2nd AC install

[HornedToad]

Helped my friend install a 2nd AC in the bedroom of his Kodiak TT this weekend. This is the third AC I've added to an RV, it's a fairly easy job that most should be able to tackle. Here's some pointers...

Materials:
AC unit - I would match to existing, Kodiak had an Advent.
Non Ducted Ceiling Assembly w/ controls to match upper unit
20 amp Romex (yellow)
20 amp Marinco Inlet
Shop supplies

Labor:
Removed existing vent from roof, use your thumb (no tools) to roll off sealant and remove screws/vent. Clean around vent.
The hard part is getting AC on roof. We lifted from back of a pickup onto roof covered by a mat. (lift don't drag)
The AC sits over the opening with a foam compression seal that you bolt down from the inside through the ceiling assembly. I have always ran a thick bead of lap sealant around the opening for a good seal. Duct tape the down draft in ceiling assembly for a good seal to prevent leakage into return air that causes cycling.
We were able to run the romex through the ceiling then down and out through the cabinet. Installing an AC in the garage of a toy hauler I had to run the romex across the ceiling then down and out in electrical raceway. The raceway in the photo is to conceal the romex inside the cabinet.
Use a hole saw to cut an opening for Marinco inlet. Use the next size up to back cut the styrofom and make room for the ring nut.
Watch out for the studs, you can use a stud finder, best way to find studs is to mark them off by the condensation pattern on a cold morning. REMEMBER... measure three or even four times, cut once.
Wire every thing up... I put loops in the romex before the connections to eliminate any tension on the wire, and use electrical tape on top of the wire nuts to secure connections.
You'll have to modify an extension cord with a 20 amp female cord end. Use a 12 gauge short extension cord (no more than 25 ft) to plug into shore power.

Buy an extra blanket for the bedroom.

PS In my old TH when boon docking I would run the extension cord from the garage AC up to the exterior outlet to run off the Onan 5500 generator. In this application buy a high efficiency AC unit that only pulls 10 amps so the generator can run both AC's and the GFI outlet can handle the load.

[Jbee]

Nice write-up!