Can a rooftop a/c be added if there is not a roof vent?

John&Joey wrote:
Don't forget you'll need a dedicated 20amp line to it.

Also some coaches are funny about dripping condensation. Be aware of that too. I saw one custom job fill up the awning at night with water! Usually it is okay, but just make sure that the way water runs works with your roof / awning.

billyboy wrote:

kmb1966 wrote:
Update.... Hopefully I won't have to resort adding the rooftop unit. I managed to get my basement a/c working. With the help of Airxcel, I installed a new control board (PC BOARD KIT 6535), and it is now all working correctly.
The new board was slightly different than the old board, but online directions from airxcel worked great.

Does the ac unit have to be pulled to replace the pc board

No. Mine did not. There is an access panel on the front left that comes off by removing 3 screws. Then you can see the PC board, the capacitors, etc.
Had to label each wire carefully because I ended up having to remove all the wires from the old board, mount the new board and re-connect up everything.

kmb1966 wrote:
Update.... Hopefully I won't have to resort adding the rooftop unit. I managed to get my basement a/c working. With the help of Airxcel, I installed a new control board (PC BOARD KIT 6535), and it is now all working correctly.
The new board was slightly different than the old board, but online directions from airxcel worked great.

Does the ac unit have to be pulled to replace the pc board

kmb1966 wrote:
Update.... Hopefully I won't have to resort adding the rooftop unit. I managed to get my basement a/c working. With the help of Airxcel, I installed a new control board (PC BOARD KIT 6535), and it is now all working correctly.
The new board was slightly different than the old board, but online directions from airxcel worked great.

Very nice!

Update.... Hopefully I won't have to resort adding the rooftop unit. I managed to get my basement a/c working. With the help of Airxcel, I installed a new control board (PC BOARD KIT 6535), and it is now all working correctly.
The new board was slightly different than the old board, but online directions from airxcel worked great.

.

dougrainer wrote:
1. It is simple to determine if the roof has structure for the weight. The AC complete weighs 90 lbs. STAND on the area you want to cut the hole. IF the roof does NOT give, then it will support an AC.
2. I cannot remember on your year model with a basement air. Did Winne run the AC air up the back wall to a ceiling duct system? They used too. That would make installing a Roof AC easier. You can cut thru the roof and duct and then make and install a plenum to block off the roof plenum and have the air come out the roof AC. If you have roof Plenums now, are they down the middle or off to one side of center? If off to one side you can install the roof AC and run the air thru the existing plenum. Doug

Thank you for all of your help.
Yes, there is an air duct that runs up the rear wall (inside the closet) to the ceiling duct system. the vents are not in the center, but to the left and right of center. I figured I could use the existing power to the basement a/c as a source for the roof top a/c.
I did install a rooftop in the middle vent already. I use it as supplemental a/c to the basement, as well as a backup a/c, since I figured if the basement a/c was having problems, none of it would work correctly. I figured right on that one.
The idea of the 2nd Rooftop a/c is just a thought at this point. My new PC board for the basement a/c is coming in tomorrow, and I am HOPING that I can figure out how to swap out the old style board with the new style board. Supposedly there are step by step instructions on how to wire up the new board. I plan to take it slow, take pictures, and hopefully the new board will fix my problem with the basement a/c. The next time I buy a motorhome, I will not have basement a/c. It has it's good and bad, but I like multiple independent units so that if there is a problem with one of them, at least there is another one to get by on until it can be fixed. And total replacement of rooftop units is under $1k and can be installed by me. Basement a/c? not sure yet if I can repair it myself. No one in my area is willing to look at repairing my basement a/c. I am on my own, or have to drive a distance to get it fixed.

1. It is simple to determine if the roof has structure for the weight. The AC complete weighs 90 lbs. STAND on the area you want to cut the hole. IF the roof does NOT give, then it will support an AC.
2. I cannot remember on your year model with a basement air. Did Winne run the AC air up the back wall to a ceiling duct system? They used too. That would make installing a Roof AC easier. You can cut thru the roof and duct and then make and install a plenum to block off the roof plenum and have the air come out the roof AC. If you have roof Plenums now, are they down the middle or off to one side of center? If off to one side you can install the roof AC and run the air thru the existing plenum. Doug

If it were mine, I would bite the bullet and have the basement unit repaired, but it's your call. I would suspect there would be extensive labor in installing a roof unit due to routing wiring to power the roof unit as well as the lead from the T-stat.

Good luck with your choice of action and safe travels.....

Part of this depends on what your roof trusses are made out of. If Aluminum then possible two would be enough if you welded in a box. If wood I would want 4 to carry the load.

Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.