Mini split(s) - How many BTUs for a bus?

[silversport]

Three an a half years ago I installed a Pioneer 9000 BTU 120V in our bedroom. Our GM-4106 is fully sprayed foam with double bubble wrap inserts for all windows covers. Since this is in the bedroom I knew we wouldn't be running it on the road. I installed the condenser in the bay on a turntable (best air flow a @ triple digits). First surprise was how much we enjoyed the heat pump, that is used more than the AC. Being so quiet we can have it on when we sleep. There is not high amp start up, pulls 6-7 amps, w
 

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Re: Mini split(s) - How many BTUs for a bus?
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e can run it on a 20 amp circuit. We enjoyed it so much, the rattle box will be replace soon (new unit in garage patiently waiting).

[luvrbus]

I looked at a 2026 Prevost yesterday a friend was transporting to FL from Oregon ,4 roof airs and 1 basement unit , you couldn't hear the 4 roof air running,the basement unit was loud outside . I have no idea where people get the money to buy a 3 million dollar RV ,the sticker price was over 3 million for something with laminate covered cabinets   

[peterbylt]

We live in Florida.

We have both a Pioneer 12K Mini Split in the front and a Coleman 15K rooftop in the rear.

We love the Mini Split, works fantastic, very quiet sips electricity, we are able to run it off our Solar System for a lot of the day. Keeps the entire bus cool, using a box fan in the middle of the bus blowing into the back, the problem arises when it gets into the mid 90's then the mini split can't keep up.

That's why we bought the Coleman Mach 15 Roof top unit, this AC Kicks A$$, will cool the bus off in minutes, holds it's own into the upper 90's and beyond, But there is nothing efficient about this unit, it's loud and consumes lots of electricity, it will never run off the solar system, Generator or shore power only.

Between the two we are very happy with them, usually run them both to cool the bus off then shut down the Coleman and maintain with the Mini Split.

These units only keep the bus cool when stationary, once we are rolling down the interstate all the cool goes out the window (literally).

Not sure why, I know there are plenty of air leaks, or possibly the hot air moving by the bus?

I have kept the Original OTR AC, it does not currently work, it's on the list of things to fix. 

Peter

[plyonsMC9]

We are trying a mini split with our basement air and a single roof air for quick cool downs.  The "trying" refers to the mini split being a 24DC, so as to not require the generator to run, as it runs directly off of our LiON house batteries.  And being a DC mini split, it doesn't need to run through the inverters so hopefully more efficient.  In addition, it is a ducted mini split so no cassette is required on the inside wall.  The cool air is pumped through in wall ducting. 

Still testing as there is quirk or two to work out re: load draw.

I'll follow up as progress is made.

Take care, Phil

[Glennman]

We have a Pioneer 12,000 btu mini split that keeps the bus "tolerable" in 95 degree weather. The head is above the windshield, so it is a long way from the bedroom. We recently installed a 24v 8000 btu mini split in the rear bedroom but we haven't had a chance to use it yet, as the weather turned cold. The 8000 btu one runs off the bus alternator so we'll run it while driving. I plan to hook it up to my 24v lithium house battery (with 4000 watt solar) soon. That way we can switch it over when parked. We figure it will use less power at night when we're sleeping. I recently ordered a 2000 watt inverter that will connect the Pioneer unit to the bus system while driving so that we don't deplete the house batteries. When all we had was the Pioneer unit, we ran out of power one time, due to running the AC all night, then in cloudy but hot and humid weather while driving all the next day.
We believe we will be in a pretty good place with the two units this coming season. Just to clarify, we mostly boondock, so our plan is to run only one mini split at a time, depending on which part of the bus we're occupying. If we were to be connected to shore power, I imagine running both units will turn the bus into a refrigerator.

[silversport]

In our GM 4106, walls & ceiling is spray foam. All widows (Peninsula) we added double bubble reflective insulation ( two layers). Three years ago we changed out the rear roof AC with a 9000 BTU mini split to the bedroom. First we can sleep with it on, second the heat pump is used more the AC, third is sips energy (compared to roof). In triple digits the unit will keep the room at 70 degrees.   I have already purchased a second 9000 BTU mini split to replace the front roof AC. We made a thermal drape to hang behind the front AC so going down the road we are only cooling the front 8 feet of the coach. Grant the the windshield it the biggest heat generator heading into the sun. That scenario we run around 80 degrees, fans help. The front AC does run on the inverter and engine generator.