Airconditioner location on a 78' Minuet

[ericandterry]

I'd like to put an A.C unit on my 78' Minuet and would like to know if anyone out there knows the location of the block out for it and the wiring? I'd like to know so that when I take it to Camping World there is no confusion as to where it needs to be placed.
Thanks !

[overlander64]

Greetings EricandTerry!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstreaming!

The Minuet may be one of the few Airstream products of the 1970s that needed to be ordered with an option to be pre-wired for air conditioning. I purchased my Minuet (6 Metre) from its original owner last Fall. It had never had an air conditioner installed, but when the original owner special ordered the trailer it had the air conditioner prep package. I don't know what this included, but assume that it included the following - - breaker and pre-wire to "blank-box" mounted in ceiling (approximately 16" from the bathroom bulkhead); supplemental bracing in structure; and drain tubes in the wall. The air conditoner position will vary depending upon which Minuet model you have - - 6.0 Metre, 6.7 Metre, or 7.4 Metre.

I just had a Coleman Mini-Mach air conditioner installed at Ace Fogdall RV in Cedar Falls, IA. The air conditioner was installed in a 14" square hole that was cut in the ceiling such that it replaced the "blank-box" that contained the wiring. In the Vintage Airstreams it was unlikely to find air conditioners installed in vent openings, rather the air conditioner was nearly always cut in at a location measured from a point at the front of the coach (this measurement is available from most Airstream dealers or Airstream customer service. In the '78 6 Metre Minuet, you would sacrifice its only roof vent opening if the the air condtioner were to be installed in an existing vent optning. In my case, I didn't splurge on one of the models with the special condesate pan so mine discharges over the roof.

If your coach doesn't have the "blank-box" electrical box in the ceiling, I would suggest contacting Airstream to see what steps would be necessary to prepare your coach. Just as a word of caution - - - if you haven't already checked with Camping World, it would be advisable to do so as some of their locations are very reluctant to install air conditioners on Airstream products especially when it comes to cutting a hole in the roof.

Good luck with your project!

Kevin