Which air conditioner do I have?

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     I have new to me 2010 176 and I'm thinking I might want a generator to run the oven and air con, etc.  How do I know what air conditioner I have?  I've looked under the ceiling for a dataplate, without taking any covers off, but can't find anything.  It's a Dometic but that's about all I know.

  I do have at least most of the paperwork that came with the pod but what I have on the air conditioner is one of those generic manuals that covers about 10 different models.  

  My pod came with most of the extras so I'm thinking the original buyer likely upgraded the air.  How do I tell -- or where is a good place to find a dataplate?

  TT

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Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446	Topic: Which air conditioner do I have? Posted: 06 Feb 2013 at 8:30pm
	I have new to me 2010 176 and I'm thinking I might want a generator to run the oven and air con, etc. How do I know what air conditioner I have? I've looked under the ceiling for a dataplate, without taking any covers off, but can't find anything. It's a Dometic but that's about all I know. I do have at least most of the paperwork that came with the pod but what I have on the air conditioner is one of those generic manuals that covers about 10 different models. My pod came with most of the extras so I'm thinking the original buyer likely upgraded the air. How do I tell -- or where is a good place to find a dataplate? TT

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 07 Feb 2013 at 8:44pm
	I think standard was a 11.5 k BTU, and 13.5 k BTU when upgraded (probably not even needed in the tent-end models). I measured mine at about 1000 watts with the fan on low, after startup. However, the converter added another ~300 watts. Usually you need a 2400-3000 watt generator to handle a RV A/C.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446	Posted: 07 Feb 2013 at 10:37pm
	Thanks Doug. It seems like someone ought to know where the data plate is though. I suppose it's under the top and I don't mind too much having to get up there and explore, but I'd much prefer to know I wasn't on a wild goose chase. It's about too late to get a generator for my trip next week at this point so I'm not in a hurry now to figure this out. Of course I won't need the air con this trip anyway, but I don't want to get a generator and then find out I should have gotten one just a little bit bigger. And I'll be in one place for 5 nights with no hookup so a generator would have been nice. TT

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 08 Feb 2013 at 9:34pm
	As a stop-gap: if you know how to measure the at-rest voltage to determine your SOC (see Wind Sun's battery FAQ), when you get down to 50% hook up the pod's battery to your TV's battery with a good set of jumper cables (not the Bargeman connector) and run the TV for an hour. Alternatively, do it every other day if you aren't sure or don't have a voltmeter. That should get you back up to 80% SOC which is the best you can do off the grid - from a TV or a generator. Above 80% is a waste of gas because lead acid batteries slow down their charge rate above 80%. Obviously not useful for running the A/C or microwave, but useful for normal boondocking.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual