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Old 03-02-2017, 06:42 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Njsurf73 View Post
After reading the last 2 posts, I am going to look at a way to budget them in. It may not be right away, but I will go this route.

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New roof air units that I have looked at are running $500-$650 and up. Plus you may wind up paying shipping or tax. These units (SharkAire) are $575 including shipping.

That kind of made the budget question moot for me.

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Old 03-02-2017, 06:48 PM   #22
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My experience is about the same. Start amps is 2 and very slowly climbs to 7. That's the highest I ever saw on cool. I have run both on 30A. Rear condenser is under my bed, I get more of a "sense" that it is on rather than hear it. If the radio is on you can't hear the indoor unit.
Dick,

Thank you for the info. How long have you had the mini-split's running?

If you had it to do again, what would you do different?

Thanks again.

S.
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Old 03-02-2017, 07:01 PM   #23
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I just spoke with the SharkAire folks and they said that the startup current on the 12k unit is 9.3 amps and the running current ranges from 5-7 amps.

I also heard about a new 6k Btu 12 volt mini-split. Hmmmmm...
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Old 03-02-2017, 07:21 PM   #24
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Those figures sound like a conventional mini. You need an inverter type. They are more efficient.
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Old 03-02-2017, 07:29 PM   #25
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Those figures sound like a conventional mini. You need an inverter type. They are more efficient.
Thank you. That was a good catch. I am looking at the wrong one. The inverter model is $645 :

https://sharkaire.com/epages/fd93bb6...ucts/12%5B1%5D
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Old 03-02-2017, 07:42 PM   #26
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Those links don't work for me, tomorrow I'll try to find a link to the ones I bought.
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Old 03-02-2017, 07:43 PM   #27
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Those links don't work for me, tomorrow I'll try to find a link to the ones I bought.
Hmmm.... I can click on them in the post and they work for me....
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Old 03-02-2017, 07:46 PM   #28
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Hmmm.... I can click on them in the post and they work for me....
Worked for me too. But I just searched "sharkair" and the website popped up.

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Old 03-02-2017, 07:51 PM   #29
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The right mini-splits (not Chinese) are typically great units. The only concern I have heard expressed here was regarding over the road durability. There seemed to be some concern that the paint shaker nature of most skoolies might cause issues with any unit designed for stationary use. Could say the same for window units I guess.

What about it it Cadillac...you are definitely the most well versed in this (and several other) arenas.
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Old 03-02-2017, 07:53 PM   #30
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The right mini-splits (not Chinese) are typically great units. The only concern I have heard expressed here was regarding over the road durability. There seemed to be some concern that the paint shaker nature of most skoolies might cause issues with any unit designed for stationary use. Could say the same for window units I guess.

What about it it Cadillac...you are definitely the most well versed in this (and several other) arenas.
He says they're all made of Chinese parts and to simply buy the chinese units, IIRC.
I'm buying from a guy in Brandon Fl that has em for $450.
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Old 03-02-2017, 07:57 PM   #31
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He says they're all made of Chinese parts and to simply buy the chinese units, IIRC.
I'm buying from a guy in Brandon Fl that has em for $450.
A good argument for air ride 😉

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Old 03-02-2017, 08:08 PM   #32
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A good argument for air ride 😉

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A quick ride in a leaf-sprung bus up our driveway is also a good argument for that.
Once I learned that regular buses "bounce" and break your stuff, I was really glad to have air ride. Got lucky- my shorty was advertised as "leaf springs" and "fair tires". Air ride and nearly brand new tires works for me!
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Old 03-02-2017, 08:27 PM   #33
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Is it bad form to hijack your own thread????

You two got me thinking about my current bus. It is a 40' Bluebird RE with spring suspension. It also has a very comfy air ride seat.

My last big bus was an Eagle 10. Arguably the best riding coach you could buy. I broke dishes in that rig....

My Bluebird road great for 300 miles coming home and I was tickled to death. Could it be that it really does not ride well and the nice air seat insulated me from a rough ride?

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming:

Are those $450 mini-splits of the inverter variety?
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Old 03-02-2017, 08:39 PM   #34
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Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Is it bad form to hijack your own thread????

You two got me thinking about my current bus. It is a 40' Bluebird RE with spring suspension. It also has a very comfy air ride seat.

My last big bus was an Eagle 10. Arguably the best riding coach you could buy. I broke dishes in that rig....

My Bluebird road great for 300 miles coming home and I was tickled to death. Could it be that it really does not ride well and the nice air seat insulated me from a rough ride?

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming:

Are those $450 mini-splits of the inverter variety?
You may be right about the air seat. I was both the driver (with a cushy air seat) and passenger (without air seat) in a regular spring straight truck, and as a passenger I felt every ripple. While driving I only felt the biggest wumps in the road

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Old 03-02-2017, 08:54 PM   #35
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Originally Posted by Njsurf73 View Post
You may be right about the air seat. I was both the driver (with a cushy air seat) and passenger (without air seat) in a regular spring straight truck, and as a passenger I felt every ripple. While driving I only felt the biggest wumps in the road

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Looks like I may need some plastic dishes....
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Old 03-02-2017, 08:56 PM   #36
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Looks like I may need some plastic dishes....
No, just some crazy glue!

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Old 03-02-2017, 10:04 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Hey Everyone,

As I watch the last of the snow melt I am contemplating the obvious... Air conditioning.

I am seriously considering installing 2 x 12k Btu mini-split's:

https://sharkaire.com/epages/fd93bb6...f7/Products/12

The units come with copper lines that, as best I understand, are not the best choice for mobile installation.

I wonder if it is practical to replace those lines with an automotive type of refrigerant line?

If so, what type of line & fittings?

Any special steps or precautions I need to consider?

Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

S.

Crazy weather! But, inevitably the summer heat will be here.
It was 90° yesterday.... Woke up this morning and it was 30°, with a high of 60° and windy as hell!

I can't go full scale a/c install until bus is paid off in November
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Old 03-03-2017, 01:42 AM   #38
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my 2 cents to the concern about copper wire in a split ac system is why would it make a difference? My travel trailer and any travel trailer out there has copper lines for the propane system. The lines are secured every few feet and they aren't well protected at entry points at all. Trailers also whip and bounce around behind a truck more than any bus would.

A mini split system would be kinda neat to have as it's different but if you ask me a roof top unit is much simpler and easier to install.

If you're going for cheap I noticed recently in a new low cost travel trailer they had a wood box made to hold a window style ac unit on the interior with it venting out the side wall. That way it's not hanging or sticking out of the bus. I just might do this with my bus.


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Old 03-03-2017, 08:13 AM   #39
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Steve,
The links work on my computer, I was on my phone last night. The one you posted looks pretty much the same as mine with one better seer number Toshiba compressor is good from what I have researched.

Here's a link to what I bought, although it is about twice the price now.
KSIN012-H115 12000 BTU Mini Ductless Split AC - Heat Pump

As to ride I can't speak of anything other than the one I own. The last regular school bus I rode was probably about 1966. I have a 40 ft RE with springs. It doesn't ride harsh or have any rattles. It to me rides about the same as my son's MCI. Rides a lot better than my Land Rover.
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