best strategy on keeping unit cool for evening use

[Lindakjohnson]

Is it better to just run the air conditioner at night or late pm when we return to the unit or run it during the day to keep it cool during the day and less work for the air conditioner in the evening? It would seem less use of air condtioner will have it last longer. Any thoughts our experience?

 

[triplethreat]

Is it better to just run the air conditioner at night or late pm when we return to the unit or run it during the day to keep it cool during the day and less work for the air conditioner in the evening? It would seem less use of air condtioner will have it last longer. Any thoughts our experience?

Some of us here have changed out the OEM thermostat to the MicroAir Easy Touch thermostat. That one has a LOT of functionality built into it. It can be operated locally by using the screen, via Bluetooth, and then also via WiFi and a phone app. If you have a constant ON WiFi available for your camper, you can operate the thermostat from anywhere in the world via internet access on your phone and using the MicroAir app.

Now, the other good part about that thermostat. It has the ability to setup schedules in it....just like many home style thermostats do. You can build a schedule for when it is On/Off, or for it to be at a certain setup point until a certain time, then start cooling or heating to a higher or lower temperature....and it even has the Home or Away function available. They aren't exactly cheap, but but they do offer a tremendous amount of flexibility for setting up your heating and or cooling for your exact needs.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Less use of an air conditioner is not necessarily a recipe to have them last longer. Some of those parts work better, and last longer, if they're used on a regular basis. We just replaced our bedroom AC, which is used less often than the living room, or garage AC. So, no guarantees.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Less use of an air conditioner is not necessarily a recipe to have them last longer. Some of those parts work better, and last longer, if they're used on a regular basis. We just replaced our bedroom AC, which is used less often than the living room, or garage AC. So, no guarantees.

I tend to agree on that. We use both when needed which isn't often we need to run 2. Usually we will run one during the day and the other through the night. (hope I'm not jinxing things) we have had the 5th wheel 10 years and winter in FL plus use it in the summer so the ACs see plenty of use without problems.
Plus running them all day keeps the dog comfortable when we go out and I think it's better over all to keep the moisture down in the trailer

 

[4206jacob]

Is there a thermostat similair to the MicroAir Easy Touch that would work in lieu of the LC1 Control with the same functionality?

 

[4206jacob]

Quick correction, I was referring to the touch control in the unit. I have a 2020 351M with the touch corntol in the cabinet as you walk in the main entry door.

 

[Riverbug]

If we're plugged into shore power we'll leave the A/C on during the day to keep things cool (although we turn it higher than when we're there - 78). Depending on the day it can get to 90+ degrees inside so takes some time to cool things down if turned off. However, when boondocking we don't turn it on until about 5:30PM and then leave it run until the next morning. This allows a comfortable evening and sleep. Again, depends on how hot it is and if we're there or out exploring. We've found that by waiting until 5:30 or 6:00 to turn it on allows us to go a week or more without needing the generator; again, depending on sun for solar and how high the temps/humidity get.

 

[lorend]

If we're plugged into shore power we'll leave the A/C on during the day to keep things cool (although we turn it higher than when we're there - 78). Depending on the day it can get to 90+ degrees inside so takes some time to cool things down if turned off. However, when boondocking we don't turn it on until about 5:30PM and then leave it run until the next morning. This allows a comfortable evening and sleep. Again, depends on how hot it is and if we're there or out exploring. We've found that by waiting until 5:30 or 6:00 to turn it on allows us to go a week or more without needing the generator; again, depending on sun for solar and how high the temps/humidity get.

Where did you end up putting the 4 280AH batteries? Did that eat into your payload for the trailer very much? Sounds like a great setup for boondocking.

 

[RV2600RB]

Run the a/c as needed. Just like everything else, it’s meant to be used. Fix or replace as needed.
Rich

 

[traveldawg]

Run the a/c as needed. Just like everything else, it’s meant to be used. Fix or replace as needed.
Rich

ditto....

why bother coming back to a warm (hot?) RV after a day of play???

 

[Riverbug]

Where did you end up putting the 4 280AH batteries? Did that eat into your payload for the trailer very much? Sounds like a great setup for boondocking.

Boondocking has been pretty good. Just finished 5 days. It wasn't warm enough to need A/C, so I ran the electric water heater instead of propane, and we needed heat each night. Had 55% remaining in the batteries when we came home today.

I put the off-grid system in the storage bay. Every pound you add definitely eats into the CCC. My batteries are 55lbs each (1/2 marine plywood shells). Victron Multplus another 50lbs. Then all the cabling, switches, distribution, water filters, water softener, etc., etc., it all adds up. But I have a truck topper and built a slide with shelves to store all tools and things that might normally be in that storage bay. We tend to run a few hundred pounds under GVWR on the trailer with 20% water, and slightly over GVWR if we are carrying full water. For Alaska I plan to carry 1/3 water in the trailer and 28 gallons in the truck bed.