Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Ed W on July 27, 2020, 09:46:20 pm

Title: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: Ed W on July 27, 2020, 09:46:20 pm
What is the total weight of 134A in the dash ac system for a 40' U320 2003?

A friend of mine is coming over tomorrow and will vacuum out the system and refill.

I read one post that indicated 5 to 5.2 lb.

Thank you
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: rbark on July 27, 2020, 09:50:29 pm
Can you give FOT a call? It might be on a label somewhere on the system components.
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: wolfe10 on July 27, 2020, 09:52:49 pm
Fill by PSI/gauge readings.
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: John44 on July 27, 2020, 11:11:07 pm
Do what Brett says.
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: craneman on July 27, 2020, 11:15:54 pm
I couldn't get the pressures to match what r-134 should be on both the high and low side. Put a thermometer in the register in the dash and charged until temp dropped to 40 deg. and ignored pressures. I know something isn't right but cannot find a restriction so went with if it works leave it alone.
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: Barry & Cindy on July 27, 2020, 11:20:47 pm
We have a gauge set, but find the best way is to add refrigerant until dash feels cold and/or have thermometer in dash outlet.

Have a permanent dash thermometer with a wired sensor probe that is placed inside dash plenum, a few inches from evaporator coil.

We see temps about 38 degrees at the evap coil.
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: dsd on July 28, 2020, 12:09:53 am
38 deg is incredible. Outside air temperatures, inside temperature affect everything. If you are seeing 40 deg drop from inlet to evaporators to outlet you are doing real good. 134 can be easily overcharged and perform poorly. I charge by temperature drop and seek to stop at the peak. Many factors affect performance.
Scott
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: craneman on July 28, 2020, 12:19:37 am
38 deg is incredible. Outside air temperatures, inside temperature affect everything. If you are seeing 40 deg drop from inlet to evaporators to outlet you are doing real good. 134 can be easily overcharged and perform poorly. I charge by temperature drop and seek to stop at the peak. Many factors affect performance.
Scott
The air inside is the factor as it is on recirc usually. Works like a big refrigerator keeps getting the output returned. If you put the dial on fresh air you would be trying to cool the outside air and never get to the 40 deg. I get.
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: opelgt327 on July 28, 2020, 10:42:45 am
You can also look at the sight glass on the dyer. Most have black tape over the sight glass that you will have to remove. Add till no bubbles are seen, wait a week and re check if you are losing 134a 


Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: Barry & Cindy on July 28, 2020, 03:33:09 pm
Our experience is sight glass is not useful for R134A and not included in new filter-dryer.
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: bbeane on July 28, 2020, 04:12:50 pm
Should be able to call FT and get the exact charge weight. 134A doesn't like to be over charged head pressures will go sky high, to low the system will go into a vacuum. Also if you replace components like the dryer you will need to add PAG OIL.
Title: Re: R134A amount in 2003 U320 40'
Post by: Caflashbob on July 28, 2020, 06:37:44 pm
5 pounds was std