Maintenance & Restoration

billinflorida · 11-13-2023, 09:15 AM

I'm picking up a 2022 Casita Independence in a couple of more days. I want to pull the AC unit and put in an additional ceiling vent. Does anyone know if there is 12v wiring in the area I can tap into for a powered vent?

I'm always wondering why on these posts so here's the why? I have a Bigfoot 25 I live in. I want the Casita for a small, light travel rig. I have no intentions of traveling in it anywhere I'd need to plug in for air conditioning. It was a happy surprise that this rig came along close by my location, at a decent price and best of all, no awning. I want the exterior clean and simple. No awning, no AC.

Gerry · 11-13-2023, 06:17 PM

On my Casita FD, an older model, I snaked a wire, for my Max-fan, under the Rat Fur back into the rear overhead cupboard and bugged into the wires that feed the light there. I snaked coat hanger, that i put a small hook like bend it it, between the shell and rat fur then taped wire to this in the cupboard and pulled it, very gently, back so hook wont get hung up on the fur to the opening where the Max-fan is located.

billinflorida · 11-13-2023, 07:19 PM

Thank you. Seems logical and easy enough.

Gerry · 11-14-2023, 04:46 AM

An after thought was I wish I had put some sort of toggle switch in the overhead shelf where I could reach from the bed. This way I wouldn't have to get out of bed to turn on or off the Fan.

billinflorida · 11-14-2023, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry

An after thought was I wish I had put some sort of toggle switch in the overhead shelf where I could reach from the bed. This way I wouldn't have to get out of bed to turn on or off the Fan.

I learned my lesson with fans long ago. I always treat myself to a model with a remote so I don't have to get out of bed to modify the fan setting.

Jon MB · 11-14-2023, 07:50 AM

Bill, Have you reviewed the opening size the AC required to be cut into the roof and compared that to the size of the fan you would install in that hole?

billinflorida · 11-14-2023, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon MB

Have you reviewed the opening size the AC required to be cut into the roof and compared that to the size of the fan you would install

Certainly I would before I start my demolition work. I don't pick up the rig until tomorrow, then I can start assessing my options. I assume everything, fan and AC, are the standard 14X14 size but there's always a surprise waiting when I assume.

Gerry · 11-14-2023, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon MB

Bill, Have you reviewed the opening size the AC required to be cut into the roof and compared that to the size of the fan you would install in that hole?

ahh yes Bill for sure make sure the holes are the same. I know on my previous camper, a Boler that had an AC the hole was the same ... also on my Casita, I know have i built up the exterior of the roof so as not to have the fan hanging down into the camper, other then the trim plate. I built this up with that plastic wood an inch and half with butel tape for waterproofing. between it and roof. Been 5 years now and no leaks.

indysafe317 · 11-18-2023, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billinflorida

I'm picking up a 2022 Casita Independence in a couple of more days. I want to pull the AC unit and put in an additional ceiling vent. Does anyone know if there is 12v wiring in the area I can tap into for a powered vent?

I'm always wondering why on these posts so here's the why? I have a Bigfoot 25 I live in. I want the Casita for a small, light travel rig. I have no intentions of traveling in it anywhere I'd need to plug in for air conditioning. It was a happy surprise that this rig came along close by my location, at a decent price and best of all, no awning. I want the exterior clean and simple. No awning, no AC.

Not trying to change your mind, to each their own, but I am curious, the AC has a fan mode which would suit the same purpose, it's always good to say you have no intention on camping in a certain type of weather, until you do for some reason you didn't think of. The main thing I would consider in your shoes is if it has a heat strip in the AC unit, most do now, I use my heat strip constantly, never fire up the propane furnace because it's too much for these little casita units. . Heat strip on the other hand gives a nice, warm effect without cooking you and you're not using any propane to boot. Just a thought, seems like a lot of work to get to the point where you're already at minus several positive things that could come from keeping it. Just me, your unit, you're dime. When the AC finally does give out or causes you a problem, sounds like that's a great time to fix it the way you want if there's no option. At the end of the day, after 30 years camping, i've yet to run into an actual person "not an anonymous online person" that says I'm so glad I took out my AC unit. On the other hand, I've lost count of the amount of people who say I wish I had ac for this or that particular reason, even if it's not that often. Your gonna do what your gonna do, just seems like a lot of work to get you where your already at.

billinflorida · 11-18-2023, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indysafe317

I am curious, the AC has a fan mode which would suit the same purpose,.

The AC runs on 110, the roof fan runs on 12v. I don't plug in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by indysafe317

has a heat strip in the AC unit, most do now, I use my heat strip constantly, never fire up the propane furnace because it's too much for these little casita units. . Heat strip on the other hand gives a nice, warm effect without cooking you and you're not using any propane to boot.

Same, requires being plugged in. My rig doesn't have a furnace. I use a Little Buddy heater but only if the cold is brutal. I'll brave getting out from my down cover to pop on the Little Buddy just to take the edge off while I make coffee.

Quote:

Originally Posted by indysafe317

At the end of the day, after 30 years camping, .

Well there's the difference, I've only got 15 years of doing this under my belt. You are older, camping wise, and wiser than me. I'm only 68, perhaps in 15 more years of camping I'll want a few more creature comforts to make camping palatable.

See you on the road, just not hooked up to a power pole.

indysafe317 · 11-18-2023, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billinflorida

The AC runs on 110, the roof fan runs on 12v. I don't plug in.

Same, requires being plugged in. My rig doesn't have a furnace. I use a Little Buddy heater but only if the cold is brutal. I'll brave getting out from my down cover to pop on the Little Buddy just to take the edge off while I make coffee.

Well there's the difference, I've only got 15 years of doing this under my belt. You are older, camping wise, and wiser than me. I'm only 68, perhaps in 15 more years of camping I'll want a few more creature comforts to make camping palatable.

See you on the road, just not hooked up to a power pole.

Definitely didn't claim to be wiser than anyone, probably quite the opposite, Which is why I rely on other people's opinions a lot, but we probably won't run into each other much, as you said, I like to be comfortable so I'm usually plugged into the pole someplace happy and comfortable as a clam, Good luck in your travels.