wall unit a/c replacement

NorCal Gordo · 10-05-2021, 01:06 PM

Howdy all! I've got a 1999 2720 with the original air conditioner in the cabinet next to the stove. If I were to replace it, do I need one specifically made for an RV or may I just get a window unit that has the correct dimensions for the space? I'd assume that accommodation would have to be made for water drainage with another non-original unit. Thanks!

**ShrimpBurrito** · 10-05-2021, 01:52 PM

See Bill's post in this thread (post #3):
https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...ad.php?t=18366

I remember HarveyRv's modification, and he wrote a beautiful thread about his modification, complete with pictures. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it, and further, he's not even listed in the member list anymore. So I'm not sure where the thread went.

Bill - any ideas?

Dave

**commodor47** · 10-05-2021, 03:10 PM

Dave,

I found harveyrv's posts by doing a Google search for "harveyrv trailmanor". I believe this is the thread you are looking for - minus any photos. The photos may have been left behind during one of the forum software updates?

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...ead.php?t=7477

Dick

**ShrimpBurrito** · 10-05-2021, 03:38 PM

Nicely done, Dick. I was searching for the thread using "harveyrv" as a user, and since he was not in the user database for some reason, no threads were returned. Thanks for finding it!

Dave

**Bill** · 10-05-2021, 03:42 PM

I found it, too, but I am slower than Dick. As he noted, the thread is

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...ead.php?t=7477

and Harvey's posts are #11, #13, and beyond. Unfortunately, the pictures are missing. I hate those external super-duper picture hosting sites that disappear in the middle of the night, and take your pictures with them. But that's a rant for another day.

The idea is this. A window air conditioner has two physical halves - a front half and a back half. In normal household use, the front half protrudes into the room, and the back half sticks out the window. There is a reason for this.

The front half takes in room air either through the grille on the front (usually near the edges) or on slots on the side, near the front. It cools this indoor air, and then blows it back into the room through the front of the unit.

At the same time, the back half takes in outdoor air through the back, or through slots on the side but near the back. It heats this outdoor air, and blows it back outdoors.

It should be obvious that you need to keep these two air paths separate. When you install it in a TM, the back half doesn't protrude outside, but you still need to direct the air in the rear air path outside of the TM. In particular, you must not allow any of that hot air from the rear path to enter the TM.

What HarveyRV did was to grab a sheet of aluminum flashing, and cut it and bend it so it would direct the rear half airflow into the unit and back out through the side of the unit, while the unit is mounted in a TM. None of the rear half airflow was allowed into interior of the TM.

The details of how to cut and form the flashing were in the missing photos. Not a big loss, because the details will be different for any other make/model of air conditioner, because the grilles and slots are in different places. You need to bend and cut the flashing to match your air conditioner, not his.

So as long as the air conditioner fits in its proper location, and you are a bit inventive, you should be able to do the same.

Bill

**ShrimpBurrito** · 10-05-2021, 11:15 PM

Great summary, Bill. Also, as I think I maybe pointed out in that thread, there are AC units intended for windows and those that look very similar but are intended for walls. I've never looked into it to get the specifics, but I suspect the vents are in different spots -- in a wall unit, for example, the sides are likely enclosed on the wall, making side vents ineffective. So maybe a wall unit would be easier to direct that hot air outside, I don't know, but just thought I'd throw that out there.

Dave

Wavery · 01-19-2022, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Gordo

Howdy all! I've got a 1999 2720 with the original air conditioner in the cabinet next to the stove. If I were to replace it, do I need one specifically made for an RV or may I just get a window unit that has the correct dimensions for the space? I'd assume that accommodation would have to be made for water drainage with another non-original unit. Thanks!

Hi NorCal Gordo,

If you are still interest in doing this mod, most of the work is done for you (because of the previous A/C). If you are still interested in do this, I will spend some time going over how to improve on the factory installation so that the A/C will actually work. The factory installation was not done very well.

Shane826 · 01-19-2022, 08:11 PM

Wavery- I’m interested. I have a project 2000 2720sl and I’m pretty sure the A/c is toast.

Wavery · 01-19-2022, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane826

Wavery- I’m interested. I have a project 2000 2720sl and I’m pretty sure the A/c is toast.

Isn't your A/C unit on the roof?

**ShrimpBurrito** · 01-19-2022, 09:25 PM

The AC on my 2000 2720SL is wall mounted….

Dave