Mini Split Cooling versus Rooftop ac

[cfoley1807]

I own a Bighorn Traveler 5th wheel with two rooftop ac units. The bedroom unit works great (ceiling is much lower). The main living area is a challenge during the hot south Texas summers and now appears to be just blowing air that is not even cool. Anyone installed a mini split that lives in extreme heat areas? Pros/Cons? Any suggestions on brand? I am not interested in the combo with a heat pump as my heater works really well. I appreciate any help.

Sincerely,
Melting in Texas

 

[cookie]

There have been a couple that I recall that have installed a mini split.
Member Routemaster come to mind. I believe he is in Arizona.

Peace
Dave

 

[Dahillbilly]

installed the RV airflow into our main a/c unit made a huge difference in cooling. Worth a try before adding a split unit.

 

[Bogie]

installed the RV airflow into our main a/c unit made a huge difference in cooling. Worth a try before adding a split unit.

Or....you might try looking at this youtube video. Accomplishes the same thing as the RV Airflow but at a much reduced cost. I did this and there was measurable difference in the airflow, especially in the bedroom. Also helped reduce the AC noise. But not significantly.

 

[roy2]

bogie in our big horn the other big horn the ac is different form the one you have there .

 

[Routemaster]

Our Dave is right. I installed a mini split two regrets, I have is should have done it years ago and been able to get a 220v one so as perhaps one could have a ceiling unit for the bed room. Running it is a way lot quieter and cheaper and running and at night is not like a jumbo.Just work the temp for you and leave her on also a while ago I installed a better ceiling fan and that helps push the air around she did handled the heat here OK. This unit is the largest one for 110v and sq area she will run on the solar batteries I have I dedicated one leg of my magnum to MS it is OK never run it until the power down.I guess one would have be creative to install a second unit.The lady net door liked what she and bought one for her motor home and had it installed right over the front door like mine by the makers because they don't allow DIY's.
Good luck.
Routemaster.

 

[wdk450]

You said that the AC in the living room is blowing warm air. A properly running AC unit should have a 20 degrees F differential between the inlet and cold air vent nearest the AC unit. An IR thermometer like this is very useful for AC, oven, tires, and other temperature measurements.
Something like this: https://www.harborfreight.com/121-infrared-laser-thermometer-63985.html.

Do you hear the compressor running when you try to cool with the living room AC? It should be a low rumble noise. The AC unit should pull 12 to 15 amps if you have an easy way of measuring this. The dirty little secrets of RV AC's in hot temperature areas is that there is a thermal overtemperature cutout switch mounted on the top of the rooftop compressor exposed to the hot ambient heat before the working heat of the cooling system is added, causing the compressor to cut out when the ambient temperature gets really high. Also, RV air conditioners from fulltiming rigs in hot areas only last about 4 years.

A big help with these problems is IR reflective roof coatings. Henry's Tropi-Cool 887 elastometric silicone roof coating is about 94% IR reflective. An external cooling fan bowing in through the rooftop cover right on the compressor can help, too.

 

[Mis-Adventurers]

Our Dave is right. I installed a mini split two regrets, I have is should have done it years ago and been able to get a 220v one so as perhaps one could have a ceiling unit for the bed room. Running it is a way lot quieter and cheaper and running and at night is not like a jumbo.Just work the temp for you and leave her on also a while ago I installed a better ceiling fan and that helps push the air around she did handled the heat here OK. This unit is the largest one for 110v and sq area she will run on the solar batteries I have I dedicated one leg of my magnum to MS it is OK never run it until the power down.I guess one would have be creative to install a second unit.The lady net door liked what she and bought one for her motor home and had it installed right over the front door like mine by the makers because they don't allow DIY's.
Good luck.
Routemaster.

Routemaster, Due to a recent close up meeting with a tree limb, I now need to replace the bedroom hvac unit and roof (!). I am exploring all options for both. Im considering flex armor roof and a 12k BTU, 110K mini split mounted in rear living area overhead cabinet with condenser on a hitch mounted carrier. I'd delete the bedroom unit and replace it with a fan (maxxair?) for better circulation of the mini split. Our 2015 3010 model Bighorn is mobile and not stationary. Is your experience with a mobile mounted mini split or a park model? Our ceiling fan was upgraded earlier. We have no solar, but do have an on board generator. Does this sound like an effective and viable plan?