Rv ac unit

[Shorty Cox]

My winter/spring project is to install a second AC unit in my 2012 31.5 FBHS. I need some advise. The bunkhouse is above the 5th wheel hitch and the bedroom is in the rear. The current AC unit is located in the middle of the 5th wheel (living room/kitchen). I question to you is: Would you install the 2nd AC unit in the bunkhouse or the bedroom and why?

Next question. I don't know anything about RV AC units. What "brand" AC unit would you suggest and why?

Regardless of where I install it, I know I'm going to have to do some electrical modifications. That goes without saying.

Any input would be appreciated.

Shorty

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Shorty Cox

snip.....Regardless of where I install it, I know I'm going to have to do some electrical modifications. That goes without saying......snip

Shorty,

If you haven't already I would contact Jayco and have them send you the electrical/plumbing schematics along with the framing diagram for your FW ....... they may come in handy (have your VIN handy when you contact them).

Location, good question. My first thought would be the rear bedroom/bathroom area do to it's size along with closing the existing A/C vents in this area may allow for more ducted A/C being directed to the smaller front bunkhouse area from the existing A/C ...., just thinking out loud.

Bob

[Doug]

X2
Have to agree with Bob.

[dlfeather]

Do you have a 50amp service? If you do it is premiered for a second AC. You would have to see which vent is wired for the unit then. If you have a 30 amp service, I would have to see which vent is going to be the easiest to get wires to and from the pole. Either way it might be a big project.

Another thing to think about or ask Jayco is if the roof is reinforced at a particular vent for a second AC unit.

[Shorty Cox]

Thanks for the input. I knew it would drift to the electrical side of the installation. I really would like input on where to install the AC unit, plus Brand to purchase.

Shorty

[Doug]

Bedroom, Coleman. I've had several Coleman units, current one since 2007 and never had a problem.

[Shorty Cox]

Doug, thanks for the input. I have been pricing AC units. Wide range in their cost. Plus there is the 13,500 btu and 15,000 btu. Not sure about the size. I just need one with enough BTU's to cool a BUT as big as a TUB. Coleman is a brand on many things RV related.

[Shorty Cox]

Yesterday 2-4-13, I checked with the Jayco dealer regarding installing a 2nd AC unit in my Bunkhouse. Estamated cost...$2500. Converting to 50amp, adding additional breaker box, wireing, and installing Coleman unit. Sounds high, what do you guys think?

Shorty

[mcfarmall]

If you're paying a shop to do it...you're probably in the ballpark. If you are doing it yourself, I'd say it's a bit high.

[mikefos]

Well, I recently got estimates for adding a non-ducted unit to our front bedroom on a separate 20 amp circuit w/ an outlet on the trailer wall from which I can run an extension cord (20 amp) and plug into the camp site's power pedestal. The most reasonable estimate by a respected RV mobile tech was about $1200. It's out of my league to do it myself. I got estimates as high as about $3K from a dealer. The others were in the ball park of $1100-$1500. Am looking to get this started perhaps this month. Coleman is the brand I will be installing, and I think I will go w/ the 13.5K unit, as the bedroom and bathroom are in the front of the rig and that's where the help is needed on those hot Texas days after being on the road for awhile to get things cooled down in a reasonable amount of time. That area is not extremely large.

Mike

[Shorty Cox]

Well, Guys, I think $2500 is just too high. Unit cost $600, give or take, leaving $1900 for the other stuff. Looks like I will just do it myself and power it seperate from the rest of the camper utilizing the 20amp plug on the pedestal. Wish me luck!!!!

Shorty

[mikefos]

Originally Posted by Shorty Cox

Well, Guys, I think $2500 is just too high. Unit cost $600, give or take, leaving $1900 for the other stuff. Looks like I will just do it myself and power it seperate from the rest of the camper utilizing the 20amp plug on the pedestal. Wish me luck!!!!
Shorty

Alrighty, keep us posted w/ how it goes and pics.

Mike

[mcfarmall]

Just wire up a long cord to the A/C and flop it over the edge of the roof and over to the pedestal. Maybe you can make it into my Redneck A/C album that I'm compiling.

BE NOT OFFENDED, I'M ONLY YANKING YOUR CHAIN!!

[krackeer]

I called my dealer today to ask about putting a non ducted unit in my bunkhouse. I told him what I wanted to do which was by a 13.5 btu non-ducted ac unit and use the roof vent that is there. Run the wire to the back of the TT to allow me to plug in on a 20 amp pedestal, so as not to effect my current 30 amp service. He told me it would cost around $2000! Asked about doing the same and changing my TT to 50 amp severice and he said over $3000! Needless to say I said no thank you. I am now checking other dealers in the area to ask their cost.

[Shorty Cox]

Farmall, not at all offended. The Redneck way many times is the best. As soon as it warms up some, I'm going to get started on this project. Got to have it completed before Kitty and I take the Gkids to Branson in the summer. I have been spending some time over on RV.net forum. Many of the RV'ers over there have added the 2nd AC just by wireing it seperate to the rest of the unit with good luck. When I start, I will keep you guys posted plus pics.

Shorty

[Texas_T]

Hey Shorty, I have a 2011 and have thought about the same thing. I would like to put one up in the front bunk area but was a little concerned about the height up at the front and maybe dragging the A/C off the top of my rig. I know the chance of it happening would probably be slim but with my luck it would happen the first day. I am curious about upgrading the service from a 30 amp to 50. Learning something new about trailer life every time I pull out I wish I had 50 amp to start out with, and I wonder what it would take to upgrade to 50 amp. If you do something post it and let us know how it goes, and I might be next on the list. If it don't break the bank.

[krackeer]

Originally Posted by Shorty Cox

Farmall, not at all offended. The Redneck way many times is the best. As soon as it warms up some, I'm going to get started on this project. Got to have it completed before Kitty and I take the Gkids to Branson in the summer. I have been spending some time over on RV.net forum. Many of the RV'ers over there have added the 2nd AC just by wireing it seperate to the rest of the unit with good luck. When I start, I will keep you guys posted plus pics.

Shorty

I looked around rv net in an attempt to find some help on the matter. not much luck. any chance of you posting a link? TIA

[mikefos]

Originally Posted by krackeer

I called my dealer today to ask about putting a non ducted unit in my bunkhouse. I told him what I wanted to do which was by a 13.5 btu non-ducted ac unit and use the roof vent that is there. Run the wire to the back of the TT to allow me to plug in on a 20 amp pedestal, so as not to effect my current 30 amp service. He told me it would cost around $2000! Asked about doing the same and changing my TT to 50 amp severice and he said over $3000! Needless to say I said no thank you. I am now checking other dealers in the area to ask their cost.

Many mobile RV techs do this type of work for much cheaper than any dealer, and do it well (the additional AC non-ducted unit). That is the route I am going after getting estimates from both dealers and reputable mobile RV techs. You may want to investigate this.

Mike

[taylorj]

The price is way too high. I just installed a 3rd A/C in my bunkhouse for my 365 BHS. Coleman 13.5, wire ran outside for another 30 amp cord above my 50 amp plug. Drive out price was 1,000 dollars.
Camper 10
2010 365 BHS
2005 Dodge 3500 DRW

[Seann45]

Simple physics says cold air drops so I would put it in the bunkhouse since that is on top of the 5th wheel..