A/C Installation Question

[Ganglin]

Don,

I'd be interested in how you did the spacer. One of the reason I originally thought about the Coleman was the curved inner cover. The dealer mentioned they have taken the Carrier and cut it down with a Dremel to match the ceiling - not sure I want to dive into that. Their other solution was to cut a piece of foam from the packing material to place in the gap.

[goransons]

I don't know if the 71 still has the seperate panel down the center on the ceiling with the two channels for wiring, but if you look in the pics on our install you'll see we had just a piece of poplar with miters on each end. I little caulk and painting the ceiling it all blended in very well and lets teh bottom unit stay its true form without distorting.

[sluggo]

Just wondering, my 30 excella has twin ac's , I noticed most units have one, one is the original heatstrip type penguin and the other is straight ac. Is this a factory option or was the second one added? Also if necessary could you even run 2 on 30 amp power?

Thanks

[lewster]

Originally Posted by sluggo

Just wondering, my 30 excella has twin ac's , I noticed most units have one, one is the original heatstrip type penguin and the other is straight ac. Is this a factory option or was the second one added? Also if necessary could you even run 2 on 30 amp power?

Thanks

Don't know if it was an option.......but you will NOT be able to run both on 30 amp service. If your trailer does not have 50 map wiring and unmbilical, perhaps you might like to upgrade to 50 amp service to allow 2 units to run together.

It's not really that difficult!

[Ganglin]

It looks like this - in fact this is the same interior cover I have now....

[adonh]

Here is picture of the spacer that I built. I designed to fit up to the ceiling by making a template from the light fixture to match the curve of the ceiling. It has the 14" cutout to match the hole in the roof for the AC and the inside unit is mounted on the flat side of the spacer with the 4 long bolts that hold the outside unit down. I tightened these bolts to achieve the required compression of the gasket that fits between the outside unit and the roof. Then the cover is attach to the inside unit which is mounted to flat surface of the spacer. The spacer when pained a matching semi-gloss color in the same shade (mixed by Sherwin William's using the cover as a guide) it looks like it came with the AC. I have had people tell me that their Carrier did not come with this piece and want to know if it is a special order item. I don't have the A/S home now but should have it here next week and will take some more pic's with the cover off.

Don

[Ganglin]

Don, That does look really good from what can be seen. If you could post some more pics of your work that would help. Thanks....

Originally Posted by adonh

Here is picture of the spacer that I built. I designed to fit up to the ceiling by making a template from the light fixture to match the curve of the ceiling. It has the 14" cutout to match the hole in the roof for the AC and the inside unit is mounted on the flat side of the spacer with the 4 long bolts that hold the outside unit down. I tightened these bolts to achieve the required compression of the gasket that fits between the outside unit and the roof. Then the cover is attach to the inside unit which is mounted to flat surface of the spacer. The spacer when pained a matching semi-gloss color in the same shade (mixed by Sherwin William's using the cover as a guide) it looks like it came with the AC. I have had people tell me that their Carrier did not come with this piece and want to know if it is a special order item. I don't have the A/S home now but should have it here next week and will take some more pic's with the cover off.

Don

[adonh]

I should have it home by Tuesday and I will take some more pic's of the spacer and the drain. I will make them a little larger so that you can see more detail.

Don

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by adonh

I should have it home by Tuesday and I will take some more pic's of the spacer and the drain. I will make them a little larger so that you can see more detail.

Don

Making a spacer is not required, and a big waste of time.

Simply use the same material the surrounds the "vista view window" cutout.

We have used that material for 20 years for that purpose.

Slide it up or down as needed over the shroud.

Andy

[vswingfield]

Thanks Don,

I look forward to more photos. How about some big ones that we can click on for more detail? What did you make the spacer from? I am installing a Carrier on my Excella, hopefully next weekend. I would especially appreciate details of your drain attachment, since I have been considering the same thing. Hey, I’ve already got the line!

That’s a nice part of the country where you live. I’m also glad to hear the 15,000 unit is keeping you cool. My 34’ Excella was warm last summer, and now the old Coleman will only run about 2 minutes before cycling.

[markdoane]

I built a frame around the inside cover for my Penguin. I do not know the details of the Carrier unit. If it is similar to the Penguin, make sure you are not creating a cross connection between the supply and return plenums.

Because of the curvature of the ceiling, there is not a good seal between the edge of the cover and the steel channels. Cold air can leak directly from the supply plenum to the return. All that's required is to put a couple of foam strips (A/C seal strip from Home Depot) inside the steel channels for the ceiling cover to seal against.

There are a couple of pictures here.

[REDNAX]

(This thread is one of the reasons I so enjoy this forum! I may not have an Airstream -- I don't have the "mount problem" on mine -- but, boy, do I love to see nice work done and helpful tips from others: fabrication, potential warranty problems, etc!! Great food for thought, and inspiration on my own work!!)