I believe Alpine is a fairly new model. I wonder if some changes were made from 2010 models to 2011 models like more insulation? I was told in the new Redwoods you can get two 15000 btu air units. Heat pump is also an option. This may be the way the industry is heading since 40' 5vers with 4 slides are common now. Maybe some Montana, Cameo or others owners will chime in on how there units are doing without the residential type system.
One thing we did - and I've not a clue if this is helping things - is to block the AC outlets for the first AC in the hall, bathroom and bedroom. The second AC is not ducted and forces air into bedroom only. I keep the thermostat for this set at 68. The first AC - which is set at 72 - is only forcing the cold air into the living area. Works for me.
That is a good idea-I am sure that will be helpful to other owners.Do you feel the system you have is quieter and do you have the heat pump option? If yes how well does the heat pump work? I have a heat pump at my home and it works great.
Thanks for the info
The first AC is called Whisper Air or some such thing and is allegedly "residential style". The unit itself is outside so you can't see anything but the air outtakes (or are they intakes? whatever)in the ceiling. It is pretty quiet - especially compared to the second AC, which sounds like a jet engine roaring about your head.
Yes, I have a heat pump. No, I do not know how it works, or what it is for.
mel07green wrote: I have a 2011 Alpine, with the second AC. It's been in the high 90s to low 100s here, and I've had no issues keeping the bedroom at 68 and the living area at 72. AC is cycling on and off as needed, and unit has been in full sun. There is no way the single AC can do the job in a 40-foot trailer - the front will be a sweatbox.
Possibly, Keystone did some insulation improvements on the 2011 Alpine where the heat and cool air is not lost considerably through the windows, sliders and ceiling.
My 2010 Alpine windows are single pane and probably if I had double pane windows it would make a big difference for less loss of heat in winter and cool air in summer. In the heat of the day, I feel lot of heat coming through the single pane windows and in the winter when is zero or 10 degrees outside there is lot of frost accumulation on interior windows and come cold air coming through.
Does your Alpine have double pane windows?
I am sorry how I worded that question about the heat pump. What I meant was have you used the heat pump to heat your RV? Were you satisfied with the heat output? I know it can only handle temps to a certain degree but not having to use propane very often would be a big plus.
Woodrow, I think the insulation in the 2011 is every bit as much of a joke as the insulation in the 2010. I have single-pane windows. I too feel the heat in the slideouts. Having the ceiling fan running helps the AC out immensely.
Mobilcastle, nothing wrong with your wording, I just have no clue about the heat pump. Last winter we were in Kansas and it got to minus 18. Everything froze, but I kept warm by running the heating 24/7 and going through 30 pounds of propane every 36 hours. Space heaters and the fireplace do help.
mel07green wrote: Woodrow, I think the insulation in the 2011 is every bit as much of a joke as the insulation in the 2010. I have single-pane windows. I too feel the heat in the slideouts. Having the ceiling fan running helps the AC out immensely.
Mobilcastle, nothing wrong with your wording, I just have no clue about the heat pump. Last winter we were in Kansas and it got to minus 18. Everything froze, but I kept warm by running the heating 24/7 and going through 30 pounds of propane every 36 hours. Space heaters and the fireplace do help.
Yes I agree, the sliders are a joke for being sealed. Its like a wide open barn as I pull back rubber flaps on the exterior of the sliders and you can see interior floor and also aides have open cracks. With this situation you almost need more than 2 air conditioner units.
I have had lot of RV's in the past but they did not have sliders and this is my first experience. I know what to look for now and not sure if there are any 5th wheel Make out there that has excellent sealed sliders. Also, next time I would have double pane windows on the next 5th wheel. This is why the furnace turns on every few minutes when its less than 30 degrees outside and AC will run almost continuously if temp is 80 or more. Another issue I found, when I the panel wall out in the storage compartment I found many areas showing light where hot or cold air can enter and freeze the pipes in the winter. I closed those openings up with insulation and should not have to do this and I let the mfg know but it goes in one hear and out the other. If you use space heaters in the living area and the furnace does not turn on, its almost a guarantee the water lines would freeze up as the furnance needs to run almost continuously if its very cold outside. Not sure if anything can be done to put pressure on the factory at this point being its over 1 year. Customers of the 2011 and 2012 need to be alerted of these situations. You don't think of these things when purchasing from a dealer.
Keystone with the Alpine model has the brochure 0 degrees or 10 below and that is sure misadvertising.
Yep, I've had lengthy discussions with factory reps about the misleading brochure and their nonsense about testing the unit to -4 degrees. *face palm*
The space heaters were used as an auxillary to the furnace and were not why the pipes froze. A total lack of any form of insulation was why the pipes froze. The tanks are not heated. They have a heat outlet directed vaguely in their direction, but this is simply absorbed by the steel frame. It does bugger all. The pipes froze at around 25 degrees. So did all the tanks. If have a look underneath the trailer, you will see that the only thing between the inside and the outside is a flimsy piece of C-plast. This is their "enclosed underbelly". Joke's on us.
All things considered, I think the unit should be able to lower the outside temp if it's only eighty degrees. I live in Southeastern Texas, and I can tell you eighty degrees ain't that hot.
Semi-"retarred" in 2006. :-) 2008 Newmar Cypress 5th wheel, 2008 Dodge diesel dually to pull it with.
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