Lessons Learned on AC Install?

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Bandit12

I see you are USAF retired, as am I. When I was active duty I was a jet engine mechanic, or as the AF called it "Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman". Whenever I had to go to the doctor for anything, I'd tell the doc, I won't tell you how to fix people as long as you don't tell me how to fix airplanes and we'll get along fine. That has served me well for over 40 years now. While I'm probably technically competent enough to do this type of install myself, I'd feel better paying someone qualified to do the job and know its done correctly and if I have any issues, I'd have warranty recourse.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Be careful with the above philosophy. In our area the folks working on your RV rotate frequently. The best ones are there and more or less pick and choose the jobs they want. The rest are relegated to the group that "had experience last week doing "xyz" but have never been involved with an RV....different animal. I've seen those folks - and they are at most every dealership so be aware. I know the best techs at my dealership and my trailer always goes to the guy that's the best unless it is a specialized issue. Many of the others just figured out what a pair of dikes or a Robertson head is.

[shiggs68]

Originally Posted by dwdlt

Good morning All,

I'm going to be installing a second AC on my travel trailer this weekend, and I wanted to reach out to the experts on here to see if you have any specific things I need to watch for?

I have a 2016 Laredo 314RE, it is prewired for the second AC in the bedroom, does have 50 am service that I use often, and the AC unit I bought was the Dometic Brisk Air II, 15k unit.

I did a search on this forum and found a bunch of post about AC units, but none specific enough to provide any detailed "gotcha's" to watch out for.

Any advice provided would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Dale

The wire is a ground for the dual gas valve coils. It should be on the mounting screw just to the right.

And BTW, it has nothing to do with your tripping breaker. Suspect your electric heating element is going bad.

[dwdlt]

Originally Posted by goldtrigger

Check the wiring before you get the AC up there. I thought mine was hot and ready for the AC and it was not. Make sure the connectors are correct between the AC and the wiring in the camper. I had to trace back to the fuse panel and put in a new breaker.

2011 Montana Mountaineer

Good point. Thank you

[dwdlt]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Be careful with the above philosophy. In our area the folks working on your RV rotate frequently. The best ones are there and more or less pick and choose the jobs they want. The rest are relegated to the group that "had experience last week doing "xyz" but have never been involved with an RV....different animal. I've seen those folks - and they are at most every dealership so be aware. I know the best techs at my dealership and my trailer always goes to the guy that's the best unless it is a specialized issue. Many of the others just figured out what a pair of dikes or a Robertson head is.

All good points. I am one of those busted knuckle types that does primarily all of my own work. I very rarely pay anybody else to do anything and that includes roofing the house, building garage...u name it. DW does not agree and has had a few choice words for me when I screw something up, but I always do my research and get it taken care of. I just do not trust anybody else to be as anal about things getting done right as I am. Character flaw I know, but it is what it is....With that said, the folks on this forum have a WEALTH of knowledge and have provided me guidance several times when I run into problems with my RV.

[dwdlt]

Originally Posted by Bandit12

I see you are USAF retired, as am I. When I was active duty I was a jet engine mechanic, or as the AF called it "Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman". Whenever I had to go to the doctor for anything, I'd tell the doc, I won't tell you how to fix people as long as you don't tell me how to fix airplanes and we'll get along fine. That has served me well for over 40 years now. While I'm probably technically competent enough to do this type of install myself, I'd feel better paying someone qualified to do the job and know its done correctly and if I have any issues, I'd have warranty recourse.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Good points. And, in theory I agree with you. But, I'm one of those hard headed guys who like to do all my own stuff I recon. I realize that may not be the wisest thing! By the way, I was a flying Crew Chief on the C141 before they retired it. Best days ever! I have been retired for almost 15 years, and have not been on a C141 since the early 90's, but to this day I can still remember the enginers panel gauges, engine run procedures, and all the specs.... Can't find my keys or remember to take my meds, but I recall that stuff!!! LOL

[dwdlt]

Update, and one last call for HELP...

Well, so far, all I have done is got my winch setup in pole barn to lift the AC onto the trailer, and I think that is going to work fine.... Next, I wanted to double check everything on the inside of the vent area before I did anything.

Good thing I did, because...even though it was advertised to be "2nd AC prepped" I do not see or cannot find any wiring at all in the opening.... I pulled the inside trim piece down, and I can see a hole in the wood frame where wiring should come through, but there is not electrical box, and no sign of wiring at all.... Am I missing something?

[Kojac]

Check right in front of the vent for a cover that looks like its covering an electrical outlet,
my electric wire was rolled up in it!!

[JRTJH]

You should find an electric outlet box with a blank plate just forward of the roof vent cutout. Remove the cover from the outlet box and the 120VAC wiring (and possibly the thermostat wiring) will be inside that box. It is close enough to the 14" roof vent cutout that it will be covered by the air conditioner ceiling grid wen the air conditioner is installed...

Here's a photo of what to look for. The decal may/may not be present.
In the second photo, you can see the plate, just forward of (below) the roof vent location with the ceiling trim strip between them...

I found these photos on another website, they are not mine.

[dwdlt]

Originally Posted by Kojac

Check right in front of the vent for a cover that looks like its covering an electrical outlet,
my electric wire was rolled up in it!!

Yep, found it. Thanks

[dwdlt]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

You should find an electric outlet box with a blank plate just forward of the roof vent cutout. Remove the cover from the outlet box and the 120VAC wiring (and possibly the thermostat wiring) will be inside that box. It is close enough to the 14" roof vent cutout that it will be covered by the air conditioner ceiling grid wen the air conditioner is installed...

Here's a photo of what to look for. The decal may/may not be present.
In the second photo, you can see the plate, just forward of (below) the roof vent location with the ceiling trim strip between them...

I found these photos on another website, they are not mine.

Yep, I found it. If it were a snake I would have been done for! Thanks for the help.

[Bandit12]

Originally Posted by dwdlt

By the way, I was a flying Crew Chief on the C141 before they retired it. Best days ever! I have been retired for almost 15 years, and have not been on a C141 since the early 90's, but to this day I can still remember the enginers panel gauges, engine run procedures, and all the specs.... Can't find my keys or remember to take my meds, but I recall that stuff!!! LOL

Booger Hooker! LOL! I started out as a missile cop in Grand Forks from Jan 80 to Feb 85. Then I crosstrained as a jet engine mechanic. Actually, I was CUT trained as a DCC on C-5's out of Dover. Was there from May 85-Aug 94. Worked back shop, engine build up, engine ISO, DCM Staff (Job Control), aircraft debrief, and finally out on the flightline just as they were starting to put the specialists on the line with the crew chiefs. Many times I was assigned as the "crew chief" on a jet with nothing but specialists on the ground crew. Did C-5 run school at Dover, and in early 94, went to 141 run school at McGuire. Left Dover and went to Lajes for 2 years working enroute AMC ground maintenance. With 3 years to go to retirement, the USAF in it's infinite wisdom said, ya know, you ain't worked nothin but cargo birds for your entire maintenance career, we're gonna send your butt to Barksdale to work B-52's. Come September 1, I'll be retired for 22 years. Like you I can still remember the engineers panels for BOTH aircraft, I can still find my keys most of the time, but there are times, I forget why I walked into a room! LOL!

[dwdlt]

Just posting a follow up with results: I finally got the second AC installed, and she is working fine. Took the trailer out last week, and everything worked great with the AC. The only final thoughts I would have is that removing the self leveling sealant from around the inlet after removing the vent is no joke! That was the longest and hardest part of the job.

As always, thanks to all those who replied and gave me tips on how to complete this job.