Community Forums

PulNSerenity · 07-20-2020, 11:38 AM

How hard is it to install an ac unit from scratch? Our 38' Montana is all wired up for a 2nd AC unit in the front bedroom, but currently just has the standard vent. I am fairly mechanically inclined, but should this be left to the RV service shops? Since this would have to be installed to the highest point of the camper I was considering one of those slimline (9.75") AC Units. Do those work fairly well?

RoadrunnerII · 07-20-2020, 11:59 AM

Just had the front A/C on our eagle this spring... I had it installed. I went with the ultra low profile 13.5k BTU Coleman unit. Have to make sure you stay under 13' 6" overall height.
Surprizing to us the new unit blows more air than the rear 15 k BTU unit in the rear.
As for the install the mobile service sent two guys. One pulling the unit up the ladder on rope and the other pushing. They layed a moving blanket on roof. Unit weighs 85 lbs. Ours had the full raceway ducting.
Turn off the power breaker for front a/c
Remove the front vent and interior trim ring
Clean up the butyl tape and self leveling stuff on roof.
Then cut the foil covering the ducting on each side
Pulled electrical box and thermostat wiring into hole
Put foam gasket under unit
Set square in hole
Install the control board and hook up electrical and thermostat
I tall the partion board
Install thermostat
Install the interior panel
We installed digital thermostat
Interior panel was a chill grille
It works great!

RoadrunnerII

**hamm2018** · 07-20-2020, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PulNSerenity

How hard is it to install an ac unit from scratch? Our 38' Montana is all wired up for a 2nd AC unit in the front bedroom, but currently just has the standard vent. I am fairly mechanically inclined, but should this be left to the RV service shops? Since this would have to be installed to the highest point of the camper I was considering one of those slimline (9.75") AC Units. Do those work fairly well?

Give these guys a call:
https://fixyourfridge.com/
I was there the 1st of July and they had several kinds sitting around. A friend had both of his replaced a couple of years ago and they gave them a 2 year warranty

HamboneTHW · 07-21-2020, 07:23 AM

I have done the job myself. Not all that difficult, but I don’t want to do it again. If you’re going to do it yourself, make sure you have a second person. They are bulky and heavy.

DGBPokes · 07-21-2020, 07:40 AM

Beware..a new unit, may or may not be compatible with an older thermostat. I just had a Penguin2 installed. You had to buy and install an addition board for it to work with my old thermostat

HamboneTHW · 07-21-2020, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

Beware..a new unit, may or may not be compatible with an older thermostat. I just had a Penguin2 installed. You had to buy and install an addition board for it to work with my old thermostat

Correct. New Dometic units require the CCCII thermostat. That’s an incredibly simple part of the install.

PulNSerenity · 07-22-2020, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

Beware..a new unit, may or may not be compatible with an older thermostat. I just had a Penguin2 installed. You had to buy and install an addition board for it to work with my old thermostat

Yeah I have learned that lesson on my house thermostat. This will be an install from scratch. There is nothing there currently. The more I look at other large 5th wheels, it really surprises me that my 38 footer does not already have two units from the factory. The unit in the rear does alright but if the sun is really beating down on the roof the cold air in the duct work gets warmed before it makes it all the way to the front. If the wife starts to complain I tell her it's still much cooler than the tent we were in last year!