I decided to clean the outside coils on the roof ACs since we are planning on hot weather during our trip. The front AC wasn't doing as well as the back, but I figured that was more due to the larger area to cool, the single pane glass, etc.
Surprise! The front ac condenser coils were seriously plugged with dirt for at least the top 2 inches and the rest of the coil was really dirty. Worse. the foam seal on top that forces the air flow through the coil area was about 40 percent missing, with the rest seriously degraded. A trip to the big orange box revealed the thickest foam seal tape was 1/2", so I bought a roll of it and a roll of 3/8" and double stacked it.
Cooling is improved at least 50%! I will probably order new seals and replace them after this trip. Hmmm... I wonder if Camping World carries them. I didn't have enough foam left to do the rear AC completely, So I just did the one foot section around the blower that was shot.
I was looking at the 'cover' that separates what I call the primary from the secondary side. Has anyone ever thought of insulating this? One could take some spray glue and the 'double bubble' foil sided insulation and do this in 15 minutes...
Dave,
Reports are that the foam seals/gaskets sold by FOT parts are a superior product to some of those sold elsewhere. Kent Speers opined that the ones he got from FOT were much better than those he'd bought on eBay. Not knowing what brand/quality Camping World might sell, I would go with FOT.
In fact we did. Our 2010 replacement A/Cs were noisy almost from Day 1. We had MOT install the Dometic drain kit that raised them off the roof slightly, but the rear one especially got noisy again very quickly, and it appears the gaskets have already started to take a set and degrade. A piece of extra foam stuffed under the low corner helped, but we purchased new gaskets from FOT this spring and Steve plans to pull both A/Cs and replace the gaskets at some point this summer.
Michelle
Particularly if operated in humid areas, you also need to clean the EVAPORATOR. Harder to access, but if you get that "wet dog" smell when you turn it on, you have mold in the evaporator.
Any house HVAC store has evaporator cleaner that will not harm the coils.
Brett
Dave, I'm guessing you were not talking about the seal that the A/C unit sits on but a seal under the cowling on the roof. Is that correct?
Yep - that's the one.
Just ordered a replacement shroud from Camping QWorld (I had a credit balance) - They drop shipped it fromDometic - took three weeks. Came with new foam, not installed. If you can't pick it up at Camping world in person - try PPL.
Tim FIedler
630 240-9139
Everyone, When I had new front AC installed it came with a shroud.
My old shroud was only a couple years old and is in good condition.
I will make a real deal to someone that needs it, its really big to ship so if you are anywhere near ATL, GA it would be easier to pick it up. Either that or we will be in Orlando area after Christmas. Will also be at the South Central Rally in TN in October.
Gary B