Air Conditioner replacement for 78 Safari

[bacevedo]

I have a 78 Safari that no longer blows any cold air. I am told that it most likely needs to be replaced. The AC unit does not appear to be technically difficult to replace. Does anyone know of a drop in replacement model. One RV service quoted me $630 to install a Coleman mach III but when I arrived they told me they could not install it because of the Plenum dimensions.


I had other quotes for replacement for Carrier and a Dometic models at $1400 and $1200 respectively (includes labor).

Does anyone else have any suggestions or experience with a 78 or similar models a/c replacement?

[lewster]

Originally Posted by bacevedo

I have a 78 Safari that no longer blows any cold air. I am told that it most likely needs to be replaced. The AC unit does not appear to be technically difficult to replace. Does anyone know of a drop in replacement model. One RV service quoted me $630 to install a Coleman mach III but when I arrived they told me they could not install it because of the Plenum dimensions.


I had other quotes for replacement for Carrier and a Dometic models at $1400 and $1200 respectively (includes labor).

Does anyone else have any suggestions or experience with a 78 or similar models a/c replacement?

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roof air units use a standard 14" X 14" opening, and any modern roof air will fit that opening with no problems!

It usually takes me 1.0-1.5 hours to change out a roof air. Airstreams require a little bit more 'care' while doing the install, but ant well qualified RV tech worth their salt should be able to do it for you.

IMHO, Dometic has the best warranty in the business with the best tech support, should you encounter a problem.

The prices you listed seem a little high Also, Coleman is now known as RVP and their roof units will fit your opening as well. I don't sell many of these, but I believe that the 'Mach 3' is an older design unit. I might suggest the Dometic Duotherm Penguin low profile, or the Carrier Air V low profile units.

Pick which unit you want and then find a reputable service cener to do the install.

[overlander63]

I think '78 was still one of the years when the a/c unit was riveted to the roof. If so, the rivets will have to be removed and holes from them filled with rivets so they don't leak when it rains. Add at least an hour to the update time for removing and reriveting the 60+ holes.

[lewster]

BTW, what type of unit is it? It may be a simple re-charge issue if it's an old Armstrong. None of the modern units can be re-charged, but the older ones surely can, and you might save yourself a lot of $$$$$ and headache if it is.

[Mexray]

Yes, the 78's were riveted to the exterior skin...I just replaced the original AC unit on our Ambassador, did all the work myself...it wasn't all that difficult, just took some time to get the old unit removed, etc.

I went with the Carrier unit...the standard height unit...didn't want to pay the add'l $200 of so for the lower clearance model...If I was doing it again, I'd probably go for the lower model now, as they look better, IMHO.

I had to modify the interior trim panel to accommodate the curve of the AS ceiling...that was a pain!