I finally installed the air conditioner. Initially I had problems with my camper being/not being "pre-wired" for AC. Factory hadn't completed the wiring chase. The supply wire was there but no way to get to the air conditioner. Initially factory thought I was inept but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
So I ran a fish tape through and after borrowing my sons (EMT) stethoscope heard exactly where the factory forgot to make an access hole.
So I drilled a hole actually hitting the fish tape and made my own enclosure to hide the wiring. Think it looks better than the steel box.
When I went to buy an air conditioner I checked internet sources and then called up local RV dealers. Internet prices were at least $100 cheaper. Even suggested to one local RV dealer that difference and that if we could meet somewhere in the middle, I'd buy locally. Didn't care! So I bought from AdventurerRV.net and they had it shipped and at my front door in no time. However...as I watched the FedEx delivery driver carefully roll it out the door on it's side I had a sinking feeling that this was not going to be a good sign. Sometimes I hate it when I'm right. Opened up the box, initially everything looked ok. Removed the cardboard packaging and found loose parts.
Somebody thought that wrapping a nylon strap around the compressor tubing as the primary thing holding the air conditioner to the pallet was a good idea. So at some point in the shipping process the strap tried it's best to hold the unit in place and ripped out one of the compressor mounting bolts that is fastened to the sheet metal floor pan, bent the other two. There was also damage to the foam that supports the air conditioner between the roof and the unit bottom. Contacted AdventurerRV and initially they said it was just minor and could be bent back and would give me a 10% refund to go away and forget this ever happened. A little convincing and I boxed it up for FedEx to pick it back up.
On one hand AdventurerRV has great prices and there customer service is not bad. What I don't like is that they WILL NOT speak to you directly. You cannot talk to them over the phone. You have to go through email or chat. It works but sometimes you just want to talk to someone and issues would seem to be cleared up quicker. I expressed to them that Coleman set us both up for failure with their poor packaging and then FedEx's poor handling did the rest. Luckily I had purchased shipping insurance.
I saw internet ordering of an air conditioner no longer a wise move since it would be delivered either FedEx or UPS so back to the local dealer. This time I went in person and caught them having a sale. I asked how there air conditioners were shipped and he said, we buy in bulk and get a large order delivered truck freight on pallets. That is what needs to happen. Exterior of box was in mint condition and this time there wasn't a strap wrapped around the compressor tubing. Hmmm, is somebody listening or did they get tired of returned damaged units?
The next step was by far the hardest part of the entire job. Removing the existing vent. Removing the two layers of sealant. If there is an easy way of doing it, I don't know it. I searched the internet, asked the RV dealer and basically carefully removed it with a putty knife.
RV dealer suggested denatured alcohol which IMO, did nothing. After removing the vent I put sealant in all of the screw holes and let it dry.
I thought the next step of getting the air conditioner on the roof was going to be difficult but it was really easy. My son pulled his truck right next to the camper. I put my leveling chocks at his rear tires, rolled up another 4" in height and the two of us easily set the AC on the roof.
Hooking up the AC is really easy. There is a YouTube video on the inside connections. It's really straight forward.
I asked the local RV dealer what they charged for AC installation. I was told a "couple" hours of labor and the shop rate is $120 per hour. This is a job you can do. ๐
So I ran a fish tape through and after borrowing my sons (EMT) stethoscope heard exactly where the factory forgot to make an access hole.
So I drilled a hole actually hitting the fish tape and made my own enclosure to hide the wiring. Think it looks better than the steel box.
When I went to buy an air conditioner I checked internet sources and then called up local RV dealers. Internet prices were at least $100 cheaper. Even suggested to one local RV dealer that difference and that if we could meet somewhere in the middle, I'd buy locally. Didn't care! So I bought from AdventurerRV.net and they had it shipped and at my front door in no time. However...as I watched the FedEx delivery driver carefully roll it out the door on it's side I had a sinking feeling that this was not going to be a good sign. Sometimes I hate it when I'm right. Opened up the box, initially everything looked ok. Removed the cardboard packaging and found loose parts.
Somebody thought that wrapping a nylon strap around the compressor tubing as the primary thing holding the air conditioner to the pallet was a good idea. So at some point in the shipping process the strap tried it's best to hold the unit in place and ripped out one of the compressor mounting bolts that is fastened to the sheet metal floor pan, bent the other two. There was also damage to the foam that supports the air conditioner between the roof and the unit bottom. Contacted AdventurerRV and initially they said it was just minor and could be bent back and would give me a 10% refund to go away and forget this ever happened. A little convincing and I boxed it up for FedEx to pick it back up.
On one hand AdventurerRV has great prices and there customer service is not bad. What I don't like is that they WILL NOT speak to you directly. You cannot talk to them over the phone. You have to go through email or chat. It works but sometimes you just want to talk to someone and issues would seem to be cleared up quicker. I expressed to them that Coleman set us both up for failure with their poor packaging and then FedEx's poor handling did the rest. Luckily I had purchased shipping insurance.
I saw internet ordering of an air conditioner no longer a wise move since it would be delivered either FedEx or UPS so back to the local dealer. This time I went in person and caught them having a sale. I asked how there air conditioners were shipped and he said, we buy in bulk and get a large order delivered truck freight on pallets. That is what needs to happen. Exterior of box was in mint condition and this time there wasn't a strap wrapped around the compressor tubing. Hmmm, is somebody listening or did they get tired of returned damaged units?
The next step was by far the hardest part of the entire job. Removing the existing vent. Removing the two layers of sealant. If there is an easy way of doing it, I don't know it. I searched the internet, asked the RV dealer and basically carefully removed it with a putty knife.
RV dealer suggested denatured alcohol which IMO, did nothing. After removing the vent I put sealant in all of the screw holes and let it dry.
I thought the next step of getting the air conditioner on the roof was going to be difficult but it was really easy. My son pulled his truck right next to the camper. I put my leveling chocks at his rear tires, rolled up another 4" in height and the two of us easily set the AC on the roof.
Hooking up the AC is really easy. There is a YouTube video on the inside connections. It's really straight forward.
I asked the local RV dealer what they charged for AC installation. I was told a "couple" hours of labor and the shop rate is $120 per hour. This is a job you can do. ๐
