Remodel 2020

Geo

With the curtailed camping season for 2020, and finding a much smaller air conditioner I decided to perform another remodel for our 2004 T@B.
The disassembly.

New front cabinets with 'SMEV' sink and stove combo returned to service, small AC unit at right of pic.

New ceiling - the original carpeted ceiling was delaminating and sagging.

Liz is very pleased with the new look and functionality of our vintage 2004 DM T@B.

dragonsdofly

@Geo, I bow to your skills, devotion to your t@b and patience for the time this took. WOW!

Tabaz

Outstanding workmanship!  Nice attention to detail at the wood frame for the ceiling fan.  You should be proud and very happy with the results.

Tabaz

Please provide more info on that A/C unit.  Especially if you've used it during the summer months.

Geo

@Tabaz , The AC unit is called 'Zero Breeze 2'.  I tested it on a warm day this last fall - but have not tried it on a hot day in the sun.  It cooled the T@B down quickly as it puts out about 50* air, it is rated for about the sq. footage of our T@B 320's.
 Buy Zero Breeze Mark 2-The Zero Breeze Store
The portable AC unit we had before would short cycle due to being oversized for the trailer, but did cool it very effectively, it was just large and took up space that had been countertop for the sink/stove.
'04 DM T@B's did not come with any AC unit, the cool cats AC units appeared in '05 or '06.

VictoriaP

AMAZING craftsmanship!

@Geo, does the Zero Breeze require some sort of venting for a setup like this?

Edit: looks like the original had a single vent hose, and the Mark 2 has a dual vent hose setup. I bet those of us with pre-2020, non-Elwell Air8 Tab 320 units could make this work in the underbench storage, vented either through the side or the floor. Hmmm....I’d really like a part-time AC that could be easily removed during the shoulder seasons when it just isn’t ever needed in my neck of the woods, and being able to reclaim the wasted cabinet space of the Danby would be a plus.

Mouseketab

I notice the Zero Breeze is from Australia, what did you need to convert it to US power?

VictoriaP

Mouseketab said:

I notice the Zero Breeze is from Australia, what did you need to convert it to US power?

They sell in the US as well, I’d be surprised if they didn’t include a US standard plug.

Geo

@VictoriaP, Yes this unit requires venting to work properly.
@Mouseketab, It came with standard US 120VAC plug and the 24VDC transformer. I did not buy the battery pack as we mostly camp with shore power.

ontheroad

It's beautiful Geo... can't wait to ( hopefully) see it in the spring...stay safe and well..love to Liz too!

Tabnero

how has the Zero breeze worked at cooling the space for you? what kind of temps have you been camping in?

Geo

@Tabnero, I only purchased it this past fall.  We tested it on a warm fall afternoon, the unit was putting out 50* air and cooled the warm interior very quickly.  Have not had it on a hot day in the sun to test it more fully.  It is rated for about the square footage of the 320, and with low ceiling and sloped roof line the cubic footage is less that would be expected when figuring square footage (IMO).

I can report back later this year when things warm up . . . 

Tabnero

@Geo, please let us know. I have been following that unit for a while now. I really think in the texas heat it would take 2 units to be comfortable

Dbarras

Has anyone ever replaced their power roof vent to ab A/C unit?  I have a 2007 Tab. The cover got broken somehow, and cant replace, but I think Id like to change to a/c. We mostly camp with hookups. Is there 110 power up there, or just the battery power?  Thanks

Denny16

Only a 12VDC battery circuit to power the fan.  Not sure the roof is rated to hold the weight of an AC either.  You can replace the fan with a new Fantastic fan or something similar...
cheers

VictoriaP

@dbarras The roof cannot support the weight of an RV A/C unit. There are pics (either here or in one of the Facebook groups) showing a caved in roof that had to be replaced after the owners tried that. Better vent fans are available and easily retrofitted, my dealer swapped mine for a MaxxFan and I love it. If your 2007 doesn’t have a CoolCat, you might do best to look at a portable A/C, either the traditional household type (there are some smaller ones, I have a 45 lb one at home that would easily fit on a Tab bench) or one like Geo is using.

Dbarras

Thanks so much. Thats what I wondered. Im bummed I cant replace the broken cover because fan still works, but cant find a replacement. Thanks again

Tabaz

VictoriaP is correct - the roof will not support an A/C unit.  Saw one at T@Bazona a few years back.  It was not a pretty sight.  Also, only 12V to the factory ceiling fan.

Geo

@Dbarras,  The vent cover should be replaceable.  We had a 31' fifth wheel years ago and I replaced all of the covers because of age deterioration. 
 ttps://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-and-Fans/Fantastic-Vent/FVK1020-19.html
search etrailer for the exact model replacement you might need.
I replaced ours with a maxxfan and love it.
MaxxFan Deluxe Roof Vent w/ 12V Fan - Manual Lift - 4 Speed - Smoke MaxxAir RV Vents and Fans MA00-06401K (etrailer.com)
You do have options. . .

Marceline

Dbarras said:

Has anyone ever replaced their power roof vent to ab A/C unit?  I have a 2007 Tab. The cover got broken somehow, and cant replace, but I think Id like to change to a/c. We mostly camp with hookups. Is there 110 power up there, or just the battery power?  Thanks

I think that it is possible to find replacement parts (I assume that it's a Fantastic Fan) but at this point it might be better to just drop in a better fan as suggested by others.

TABaker

 Actually there's a nuCamp T@B with a roof AC unit.  Some sort of support was added to the roof, and I believe it was done by the factory.  The T@B as owned by Ellen Zadoff.  The one with the sag issue was a Dutchmen and owned by Guther and Nancy Joslyn.