Installation Question - Carrier AirV Low-Profle

[utee94]

Alright, I've gotten a couple of individual opinions already, but I'm opening this question up to the collective wisdom of the message board.

I'm about to install my new Carrier AirV low-profile 15K BTU w/heat strip, and the unit comes with a thick foam rubber gasket already adhered to the bottom of the basepan. The instructions say to place the upper unit over the opening, and then bolt the lower unit into it from below. The instructions say that once the pre-attached gasket is compressed to 60% of its original thickness, evenly all the way around of course, then you're done.

So my question is, should any additional sealant be used? The options seem to be Vulkem, butyl tape, or RV putty tape. To be of any additional benefit, any of these would have to be applied onto the existing, pre-attached foam rubber gasket.

The instructions don't state that ANY additional sealant is to be used, so does anyone think that there are advantages/disadvantages to adding some type of additional sealant? Would any of the potential sealants actually attack the foam rubber and damage the gasket?

Any feedback is much appreciated, I plan on tackling this today.

Thanks!
-Marcus

[LHall]

Originally Posted by utee94

Alright, I've gotten a couple of individual opinions already, but I'm opening this question up to the collective wisdom of the message board.

I'm about to install my new Carrier AirV low-profile 15K BTU w/heat strip, and the unit comes with a thick foam rubber gasket already adhered to the bottom of the basepan. The instructions say to place the upper unit over the opening, and then bolt the lower unit into it from below. The instructions say that once the pre-attached gasket is compressed to 60% of its original thickness, evenly all the way around of course, then you're done.

So my question is, should any additional sealant be used? The options seem to be Vulkem, butyl tape, or RV putty tape. To be of any additional benefit, any of these would have to be applied onto the existing, pre-attached foam rubber gasket.

The instructions don't state that ANY additional sealant is to be used, so does anyone think that there are advantages/disadvantages to adding some type of additional sealant? Would any of the potential sealants actually attack the foam rubber and damage the gasket?

Any feedback is much appreciated, I plan on tackling this today.

Thanks!
-Marcus

We installed the same unit on our AS and followed the instructions to the T. We did not use any additional sealant and have had absolutely zero leaks or issues. We just made sure we cleaned the area where the gasket comes in contact with the skin of the trailer very well and we used mineral spirits and then followed by soap and water and dried it thoroughly. The old AC unit had the same gasket and no other sealant was used, nor were there any leaks.

Hopefully, this answers your question.
Thanks,

[lewster]

Originally Posted by utee94

Alright, I've gotten a couple of individual opinions already, but I'm opening this question up to the collective wisdom of the message board.

I'm about to install my new Carrier AirV low-profile 15K BTU w/heat strip, and the unit comes with a thick foam rubber gasket already adhered to the bottom of the basepan. The instructions say to place the upper unit over the opening, and then bolt the lower unit into it from below. The instructions say that once the pre-attached gasket is compressed to 60% of its original thickness, evenly all the way around of course, then you're done.

So my question is, should any additional sealant be used? The options seem to be Vulkem, butyl tape, or RV putty tape. To be of any additional benefit, any of these would have to be applied onto the existing, pre-attached foam rubber gasket.

The instructions don't state that ANY additional sealant is to be used, so does anyone think that there are advantages/disadvantages to adding some type of additional sealant? Would any of the potential sealants actually attack the foam rubber and damage the gasket?

Any feedback is much appreciated, I plan on tackling this today.

Thanks!
-Marcus

NO!

There is no reason to use any additional sealant on a roof air's gasket when it is properly seated and tightened. On ocassion, I use a second gasket, specifically when installing a remote drip kit on a Dometic Penguin....but NO SEALANTS!!!

[utee94]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I figured that would be the response, just wanted to make sure.

As usual, the Forum comes through.

Thanks again,
-Marcus