experience with a chill cube?

[winona1]

My AC is on the fritz (yes, technical term ) and in looking to replace it, a chill cube has been recommended. Anyone have any experience with it?

 

[EdJunior]

Can you provide a link to what you are referring to?

 

[CharlesinGA]

Is your existing unit ducted (almost certainly), or unducted (not likely) What make/model A/C do you currently have? What year and exact model Trend is it? The biggest issue is integrating the new unit with the wall thermostat if you have one.

My guess is you have a Dometic Penguin (which is LOUD!!!!) or possibly a Coleman of some model.

The appliance list and spec sheet is generally found inside the wardrobe door.

For other readers, the Trend is a small class C built on the RAM Promaster chassis.

 

[winona1]

Furrion Chill® Cube 18K Variable Speed RV Rooftop Air Conditioner (sorry, don’t know how to shorten the link)

My Trend is a 2015 with the rear permanent bed. I had the loft bed removed. Wasn’t using it and what goes up may not come down — or what goes down, may not go up! The current AC is Coleman Mach, and it is loud and mounted in the ceiling (not ducted) with also a heating unit.

The chill cube would not be integrated into the wall thermostat as it’s furnace only. I personally know one camper who had his AC replaced and is happy with the result. The RV tech I’ve spoken with is likewise familiar with the product. As an aside, he won’t install another Coleman. Has 3 new ones dead on arrival. And when you say “small class C” you aren’t whistlin’ Dixie. 24’ bumper to bumper. Makes for lots of togetherness with a Lab and Golden. And traveling with dogs makes a reliable AC a must.

I kind of figure for this age Trend, I’m just nursing it along and getting the best I can for our last camping memories.

 

[RV_Lee122]

I'd think 18K BTU would be a lot for a Trend, it would turn it into a fridge. A 13.5K (or a 15K) would work and probably be cheaper

 

[CharlesinGA]

OK, so you have the 623L model. Since you don't have any in roof ducting from the A/C and you also don't have an integrated thermostat, it becomes very easy. Many Airstreamers (older non-ducted models) are installing TOSOT A/C units. These are made by Gree and everyone who has one seems to like them. They are exceptionally quiet and Installation would be a couple of hours, old one off and new one on. They can be ordered with or without a soft start unit, and are heat pump design, no electric heating element, but actual heat pump, which is a good backup to your furnace.

My second choice would be a RecPro Houghton unit. They have a number of different models, including some low profile ones. Heat pump is an option, as is soft start. I have a RecPro Houghton 9500 btu model (too small for your 23 ft RV most likely) but there are several larger units. The 9500 works well for me in my Bigfoot 21 foot trailer, which has a floorplan quite similar to your Trend.

Both the TOSOT and the RecPro units have digital controls in the ceiling unit, plus a handheld remote. The TOSOT unit is radio frequency connected to the ceiling unit (probably bluetooth) and does not need to be pointed at the ceiling unit. The RecPro models are infra red (IR) like your TV and must be pointed at the ceiling unit for it to work properly.

While the Furrion unit has good specs, I'm not impressed with the inside ceiling distribution unit. Yes, its nearly flush with the ceiling, doesn't intrude on head room, but it basically blows straight down, cold air in one location, thats it. The TOSOT and RecPro units have air distribution that blows fore and aft, and that can be adjusted, so you can put more up front during the day, and more in the back at night, or spread it out evenly. The ceiling units typically don't hang down more than 2 inches. My dislike with the Furrion is.......... Lippert. They have never bought out another company that they didn't screw up the product line in some way. It might be a good unit, dunno. Be aware, the inside ceiling air distribution is ordered and priced separately so include the price of it when comparing dollars with other units.

 

[winona1]

Thanks for the replies — appreciated. I’m still in the figuring it out stage. And yes, agreed, the 18K BTU would be too much. I just used that one for the link.