Front AC unit on Newer Lifestyles with Return Air

The return air ducted system on 2013+ Lifestyles (maybe earlier?) is much quieter than the old ducted system that required the rooftop unit to protrude into the room and itself be the return air plenum.

My 2013 Lifestyle has only one ac unit. Are the second units that some of you have located above the bed replacing the ceiling fan (essentially the same old internally ducted units) OR is there another  front location for mounting a 2nd ac unit that utilizes the existing ducted return air system, and thus do not where you do not see the ac from inside the 5er??  If so, where is it?

I suspect a lot of post sale 2nd ac units were the same old stuff. My question is directed to owners that had the 2nd ac installed at the factory or otherwise do not see the 2nd ac unit from inside the 5er.

yes, I need to change my signature, but I still have the great 2010.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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PartTime & Othets that may know,

Were you ever able to get on the roof to confirm that the front ac is in the center left to right, and in line with the bedroom exhaust fan front to back?

My 2 studfinders are useless with good batteries, and one cost a bundle  of $.

 

I have the top down mounting adapter plate.  i cannot cut a simple 14×14 square in the roof- i need to keep the intake/exhaust separator that is framed in below the roof deck, and the decking in that 1.5-2.0” strip left to right – but where is that?  that strip must fit tightly against the bottom of the ac.  if i know location of 14×14, i can figure out the “do not cut” area by measuring the location of the separator in the ac unit.

Hope that someone can help  Getting hot here soon

JohnD

Partimewages wrote:

John, We have the second bedroom unit and it is mounted and ducted as the rear unit. They both utilize some of the same duct but each have their own duct also it seems. You can not see the bedroom unit from inside. I’m not where I can look but the next trip I will try to remember to look. I think it is just about center of the bed. Hope that helps. Are you thinking of adding the second unit?

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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PartTime,

Still hunting for answers. Lots of things have happened to sidetrack this.

What year is your rig?  re your ac that failed 2.5 years ago, how much time spent with heat pump or ac running?   Replaced because it got too noisy or just quit?

Thanks,

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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Does anyone with a Lifestyle ducted return/top-down mounted ac in the bedroom also have a fan or skylight in the bedroom also?

I have an exhaust fan but no 2nd ac.  my fan is mounted above the bed but off to the driver’s side of the camper.  I want a top-down mount with no a/c grill in the bedroom ceiling.

I have located the ac thermostat wires in bedroom way right next to the switch and wired controlling the bedroom fan.  I have the breaker for a 2nd optional a/c, and romex leaving that breaker but no idea where the romex or thermostat wires go.  Stud finder is useless from tip or bottom.

Any ideas where to cut the hole from above??  looks like it should be two holes leaving behind the

 

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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should be 2 holes within the normal 14×14-inch cutout leaving behind the left to right divider between the air output and return sides.

 

 

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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John

2014 build 2015 unit. I don’t think either heating or cooling were used much. Most of these fail because of bouncing down the road. Yes its noisy and annoying.

We replaced our rear unit because it was flat on refrigerant charge. Likely had a leak and I did not want to try and find it. Been there done that. Its usually a waste of time.

I have not been on top to check placement and not sure when I can look. Probably the week of the 20th of May.

See the attached for reference. Although not a great look the Maxfan is toward the door side. The rear AC is center and the front would appear to be more toward the off door/drivers side.

Do you have a unit yet or one selected? Email me if you like.

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Many thanks PartTime.

Not the best photo, but your words indicate “ah, ha said the blind man.”  So maybe it is like the old days when you had only one 14x 14 hole for either a skylight, fan, or A/c.  That would mean my second ac would require removal of the fan, an inside a/c “ducted but not return ducted” grill etc

If no one responds that they have both a fan and a second ac without an inside grill, I will dig into that fan box and see what is there.  If the 120 Romex is there I have my answer.

Yes I already have the Mach 8 low profile, but no grill.  A great Camping World sale a few months ago.  I know the thermostat that I need but have not ordered.  Ditto on the soft start.

Thanks again.  If you get a left/right photo, measurements or eyeball it as being more centered than described, please let me know.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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PartTime,

I stated a separate topic focused just on the location of ac on roof.

i have been inside my fan over the bed – no thermostat wires and no 110, but I do have thermostat wires in bedroom wall to the left of the sliding  into door into bath, and oem romex attached to that “opt 2nd ac” breaker – just cannot find where those wires go.

So if you can get up on you roof the week of May 20 or so, I would greatly appreciate it.

I need measurements (1) from the centerline if the metal trim that covers the screws attaching the 5er’s front fiberglass cap, To the front of the Mach8 or if another ac, that front and the name/model of that ac.  AND (2) from outer edge of roof to the outer edge of the ac unit on both sides.  That front metal trim is under a strip of elasto tape, but the center of the trim is obvious.

Thanks in advance.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

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