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Old 02-27-2021, 09:42 AM   #1
mlhenehan
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2nd AC Unit

Folks,

I have a 2018 305RL. It has the single AC unit on the back, and I am looking to put a unit on the front over the master bed. Any recommendations, units to avoid, issues installing, what to avoid? Any info appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt
 
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Old 02-27-2021, 10:40 AM   #2
twindman
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Just be sure to get a low profile unit. Mine is and I am still at 13'4" in height. Wouldn't want to be any taller. Not sure if the low profile is the reason, but the unit is only 13,500 BTU (or whatever that number is measuring!).
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Old 02-27-2021, 12:17 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by mlhenehan View Post
.....I have a 2018 305RL. It has the single AC unit on the back, and I am looking to put a unit on the front over the master bed. Any recommendations, units to avoid, issues installing, what to avoid? Any info appreciated............
Should not be a problem as my 2014 305RL came with 2 factory-installed AC units.
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Old 02-27-2021, 12:45 PM   #4
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I purchased 2 from Panther RV Products for my DP on Black Friday. They had the best price I could find on the Penguin 2 low profile ac/ heat pump 15000 btu models. Hardest part of the install is getting them on the roof and the old ones off the roof. I installed them at work and used the forklift for that part of the job.
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Old 02-27-2021, 03:52 PM   #5
69Roadrunner
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We had a front AC installed on our 2018 305RL. Same brand as the rear, I believe it’s a Dometic, 13,500 BTU rear is 15,000 BTU. I would go with a low profile unit. It’s not going to be as quiet as your rear unit.
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Old 02-27-2021, 05:05 PM   #6
Ram Montana High Country
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I've heard some good things about the Colman units, one thing was the soft start
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Old 02-28-2021, 08:39 AM   #7
Dave W
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I installed this one:
Dometic 640315C Penguin II 410 Amp Low Profile Rooftop Air Conditioner(Polar White)

Along with this ceiling panel since our 343RL did not have ducting or thermostat control wires pre existing

Dometic Air Conditioners 3314851.000 Adb Man Control PLR Wht F/All

These parts were purchased via Amazon in late 2016 but at heluva lot less dollars *$625) then today (~$1025). Easy install using the 120VAC prewired bedroom vent. I assume that you have a wiring box next to that vent. I used a 20 amp (not a standard 15 amp), 120VACwall plug as a connect device for the existing to the new a/c wiring. This added another plug to the bedroom that is used primarily when we vacuum

Using this 13.5 a/c, we have found will often cool as well in warn, not blazing hot days as the original 15K ducted unit since the cool air 'falls' down from the bedroom and for sure with both running, way better. As far as cooling just the bedroom - it can get about cool enough to become a meat locker
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Old 02-28-2021, 01:21 PM   #8
mlhenehan
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Thanks for all the input. Yes, the site is all set up for the second AC.

I expected that it would be noisier, like the AC unit in some motel rooms. Not much you can do. And the only time we would use it would be those blazing summer nights for sleeping.

Thanks again.
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Old 07-03-2021, 10:44 AM   #9
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Resurrecting this thread. I need to add the bedroom AC in our 2018 305RL. There is an electrical box next to the existing vent. A couple questions, though:

When 2 AC's are factory installed, do they both connect to the racetrack ductwork?
When adding an AC after the fact can it be tied to that ductwork?
Are you able to also install the wall TStat and is that prewired?

Tried to find video on this without much luck. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks
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Old 07-03-2021, 11:11 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsb5717 View Post
Resurrecting this thread. I need to add the bedroom AC in our 2018 305RL. There is an electrical box next to the existing vent. A couple questions, though:

When 2 AC's are factory installed, do they both connect to the racetrack ductwork?
When adding an AC after the fact can it be tied to that ductwork?
Are you able to also install the wall TStat and is that prewired?

Tried to find video on this without much luck. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks
Pull the trim down for your fan. This might put light on some of your questions.
Not sure but I do believe it's all there. Are you wanting to do this yourself or ...?? Do your homework - if I was adding, I'd get an AirExcel/Coleman with soft start.
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Old 07-03-2021, 02:57 PM   #11
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I installed a second unit like you are thinking. I put in a 13.5, manual operation, and a straight dump into the bedroom. It works fine and keeps the unit comfortable even when temps approach the century mark. If I had to do it again I would install a 15k ducted unit. That way if the main ever goes out I have some forced air into the rest of the 5'er. The ceiling diffuser for ducted is the only thing that is different from the manual diffuser and you had to specify which you wanted when ordering the air conditioner. On mine, access to the ducting was already in the ceiling. No thermostat or contol wires were present on mine but as you can see I have a much older unit. As Ram Montana High Country suggest, removing the trim you can easily see what you unit is set up for.
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Old 07-03-2021, 03:29 PM   #12
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I made a post last year to this forum “Bedroom A/C Non-Ducted to Ducted Conversion” that tells you what we did to make this modification. This is one of our best mods so far and really improves the ability to cool down our rig.
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Old 07-04-2021, 12:27 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by ARHappyCampers View Post
I made a post last year to this forum “Bedroom A/C Non-Ducted to Ducted Conversion” that tells you what we did to make this modification. This is one of our best mods so far and really improves the ability to cool down our rig.
Here is the Post referred to:
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=81522
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Old 07-04-2021, 12:33 AM   #14
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Thanks, all. I've been in touch with the dealer we purchased the trailer from. They have been very helpful and I will likely just have them do the install. They will get me pricing early next week, after the holiday. We'll know more then...
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