Airconditioning ( Rooftop )

[Babington]

Anybody have anything to say or suggest regarding this subject?
I have one of those SST 100 sleepers.
The ProHeat APU just doesn't have enough capability to make us
comfortable above 85F.
I'm looking @ a DuoTherm that draws 15.1 Amps.which overtaxes the
generator,however am assured by the dealer this is the unit would be
sufficent to preform to satisfaction.
I found motor homes have these very same units, but have greater output
on their APU"S.
Your comments,referrals,experiences would be much appreciated.

 

[LDB]

Proheat shouldn't be used on anything more than about a 72" high roof sleeper. It isn't adequate for the job and never will be. How many million motorhomes and higher end trailers are there with Onan generators and Coleman roof air units? I don't know what the Onan weighs and that combo might weigh more than any of the Proheat/Rigmaster etc. units but when 2 of those roof a/c's keep a 28-30' motorhome comfortable year round that says 1 should keep any of our sleepers comfortable.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Babington]

Thanks Leo for the response including your valuable insight.
With reference to your recent post,I'd be prepared to sell my ProHeat
with it's 250 hours and install the Onan generator.
Our comfort is more valuable to me then the money.
We have another option which I'm investigating.
I'd estimate that between 80 and 90 days per year the AC is actually utilized. IdleAir is perhaps the best over all compromise regarding
economics. We treat our truck like a RV and prefer to stay at campgrounds or pay parking fees at RV parks which of course provide
utilities but no AC.
Thanks again, and if have an afterthought along the same subject let me
know. It's also nice to know there's people out there with sound advise.
Have a very good day and know you're appreciated.

 

[davekc]

Probably not the greatest setup for a truck stop, but if you camp and have the pro-heat, I would just buy a small house window unit. Electic shouldn't be a problem at either a 30 or 50 amp campground.
I have seen several vans do this.
Just an option.







Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[LDB]

You might consider installing the rooftop a/c unit in addition to the Proheat. I believe the rooftop units are only 70-80 pounds so it won't be a huge hit on your capacity. When you are in a campground etc. with adequate power available you can plug in and use it. When you must be elsewhere you can use the Proheat. I found in my truck if I had the truck cooled down well the Proheat could keep it adequate for a while. When it got too far behind I'd start the truck and run dash and bunk a/c on max settings while the Proheat still ran. That would cool it back down well in a half hour or so and then the Proheat could inadequately do it's job for another 3 or 4 hours. Once the sun went down it usually managed till morning without further outside help. Good luck.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[greg334]

Leo,

I am wondering what the output of the pro-heat is?

Is it like 2000 BTU or something? I know that there is issues with recovery being impossible with high heat/high humidity conditions.

What I figured out I would need for my sleeper is 5500 btu to keep me comfy (72" sleeper). I am in the process of ripping out the cr*ppy insulation and wood (that is under the floor for some reason and rotted) and putting in Polyisocyanurate Insulation in combination with bubble pack aluminum clad insulation (also known as reflectix) to bring up the r value and eliminate the condensation with the aluminum walls. I also want to add fiberglass sandwiched sub flooring but won't get to that until the fall. I can't believe the cr*p they use in these sleepers.

The setup that I was thinking of using if I have a system that runs only off the APU and tied into the trucks system will have all GM components from the compressor to the condenser/evaporator and puts out around 11,000 BTU. The only advantage to this is that the cab will be cooled at the same time as the sleeper.

The roof a/c units are anywhere from 10 to 14K BTU and the cost is about the same between the two. I like the idea of the roof a/c because I can use it with any 110 source but I don’t like the idea of cutting a hole in the roof for the a/c, it messes up my plans for a sky light

 

[davekc]

The rigmaster cools better than a proheat. Rigmaster has a cooling capicity of 20,000 btu.
But, nothing comes close to a duro-therm roof top which we have in a 126" sleeper. That will freeze you out. Does a great job of turning the sleeper into a meat locker even while in AZ in 100 plus temps.
I agree that 90" plus sleepers need something more than a rigmaster or proheat in extreme temps.









Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[LDB]

The Proheat is 13k (or maybe 14k) btu I believe. As mentioned, the Rigmaster is 20k. The Rigmaster will handle any situation it's put into with any sleeper up to at least a 108" I'd think. The think I don't like is that you MUST run the APU to have a/c. With an Onan/Coleman system you can plug into shorepower and still have a/c without adding hours to the generator or burning any more fuel. You also have literally hundreds of service points since anyone who can work on the roof air of a motorhome should be able to work on your roof air also. It just seems to make the most sense.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[simon says]

I don't know much about all the specs, but after diddling around with this last summer, I gave up on it and KISS... However, I did find that none of the options for floor mounted A/C units work as well as roof mounts. The best are the roof-mounted ones, as cold air sinks and one will feel cooler. Inversely, with the floor mounted heating options, hot air rises, and the comfort level is fine. I talked to a number of O/O's of big trucks, and you will note that they have roof mounted units.
If money were not an issue, I would have my Webasto (or Espar) air heater, and a top side A/C unit. In the interim, Idle Aire may be the best solution for hot day or weekend layovers.