Two Houghton AC3400 in our family

gklott · 08-29-2021, 11:45 AM

Completed the second Houghton AC3400 installation on our daughter's 2020 21NE (forward trailer). Install went smoothly as it did on our 2019 19' (rear trailer).

Both units are cooling nicely. In both trailers, we closed off the plenum vent on the side facing the refrigerator. This helps with temperature control. We have a thermometer right by the door in our 19', and so far that temp is within 1 or 2 degrees of the AC3400 setting.

73/gus

sofmerc · 08-29-2021, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gklott

Completed the second Houghton AC3400 installation on our daughter's 2020 21NE (forward trailer). Install went smoothly as it did on our 2019 19' (rear trailer).

Both units are cooling nicely. In both trailers, we closed off the plenum vent on the side facing the refrigerator. This helps with temperature control. We have a thermometer right by the door in our 19', and so far that temp is within 1 or 2 degrees of the AC3400 setting.

73/gus

How did you close off the side vents?

gklott · 08-29-2021, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofmerc

How did you close off the side vents?

Used 3" aluminum foil tape, mounted on the inside of the air distribution box.

73/gus

sofmerc · 08-29-2021, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gklott

Used 3" aluminum foil tape, mounted on the inside of the air distribution box.

73/gus

That makes sense. Thank you for that

Tonny LR · 08-29-2021, 10:24 PM

Great job! How long did it take to install the second Houghton AC unit since you had the experience from installing the first unit. I am admiring your expertise in installing AC>

Tonny LR

gklott · 08-30-2021, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonny LR

Great job! How long did it take to install the second Houghton AC unit since you had the experience from installing the first unit. I am admiring your expertise in installing AC>

Thanks. Removing and installing is a straightforward one-day DIY job if you feel confident with the mechanical and electrical efforts. We took two half-days, as we worked each morning when it is cool. Overall, the Houghton AC3400 install was following the manual, step-by-step.

What we learned from first installation:
- how to set up our pulley hoist, for which we already had all the rope, slings, pulleys, and carabiners, with a safe, strong hanging point in our pole barn
- how to work SAFELY only from a ladder, never putting full weight on the roof
- how to disconnect the Dometic, inside and outside, carefully preserving all the items for sale
- how to strap to the Dometic for removal, best removing the cover
- how to strap to and balance the AC3400, given that most weight is toward the rear and to not strap over the area that settles onto the roof mount
- how to use the hoist and align the AC3400 on the roof mount so that you lower it, inch-by-inch, right into place - without sliding it around, including using the 4 mounting bolts inside as a reference

Given the above, disconnecting all the AC and DC power, and assuming you have your tools, ladders, hoist, electrical crimps, etc. ready, we estimate these times from our second effort, with two persons:
1. Disconnecting (carefully) the Dometic inside, including wiring: 30 min
2. Loosening the Dometic from the roof, attaching hoist, and getting it to the ground: 30 min
3. Cleaning the roof, including thoroughly removing the silicone sealant under the Dometic roof seal: 60 to 90 minutes
4. Sealing the AC3400 roof mount into place: 15 min
5. Hoist and place the AC3400 onto roof mount, aligning the mounting holes: 30 minutes
6. Connecting AC 120V to existing power cable: 15 min
7. Attaching plenum mounting bracket, air inlet duct, and properly torquing the 4 clamping bars and main mounting bolts: 30 min
8. Attaching plenum assembly, restoring power, and initial test: 30 minutes

Summary:
Dometic removal: 1 hr
Cleaning and prep: 1 to 1.5 hr
AC3400 install: 2 hours
Say 3 to 4 DIY hours total

The Houghton installation instructions are complete and excellent. We also recommend these tips:
- installing AC3400 using only hand powered tools, not powered devices
- moving the two AC3400 rear underside roof pads about 1/2" forward, before stapping and hoisting, so all pads are totally on the raised roof section
- using IDEAL splice cap copper crimp connectors (model 2006S), with matching caps, not wire nuts
- using 1-1/2" #8 stainless screws to attach AC3400 plenum assembly to plenum mounting bracket because the padded vinyl roof makes it difficult to push up and engage clips
- using 3" aluminum foil tape to close off the plenum vent toward the refrigerator/freezer

Of course, you spend "cool" time reading the operating manual to learn all the controls, with the many modes, via the remote control...

73/gus

davidmurphy02 · 08-30-2021, 08:15 AM

Sounds like you are all ready now to open an AC replacement business for Escapes

gklott · 08-30-2021, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Sounds like you are all ready now to open an AC replacement business for Escapes

Notice that I used DIY - do it yourself, not DIFY - do it for you.

73/gus

rubicon327 · 08-30-2021, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gklott

Completed the second Houghton AC3400 installation on our daughter's 2020 21NE (forward trailer). Install went smoothly as it did on our 2019 19' (rear trailer).

Both units are cooling nicely. In both trailers, we closed off the plenum vent on the side facing the refrigerator. This helps with temperature control. We have a thermometer right by the door in our 19', and so far that temp is within 1 or 2 degrees of the AC3400 setting.

73/gus

Nice work and great write-up with details for those interested in pursuing this themselves. Mini-splits are nice but are a lot of custom work for the average owner. I'm so glad that a quieter, bolt-on rooftop alternative is now available for those looking to replace the Dometic jet engines.

knuckled62 · 08-30-2021, 02:12 PM

Hi Gus,
I am getting a 5.0 next may and am interested in this as an option to the a/c's that escape is offering.
Did you take any pictures during install to show how you slinged a/c ect.
Have you had much time with a/c to see if it is living up to your excpectations.
thanks Denis

gklott · 08-30-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckled62

Did you take any pictures during install to show how you slinged a/c ect.

See attached image of the sling as we were lifting the AC3400. Pulley hoist rope is on left. Yellow excess sling webbing is on right. We used excess webbing to stabilize and maneuver the AC3400 into position.

You need to decide how to sling, based on your hoisting method, trailer positioning, hoist height, etc.

Send PM if interested in additional images. We took lots of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckled62

Have you had much time with a/c to see if it is living up to your excpectations.

We are spending time each day in our trailer feeling how different settings work. Temps here have been in the 90's. Our first road trip is in September.

So far...
Are we happy with trailer being cooled? Yes
Are we happy with the noise level? BIG yes, especially on the medium and low fan settings.
Does the AC3400 live up to our expectations? Yes.
Is the 13.5 kBTU or the 9.8 kBTU the best choice? We don't know yet. There are many comments on both AC sizes in other posts.

73/gus

Tonny LR · 08-30-2021, 03:29 PM

Hello 73/gus,
Thank you very much for the detailed write up. Little Rock, Arkansas, summer temperature is very much the same as in your location, hot and humid. If I don't buy a 23 feet in the future, I would definitely get a 1300 BTU Houghton AC. Thanks for taking time to share your mod.

Tonny LR

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