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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: LowTide on May 02, 2015, 02:38:25 PM

Title: Atwood AC units?
Post by: LowTide on May 02, 2015, 02:38:25 PM
Does anyone have feedback about the Atwood AC units? I searched for complaints and can't seem to come up with any complaints from consumers.
Do any bus nuts own one of these units? If you do, do you have any complaints.

I am looking at installing 3 new ones on our coach.

Thanks
Mike
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: belfert on May 02, 2015, 03:16:18 PM
I have one Atwood A/C unit.  I think it might be the best of the three A/C units I have.  It is nice having a heat pump.  The A/C portion works flawlessly.  The heat pump is a little funky at times.  It will sometimes just quit heating at random times and then mysteriously start working again.  The heat pump gets very noisy down in the 30s outside and it seems to produce zero heat by 32 degrees or so.  It has digital controls so it always using a little bit of power if that matters.
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: oltrunt on May 02, 2015, 05:12:10 PM
Heat pumps work good down to 40-45 degrees F.  Below that there isn't "any heat to pump".  I had planed to use an ac/heat pump in my bus--even bought one--but after some study it became clear to me that propane heat and standard ac would work best for me.  That being said, if you don't plan on cold climes, the heat pump/ac combo will work fine.  Jack
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: luvrbus on May 02, 2015, 06:04:27 PM
You see a lot of the Attwood's in the newer RV's one good sign you don't see any in the dumpsters at Camping World like you do the Dometic's and Coleman,the new Penguin 2 I purchased last year is the biggest piece of junk I ever paid a 1000 bucks for IMO 
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: gg04 on May 03, 2015, 06:32:36 AM
Fixing to have to replace the Carrier's we have now. One is dying and the others getting noisy not sure what to use either yet..rdw
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: Scott & Heather on May 03, 2015, 04:22:27 PM
Just to make this thread more muddy:

new technology heat pumps work down to -13F or even lower. The newest Fujitsu mini-split units work down to these temperatures quite effectively. Our next bus will be an experiment for one of these units.
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: eagle19952 on May 03, 2015, 07:02:55 PM
very interesting to follow the study at UFA AK

http://www.newsminer.com/features/our_town/ask_a_builder/how-is-our-ground-source-heat-pump-working-after-a/article_e5b2f32e-ef0b-11e4-994f-8f38dd42f1c7.html (http://www.newsminer.com/features/our_town/ask_a_builder/how-is-our-ground-source-heat-pump-working-after-a/article_e5b2f32e-ef0b-11e4-994f-8f38dd42f1c7.html)
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: pvcces on May 03, 2015, 10:26:09 PM
Air source heat pumps work very well at temperatures well below freezing. And there is quite a bit of heat left in the air.

R410a refrigerant has a high enough pressure at freezing to produce good heat.. As long as the heat pump has good defrosting capability, the coils will stay clear and absorb heat.

We have been running them in Ketchikan, Alaska right down to a couple degrees above zero for around six years at considerable fuel savings.

Some study of the way these work would pay off.

Good luck.


Tom Caffrey
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: luvrbus on May 04, 2015, 06:32:48 AM
The high operating pressure of the unit would be a concern to me in a bus with the splits they fail here in Az from split tubing and manifolds setting on a solid base haven't you had a couple fail Tom ?
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: gg04 on May 04, 2015, 05:47:42 PM
Best price for Atwood seems to be Tweety's in Texas..anyone better?
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: LowTide on May 04, 2015, 06:51:53 PM
Quote from: gg04 on May 04, 2015, 05:47:42 PM
Best price for Atwood seems to be Tweety's in Texas..anyone better?

I found this price, but then again, you have to buy the inside control panel for around 80 bucks and the shipping is around 100 bucks.
http://www.my12voltstore.com/Atwood_13_500_BTU_Non_Ducted_AC_p/15021-15025.htm (http://www.my12voltstore.com/Atwood_13_500_BTU_Non_Ducted_AC_p/15021-15025.htm)

I am still looking and will eventually go with the best price I can. I will also be needing 3 fantastic vents, so if you have any links to some good prices, please let me know.


Thanks for the thoughts guys!

All the vest Mike
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on May 05, 2015, 03:13:30 AM
Hi Guy's,

Dometic Corp. purchased Atwood late last year.

I'm now getting product catalogs but no pricing yet..



(Dometic Americas organization realigned to promote growth

The realignment, done in conjunction with the integration of Atwood Mobile Products, will complement and enhance Dometic's core business strategy.


Dometic Group announces that it has realigned the Dometic Americas organization. This realignment, done in conjunction with the integration of Atwood Mobile Products, will complement and enhance Dometic's core business strategy.

"The acquisition of Atwood Mobile Products has given us additional opportunities, which has enabled us to reposition the region and create a much stronger RV division. In addition, we also strengthened other key business units," said Frank Marciano, President Dometic Americas. "The teams at Atwood Mobile Products and Dometic have worked tirelessly since the acquisition in October to create this new structure, which improves Dometic's focus on its core businesses and creates more value for its shareholders. It has been a pleasure working with the team at Atwood Mobile Products."

Roger Johansson, President and CEO of Dometic Group, added: "This realignment is designed to strengthen and expand Dometic's Recreational Vehicle, Commercial and Passenger Vehicle, Lodging and Marine businesses. The new leadership structure we have in place will increase divisional focus, streamline operations and strengthen our competitive position in key areas."

Frank Marciano will continue to serve as President of the Americas as well as Acting Business Leader for Americas Marine Division.)


Nick-
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: luvrbus on May 05, 2015, 05:43:54 AM
Read that in the FMCA rag but if he hurries he can buy Attwood before Dometic screws it up
Title: Re: Atwood AC units?
Post by: Oonrahnjay on May 05, 2015, 09:03:51 AM
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on May 05, 2015, 03:13:30 AM... said Frank Marciano, President Dometic Americas. "The teams at Atwood Mobile Products and Dometic have worked tirelessly since the acquisition in October to create this new structure, which improves Dometic's focus on its core businesses and creates more value for its shareholders. It has been a pleasure working with the team at Atwood Mobile Products."   ...   

     What he didn't say (and should have) is "now, we'll fire them!"