Roof AC Attachment Question

[svoshop]

Good Morning,

So we picked up a new Seneca ( review to come soon ). I have a question with respect to some self inflicted hardship.

Our first night out in the coach, and I made an error in judgement and backed into a parking spot that had a low branch. Of course that pushed in the rear AC unit condensor.

So, I looked at it and moved the fan back some ( its adjustable ) bent back some metal framing that holds the condensor in place and it all still works. I intend to get the condensor replaced or see if I can straighten it ( as it now is "V" Shaped )

My question is this... Has anyone removed the whole unit. What is used as a gasket to seal? We hit rain and sat parked in rain with no leaks apparent. But I would feel better checking the system over. Can I access the seal for inspection from inside? Or do I need to plan on removing the entire setup for gasket/seal inspection.

Thanks in advance

Mike

[Grumpy]

Do you have a visible plastic vent in the bedroom ceiling, about 16x16? If yes remove that(5 screws as there is one under the filter access) and you can see the gasket.

[svoshop]

Yes, we have the plastic covering that has the vents/screens in it.

I was hoping that would be the answer for my easy inspection.

From some quick online research, it appears that it does take a foam type of gasket. The unit does not appear that it moved, just customized that condenser. SMH.

But to be safe, I wanted to inspect further. Hopefully I will be able to see if there is any damage from the impact.

FYI: Our maiden voyage was from Cincinnati to Fort Wilderness ( I see Disney Lover )

Thanks,

Mike

[Jagiven]

That is a bummer!

Do you know what AC unit you have? Is it a ducted unit?

If you type in "RV AC Gasket" into Amazon lots will pop up, you can get them from many websites, or the dealership. Only size size I am aware of is a 14" x14". Some do use a few extra strips of foam, to help support the AC unit.

Generally speaking it is easy to remove and reinstall. You do need to disconnect the thermostat and power wires. Best to have a helper to lift the AC, and something to place the AC on to minimize the risk of damaging the roof.

[svoshop]

The black plastic cover says Coleman Mack.

As for if it uses ducts, I am not positive. There are ducts back there, but they bring air from the front unit also. This is more of a secondary unit for the bedroom.

I am amazed that the little condenser hung in there and still actually works. It got pushed into the plastic fan, but I actually slid the fan back on the rod and re-worked things as best I could and it appears no freon was lost as the unit blows cold and did not show any visible leaks.

If the gasket appears safe, I think I am going to try and straighten the condenser with two 2x4's ( ruler sized ) and a C-clamp to hopefully straighten it back out. Or at least make better.

Or my OCD will kick in and I will have it replaced. I just do not have the ability to solder a new condenser on or recharge the system. And I hate having others touch my stuff.

Mike

[svoshop]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

That is a bummer!
.

And yea, it was. But didn't ruin the trip. Gotta break the new toys in somehow

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by svoshop

If the gasket appears safe, I think I am going to try and straighten the condenser with two 2x4's ( ruler sized ) and a C-clamp to hopefully straighten it back out. Or at least make better.

That may then cause a leak since copper cracks pretty easily. Are you at the FORT now?

[svoshop]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

That may then cause a leak since copper cracks pretty easily. Are you at the FORT now?

Yea, thought about just leaving it alone too... Maybe I will forget that its crooked under that cover lol

We are now back home. We were in spot 1015

[Rustynuts]

You most likely have the same unit as our 2018.5 and it is a ducted Airxcel (coleman) unit. If you remove the inside grill you will see a metal plate in the ceiling opening with 4 long bolts going up to the AC unit. You can loosen these and reposition the AC unit and or gasket. The gasket is a pretty thick and dense tapered unit, some manuals say to torque the bolts back down but if you see 4 white tabs on the gasket, these are indicators of how far to tighten the bolts down. You tighten the bolts until the white tab is even with the roof material at all 4 points. You can also see and check the alignment of the unit and gasket in the roof opening. While you have it opened up, you might as well check to see how well they trimmed and sealed up your ducts and plenum.....you may be shocked. I have attached some pics of a before and after of how the ducts were trimmed out and one of after I taped and sealed it up. Take a look at this thread where I cleaned things up and did some air flow mods which makes these units MUCH better!


https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ods-81502.html

[svoshop]

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ods-81502.html

Many thanks!! Your thread on the airflow upgrade was on my list.

Now I just need to go inspect the unit.

Mike