Install Roof Top Air unit.

Williamd683 · 03-15-2017, 08:07 PM

We have a 1979 13 1/2 RD Sunline TT, previous owner installed a window air conditioner in window over sink in back. Want to replace window and thinking about adding a roof unit non ducted. Can this be done? Can the roof support an air unit. Or should I put the window unit back in.

aaron · 03-16-2017, 06:42 AM

Hi William,

I would think you could find a window for you rig on eBay. I think they are Krino windows, but wouldn't bet my life on it. As for the A/C, I would think that rooftop should be sturdy enough to support and A/C. I'm going with "they don't make things today like they did back then". A roof top A/C is about 100lbs.

You could get creative with some wire molding and run the power to the A/C unit across the ceiling and down the wall. Just make sure you have a dedicated breaker for the A/C unit. You rig, is it 30 amps power cord? I'm not totally familiar with that year of Sunlines.

**Sunline Fan** · 03-16-2017, 09:39 AM

The last couple years of Sunline used Kinro, everything prior to that had Hehr windows. Measure your opening and then start looking. The RV surplus places around Elkhart are a good place to start, Bontrager's being a big name one.

Do you have an access cover plate (like wall outlet size) somewhere on your ceiling? On 80s Sunlines, they had them prepped for roof A/C, with proper studs and wiring. The hole was completely covered except for the access hole where the wire ends were, and it usually had a label on the cover plate. I'm not sure if they did this back to 1979, but if you don't have the cover plate somewhere in the middle of your ceiling, adding it will probably require a lot of fabrication. If it is there, it should be a fairly easy addition, just a costly one.

Kimba1234 · 03-17-2017, 02:08 PM

We have a 1994 T-1550. It has no ac unit. We want to add a rooftop unit. It looks like there is a spot for it. Can we add one? Is wiring set up? We ac unit would you recommend? What about Btu?
Thanks

**Sunline Fan** · 03-19-2017, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimba1234

We have a 1994 T-1550. It has no ac unit. We want to add a rooftop unit. It looks like there is a spot for it. Can we add one? Is wiring set up? We ac unit would you recommend? What about Btu?
Thanks

If you have the access cover plate on the ceiling, then it's wired for it, and the framing should be sufficient for it.

I'd look at a Dometic unit, and either 11,000 or 13,500 BTU will be plenty sufficient.

Kimba1234 · 03-19-2017, 06:23 AM

Thank you very much. Great info. I was reading about domestic units and found them to be very reliable and not too expensive

mainah · 03-19-2017, 10:38 AM

Check your breaker box and see if there is a 20 amp breaker if there is one then it is wired. If there is not one see if there is extra wiring in the box not connected to any thing if there is then you'll need to get a breaker but if the wiring is in place then there is wiring to the AC. The units fit in the existing 14X14 opening that the vent hatch is in so it will have to be removed.

Kimba1234 · 03-19-2017, 08:39 PM

Thank you. I will look at the breaker box. Hopefully there is a 20 amp breaker. Life would be much easier

mainah · 03-20-2017, 12:20 PM

My 1990 T1700 was pre-wired with a J box in the ceiling and a 20 amp breaker. I think it's just much easier for them to do it that way then just go on to the next step in construction process just case the build slip said AC.

Kimba1234 · 03-20-2017, 05:32 PM

The 14x14 opening is the vent. We like having that open for fresh air. Will ac unit allow for fresh air when we are not using it?

Kimba1234 · 03-20-2017, 06:15 PM

The vent we like to keep open for fresh air. Will ac unit let fresh air flow through when we're are not using it?

mainah · 03-21-2017, 06:38 AM

Nope. That is the standard mounting for a roof top AC. Maybe some of the newer units have some type of fresh air circulation system but it would mean it would have to be running at least on fan mode. I have no AC I just use a Fantastic Fan works for me yeah every so often the AC would be nice but usually I can get by. Recently I have seen brand new campers with wall mounted standard window type AC units I had toyed with the ideal of giving up some cabinet space (I never use all of it) and just open the cabinet door when I wanted AC but decided it was more effort then need.

**Sunline Fan** · 03-21-2017, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainah

Nope. That is the standard mounting for a roof top AC. Maybe some of the newer units have some type of fresh air circulation system but it would mean it would have to be running at least on fan mode. I have no AC I just use a Fantastic Fan works for me yeah every so often the AC would be nice but usually I can get by. Recently I have seen brand new campers with wall mounted standard window type AC units I had toyed with the ideal of giving up some cabinet space (I never use all of it) and just open the cabinet door when I wanted AC but decided it was more effort then need.

Yeah, all of them I've had, including my 2007 (which granted is ducted), you have to run the fan for any type of circulation. No vent capacity with it.

mainah · 03-21-2017, 03:36 PM

I don't know is some of the newer ones brought in fresh air or not kind of would be a nice feature.

Steve Collins · 03-21-2017, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimba1234

The vent we like to keep open for fresh air. Will ac unit let fresh air flow through when we're are not using it?

No, the A/C is permanently installed in the vent opening. It will no longer work as a vent.

I don't know about the newest A/C units, but the one on our '11 Cougar doesn't bring in fresh air or have a vent mode.

Depending on what part of the country you are in, you may have good cooling by just installing one of the Fantastic fans or similar in the vent. If you are thinking about adding one of the vent covers so that you can keep the vent open in rainy weather, MaxxAir has one that has the fan built in.