Adding AC to Starcraft Centennial 3606

[dpomroy]

Hi, I just purchased a 2004 Starcraft Cenntenial 3606 PU about a month ago. She went out on her maiden voyage this past weekend (Aug 12, 13 & 14). It has a Fantastic fan vent already installed, but it didn't seem to cool down the PU much. So the wife and I where talking and we think it would be a good idea to get a AC unit for our PU.

The unit I was thinking of installing is the Carrier AirV 13500 btu. I found a good deal on eBay. The complete unit (inside and out) for $389.99.

The questions I have are:

Does anyone else use the Fantasic Fan with poor results?

Is there a lot involved with installing an AC unit?

What level of difficulty would installing the AC unit be?

In case anyone is wondering, yes I do have the support bars for an AC unit as well as the 30 amp outlet already installed in the PU.

Any input would be great!

Thanks

[hoppy]

The unit I was thinking of installing is the Carrier AirV 13500 btu. I found a good deal on eBay. The complete unit (inside and out) for $389.99.

The questions I have are:

Does anyone else use the Fantasic Fan with poor results?

Is there a lot involved with installing an AC unit?

What level of difficulty would installing the AC unit be?

In case anyone is wondering, yes I do have the support bars for an AC unit as well as the 30 amp outlet already installed in the PU.

 Question # 1. They are only fans. The fans will pull the hot / humid air from the outside of the PU, circulate inside the PU, and then exit the PU through the roof vent. Then the process starts all over again. These vent fans work great once the outside air becomes bearable. Until that time, the AC option is the real solution. Before installing the AC unit though, you might want to look into solar reflective bunk end roof covers. Heard these help to some degree reducing the temperature inside the PU.

 # 2. Not too much involved. Takes about two hours to install one. The hardest part of the ordeal is cutting the two holes through the ceiling that are needed for your choice AC unit.

 # 3. If I were to give it a rating, # 1 being very easy, and # 10 the hardest, I would give it a factor of 4.  Just pretty much read the installation instructions, confirm the roof support area in the ceiling with Starcraft, cut the holes using the supplied template, wire using a 20 amp plug to the outlet, and you are done.

 BTW, You picked a very good AC unit.

  Good luck with the installation.

  Some of those who recently installed the Carrier unit noted to take particular care while installing the roof gasket.

[dee106]

we did ours on our old starcraft pu, we removed the vent and put the ac in the same hole, and ran the wires in the ceiling and down to the panel, following the wires from the ceiling light. took most of the day to do, need two people to do the job.
 found it easier to open half way remove vent and brackets, then close it to put the a/c unit on roof  mount it then raise the roof for the wiring. yours should be easier since you already have power to the opening from the power vent. check (with starcraft)  to see if you can use that power line for the a/c .  if so your half way there.

[mike4947]

Powered vents are ALWAYS 12 volt. So any wiring to the vent will not be useable. Also it's a 20 amp outlet connected to the dedicated 20 amp breaker in the converter.

Getting the AC into position is a two person job. With one person it's to easy to ding the roof trying to muscle 90-100 pounds around. Also make sure to follow the directions on tightening the unit to compress the gasket seal. More leakers are created by "more is better" and "I'm going to add caulk" than any other reason.

[dee106]

Powered vents are ALWAYS 12 volt. So any wiring to the vent will not be useable. Also it's a 20 amp outlet connected to the dedicated 20 amp breaker in the converter.
 
 Getting the AC into position is a two person job. With one person it's to easy to ding the roof trying to muscle 90-100 pounds around. Also make sure to follow the directions on tightening the unit to compress the gasket seal. More leakers are created by "more is better" and "I'm going to add caulk" than any other reason.

i forgot about that! see i don't dry camp much anymore (spoiled) that it would be 12volt!. duh! if nothing else you can follow the wire to the box!