AC install

[ocd]

Has anyone installed a AC unit in a QS 10 and where to get the parts

[admin]

Are you starting from scratch or simply replacing the original one?

[david]

I don't know how the factory air conditioner works. It says that it is a window unit that mounts on a TV stand whatever that means.

But I have seen window units grafted into the front or rear of the trailer, mostly as a user add on. You have to cut a rectangle in the aluminum and interior Azdel panel to poke it through. And you will have to some creative aluminum bracing to support it.

Wiring should be straightforward if you have the 30 amp AC package assuming the converter has a spare breaker for the air conditioner.

But this is a significant DIY project and you need to be really hands on to make it work.

David

[ocd]

Yes starting from scratch. From what I have learned Livinlite sells a kit. The A/C unit used is Frigidaire FFRE0833Q1  8000 BTU

[sandyu]

I have always wondered about using a dual hose portable ac unit. They are suppose to work very well, much more efficient than a single hose unit. I have a  factory window ac unit in my camper but I think the box they put it in really hurts its efficiency. There is no way it can get enough ventilation boxed like that.    I could see me taking the old unit out and venting the portable unit hoses through the space where the old unit was or simply between the tent canvas and camper. Just a thought.

Downsides are they are expensive and they must sit straight up for a couple hours before you can start them. Since they are tall you would have to lay it down in the camper when traveling.

[admin]

Prior to the more current system, where the AC unit is mounted and boxed in, they put the AC units on sliders. This way a door could be opened and then the AC would like out far enough to allow for great ventilation but it didnt require anything to be stuck out the side while not in use.

I havent taken mine apart though so I dont have any good pictures or advice on how you might retrofit a unit.

[dp]

Actually a 8000 BTU is just a little short. If I ever have to replace mine I will put in a 10,000.

[ocd]

I just talked to Jack from livinlite. He informed me that installing a A/C unit would require additional bracing in wall. After Jack from livin lite did the research he informed me that A/C kit was $150. I ordered and installed myself and camper feels great in the summer sun. Fairly easy install.

[sandyu]

If you do go portable let us know how it goes. I'm so tempted to take out my ac and installing a 14000btu dual hose portable. That might make the camper cool enough to take a mid-day nap in the heat of the summer.

[walt3]

Has anyone found a 10k btu ac that's the same size as the 8k units?

[sandyu]

Well, I went ahead and bought a 11,000 portable dual hose ac.   I bought it from Wally World online and it should be here next week.  I let you guys know what I figure out. I would love to have a camper that could be cool resting spot in the middle of a July day.

One thing I have learned from doing my ac research is livin lite should have installed a through the wall ac unit in that box and not a window unit. The through the wall units  look just like window units, but are able to cool themselves through the ends not the sides like a window unit.The way they are set up now the boxed in units create a lot of negative air pressed pulling in a lot of hot air from the outside hurting the ac ability to keep the camper cool. In my opinion the way my 2013 camper ac is boxed in the 8000btu ac probably performs like a 4,000 btu ac. The boxed in units are wider and none would fit in my ac box. Maybe that's why they don't use them.  

[admin]

Thats part of the reason I'm glad my QS still had the ability to slide the AC all the way out. This way I dont interfere with the function of the unit. I also like the fact that while not in use I close it up completely and dont have anything hanging out.

I wonder why they went with the boxed units in the first place?

[sandyu]

Just to let you know the portable 11,000btu unit running along with my ac still wasn't enough to cool my 10.0 on a 90 degree day. I guess there is no way to overcome no insulation. I thought  if I threw enough btus at it would overcome the lack of insulation. The best it could do is make the camper temperature the same as outside with no humidity. This was much more comfortable but not worth hauling the extra ac around.

[walt3]

Something we did to help was made curtains out of a cheap quilt  for the bed ends. We were in 90+ last summer and it let the inside get down to about 85 with fans helping move the ac air around. Next thing for me to try is a roll of foil covered bubble wrap insulation that an airstream buddy gave me. Thinking of cutting some pieces that I can put into the windows between the screen and the plastic window..

[sandyu]

Thought about that myself. I would try just closing off the ac end of camper with your quilt and just insulating that end of the camper. Leave the windows open on the other side. See if you can cool a small portion of the camper. Pretty sure my ac would not cool entire camper even if it was insulated.