Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 21, 2016, 05:46:13 pm

Title: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 21, 2016, 05:46:13 pm
My rear Penguin would let the fans run when first started but the compressor would just hum.  I installed a new start capacitor for the compressor just now and the compressor runs but the fans won't start. I tried turning by hand to get them started and they worked perfectly. The AC unit cooled perfectly until I shut it off.
I tried a normal restart with the thermostat and the compressor came on but not the fans.

There were 2 capacitors side by side and I replaced the smaller one. I guess the bigger one is a start capacitor for the fans?  What is the likelihood that it to needs replaced?

I can't get online with my laptop here so this is being sent from my cell and is a real PITA.
If someone wants to call me 865-250-6040.
Thank you.
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Bob & Vicki on February 21, 2016, 05:59:23 pm
We recently replaced both fan motors on our FT,
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 21, 2016, 06:47:05 pm
I think the fan motor is OK, it just won't start by itself.

Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: craneman on February 21, 2016, 06:55:07 pm
I had the same thing happen when I did my house condenser. I had wired the new capacitor exactly as the old one. Had to have a tech come out and he cut one wire, said the new one didn't use it. that fixed it. Don't know your system but see if your new capacitor has an issue like mine.
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 21, 2016, 07:07:35 pm
C-man,
Mine is a 2 wire and I hate to cut one of them.
Was yours a 3 wire?

Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 21, 2016, 07:15:26 pm
What I've done is reverse the situation by installing a new compressor capacitor.......
the compressor now comes on and runs
but the fans don't unless they're started by hand.
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Bill B on February 21, 2016, 08:29:17 pm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kdFIARakavk
T-Man, The above link will show you how to check your caps with a volt/ohm meter much better than I could describe it to you (provided you can get internet service).
To me it does sound like a defective starting cap. Please let us know what you find and good luck.
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 21, 2016, 08:40:03 pm
I need the part number for a new cap.
They're so cheap it's worth replacing it.
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Bill B on February 21, 2016, 09:19:37 pm
Try this link for part #. 
http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/PDF/dometic_penguin_manual.pdf
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 21, 2016, 09:36:38 pm
Apparently they have just overhauled the Wifi
here and it's shaky and slow, like this cell.  You're on the right track but my penguin is a model 630516.321. I noticed that the compressor cap has a different number than the one I put in, so the fan cap could be wrong too.
The compressor capacitor I put on is
3100236.235.

Thanks
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Bill B on February 21, 2016, 10:17:22 pm
Fan start run cap part #. 3100248.602 
This link should verify
http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=29308&d=1402104903
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Barry & Cindy on February 22, 2016, 01:54:39 am
Here is some info on roof ac capacitors

front A/C inop (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=26290.msg210290#msg210290)
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: stump on February 22, 2016, 08:09:43 am
The microfarad rating should be on the side of the old capacitors.
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Chuck Pearson on February 22, 2016, 09:15:54 am
Remember, if a cap has the slightest bulge in ends...dome shaped bulge, it's bad.  Ends should be flat. 
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 23, 2016, 09:55:18 pm
Thanks guys.
I was able to get a second cap locally and we're up and running.
Title: Re: Penguin AC help needed
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on February 24, 2016, 01:26:00 pm
Part #64 in the diagram Dometic 3109409.001 is listed as being a cold control sensor.  Is it a clip-on that attaches to the evaporator fins to stop the compressor if they ice up?