Air Conditioner Vibrated Loose
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13911
Printed Date: 19 May 2024 at 2:49am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Air Conditioner Vibrated Loose
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Subject: Air Conditioner Vibrated Loose
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 12:53pm
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I did a search and couldn't find this topic, so here goes. I pull my 171 a few hundred miles on Forest Service roads in Montana every year. They're good roads, but gravel, so lots of vibration. Twice now the interior portion of the air conditioner has vibrated loose from the ceiling. The first time I was able to remount it using drywall anchors. This past week the louvers on each end broke in two where they are attached to the ceiling, the anchors on each side failed and the air conditioner was left hanging by one corner. This is my sixth season with the trailer and in all this time I've never once used the air conditioner or even camped somewhere that it was a possibility. I'm thinking of removing the interior portion entirely, filling the void with fiberglass insulation and covering the hole with a piece of ceiling panel. Alternatively, I could reattach the cheap ass plastic air conditioner and try to make it bullet proof. Anyone had any experience like this? I'm mostly just looking for second opinions before I decide my course of action. The only reason I can think of to retain the air conditioner is for resale. However, I'm not entertaining any thoughts of selling or trading the trailer since in general it's perfect for the camping I do and I've done enough mods that I have it exactly like I want it. BTW, the air conditioner was secured to the ceiling with four screws that penetrated the paneling literally about 1/4". For the "off road model" it seems like a fairly flimsy setup. ------------- Mike |
Replies:
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 2:27pm
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This is a good case for removing that entire unit, inside and outside, and then install another vent fan. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 2:42pm
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Or even just a skylight or non-powered vent would work well. http://www.amazon.com/Ventline-V2092SP-28-Birch-White-Ventadome/dp/B0030G7XWY/ - http://www.amazon.com/Ventline-V2092SP-28-Birch-White-Ventadome/dp/B0030G7XWY/ ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 2:42pm
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+1, I'd find a way to use opening. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 3:06pm
https://postimages.org/"> https://banks-nearme.com/bank-of-america-near-me - does bank of america open on saturday
We took our AC out years ago ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 4:23pm
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I love it! I hadn't even thought of a skylight. More light inside would definitely be a welcome addition. Do you remember where you found it? ------------- Mike |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 4:35pm
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It is a clear cover for a regular vent
------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 5:41pm
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Got it. This will turn what would have been a repair into an improvement, so now I'm excited to do it. Anything special I should know about installing and sealing it? ------------- Mike |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 6:09pm
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Look under fan leak repair, it's 3 or 4 threads under yours ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2020 at 1:31pm
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Thanks. I ordered the vent that Stephen H suggested, pulled the ac unit and got it installed. When I wired everything back up the furnace fan came on and stayed on. Thermostat had an E1 code, so I did a little searching and realized that the old thermostat is a 3 wire, but with only the heater connected I need to change that out for a 2 wire model. Got one ordered, so no big deal, but for anyone considering this mod be aware that your old thermostat will need replacing. Meanwhile, I'm loving all the light that the new vent lets in. In my little 171 it makes a huge difference and the counter now has constant light in the daytime. Great mod. As usual, wish I'd done it sooner. ------------- Mike |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2020 at 2:46pm
Great! I'm glad it turned out well for you. 
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: RockyMtnRPod
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2020 at 3:13pm
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Mike, What do you mean by "When I wired everything back up"? So, you cannot remove the AC and leave associated wiring in place? I'm also in Montana and mine has fallen down twice now. First, on a cross country highway trip, and then this weekend on some roads up by Jocko. Liking the vent/skylight idea. Chris ------------- 2020 TRD/Off Road Tundra with Sway Bar and SuperSprings 2016 178 "Sage" |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2020 at 4:23pm
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When you remove the AC there is some wiring that has to be separated or cut. There's a yellow power cable that I cut, taped the end heavily and shoved back in the hole it came out of. I also flipped the AC breaker off just for insurance to prevent sparking in the future. Then there's smaller wires to the right (facing the door side) that go to lights over my bed plus three wires to the thermostat. When you remove the inside portion of the air conditioner you'll see what I'm talking about. That ac unit is a heavy sucker. I took some nylon rope, tied it to the ac unit, made a wrap around the antenna and was able to slowly lower it down the front of the trailer. I realized immediately that I needed something for the unit to slide on or it was going to leave black marks all down the front of the trailer, so I grabbed a piece of cardboard and slipped it underneath the AC. I was working solo, but if you have someone on the ground to help you get it down it would be a lot easier. Keep in mind I'm not an electrician, just a DYI guy who uses the internet for info. Were you on the Jocko road? I live in Seeley and took a trailer full of llamas over that road about 15 years ago. I swore never again. ------------- Mike |
Posted By: RockyMtnRPod
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2020 at 9:52pm
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Thanks for info. I did see that wiring today when I dropped the inside part of the dometic. Those details help a lot. I was also thinking of a rope and lowering the roof unit over the front and even towels or something underneath - and help! We explored up toward the top but stayed on the Placid side of the res. boundary. I needed cell coverage for work and we found a good spot for the night just off the main road. Nice and cool up there this morning. Maybe 40F? Which reminds me I think the furnace has shifted slightly, too. Haven't looked closely, yet. RPod is getting beat up after a 5000 mile summer. I shut the gas off at the can to avoid any problems overnight. Chris ------------- 2020 TRD/Off Road Tundra with Sway Bar and SuperSprings 2016 178 "Sage" |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2020 at 8:04am
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Yeah, we're easing into autumn around here. Mornings have been great. Now if this smoke would just blow out. I drove up that Placid road one day in late June and people were camped everywhere. We've never seen it so crazy around here with tourists, campers and people trying to get away from COVID. When you removed the interior portion of the ac you could see why those things break loose. Mine was screwed into the ceiling by four screws that barely penetrated the ceiling panel. The scary part was realizing that the outside was held in place by only three bolts, two of which had broken. I'm lucky that thing didn't wind up in the middle of I-15 last week. ------------- Mike |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2020 at 8:32am
Find a stout tree limb to park under, get a block and tackle, lift the a/c up, pull forward, lower it. Safe and done. Afterwards you will be a true shade tree mechanic.  ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2020 at 9:38am
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Is there a certification for that? ------------- Mike |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2020 at 9:57am
Yeah, sure is. If you get the a/c offa there without scraping up your pod. getting crushed, or needing back surgery you're certified  ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |