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muddy_hollow · 05-30-2006, 06:28 PM

I've made up my mind to add an AC unit to my 65 GT, but I am unsure where to locate it on the roof. I had seen on a back issue of Airstream Life a 65 with the AC installed over the front hatch, but I think that is because it was not originally wired for AC.

On my rig, when I open the battery access dor there is a plastic hose where I am assuming is for the A/C drip. Assuming the drain is straight up is that where I should install the unit?

I am considering the low profile carrier.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Doug

overlander63 · 05-30-2006, 06:41 PM

Your coach is factory wired and plumbed for A/C. It SHOULD be in a 14" hole near the center of the coach, probably in the center vent location. You should be able to find a 110v plug or wires terminating at this location to hook the unit up to.

65glbtrotter · 05-30-2006, 07:55 PM

It should go just in front of the rear vent. The clear hose in the battery area is a vent for the battery.

muddy_hollow · 06-06-2006, 12:47 PM

I crawled up ontop of the GT and I think I can see where the hole goes. I am assuming that the hole goes behind the rib, which would put it between the rear vent and the first major rib.

Is this correct? Please see my picture of where I am assuming it will go.

Thanks,

Doug

Chuck · 06-06-2006, 01:03 PM

Call Airstream tech support before cutting any huge gaping holes in your roof.

They should be able to tell you exactly where to do it. In the newer models, (i.e. "70's" and up") there are tables in the service manuals that specify exactly where the factory wiring is in relation to the front main bow. they should have that same information for older models, even though it wasn't published in a service manual....

muddy_hollow · 06-11-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Call Airstream tech support before cutting any huge gaping holes in your roof.

They should be able to tell you exactly where to do it. In the newer models, (i.e. "70's" and up") there are tables in the service manuals that specify exactly where the factory wiring is in relation to the front main bow. they should have that same information for older models, even though it wasn't published in a service manual....

Calling Airstream tech support was a good idea, since they set me straight on where I could locate the air conditioner and find a live wire. BUT and this is a BIG BUT, the rig was not wired for AC as previously posted. Whoever stated that the 65 was wired for AC should note that not all of them were wired......

To my surprise when I cut the hole in the coach and felt around there was no wire. I cut the rest and still, no wire. I got the AC installed and had to fish through the wall another wire. What joy it is to fish your airstream... NOT

All in all a busy day, but I did get the unit wired up and it's all cranked down. Doesn't look bad either, but I will be painting the shroud silver.

what a day....

Doug

muddy_hollow · 06-11-2006, 05:13 PM

Oh, and the prior picture I posted was wrong. the AC was to be located front of the rib not aft.

Thanks Chuck for recommending tech support!!!

peegreen · 06-11-2006, 05:53 PM

How about a pic of your accomplishment. We all want to see.

Chuck · 06-12-2006, 07:40 AM

Yeah! post pics!!

So how'd you manage to fish that wire? (Yikes! )

did your a/c panel have only 1 circuit in it? Mine has 2; 1 for the air conditioner, and one for "everything else"....

how'd you manage to hoist that thing up on top?

Details, Details!!!

muddy_hollow · 06-15-2006, 11:08 AM

Here are some pictures of the AC ontop of my rig.

The fishing job was not a full down to the frame from the top. I cut my losses and snuck it into one of the top cabinets and then ran it along the back to the fuse box.

clancy_boy · 06-15-2006, 11:12 AM

I want to install an AC in my Caravel and like the AC look that you have. Can I please get the info on where you bought ia and for approx. how much.

Thank You

muddy_hollow · 06-15-2006, 01:56 PM

The unit I bought was a Carrier Air V 13.5K BTUs and a heat strip. I bought mine from family RV in florida.

Check out this link

http://www.airforums.com/forum...dge%3B+florida

Now onto polishing!

muddy_hollow · 06-15-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Yeah! post pics!!

So how'd you manage to fish that wire? (Yikes! )

did your a/c panel have only 1 circuit in it? Mine has 2; 1 for the air conditioner, and one for "everything else"....

how'd you manage to hoist that thing up on top?

Details, Details!!!

The AC did not weigh as much as I expected, but I used several blankets and some neoprene floor pads from my daughters closet. I slid up the AC on the ladder and my wife balanced it for me. Once ontop of the rig, the neoprene pads helped to keep from scratching the finish.

Once I set the first bolt I had to adjust the unit from the outside while my wife fitted the other three. From there it was easy, but the instructions from Carrier suck.

I still have to purchase another junction box, to clean it up a little.

Melody Ranch · 06-15-2006, 06:02 PM

Hey Clancy Boy,
I put low profile Carrier on both Caravels. You will not beat the price from Palomino...beat the heck out of famlily rv in FLA. They really fit the profile on the small body Airstreams. I really like the rotating vents too. Drain tubes is the problem...plan for it on installation. I mounted mine forward and put a Fantasic Fan in the old AC hole. This had to be done if for nothing but asthetics.
Edit ....edit... I mounted the AC aft on the 66 and forward on the 69.

overlander63 · 06-15-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddy_hollow

BUT and this is a BIG BUT, the rig was not wired for AC as previously posted. Whoever stated that the 65 was wired for AC should note that not all of them were wired......Doug

Doug, I apologize for giving you bum information. Airstream has stated, and others here on the forum have affirmed, that beginning in 1964, all were prewired and preplumbed for A/C. Hopefully your coach is the exception proving the rule.

muddy_hollow · 06-15-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

Doug, I apologize for giving you bum information. Airstream has stated, and others here on the forum have affirmed, that beginning in 1964, all were prewired and preplumbed for A/C. Hopefully your coach is the exception proving the rule.

No Worries. Actually looking back I sorta expected the worse and only confirmed it when I popped the hole. Oh well, I love my rig but I'm not afraid to put a whole in it to make it work.

lewster · 06-15-2006, 08:44 PM

Clancy Boy,

On most of the new Carriers, there is a design that routes the condensate water over to the blower where it is dispersed on to the condenser coils....keeping them cool and getting rid of the water at the same time. Very nice design, IMHO! Their low profile designs RULE!!!!

Melody Ranch · 06-15-2006, 08:57 PM

Hey Lew.........When I put the low profile on the 66, no drain, it poured water all over the side. Instructions show optional drain fitting...which I was going to ASAP. Wazzup? I'd rather avoid the drain line problem. On the 69 I have the drain line in place, original, same drain instructions came with this cooler too. Any more info on your "over the coils" remedy would be appreciated. Much less trouble. Thanks.

lewster · 06-15-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Hey Lew.........When I put the low profile on the 66, no drain, it poured water all over the side. Instructions show optional drain fitting...which I was going to ASAP. Wazzup? I'd rather avoid the drain line problem. On the 69 I have the drain line in place, original, same drain instructions came with this cooler too. Any more info on your "over the coils" remedy would be appreciated. Much less trouble. Thanks.

The last Carrier that I installed had a plastic pan that channeled the water back to the blower and then up to the condenser coils. It was not a low profile unit though. I assumed that this nifty design was universal to all of their models....maybe not. I'll check to see if I still have the install instructions. It was about a year ago, but I'll check tomorrow. Over and out!

Chuck · 06-16-2006, 07:34 AM

Doug, I assume there was no drain line in place, either? Do you suppose its possible that they were removed at some point? I know that your trailer got a fairly extensive refurbishment from its PO, but I didn't think it got a "shell-off" treatment....and I can't imagine that he would have removed those parts, if they existed. but perhaps a "p-po"?

who knows...

anyway...

so this a/c unit you chose: does it have provisions for an internal drain line? I understand that some do and some don't...mine doesn't. it dumps onto the roof. If I should ever need to replace it, though, I'd like to make sure I get a unit that can use the drain line (which I have confirmed is in existance, coiled up and tucked between the roof/ceiling skin.)