[VAL] installing rooftop air-conditioner for first time

["Thomm" <thomm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just wondering if anyone is *listening* at this time as I'd like to ask some
questions about the removal/replacement of my Dometic Duo-therm Penguin 13,500
btu air-conditioner unit.

I picked up a brand new unit yesterday from Camping World to replace the
original a/c unit.  I've read a few horror stories that I'd like to avoid
happening to me - hopefully - by asking first and doing later.

In the past there has been posts concerning an excess amount of sealer which
caused the drain pan to break - the new units come with that pan installed *so
... * this shouldn't be a problem for me at this time even if the old unit's
pan breaks which I will try to avoid at any cost.

Speaking of those broken pans - I contacted the Dometic factory yesterday and
the nice lady there told me that there IS a part number for those Penguin a/c
units only - they don't make the ones for the Dometic Brisk Air units anymore.
The Brisk Air units can be seen on lots of SOB's, they are taller with exposed
vents on 3 sides.  The Penguins have a low-profile and the only vents open are
around the base of the unit where it meets the trailer roof.

The reasons I needed to replace my unit were the following:  the fins for the
condenser exposed around the lower area which could be seen through the vent
openings were smashed, some pretty badly smashed.  The reason these fins got
smashed just might be the hail storm/s that this trailer has endured over the
years or at least since about 3 years before we owned the trailer.  There
seemed to be the smell of "hot wire insulation" - maybe - that might have been
caused by those smashed condenser fins.  When the fins get smashed cooling air
can't get through which is supposed to remove the room heat from below.
Without lots of outside vents to allow cooling air to get TO the condenser
fins heat would probably build up underneath the a/c cover, trapping it there
so to speak.

Since we are going to Missouri in a little over a week from now I needed to be
able to have COLD air-conditioning inside the Airstream since the records of
past times at this time of year predict temps in the 90's PLUS.  I can take
some heat but too much heat and too much humidity makes almost anyone
miserable, me included.  Also, since we always travel with our animals I
needed to make sure that they can also remain cool and comfortable.

If you were at the Homecoming 2005 in Jackson Center, Ohio and you saw some
Afghan Hounds and a Rottweiler being walked towards the back of the "camping
field" then you saw *us*.  We will once again have our pets with us in
Missouri so please stop and say "Hi!" if you get the chance.  We will be
sporting brand-new WBCCI red numbers - 5303 on the front and rear of our 34'
Airstream Classic FK trailer.

So then, has anyone here replaced their rooftop air conditioner unit before?
I'd like to ask some questions of those that have and I await your replies.

Tom Meeker
WBCCI 5303