A/C Removal

[jenbouldin]

I have a '68 Sovereign and the A/C unit is frozen. Won't run at all. Apparently it is the type of unit with an interior part as well as the rooftop part. Does anyone have experience with removing this unit and not replacing it? We are considering (due to budget constraints) removing the unit and installing aluminum panels over the holes left. Thoughts and suggestions please?

[joel]

I had a 73 model and i t was my first. It was a new experience. I pulled the shroud cleaned the caulk so i could see and started removing screws. Got the unit off and started filling screw holes. Used stainless screws with s spot of vulkem caulk under each one. If you are not going to put another unit on.you have a couple of options.get some aluminum or stainless and screw or rivet a plate over the opening. My choice would be to get at least a 1/4 in thick piece of aluminum and an AC gasket cut the top piece about 1 in wider than the gasket and use another piece LG enough to cover the inside.use at least 4 bolts to pull the 2 pieces together just like installing an AC unit. That way you will be ready to install an AC unit in the future. I have done this twice on units a friend of mine bought to sell.

[HowieE]

I think a standard skylight will fit the hole. Clean and more ventilation if fitted with a fan.

[Belegedhel]

The original AC on my '73 was riveted to the roof around the entire perimeter. After removing the AC, I had a zillion holes left from the original rivets. I made a giant patch that covered the entire area out of .032 aluminum that matched my skin. My inner skins were out, so I bucked it into place, but you could use Olympic rivets as well. In my case, I was installing a new, modern AC, so I then cut a new hole in the patch for the new unit to mount in.

One thing to be very careful of, is that much of the trailer's wiring runs up the center of the ceiling. You need to be very careful with any drilling or screw insertion that you aren't damaging wires.

good luck!