Basement A/C - Printable Version

Basement A/C - Printable Version

+- Newell Gurus (https://newellgurus.com)
+-- Forum: Documentation (https://newellgurus.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=13)
+--- Forum: Air Conditioning (https://newellgurus.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=38)
+--- Thread: Basement A/C (/showthread.php?tid=8842)

Basement A/C - MikeStatesville - 01-19-2026

I now own coach 385. It has been discussed on NewellGurus by other owners and now it’s issues are mine.

Are there replacement options for the basement units in these coaches built in 1994? Basement replacements, roof mounts, mini splits?

I think these are Dometic, but I am not positive.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

RE: Basement A/C - [email protected] - 01-19-2026

(01-19-2026, 01:26 PM)MikeStatesville Wrote: I now own coach 385. It has been discussed on NewellGurus by other owners and now it’s issues are mine.

Are there replacement options for the basement units in these coaches built in 1994? Basement replacements, roof mounts, mini splits?

I think these are Dometic, but I am not positive.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Not sure there is an easy answer if you indeed need to replace the unit. Are the units not in repairable condition? Coleman still makes new basement units.

Rooftop units would take some work as there are no provisions for them. You would have to cut holes in the roof for them and then run power and control wiring up to them.

Some in the group have replaced units with mini splits, but its not a direct replacement and take some fabrication work to make them work.

To me the best bet is to repair the existing units if possible. Tell us more about your situation on why you think the units need to be replaced and I think you may get a few more responses.

RE: Basement A/C - MikeStatesville - 01-19-2026

Jeff, thanks very much for your response! Makes perfect sense to me. I didn’t know about the Coleman units either.

I will post more details when I find a technician to work on it. I am not the electrical guy that some of you are, I wish I were!

RE: Basement A/C - [email protected] - 01-19-2026

(01-19-2026, 04:03 PM)MikeStatesville Wrote: Jeff, thanks very much for your response! Makes perfect sense to me. I didn’t know about the Coleman units either.

I will post more details when I find a technician to work on it. I am not the electrical guy that some of you are, I wish I were!

Yea, understood. Sorry sometimes I make assumptions that all owners are like me, haha!

BTW listing your coach information and your location in your signature might help, some folks in your area may be able to point you in the direction of some help with your units.

RE: Basement A/C - HoosierDaddy - 01-19-2026

Mike. I have repaired the Dometic units with technical help from other Gurus. You may have to substitute items like blower motors and compressor. Basically they are the same mechanical parts used in roof top units. Search this forum for answers. More info about your units (make, model etc) will help us help you.
I kept mine running for several years but ended up installing a mini split. My ultimate goal is to run it from solar and lipo batteries. The inverter mini splits are MUCH more efficient. Fabrication is required.

RE: Basement A/C - Jack Houpe - 01-20-2026

We've done three conversions and extremely happy with all of them. As Dean says they are very efficient and quite, many people can't believe how well they perform compared to other source's of HVAC. Have a look at my thread on the Newell conversion.

https://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=7096

RE: Basement A/C - Richard - 01-20-2026

It is extremely important to know if you have Dometic units or SCS units to determine the way forward.

Dometic units are essentially old school minisplits with an inside and outside unit.

SCS units are packaged into one big box, and the air is ducted to different areas of the coach.

Posting a quick pic of one of the outside bays with the unit will get the conversation pointed in the right direction.

RE: Basement A/C - Richard - 01-20-2026

Sorry I had a brain lapse, 385 is the Jim Cussen/George B coach. It has Dometic units.

First, I would investigate Dean’s advice. If they can be repaired, and they can in most cases, they are great units. They will freeze you out.

Second, if you just want modern tech. You have two ways to go. One install minisplits. It is going to take some figuring and measuring to fit the outside portion where the current outside portion of the Dometic is located. Then install a “ducted” inside mini unit where the existing interior units now reside. USE the existing Freon tubing that connects the two.

The other option is to cut holes in the roof and install roof tops. Newell can tell you where to cut the holes. The big challenge will be getting 120V power to the roof units.

Either option very doable, but no ‘drop in’ solutions .

My .03 worth. Inflation, you know.

RE: Basement A/C - MikeStatesville - 01-20-2026

Many thanks to all those who have responded. I am new to camping and certainly way over my head with a 45’ Newell. My experience is with business jets and tractors. Peterbilts and Kenworths, have owned both. Also antique cars and motorcycles. I have three Kawasakis, two of them very fast, just what every 73 year old fat man needs! ?

Richard knows more about my coach than I do. He is correct, there are evaporators inside and compressors in the basement. There are 3 separate units. I bought her (name is now IdaMae!) from Karl. He told me the compressor was bad in the front unit and parts very hard to get. It’s too cold now to need it but I am trying to get ready for warmer wx. Since Dometics have split components, then IdaMae has Dometic units.

It seems to me rather than front unit and mid unit two units actually cool the left side and the right side of the front of the coach. Two basement units are in a left front bay and the third unit in the next bay.

I need to find someone willing to work on these near Statesville NC.

PS Coach has Aqua Hot heat system.