A/C Installation

[javo]

Ok well I got this 1989 Viking SP 150 yesterday but it needs A/C in a bad way. I don't really want to do a window unit install because the only place I can put it would be in the rear which would be right under the dining table (bed when folded out). If I did that it seems the bed to the rear wouldnt see hardly any air from it if I went that route..
After looking around I found some good deals on roof mount A/C's but it's come to my attention that I may need roof support. Can anyone verify? The roof certainly seems strong but theres no visible sign that theres any support in the roof. Of course I may not know what I'm looking for / at.
This is a real small popup. When its folded up the camper is only 7 feet long. I want to do it right but do want A/C can anyone recomend what they would do.

Something else you may need to know.. This thing uses the arms that are on the outside of the camper to lift it (thats really cool by the way, very simple too which is good) I dont know if the added weight will affect / hurt those in any way.

I would greatly appreciate anyones input on this. Please keep in mind I am an extreme newbie so if you have to give me instructions please make them "Popups For Dummies Approved"

Thanks..

[tlhdoc]

Try contacting Viking.  They can tell you if your roof will support the weight of the AC unit.

[javo]

Well I sent an e-mail to Viking and they said that the roof wouldnt support it so I guess I'm back to a window unit in the rear of the popup. Thats ok I guess as it will be MUCH cheaper in the long run.
My next question is.... Theres a 30am breaker in there and really nothing runs off of it other than a single light. Can I hardwire in a window unit and be ok? I would assume so since that old Jayco only had a 15 amp and I ran a huge window unit A/C and other appliances. Does anyone have any recomendations on BTU for this thing as well?
I've found some great deals on 5,200 BTU A/C's. I'm confident they will cool us durning the night but I would like some level of comfort during the HOT Texas days.
The size of the box closed up is only 7 feet. Fully open it cant be more than 15 feet. So it's tiny.

Thanks for your help,
Jason

[tlhdoc]

Well I sent an e-mail to Viking and they said that the roof wouldnt support it so I guess I'm back to a window unit in the rear of the popup. Thats ok I guess as it will be MUCH cheaper in the long run.
My next question is.... Theres a 30am breaker in there and really nothing runs off of it other than a single light. Can I hardwire in a window unit and be ok? I would assume so since that old Jayco only had a 15 amp and I ran a huge window unit A/C and other appliances. Does anyone have any recomendations on BTU for this thing as well?
I've found some great deals on 5,200 BTU A/C's. I'm confident they will cool us durning the night but I would like some level of comfort during the HOT Texas days.
The size of the box closed up is only 7 feet. Fully open it cant be more than 15 feet. So it's tiny.
 
Thanks for your help,
Jason

The lights in your PU run off of 12 volt power not 110 like your AC will.  You can hard wire the AC unit directly and run it that way.  Most PUs have 13,500 btu AC units.  The bigger you get the better.  I have a friend that has an 8000 but unit in his PU.  It works for them.

[hoppy]

My 78' Palomino had a window style AC unit mounted through the rear wall. It was in front of the dinette table also.  When we brought down the dinette to  the bed position, the vents were still high enough enough to push the air flow to the front of the PU. We set up a fan on one of the counters to push the cooler air into the rear bunk areas. Of course any person sleeping on the dinette bed froze to death, while the rest of the people in the PU were dying from the heat.

 The simple way to hook up the electrical is running a 20 amp outdoor extension cord directly to the CG post.

 Mine was set up to have it's own service off the 30 amp PU line, and its own breaker box under one of the dinette seats.

 I can say that the 5K BTU window AC unit did a respectful job cooling and reducing the humidity in the PU. But at the price and size of the 8 K units today, I suggest going with the larger unit.

 You should be able to install one on your own for around $ 125.00 - $ 150.00

 Hope this helps.