a/c in a '78 pop up

[d.pishna]

Im new to campers in general, my first one was a total flop (2001 palomino) never had a chance to use it. However i bought a '78 jayco in great condition everything on it works great, only thing ive had to do in the 6 months or so of owning it was to put a new main cable on it. Our 2nd trip out with it was a very hot weekend and the wife was not pleased as to how little a box fan and roof vent helped. So i am seeking information as to how i would go about putting in a roof top a/c. Is there a certian place it has to be located or on one of that age is it even possible?

[kiknads]

can always just use a portable one that sits on the ground. i'd say getting power up to the roof would be the hardest part

[d.pishna]

Wife doesn't want to sacrifice what storage there is for a window a/c to be put in on the floor

[DocBrown]

By the '90s pop ups were built "AC ready", that is they had the wiring built in and ran through a pre-stiched column in the canvas wall. The wiring ran to the roof vent which could be removed to install an AC. Not too many people were buying them with AC on until the 2000s. Ours '93 1208 never had one.

That said even if you find a way to mount the AC and run the wiring you'll need to up grade the rest of the 110 wiring to handle the additional amperage the AC will require. You may have to replace your 20 amp power converter for a 30 amp, and the shore power cable as well.

In my opinion you'd be better off selling what you have and looking for a newer model that has an AC already on it.

[Grumpy]

78 does not have the roof to support an ac unit. You would need to contact JAYCO to see if the cross supports are even available.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

By the '90s pop ups were built "AC ready", that is they had the wiring built in and ran through a pre-stiched column in the canvas wall. The wiring ran to the roof vent which could be removed to install an AC. Not too many people were buying them with AC on until the 2000s. Ours '93 1208 never had one.

That said even if you find a way to mount the AC and run the wiring you'll need to up grade the rest of the 110 wiring to handle the additional amperage the AC will require. You may have to replace your 20 amp power converter for a 30 amp, and the shore power cable as well.

In my opinion you'd be better off selling what you have and looking for a newer model that has an AC already on it.

X2. Also adding weight to a unit that probably wasn't to handle it might be a problem. They do make a portable AC unit that vents thru a window thru a 6" flex hose. They pull about 10Amps and could be powered by running a separate heavy duty extension directly to the power post. We used one on our houseboat because it could be powered by a single H2000 genny. They cost in the neighborhood of $150. Got mine at Sams Club.

[d.pishna]

thanks for the information!

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

X2. Also adding weight to a unit that probably wasn't to handle it might be a problem. They do make a portable AC unit that vents thru a window thru a 6" flex hose. They pull about 10Amps and could be powered by running a separate heavy duty extension directly.

I have seen lots of these little portable units in PUs, the run the 6 inch hot air duct out a corner seam.

We used one at our old house, it worked great, and it was very small.

[d.pishna]

kinda thinking about selling it and purchasing a hybrid, i like the looks of a regular camper but still have the sleeping space as a pop up.

[campkcco]

Maybe a marine portable unit that sits on the roof where the hatch is. Light weight. Its what boaters use .

[d.pishna]

thats a good idea never thought of that