How to install an AC in your van (Dometic RTX-2000)
Installing an AC unit in a van conversion can provide much needed comfort on hot summer days. However, this is not a DIY project to be taken lightly. If you're not confident in your abilities, consider hiring a professional to install the AC unit for you.
There are many different types of AC units available for van conversions, but we opted for Dometic RTX-2000 which is a top-of-the-line 12v AC that is extremely efficient, and relatively simple to install as all the components are consolidated into one single rooftop unit. No need for additional water tanks and lines!
Steps for installing an AC unit on the roof of your van:
1. Choose the Right Location: Choose an appropriate location for the AC unit, taking into consideration the placement of vents, electrical wiring, and the unit's size and weight. The RTX-2000 is not small and takes up a lot of roof real estate, so make sure to plan ahead how it will affect your solar panels/skylights/any other roof systems. Measure not one, not two, but three times before making your cut!
2. Prepare and Protect the Roof: Now that you have marked of the location of your cut, you need to protect your roof from the metal shards for when you make the cut. The best way to do this is to put a thick plastic sheet on the top of your roof. You can cut out a hole where you will be making the cut and then tape down the edges to make sure that pieces don’t get caught underneath. From the interior of the van you can tape a cardboard box to catch the metal piece and all the scraps as it is getting cut. Even while doing both of these things, we advice that you clean the roof of your van down right after the cuts have been made with a leaf blower and a rag. Any raw pieces of metal left on the roof will rust! Once the unit is installed, we recommend giving the roof a hit with the pressure washer as a backup!
3. Cut a Hole in the Roof: Measure the opening size and mark the roof with a marker. The RTX-2000 specifically comes with a template for the hole size, BUT - in reality it’s way bigger than it needs to be. You can create a custom template by making a 14”x14.5” cardboard square, plus a small additional cutout for the wiring. You can see an example here or here.
The rubber gasket you will install later covers a much wider area than the hole itself, so no need to worry too much about laser precision here!
Now, cut the hole in the roof using a jigsaw or angle grinder! Dont forget to sand and prime the edge of the hole when you’re done cutting.
4. Install the Gasket: Install the included mounting gasket on the roof using Window Weld or a similar sealant. If the roof of your van has ridges where your hole is, make a level surface along where the gasket will go using Butyl Tape. Then apply the sealant.
Once the gasket is installed, we used a generous amount of self leveling lap sealant around the outer and inner edge of the gasket to create another level of waterproofing.
5. Mount the AC unit: Install the supplied nut heads for the mounting bolts first, and then mount the AC unit on top of the gasket (no sealant needed between the gasket and AC unit. The pressure from the bolts will create the seal, and you also want to be able to remove the AC unit in the future if needed).
Then install the bolts using the cross bars supplied by the manufacture. We needed to cut and shorten the cross bars to make them fit in between the ribs of our van, and used a wooden frame as a spacer to create more tension from the bolts.
After the AC unit is mounted, it’s time to water test! Spray the entire unit down from every possible angle with tons of water to make sure the seal is completely 100% waterproof.
6. Run Electrical Wiring: Run the electrical wiring braid from the AC unit to your power source.
There is one thick braid and another small cable that run along side one another.
The thick braid goes directly to your Bus Bar or Lynx distributor, using a 40amp breaker on the positive line. The small wire goes to your DC fuse box with a 2amp fuse.
7. Test the AC Unit:
Turn it on and feel the breeze! Make sure everything is running smoothly, that the air is cold, and that none of the electrical connections are getting hot.
Conclusion: Installing an AC unit in your van conversion can be a complex and a bit daunting. But by following these steps, you can ensure that the unit is installed safely and properly. If you're not confident in your abilities, consider hiring a professional to install the AC unit for you. Good luck!
Watch more BTS of our van build here:
