A/C question

[2 DA WDS]

I have an 05 RE3 with 2 A/Cs. The rear one is the 15000 w/ heat pump and the front one is the 13000. If I have both of them turned on the majority of the time the front one runs. This makes sense to me because the front being higher would tend to have the hotter air. But if this were the case shouldn't the front air be the higher BTU?
Is this the case with other units? I didnt notice this in our other RE3 but then we had a sensor in the rear and this unit doesn't and we were seldom on 50 amp with the other one so we mostly ran one at a time.
Just sitting here wondering.

[rjohnsonnm]

My 04 RS3 has the same setup. Although the upstairs does tend to be hotter, the downstairs is a larger space to heat. Plus, on our unit, all of the outlets are interconnected in one plenum so when one unit runs it cools the entire unit, although the largest airflow is closest to the running unit. So, for example, if we want a little cooling at night without the heavy thumping sound when the compressor comes on, we just set the lower unit (#1) to run and turn off the upper unit (#2), or set the thermostat higher so it stays off. I guess DRV figured the downstairs was the main heat generating area. I tend to agree with them.
Ron

[hitchup]

All 5ers, not just DRV's are set up that way. It's based on Sq Footage not on which room is hotter!

We had the option of going with a 2nd 15,000 BTU for bedroom. But since the 13,500 was more than adequate in our Elite Suite, we saved a few bucks on our order and probably when we have to pay our own electric...

[Motor31]

We have the dual AC AC option on our 38' rig. I opted for 2 15000 BTU units with the main (#1) unit a heat pump. I wish I had made both units a heat pump option for the winter time. I'm glad that I got the larger second AC as this is the second time we have had to spend a Summer in Tucson in 108+ degree heat. With both units running the rig is cool. With just the main unit on the rig won't go below 85 degrees. The bedroom is very cool so I have to set the temp to 78 or 79 in there during the day. I don't mind the AC noise so running the bedroom unit is no issue to me. With the Army to teach me about sleep deprivation I learned how to sleep on a cannon and heavy machine gun range (the lack of firing woke me up) so the AC unit is a snap.

I have found that the main unit has a hard time pumping cold air uphill into the bedroom and since the heat pump blower is set at such a low RPM can't reach there very well either. In the winter we use an electric space heater and turn the heat pump down at night.

I will NEVER have a larger rig with a singe AC unit. I spent tway too much time in the desert to be uncomfortably hot in my retirement. When circumstances prevent us from heading the the cooler Northern climates we like in the Winter we'll be cranking the AC up.

[Huck]

2 DA WDS,

We have the 2005 RE3.
And I have noticed that the rear sensor is just not in a good location.

For instance, if the sun is coming into the rear windows in the daytime or if we have the lights that are above the desk next to the rear sensor on, the rear AC will never shut off if the thermostat is set too low. Or if we have our computer on the desk top it will generate heat and keep the rear AC running too.
Same problem in the winter time with the furnace and heat pump.
The sun in the rear window will keep the furnace and heat pump from coming on in the day time. And at night it is very cool in that corner by the window.
Or if we have our computer on the desk top it will get very cold in the suite because the placement of the rear sensor.

I have learned to adjust the rear thermostat setting for the time of day/night, sun or not, computer or not, etcetera.

I hope the other DRV floor plans have better placement of the temp. sensors than the 2005 RE3.

[2 DA WDS]

Huck,
You have a later build than I do. Our first RE3 was #1850 and it had the sensor under the cabinet above the computer desk.
This one is #1646 built before they started putting the sensor there. I have yet to find a sensor in the living area but I do have the one in the bedroom under the cabinet next to the tv hole. I know that if you close the sliding door between the 2 areas and have the furnace on you will bake in the living area. It doesnt seem to affect the rear a/c as much.
__________________

[larry_electricguy]

Tom the sensor for the living area in the early models is in the thermostat. If you have the sliding door closed it is going on the temperature in the dedroom area.