Added second AC, with photos

[Pete'sMH]

After a recent very hot trip DW agreed it was time to add a second roof top AC. In the past we’ve used a portable unit to good effect but it’s cumbersome and we didn’t bring it on this trip. My 30ft Class A (SOB) doesn’t have a roof vent in the bedroom which meant I had to cut and frame a new opening. I spent a ridiculously long time figuring out the hidden roof structure, measuring (and remeasuring!) and simply summoning up the courage to start sawing into my ceiling. I had previously added a 20A secondary electrical service to run my portable AC and a space heater so I was able to tap into that for power. Still, pulling wire through the coach and ceiling to the opening for the new AC was the hardest part of the whole job. I had to relocate a return air duct vent for the existing heat pump and the roof mounted WiFi extender. Also had to reroute some wires and I added a new ceiling light to cover the holes left by the smoke detector. I used a locally sourced, year old, new coach take off Dometic Penguin 2 low profile to which I added the optional heat strip. All in cost was just over $800. It was a fun though complicated project that turned out great!
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[Judge]

Very nice work! Looks like you did a great job and saved a bunch of cash doing it yourself.

Now bring on the heat!!!!

[Lonnieb]

Did you already have a 50Amp plug or do you add it?

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Judge

Very nice work! Looks like you did a great job and saved a bunch of cash doing it yourself.

Now bring in the heat!!!!

Yes, got it done just in time for winter!

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Lonnieb

Did you already have a 50Amp plug or do you add it?

No, I use a separate connection to the power pole’s 20A breaker. But it’s a great question. I’m actually looking into doing that very thing using the second leg of the 50A to feed my 20A breaker/service. For the moment I think I’ve spent enough money for a month or two. DW thinks so too!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

.....cut.... I had previously added a 20A secondary electrical service to run my portable AC and a space heater so I was able to tap into that for power. ....cut...

Very nice.

If you boondock, do you have a way to power rear bedroom A/C from generator? Or would you run the front A/C instead which should be enough at night? This came up once before but can’t recall if it was you (with previous portable).

Great upgrade. No 30-foot Class A should have a single 15,000 A/C in the south.

[16ACE27]

CW finally delivered my new A/C for my same project this week which I ordered in July. I'll tackle the project next weekend. Luckily I do have a bedroom vent I can use but no 120 VAC run yet. I will install a manual Transfer Switch so I can run the bedroom A/C off the generator/30A SP or on its own 20A connection.

[twovillagers]

Pete, you did a first class job! Thanks for the post.

[Laco]

Another possible power source, would be what I did to power the second AC in the Gemini. Mounted a second 30 amp connector for the AC next to the existing one, then used a pigtail connector from both 30 amp connectors to a 50 amp cable and connector, so I could just plug into the 50 amp connector at the pedestal. Worked perfectly.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Laco

Another possible power source, would be what I did to power the second AC in the Gemini. Mounted a second 30 amp connector for the AC next to the existing one, then used a pigtail connector from both 30 amp connectors to a 50 amp cable and connector, so I could just plug into the 50 amp connector at the pedestal. Worked perfectly.

Well, that’s a really clever approach that I’d not thought of. I’ll look into it. Thanks.

[Bob Denman]

Beautiful job, Pete!
Or should I say, "Cool..."?

[paulwadley]

That is a great looking and clean looking installation you did on it.


Paul

[MJC62]

Outstanding! Very professional looking install! R U available for side projects?

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by MJC62

Outstanding! Very professional looking install! R U available for side projects?

Lol. I think DW would rather I go spend someone else’s money once in a while to keep me busy but I doubt that anyone would hire me. I can do good work but I’m VERY slow!

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Beautiful job, Pete!

Or should I say, "Cool..."?

I see what you did there Bob!

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

CW finally delivered my new A/C for my same project this week which I ordered in July. I'll tackle the project next weekend. Luckily I do have a bedroom vent I can use but no 120 VAC run yet. I will install a manual Transfer Switch so I can run the bedroom A/C off the generator/30A SP or on its own 20A connection.

That’s a great idea. Right now I’d need to run an extension cord to the other side if the unit to plug into an outside outlet in order to run the new AC on my generator. It’d work but it’s not very elegant!

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I see what you did there Bob!

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1601045134

[16ACE27]

Well I got mine installed today. No pics yet - too tired, I'll get some in the morning. I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

Thor had run the 12 volt wires to the fan vent through the 1"x1" roof support channel into the storage area behind the bedroom TV, where the outlet is for the TV as well. I was able to cut a Harbor Freight 12 gauge 25' extension cord and after using the 12 volt wires to pull a lead from the vent, I used the lead to pull back the cut end of the extension cord into the vent area, leaving the male end of the extension cord in the storage area behind the TV.

I installed a second outlet in the same area and ran the other end of the extension cord from it, down the interior wall where the other wires were run to the "basement" where the backs of the water heater and furnace are accessible as well as a lot of the plumbing lines and other wiring as well as the location where the current 30 amp and city water connections enter the RV. This allowed me to install a second 30 amp connection on the other end of the 12 gauge extension cord which goes straight to the new outlet.

So I can plug the new A/C into either the current house electrical system or into the dedicated second connection outside the RV.

It was about 80 degrees outside when I tested it today: it draws 10 amps on low and 10.5 amps on high; not a lot of power savings, probably because the compressor has a higher head pressure on low due to less air flow through the condenser.

It looks like I will be able to run both A/Cs on the existing 30 amp system if I don't run much of anything else, the supply breaker and connections are good, and I keep and eye on my connections and usage. I guess I'll find out next summer.

[16ACE27]

Should make it easier to visualize my installation.

Another advantage of this 13.5K BTU A/C is I should be able to keep the bedroom cool at night when boondocking using my Honda 2000 inverter generator.

[16ACE27]

More Pics.