Just got done adding a third A/C on my 2015 DSDP

[Dutchstar411]

I finally finished today adding the third Roof Top AC on my 2015 Newmar Dutch Star 4018. I used the kitchen Fantastic Vent opening which worked great!

I installed a Furrion 15,500 BTU and the toughest part was getting it on the roof itself. Took two of us and a couple ladders and pulled it up using a rope. I'll attach some before and after pictures. This unit is NOT ducted into the existing ductwork and it's controlled separately. It's rated at 15.4 running amps but is shows only 12-13 when running and all three AC's running is just fine. The new unit is on Leg/Line 1, see picture for total amps drawn with both running.

[Dutchstar411]

Adding some pictures. The actual Distribution Box has LED's that can be off or up to 7 colors, some shown below. But the most important thing is the fact that I now have 45,500 BTU's to cool down my coach the way I see fit.

The Video's on the Furrion have a couple mistakes on them that I'd like to point out. First, the AC does not need to have the fan running after the temperature is reached. Just set the Thermostat to Cool and the Fan to Automatic to have it cycle just like the Dometic's. Also some of the video's say to torque the base plate to 40 Foot Pounds when in fact it's 40 Inch Pounds. The thermostat is temporally mounted on the inside of my fuse panel in the Mid Bath, until I fine a better place for it. It does not have the temperature sensor in it, that's why it really doesn't matter where it's located.

The install took, including everything such as wiring, removing the Fantastic Fan, cleaning off the sealer, insulating the existing hole and placing on the roof and doing the final install, 12 Hours. If I had to do it over again it might be around 9 hours total knowing what I know now. The Wood that was covering the Fantastic Fan is now in my Master Bath.

[oldnavycdr]

Nice work, Ted! Looks great and should improve your comfort.

[Dutchstar411]

A few more pictures:

[Dutchstar411]

Originally Posted by oldnavycdr

Nice work, Ted! Looks great and should improve your comfort.

Thank you! Today's test worked out great today, this unit really put's out the COLD!

[Dutch Star Don]

Well....I was waiting to see how the installation came out.....it solves the issue and looks great. It looks like a project that I may take on, now that you've done all the hard stuff.

I've got another project running, but may at some point see if we can talk on the phone. I have some questions to make sure mine will fit like yours, since our coaches are a different year, like the distance from the edge of the vent opening to the wooden A/C covers. I also mounted my junction box for my solar, right up against the back of the kitchen vent, but it's easily moved.

Thanks for posting!

[Dutchstar411]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

Well....I was waiting to see how the installation came out.....it solves the issue and looks great. It looks like a project that I may take on, now that you've done all the hard stuff.

I've got another project running, but may at some point see if we can talk on the phone. I have some questions to make sure mine will fit like yours, since our coaches are a different year, like the distance from the edge of the vent opening to the wooden A/C covers. I also mounted my junction box for my solar, right up against the back of the kitchen vent, but it's easily moved.

Thanks for posting!

Thanks Don, any time, just PM me! That distribution box was a tight fit at 19 11/16 inches and the Furrion was the only RV roof AC that I could find to fit. It actually looks very clean installed. The edge touching the wood vent could be trimmed back a bit if needed as well but I didn't need to do that.

Parts for the AC:
FACW12PA-BL Replacement Premium Wall Thermostat for Furrion Chill RV Air Conditioner - Single Zone - Black

1 $75.95
FACC12SA-BL Replacement Single Zone Controller for Furrion Chill RV Air Conditioner Setup

1 $66.68
FACR15SA-PS Furrion Chill Replacement RV Air Conditioner for Furrion Setup - 15,500 Btu - White

1 $799.95
FACT12LA-PS Replacement Air Distribution Box w/ LEDs for Furrion Chill RV Air Conditioner - Electric Control

1 $94.11
Sales Tax:
Shipping: Free Shipping 123.66 less Discount ($123.66):
Total: $72.58
$0.00
$1,109.27

Plus 12 AWG wiring, 2 double throw breakers, extra insulation, all under $100

[10 fan]

Great job. I'm sure many will follow your lead.

[Winepress]

Does it feature an exhaust mode for when you’re cooking in the galley?

[Dutchstar411]

Originally Posted by Winepress

Does it feature an exhaust mode for when you’re cooking in the galley?

Nope, it's just a 15,500 BTU without a Heat Pump. Still have the exhaust fan from the microwave and I believe Newmar can add an exhaust exit outside your slide for under a grand. The mid bath still has it's Fantastic Fan just a few feet away as well if you really need it. We cook outside, especially when there's a chance for smoke or smells.

[clawsonbob]

Great job Ted ! Lots of DS 40’ owners have expressed their desire fir a third unit. This looks like one of the most efficient ways to get it !

Hope you are chillin after all that great work

[CaptainJerry]

I'm curious how you routed the AC wiring and the thermostat wire.

[Dutchstar411]

Originally Posted by CaptainJerry

I'm curious how you routed the AC wiring and the thermostat wire.

It would depend on your coach but on mine, the Mid bath has the fuse panel, both 12v and 120v. It also has a fantastic fan. When you remove the white inner panel of the fantastic fan with the four screws that attach it to the ceiling and when you move the insulation to the side of the fan you'll see the return duct that runs the entire length of the coach. So both the 9 wire, (over kill because I thought I'd need to use six wires,) two wires for the 12 volt that's needed, (you won't, the fan in my kitchen had them hot already,) thermostat wire, (need 4,) and the 12/3 AWG wire went in and came out the same way for the Kitchen Fantastic vent fan. I used a long drill bit without the drill, just by hand to gentle put a hole into the duct work in both locations. Also from the Mid Bath fan on the other side I fed both wires through an existing hole behind the 120 panel, bringing in the 12 AWG into the panel and the thermostat wire out side to the Thermostat.

At first I was just going to go with the ceiling control model Furrion but decided against it for several reasons, and anyone that wants to do this project, get the one with the Premier Single Zone Thermostat that comes with a freeze sensor and will cycle just like our Dometics!

Also, thanks Clawsonbob and 10_fan for their thanks as well. If anyone wants to tackle this project and would like further information, just PM me and I'll give you my cell so we can walk it thru.

On the 18th we're going away for 5 days and I'll post how well it does in the Florida Heat under real use while camping... using everything while on 50 AMP shore power.

[Dutchstar411]

Captain Jerry,

I'm adding a picture of the thermostat, keeping it in the same place as before but cleaning up the wires a bit. That's where it's staying. Again, the room sensor is actually in the return ductwork of the AC unit, NOT in the thermostat itself.