you envision, but that's not part of the factory prep.

Thank you guys. You reassured me of what I was already thinking. I'm going to do the stand alone ac unit. What do you guys think of this deal?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COLEMAN-Mach...b3242a&vxp=mtr
Comes out right at 600 with shipping. I am not going to do the install because I am not inclined enough to do things like that. I will contact camping world and see what their install price would be if I brought them the unit instead of buying it from them. Heck I might even see if they will cut me a deal if I buy from them and install through them. never know.

[davidcyndi]

jrp, does the 2 units keep your trailer nice and cool?

[SAD]

I could not imagine a (larger) RV without 2 air conditioners. Pretty much a deal breaker for me.

[davidcyndi]

Originally Posted by SAD

I could not imagine a (larger) RV without 2 air conditioners. Pretty much a deal breaker for me.

Thanks for your 2cents. It helped more than you know!

[jrp]

Originally Posted by davidcyndi

jrp, does the 2 units keep your trailer nice and cool?

Yes, it does, up to 100 degrees outside. With my ToyHauler, I also have the option of closing off the duct into the closed garage area, to concentrate the cooling in the living areas.
I'm one who keeps the AC on full until its down into the 60's. So having a 2nd unit wasn't an option, but a requirement. I also spend a lot of time ATV camping in the SW desert where max AC is mandatory.
There are some folks and some locations where only one AC in a 35 ft unit might be OK, but not for me.

that unit you linked to looks just like the 2nd one I have, but the specific models change every other year.

[smiller]

Yes, if you plan to travel in the south in the summer then two A/C units are simply mandatory for any larger unit. Another advantage is that you have some redundancy if one unit fails.

[davidcyndi]

Thanks guys for all the help. Went to holiday world and got a coleman mach3 13500, lower unit, gaskets the whole 9 yards with install and tax is 880$. Bring the trailer in wednesday at9am to have it put in. Woohoo