How many holes for new ac install?

[247stream]

so, for currently having no a/c unit...how many holes should I expect to be made to install one?

after speaking with my local co for 20 minutes this is what they said to me. to support the a/c they will add z-bar which will be riveted to the roof and ceiling but not supported by any of the ribs. i'm concerned about that because they'll be adding a bunch of new potential leak areas. I see everyone else supporting with wood...is that wood getting attached to ribs? is it creating holes in the roof? for a new install should I only be needing the 4 bolt holes or should I expect more?

[Silver Hawk]

When they installed mine they used wood - to reinforce around the opening, not over to the ribs. Sounds like they are using the steel z-moulding instead/inplace of wood. Sounds better, and would have the same number of screw holes. I'd go with it.

[Splitrock]

The air conditioner I installed required one hole. I reinforced the opening from rib to rib with a wood frame.


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[overlander64]

Greetings 247stream!

Originally Posted by 247stream

so, for currently having no a/c unit...how many holes should I expect to be made to install one?

after speaking with my local co for 20 minutes this is what they said to me. to support the a/c they will add z-bar which will be riveted to the roof and ceiling but not supported by any of the ribs. i'm concerned about that because they'll be adding a bunch of new potential leak areas. I see everyone else supporting with wood...is that wood getting attached to ribs? is it creating holes in the roof? for a new install should I only be needing the 4 bolt holes or should I expect more?

The reinforcement of the perimeter of the square opening for the new air conditioner is important because the modern RV air conditioners clamp the inner and outer units together creating compression between the roof and the ceiling. The supports keep this clamping action from compressing/deforming either the ceiling or roof panels which could result in a leak. The only question I would raise about using steel bracing is the potential for dissimilar metals creating a corrosion problem. I have heard of both wood and aluminum being utilized for the bracing but not steel . . . the Airstream dealer who installed the air conditioners in both my Overlander and Minuet utilized wood for the bracing.

Good luck with your air conditioner install!

Kevin

[247stream]

I know the perimeter needs to be supported its their choice of support that concerns me. forgetting for a moment that I needed to verify that they would be using aluminum, I was concerned about all the additional holes needed when using the z-bar as opposed to a wood support going from rib to rib.

splitrock your post is probably why I was thinking that the support could be/should be attached to the 2 ribs and what made me think that the support shouldn't need any holes in the roof & ceiling. I like the way you did yours.

while many threads discuss installing an a/c, besides splitock I haven't seen one mention any particulars of the support except that they added some so I've been unsure what others are doing.

there is only 1 chance to get this done the best way and I don't want to regret the way the install ends up. believe me, if I felt like I could physically do it I certainly would much rather than letting someone else. I feel like I have enough knowledge but I also know that reading about it and doing it are 2 different things!

[Silverflames]

When I installed mine, I cut the 14"x 14" as close to the forward rib as possible. Much of the weight of the unit rests on that rib. I used pressure treated 2x4s cut to width and length. I put black duct tape on the sides of the 2x4 to try to limit the exposure of the PT chemicals with the aluminum. Then sealed both sides and screwed through the top and bottom with Stainless steel screws. The unit completely covers all the screws.

It is really amazing how stiff and strong that box is once it is attached to both the roof and the ceiling. I weigh 220+ lbs, and I could easily hang from it.

[Splitrock]

I didn't attach the wood supports to the ribs. I ran the two long supports rib to rib and then I attached two 14" cross pieces to the two longer pieces to frame the opening. The OEM opening was just to the rear of the front rib, but there was still room to frame the opening behind the front rib.



http://www.airforums.com/forums/f478...tml#post869476

Note the location of the rib.

Best of luck with your project.

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[Splitrock]

I installed mine 3 years ago. No sagging and no leaking. It still cools like it was new. I'd do it all the same if I had to do it again.

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[247stream]

I finally found the thread with the pics I remembered...what minno did spanned-to and attached-at the ribs thereby eliminating the need for holes in the roof.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f185...-50967-26.html

thanks for your link splitrock but do you have pics of your support set up? I read about it but since I haven't done it or seen any of it, my brain can't wrap around what/how you did you did it. you say you ran them rib to rib...do they fit 'into, on, over, under' how do they fit at the rib that's the part I don't get.

[Splitrock]

I was working so fast that any pictures would only have showed a blur of Airstream activity. I installed two wood pieces cut to the length of the space between the ribs. I installed them between the two skins and between the two ribs. See picture of cavity between skins in picture in the post of mine above. Then I installed the two cross pieces between the two long pieces between the two skins and attached the two cross pieces to the two long pieces with pocket screws. The load is carried by the two skins and the furring frame.

[Splitrock]

I found some forum pictures of the framed opening.



http://www.airforums.com/forums/f310...ml#post1171445

There are other pictures to be found on the forum.

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[cwf]

Here is our pics

[247stream]

a blur of activity...funny splitock!

I just don't get how the framing is supported/fitted at the rib...is the rib an I-beam, a c-channel or what? and how far apart are the ribs? This might be one of those times that I won't understand unless I'm looking at the construction of the trailer for myself.

but thanks everyone

[cwf]

Here is framing of roof hole where FF was previously installes

[Splitrock]

The frame is not supported at the ribs on mine. The rib spacing can be measured at the side of the trailer. The ribs are "U" shaped and are easy to measure by the rivets.

This is how the ribs look on a trailer like mine.



http://www.airforums.com/forums/f184...ml#post1097351

[247stream]

thanks again splitrock. I know you said yours wasn't supported by the ribs but the other (minno) is so I've been trying to figure out how.

DUH! yep, where the rivets are is how far apart the ribs are. :P sometimes my blond hair shows through despite the fact that I'm a brunette! haha

[Silverflames]

Some people, will run two supports (front to back) attached to the closest ribs. Then frame the other two sides in on them. The down side to that is you may have to pull more ceiling panels down, but to would be a lot stronger.

The screw it down from the top and bottom.

If I would have to do it again, that's way I would do it. I would also use aluminum instead of wood, maybe on my next AS!

[247stream]

love your drawing silverflames, thanks. i'll be sure to hand that over to my installer. haha

I'm sure seeing it all firsthand would make it easier to understand. I may try to put off the installation for this first season so I can have the time to either figure it out to do myself or convince the camper place to do it 'my' way.

thanks all

[247stream]

well I saw it today and the install is complete. They used aluminum z-bar and attached the support to one rib but I'm satisfied. I really couldn't have imagined doing the work myself so I'm happy that after all my chats with them that I felt comfortable enough to let them do it and the results were good. she won't be home until later today so I can't say how many holes were added but I also know that it was better left in their capable hands and now I don't care how many holes. after all, what's a few more rivets to have to check the status of when there are so many already on the trailer. though I've been freaked out about the whole thing, it's all over and I can't wait to take her out now.

thanks for the support everyone.

[cwf]

Pics!!!??? When y'all home safe of course!