Thanks, called Tiara RV this morning. Waiting on them to call me back
Seems like one should be able to look in the electrical panel and see if a breaker is provided for a second air conditioner to determine if the unit is prewired.
Twin Lakes contacted Redwood with my vin # and said that it is wired for a second AC. It also has the return vents it needs, what it has to have is an access port in the roof, that's the scary part to me. Also a new thermostat. I called Tiara RV this morning and of course could not speak to an actual person. Left a message and have waited all day for a phone call. It's now after 5 and no call, I hate answering machines!!!
Twin Lakes contacted Redwood with my vin # and said that it is wired for a second AC. It also has the return vents it needs, what it has to have is an access port in the roof, that's the scary part to me. Also a new thermostat. I called Tiara RV this morning and of course could not speak to an actual person. Left a message and have waited all day for a phone call. It's now after 5 and no call, I hate answering machines!!!
You may also be surprised the hear that your bedroom may already be prepped for a Maxx-Aire fan in there as well (besides the 2nd A/C)...You just have to know where to look...☺
Twin Lakes contacted Redwood with my vin # and said that it is wired for a second AC. It also has the return vents it needs, what it has to have is an access port in the roof, that's the scary part to me. Also a new thermostat. I called Tiara RV this morning and of course could not speak to an actual person. Left a message and have waited all day for a phone call. It's now after 5 and no call, I hate answering machines!!!
Cool - I hope they are right. I'd be curious how they terminated the wiring in the ceiling without an accessible junction box, especially if it has a breaker than can be powered on.
Below is the location for the 2nd AC per the 2012 36RL electrical plan. Also indicated is the breaker assignment and I indicated where my 2nd thermostat was installed. I don't see any notes about prep location, but it also doesn't show wiring to the primary AC either.
Unfortunately the library only has the roofing plan for the 31SL below, but this shows the actual install on the 31SL. Note that the return air ducts span the two return air grills at the perimeter walls. The AC opening is actually right behind that return air duct between the next set of joists. The return air feeds into the front of the AC underneath. The supply air ducts on either side are smaller and actually run right through the return air ducts where they intersect (odd yes, and a problem for airflow as many experienced but a different topic). If you have two sets of return air grilles at the perimeter of your ceiling, it is possible they preinstalled the 2nd return air duct. If its there, you can spot the location for the AC pretty easy from there.
Seems odd that with one AC that they would put it in the back, but that is what the drawing shows anyway.
I attached the full set of pdfs for reference, and they are multiple page so be sure to scroll down.
Twin Lakes contacted Redwood with my vin # and said that it is wired for a second AC. It also has the return vents it needs, what it has to have is an access port in the roof, that's the scary part to me. Also a new thermostat. I called Tiara RV this morning and of course could not speak to an actual person. Left a message and have waited all day for a phone call. It's now after 5 and no call, I hate answering machines!!!
Cool - I hope they are right. I'd be curious how they terminated the wiring in the ceiling without an accessible junction box, especially if it has a breaker than can be powered on.
Below is the location for the 2nd AC per the 2012 36RL electrical plan. Also indicated is the breaker assignment and I indicated where my 2nd thermostat was installed. I don't see any notes about prep location, but it also doesn't show wiring to the primary AC either.
Unfortunately the library only has the roofing plan for the 31SL below, but this shows the actual install on the 31SL. Note that the return air ducts span the two return air grills at the perimeter walls. The AC opening is actually right behind that return air duct between the next set of joists. The return air feeds into the front of the AC underneath. The supply air ducts on either side are smaller and actually run right through the return air ducts where they intersect (odd yes, and a problem for airflow as many experienced but a different topic). If you have two sets of return air grilles at the perimeter of your ceiling, it is possible they preinstalled the 2nd return air duct. If its there, you can spot the location for the AC pretty easy from there.
Seems odd that with one AC that they would put it in the back, but that is what the drawing shows anyway.
I attached the full set of pdfs for reference, and they are multiple page so be sure to scroll down.
As I understand from "others", they prep the opening and pre-wire. Nothing is tied in to be hot. The frame is ready to be cut open. Finding the opening may be another matter...
Not sure who "others" are, but if the frame is actually there, it would be easy to find.
Also - this time of year in Indiana I wouldn't be surprised to get an answer machine and wait a day or two. It's their off season and cold wet/snowy a good portion of the time. A lot of the RV industry takeas a good portion of January off.
My suggestion would be to work with either Tiara or Twin Lakes. As mentioned above, the factory service center will not do any type of add-ones or modifications. They may answer a question as to whether the wiring is there or not but in fact may not know for sure as none of them are production people.
If the forward set of return air grilles are truly there in the ceiling:
like the rear:
Then a prep could be credible and the roof framing for the 2nd AC would be forward of the primary AC an equal distance to what the forward return air grilles are from the rear return air grilles - as the return air duct is integral with placement of the AC on the roof.
If the forward set of return air vents are not there - then I don't think there is any kind of prep.
I work for a different manufacturer than Redwood/ Crossroads. I typically see the 2nd a/c prep done to lots of units. Breaker for the 2nd a/c is present, I believe the 12/2 wire with ground is connected to the 20 amp breaker provided. Wiring terminates where the bedroom roof vent/ fan is located. The wires are terminated in a junction box and wire nuts are applied to the ends of the wire, and a blank cover attached. That way when they hiPot the unit for 110v electrical shorts, they confirm that the wiring is good from breaker to the a/c prep. I would hope that if the unit in question has the prep by Redwood that the wiring would be in or in close proximity to the a/c to be added. Obviously with some other brands the a/c goes where the roof fan/vent is, remove it and that is where it goes. I agree that if the 2nd set of a/c return air grills are there, and the 2nd a/c 20 amp breaker is there you would just need to determine the location in the roof. Should be in line with the return air grills as Brad stated before.
Chris
