My attempt at installing an AC unit in my Shasta

As promised I said I would document my attempt at installing a window ac in my shasta. 

First I had to leave a spot open in the wall by the floor to deal with this. 

Second I had to find an AC unit that would fit in that area and have a remote since I dont want to get on my hands and knees every time I want to adjust the unit.

Third I had to decide how I wanted to implement the install
- Do I make it fixed install and have a screen on the outside
-- If I do that then how do I get fresh air in 
----- well I planned to build a plinth around the ac unit and cut a couple holes in the floor to draw air from under the camper, kind of like a roof vent but a floor vent

OR 
- Do I do a install that I slide the AC unit in and out and when I travel I just slide it back in and close the hatch
--I decided to go this route -
----of course I bought everything to do it the other way but over the winter I changed my mind.

So how to get the AC slid in and out

1. Build a platform for the AC unit to sit on and attach door slides to it. See pictures below


20200630_172729 by Tom Ress, on Flickr

I got to use my new dado blade to cut a grove in the sides, I then glued and nailed the plywood and side rails 

In the picture below you can see the blocking I installed to keep the unit from moving front to back, I will also do some type of strap to keep it attached. 


20200630_192324 by Tom Ress, on Flickr
You also see in this picture I started to cut away some wall from the inside. I was pretty sure I had left this area open with no wires for this purpose but wanted to cut a small section out first to make sure I didn't have wires behind. 

I then marked out the area I was going to cut out, I started a bit small and will have to increase it by an 1 inch or so on the sides and top. I want to mark from the inside the corners so I can cut the aluminum right. 

20200630_184305 by Tom Ress, on Flickr


Here I started cutting out the wall, I think I will need to peel the aluminum out to fix supports in the wall. I will know more once I cut the hole in the aluminum. 

20200630_191827 by Tom Ress, on Flickr

You can see the cut out in the second picture but the picture below shows the AC unit in the space on the slide out tray. 

20200630_193115 by Tom Ress, on Flickr

At this point I can still back out and do something else but in the next couple of days I will be committed once I cut the aluminum. 

I will post more as I proceed.