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How Much AC Do I Need?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 3:59 pm
by jwh92020
How much AC do I need? White 6 x 12 V nose. Walls and ceiling insulated with 1" poly iso foam board. Roof is not coated yet, but will be before summer gets here. I'm going to use a window unit. I have a 5000 btu that works fine, but is it enough? I feel that if I need to go bigger, I should go to an 8000 btu unit. I don't think that a 6k unit is that much bigger than what I have now. I just don't want to have to re-do it next July when my cedar back splash feels more like a sauna. Thanks.

Re: How Much AC Do I Need?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 4:37 pm
by Ottsville
Where you are camping and what your expectations are might help people to answer your question.

Re: How Much AC Do I Need?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 5:31 pm
by jwhite
I have 7x16 and I have a 8000btu and it's perfect I wanted overkill rather than just enough but I live in south GA and travel in FL, the best part for me is that it cools faster when you need it normally in 30 minutes I am gettting the results I want = cold air
you can always turn it down.
I had a 5000 and it took for ever to get cold, it lasted 1 trip.

Re: How Much AC Do I Need?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 7:17 pm
by Iconfabul8
I have a 6X12 and my 5000 seems to do fine. However, there are a few things to consider. First off, I live in a dry climate so that helps. I have been planning a trip to Vegas in the summer (120Deg) to see how it performs. But I didn't get there this year. The other thing you might do is peruse Flboy's experience with 5000 vs 8000. He actually found his Honda 2000 generator performed better with the 8000 btu unit (would start in eco mode.) Anyhow, there's lots of info and discussion on hear around this subject. Good luck and let us know what you discover.

Re: How Much AC Do I Need?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 7:52 pm
by John61CT
All depends on ambient temp and your insulation.

Normal (little/poor) insulation and above mid-80's, 5000 btu won't cut it.

Re: How Much AC Do I Need?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:05 pm
by jwh92020
I'm in Oklahoma City. Work takes me to KS, MO, AR, TN. As I said, the trailer has 1" poly iso foam board in the ceiling and walls. I'm thinking I should keep the 5k unit as an emergency back up and go with an 8k unit.

Re: How Much AC Do I Need?

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 11:52 am
by Karebru
I'm building a 7x16 V-front. All white, roof coated, 5R in the walls and doors, and 10R in the ceiling. Nothing in the floor yet.
I bought a 5,000 btu window unit for it, but am second guessing the decision.
We don't plan on spending a lot of time inside when we're camping. So if it keeps us comfortable at night, we're good.
I guess I won't know until spring. I think we're about done with the 90s for the year here in Florida.
I made my mounting enclosure big enough for an 8,000 btu.
That's what I'll probably get when this one craps out... Or sooner. :roll:

Re: How Much AC Do I Need?

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 5:52 pm
by jwh92020
After all the info you guys gave me and some research on my own, I decided to go with a 6000 btu unit. I forgot I had it in my shed. I figure it's bigger than a 5k unit and it's paid for, so why not give it a try? I am framing the opening based on an 8k unit, then reducing with fillers to the 6k size. In the event the 6k isn't enough (or it dies), I can pull it, remove the fillers and install an 8k. Thanks for all the help