To all the Keystone Challenger owners, I own a 2008 34SAQ. we live in Illinois and the weather is still in the 70's for the most part but anyone from this area understands that the summers can get pretty warm and very humid. The question I would like to ask, is the 15,000 BTU air going to be enough to keep the upper bedroom comfortable (70-72) at night? I have turned it on just to see how much cold air was coming out of the two ceiling vents in the bedroom and it did not seem real strong to me, but I also know that room can be shut off from the rest of the rv so it probably won't take much to keep it comfortable. I know this is a personal preference but I'm just trying to prevent getting the 2nd one done in the middle of the summer. I thought you very helpful rvers out there could share your experiences with me.
Not quite as large as yours but our 15000 BTU A/C keeps our 294-L cool in 90 degree weather no problem. Cycles real well and many times we have to turn it up because it gets too cool. You'll find it cools the bedroom better if you close the "quick cool" vents.
Our 34RBH has one 15,000 BTU and I never wished I had another one. I actually put a defector up in the duct work, directly under the fan, to push more air to the back bedroom vents as it was cooler up front than in the back. Got the idea from one of the posters on this site and it worked perfectly. I think the trick is to turn it on before the camper gets too warm. It is easier to maintain temp than to try and work the AC hard to cool it down.
2007 34RBH Keystone Challenger
2005 Chev 2500HD CC, D/A, 4X4, Hypertec, Prodigy, Mor-Ryde, Firestone Airbags, JT Strong Arm
2007 Polaris Ranger SE XP700
I also have a Challenger. Have owned it for 5 years now. In regards to your question please see the link on Energy efficient A/C cooling for us one A/C folks. In short answer though it's no, the one A/C will not do the job. My link explains more.
I have the Challenger 32tkb. We added a second in our bedroom. Before we added it, it worked ok in temperatures in the upper 80's, but living and camping in the desert areas where it can exceed 110 degrees, it wasn't doing the job with just the one. The second A/C made all the differance in the world. Also, our one A/C went out on us on a very hot weekend the first few months we owned the rig. I don't want to get stuck in 100 degree weather without a working A/C again. If nothing else, the second makes a great back-up.
We have just the one A/C and it seems to do the job just fine but we are up in the Pacific Northwest where we don't get the blazing heat. I think that if I was down south or in the desert I would not hasitate to add a second A/C, ours came prewired for it.
John and Jeannine + 3 Boys 9, 6, and 4.
2007 Dodge 2500, 5.9 CTD LB, Husky Brake Controller,
Husky 20K Hitch, Linex, and Firestone Airbags, Pac Brake.
2007 Keystone Challenger 34' SBH 5er
I can't forget the puppy, Little Boy!
We have had our 33DBB for 1 year now. The selling dealer recommend the 2nd A/C. Like you, I decided to wait to see if we needed it. We need it!
At night, EVENTUALLY the single unit is more than enough. If you turn in early, you probably will be a bit warm.
The problem we see is that the single unit is not up to the task during the day. Also, we tend to leave after work for weekend trips. It can be frustrating to arrive at a time when our 5YO should be going to bed, but the single A/C can’t get the temp down very quickly. A box fan helps until the A/C has time to catch up.
The 2nd A/C is very high up on our wish list. It is definitely needed during daylight hours. It would also be very helpful for a faster cool down when we arrive.
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