2020 T@B 400 BDL AIR8 Replacement

MischiefBrewing

Hello fellow Nucamp family! It’s been a while since I’ve been around here but have always valued the feedback I’ve received. 

I relocated to Southwest Florida from Vermont 2 years ago and finally got my T@B400 BDL down here this last winter. 

In my 4 years of ownership, I’ve only had the AIR8 AC on once to test it until this weekend when I was down in the keys kayak fishing at Big Pine Lodge campground. Temps were in the low 90s during the day. First night the AC seemed to struggle but eventually, and noisily got it down to 74 inside. Unfortunately not long after I was out on the water the next day, my kid texted that the AC was blowing hot air. No error on the control panel and everything looking like it did when it was working. Had them turn it off and on but no luck. Spent a sweaty night with windows open and fan on and bailed out early. 

Now to the point. Based upon everything I’ve read here, there’s no sense in trying to get the AIR8 fixed. Options for a replacement seem pretty bleak. 

Dometic coolcat dimensions don’t work for the under bed space the AIR8 was in (too wide and too tall). I could work with the too wide by relocating the inverter, but the too tall makes the bed a major project to raise and I don’t really want the bed any taller. 

There’s a UK truck under bench unit that looks right but I don’t want to deal with the electric issues and the cost is insane. 

This leaves me with the pioneer 9000 btu for $1200. It’s longer than the AIR8 but the other dimensions work. I’d have to relocate the battery box and the ducting would be partially in front of the intake since it’s on the opposite side of the AIR8.  Looks like only the drain will line up so I’ll have to cut new openings for the compressor vents. 

Open to any and all feedback y’all might have. Going to think on this for a week before ordering and whatever I decide, I’ll document my progress here. 

MischiefBrewing

Here’s a photo from the drive home. Got a new tow vehicle late last year and love the combo

RFraer

Because of the under perforancee of the air8 in the 400 Nucamp replaced several air8's with coolcats under warranty. My air8 was replaced in my driveway by Nucamp, took one technician about 5 hours. You might consider contacting Nucamp to see if this could be done at a local facility. It would probably cost more in the short run but my increase the resale value of the camper.

bergger

I would contact NuCamp just to see how much it would cost to install a Coolcat AC.  They’re fantastic in my opinion. 

MischiefBrewing

Thanks, sent an email and am waiting to see if they have any good options for me. Unless there’s a different model coolcat out there, I don’t see how they fit it into the 2020. The space until the bed is just under 13” high

bergger

They would install the coolcat under the drivers side dinette seat like in all the other 400s that came with it from the factory.  It would be a bit of a job to install it there and run the duct work but they have done it on several of the 400s that came with the Air8.  

MischiefBrewing

Nucamp got back to me and are sending me an Air8+ unit free of charge. I just have to install it myself.  It’s half the power of the pioneer I was looking at but looks to be the same size as the original air8 so should be an easier install.