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Whatmud View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Aug 2014
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Posts: 23 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: A/C very loud
    Posted: 12 Jun 2015 at 1:55pm
We used the A/C last weekend overnight.  Man is it loud.  I used the app Decibel Ultra to measure how loud. I know it is a small space, but made it hard to sleep.  In case the photo doesn't load correctly it's 81.6 db.  Is this level normal? 


Debbie
2015 181G
Debbie & Larry
2015 181-g
Knoxville, TN
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2015 at 2:19pm
Yes they are pretty loud
Leo & Melissa Bachand
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2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
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2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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johnmaci View Drop Down
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Posts: 202 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2015 at 2:51pm
I'm grateful there are companies that manufacture RV components, but I wish they would make descent stuff. It's all horribly flimsy and cheap, and IMHO, worse than Roper for home appliances.
We had our a/c on once at a campground, and ran it for about 30 minutes. Loud, everything vibrated, and terrible temperature control. Freezing cold, or warm. Ended up opening windows and running the Fantastic fans for ventilation.
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2015 at 4:08pm
I agree it's loud, but not that loud for me. It does cool down the place in a hurry and I have slept in much noisier places. That said, the 81.6db reading Whatmud took seems high so I just took a few measurements with my app ( https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/db-volume-meter/id592769907?mt=8 )

Whatmud, did you take any baseline (no AC) measurements?

These are the results I got:

No AC, door closed:


AC/Compressor directly under (chin height):



AC/compressor @ pillow end of bed (slide side):



AC/Compressor @ Dinette (center of table):
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2015 at 4:11pm
Yes, it is very loud.  Part of the problem is it is oversized for the space.  It should be a 9000 btu unit IMO.  11 and 13K btu units cycle on/off too fast to effectively remove humidity which is more important for comfort than temperature.  I spent years looking for quieter options, which I documented in the thread below.  However, assuming you keep your current A/C (I did), I linked directly to a post with steps I took to make mine quieter.  Ironically we only camped in our pod one more time after I made that post (and made most of the changes), and I don't think we used the A/C on that trip!

We found that leaving the fan on low overnight helped to regulate the temperature better and helped keep us from startling awake every time it cycled on.  We kept it on auto during the day so we could talk easier between cycles, and we weren't inside much during the day anyway.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Whatmud View Drop Down
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Posts: 23 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2015 at 5:39pm
The only test I did was laying in bed thinking man this is loud. Also I can't tell any difference between sound of low or high. Not sure how to change that in A/C mode. We have a 181, so we have s smaller space than others. I'll definitely try tightening things to see if that helps. We have to store away from home, but I'll try anything.
Debbie & Larry
2015 181-g
Knoxville, TN
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Podster View Drop Down
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2015 at 6:44pm
It has been reported on other forums that the "squirrel cage" fan is warped on some units causing excessive vibration and noise. 
Cliff & Raelynn
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(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2015 at 8:13pm
Tightening, removing some parts, moving some parts, and taping over the ribs in the air outflow.  A noticeable difference.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 8:58am
Years ago when I wore the cloths of a younger man I lived in a beautiful urban loft apartment; the only problem it was above a very popular restaurant / bar. My solution to the noise was:
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 10:52am
What?  WHAT?  I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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