New and Improved Dometic RTX 2000 Install

This is our third install of a Dometic RTX 2000 12 volt AC unit. We've learned some things along the way, and we're sharing them in this video. Following these pro tips will insure that you get a leak-proof, professional-looking install.
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Products used in this video:
Adapter/Gasket- diyvan.com/collections/new/pr...
Window Weld- amzn.to/3l4Ch25
Sikaflex- amzn.to/30PjaBP
Sikaflex-
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➳ WHO WE ARE
We're Lisa & Jeff Warnick. We've been representing Thrive Life freeze-dried foods for over 10 years. It's been a dream of ours to have a van to travel the country, supporting our team and sharing the Thrive love.
After we built our first van, we realized how much we love the creative process of designing and building vans...so now we're building and selling our own custom vans. We also do conversions on client-owned vans.
For more info visit our website: thrivecraftedvans.com/
If you're converting your own van, we hope you find our channel helpful. We've spent hundreds of hours researching and testing the best materials and processes for our van builds. We've put together a list of the materials we (and others in our van community) have used and that we can recommend so that you don't have to spend all those hours on research.
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Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Sponsors are acknowledged. Some links in the description are affiliate links that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

[@doityourselfvan]

Thank you for using our adapter. We highly recommend our full size seal as well as it supports the unit much better.

[@104bob]

Do you make an adapter for the RTX to fit a 2010 Transit Connect?

[@skeeter4223]

hello!!! I am so excited!!! I have been watching your van camper videos since your first build and I am purchasing Jessica's Van, your first 144 sprinter van!!!! I will be driving through salt lake next week and am hoping to stop by to add a awning and possibly an air conditioner!! love your builds! your quality is bar none!!

[@narrowpath2980]

Thank you for sharing , valuable information 👍👍

[@bjbhehir]

Nice Video!! I use my heat gun on that windo weld.

[@wheelienelson5888]

Just installed my adapter today! Great video. A tip I learned with window weld is to put the tube in a small box along with a hair dryer. Set the hair dryer on low for about 10 minutes before you’re ready to use the tube. It will come out very smooth and saves your hands from squeezing so hard!

[@OurThrivingLife]

Great tip. Thanks!

[@sheri4673]

@@OurThrivingLife You can set those tubes in very hot tap water for an hour before use, it softens up the calk very nicely.

[@perryspecht7029]

Great video. It was super informative. As a result, I just order one of these adapters. Did you need to add any spacers on your build(s)?

[@tscorched3628]

Great vid! This unit sure hits the amps button! Are you still happy with the cooling, or does the 6700btu struggle? Thanks Tod

[@maradavis8703]

Do you have a picture after ceiling is installed to see final interior look? Great video!!

[@davidmarch6417]

Always love your videos sir, great job! I considered months ago ordering that adapter but chose to do the same approach you took with your previous installs. Glad to hear this worked out so well. On a side note, I would love to know or see your hookup to the breaker and from their to your 12v distribution box. It took me FOREVER to even realize that the 12v cables included with this unit were the "larger" cables and the smaller ones were the 24v ... uggh! Looking forward to hopefully seeing those connections as it's my only missing "electrical" piece I have left to solve, lol.

[@OurThrivingLife]

I’ll do a. Video on this when I hook up the electrical.

[@davidmarch6417]

@@OurThrivingLife Just wanted to check in to see if you happen to have gotten around to a video on this yet? :)

[@davidmarch6417]

@@OurThrivingLife I didn't happen to see a link to the 80Amp breaker you mentioned in the video. I'm eager to see how you made the connections to the breaker and then to the 12v distribution.

[@LexxandDoze]

I just wired mine up and it’s running! Thanks again for your earlier reply it was helpful. Mine is flashing the battery symbol and I’m reading the manual it says that’s a low voltage warning….did you have anything like that happen? I’m running with 4x100ahr lithium batteries so I don’t really think there should be a power supply problem. Do you have any thoughts on that?

[@JustEnjoyingLife73]

That Milwaukee cutoff tool is extremely under-powered. I have one, and I just got a Dewalt DCS438B, and oh man that is so much more powerful. But my concern with using a cutoff tool would be that it heats up the metal, potentially harming the paint. It also creates a ton of fine dust, so using a respirator is a good idea. You don't want the cutoff wheel powder going into your lungs.

[@OurThrivingLife]

Good points. You’re right about the Milwaukee cutoff tool. It actually works better on steel bar than sheet metal. It binds too much on sheet metal. We have tried many different tools, and now use a Milwaukee nibbler. It works great.

[@maxwellcompton5038]

Love this video, you inspired me to purchase the Rtx 2000 and template. I have a random question with regards to the electrical. I’m also using a lynx distributor and all 4 posts are being used. The far right posts (usually used for attaching additional lynx distributors) are not being used, do you know if I can run the the cable off these posts, fuse them and then run to fan? The posts seem to carry enough power so I’m thinking it won’t be an issue. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[@OurThrivingLife]

That’s exactly how I connect the power for the RTX 2000. I run it through an 80 amp Blue Sea breaker.

[@samhodson6470]

Where are you located...I have a Nissan NV 200...curious how much for you to install. I like your attention to detail.

[@jessmatthewson7775]

Thank you so much for sharing.... that adapter is certainly a key component for a successful install. How much height does the a/c add to the top clearance requirements of the van?

[@OurThrivingLife]

It's pretty low profile. It adds around 6 or 7 inches.

[@quentinprevost2907]

Hello Sir, love all your video, I have a question for you : I live in Florida, would you go with the nomadic cooling x3 or do you think that the dometic RTX 2000 is enough to cool down a 144 sprinter during summer ?

[@OurThrivingLife]

Those are both great AC units. The X3 is going to do a better job, but I think the RTX 2000 would work. It would just have to work harder. In other words, it wouldn't cycle off as often as the X3.

[@RustyCas999]

That adapter is a brilliant idea! I’ve always cringed watching folks install fans, etc on a van. I assume they do the same for MaxxAir fans.

[@OurThrivingLife]

Yes. We use the adapter for both the air conditioner and roof fan, They're game changers.

[@RustyCas999]

@@OurThrivingLife Just found your channel today. You’re someone much closer to my age - looking forward to an approach that may be different from the younger builders.

[@maxwellcompton5038]

Installation went great, the template could not have simplified this process anymore. On a separate note, do you notice that the air conditioner and ribs bounce/flex as you drive down bumpy roads? I looked back at my ac while driving down a bumpy road yesterday, post install, and the ac as well as the ribs were bouncing about .5 inches. I don’t see how this could be prevented, but just strange seeing the unit bounce up and down. Any advice?

[@meeksdigital]

It seems that installing some braces front-to-back between the ribs, up against the inside of the roof might be the way to alleviate this. I'm a few weeks away from installing my RTX2000 and am considering fabricating some braces to attach to the ribs for exactly this purpose.

[@johncookson2546]

Great video! I ordered the adapter gasket! Do you use the 80 amp break or the 100 amp? You said 80 amp but the Amazon link brings you to a 100amp breaker. Thanks!

[@OurThrivingLife]

I use the 100 amp, but an 80 amp will work fine.

[@johncookson2546]

@@OurThrivingLife Thanks!

[@LexxandDoze]

Do you happen to have any video or pictures of the wiring setup? I’m trying to connect my electrical and am really confused. I have a lynx distributor and all four spots are taken already so I thought I could add a terminal fuse extension piece but I’m still learning electrical and need some help.

[@OurThrivingLife]

I connect the wires to the holes on the right side of the Lynx distributor’s busbars. We use a Blue Sea 80 amp breaker on the positive wire, but a terminal fuse will work fine.

[@LexxandDoze]

@@OurThrivingLife wow thank you so much for the reply. I’m still learning what exactly a terminal fuse is but if I get an 80amp terminal fuse you think that is the same or equal to the 80amp breaker? Thanks very much.

[@andreivalsan7913]

Any issues with applying the Sikaflex 252 directly on the adapter without using anything else?

[@OurThrivingLife]

No problems at all. We usually use 3M Window Weld.

[@rachel7550]

Are those bars necessary? I don’t have any framing or things for those to attach to on the roof of my van and would prefer not to to maximize headspace and the open feeling. Thanks!

[@OurThrivingLife]

That is the recommended way to mount the AC unit. You could probably come up with another way to secure the unit to the roof.

[@rachel7550]

@@OurThrivingLife thanks. I think I’m gonna have a van shop help me out and I’ll let them figure it out… too much I could mess up! Overall is it worth it? A little nervous about the purchase but idk how people do vanlife for extended times without ac!

[@TheAussieRepairGuy]

Question - what's the small connector on the harness for? IR receiver? temp sensor?

[@OurThrivingLife]

It's a low voltage shutoff. It's meant for semi-trucks when the starter battery is being used to power the AC. We don't connect it.

[@TheAussieRepairGuy]

@@OurThrivingLife ty, I worked the out in the end.

[@rod8073]

I’m set on getting the rtx2000. What do you think of the velit?

[@OurThrivingLife]

Sorry. Don’t know much about the Velit.

[@rod8073]

@@OurThrivingLife Thank you for the quick response. It’s a huge cost and decision to make without getting to try it out first. I want the AC to drop the temp. as cold air is more important to me than btu,watts etc.

[@JOHNDANIEL1]

ROOF AC GASKET is a joke, just use a shop floor foam kit from Harbor Freight for $15 and you get 4 pieces and it will last for decades, ribs on roofs up to 3/8 thick won't matter.

[@ehcropydoc]

Lol