I took our coach to Redlands Truck & RV, Redlands CA in early June for routine maintenance, i.e., oil change, brake inspection, genset, Aqua Hot, and refer annual maintenance. Since the dash A/C has not worked very well since we purchased the rig in March 2016, I asked them to service the unit. I thought it probably need freon. The service rep called me during the repair process informing the A/C keeps leaking freon and recommended replacing the compressor and hoses. Ouch!! I authorized the additional surgery on my wallet, but relished in the thought the DW and I would be cool while traveling in the summer time. We had to wait for the parts and the installation. That was finally done, but hold on Sparky, this didn't fix the problem. They determined the dash A/C condenser fan was running extremely hot, so recommended replacing it. Just so happened they had one in stock. It's only money. We finally get the coach back in mid-July, but it will not start when I go to pick it up. Thought maybe the chassis batteries (1 year old) had gone dead while rig was in for service. Used the boost switch to start the engine and drove it to the house ~ 15 miles. The coach set in our driveway for two weeks. During the two weeks the coach set in my driveway I had it plugged in and the charger on for the coach batteries and at least two or three times I had the boost switch on to charge the chassis batteries. I was preparing to move the coach to long term storage when I noticed a significant amount of oil had dripped onto a piece of cardboard I had placed under the engine to protect the driveway. Crawled under the coach to check out where the oil leak was coming from. While under the coach I discovered the new dash A/C condenser fan was wired directly to the chassis batteries. This didn't look right to me, so I thought maybe this arrangement had something to do with why the coach would not start when I went to pick it up a couple weeks earlier. I then tried starting the coach and sure enough it would not start using the chassis batteries. I returned the coach to RT&RV to fix the problem, but they seem to be at a loss on how to correctly wire the new dash A/C condenser fan. I obtained a wiring schematic of the dash A/C condenser fan from Ronnie at FOT and provided it to RT&RV. I suspect the relay may be bad, but don't have a clue where it is located. Any ideas out there?
It should be on the isolator board (or that is where it was from the factory) along with the boost relay. There will be a relay for the condenser fan, a relay for the compressor clutch, and 1 breaker for each.
Mike
David,
The relay is likely similar to mine. It is on the board on the forward wall of the engine compartment, accessed most easily from inside the bedroom.
Richard
When you say "breaker" are you referring to a in-line fuse or something else? Is this a 12VDC breaker or 120VAC breaker? I'm clueless!! Are these relays specific to Foretravel or can they be obtained from any auto parts store? What markings on the relays indicates which relay is which? Any ideas why the mechanic would wire the fan directly to the battery? Thanks for your help.
Think I would cross Redlands truck and rv off my list,seems like they have no clue how to repair an ac system except keep changing
parts til they hit the bad one,then install it half ass.
1. In the pics. above it is listed as a fuse. It is really a self resetting breaker kind of like a fuse. In this location they are prone to failure.
2. 12VDC
3. Most any parts store, the one for the compressor clutch is 15amp and the one for the condenser fan is 20 amp
4. You have to follow the wire from the beaker to the relay then to one component. Then you will know what the other one goes to as these are not labeled.
5. Ignorance.
You need to see if you can find someone knows HVAC work. You didn't mention if they replace the dryer. With the system being non working for a long period of time along with this new hoses did they replace the expansion valve also? If they replace the hoses they were right there and should have replaced it.
Mike
Also,every ac compressor Iv'e put in the last few years has to have a new drier installed in order to get any warrentee.
Any time I have lost charge, the shop has replaced the dryer.
Thanks to all who provided info on my problem. Returned the coach to RT&RV to check out the A/C install and source what was causing the chassis batteries to discharge. I forgot to ask if they replaced the dryer. We started a trip last Friday and the batteries are working fine. I haven't had a chance to crawl under the coach to see if they adjusted the A/C wiring. Whatever they did, the dash A/C works great now. Drove from SoCal thru Blythe CA on the way to Kingman AZ and the outside temp was 100+ and we didn't feel the need to turn on the roof A/C's. Was cloudy so we we were not getting any direct sun on the windshield. I still have a complaint about the A/C replacement and that concerns the dash facade. RT&RV took the facade apart and didn't get it back together as is was before — think some screws are missing. Guess I'll have to investigate and hopefully get it back together so the cabinet door closes as it should.
David,
Thanks for the update. Glad to hear the dash A/C is working so well. It seems that it is typical that after the professionals finish their work you usually have to go in and finish the job properly for them.
Richard
Update!! Had RT&RV work on my Aqua Hot also. The AQ needed a new electric element so had them replace the burned out one with a 2000W unit. The repairs required the boiler coolant be drained. While they were changing out the electric element had them repair the tempering valve which was corroded. I talked to the technician concerning priming the pumps after he refilled the AQ tank. Sounded like he did it correctly. Unfortunately, I think the dash A/C technician screwed up the front AQ zone. Today we are in the Flagstaff AZ area and it is in the low 60s. Good time to test the AQ heating zones. Bedroom zone good heat; bathroom zone good heat; living room/galley zone not so good. Had warm air in the galley, luke warm air in the living room and cold air from the dash defrost vents. >:( Checked the pump for the LR/galley zone and it was warm, but the return line was cold so no boiler fluid is circulating. Talked to Rudy and he said the zone line either has a kinked hose or the A/C tech disconnected the AQ dash register. What to do? Not sure how to get into the dash to see what was done.
I'm going to start a new thread under Aqua Hot Living Room Zone | Dash Defrost Vents Blowing Cold Air.
The Dash A/C wasn't doing a very good job while sitting in the driveway, but did pretty well when rolling down on the last trip (in the morning). Coming home, same thing, barely doing anything. A/C vent temp gauge showed 60-70*, barely less than ambient temps.
Got home and determined the condenser fan was not running. Thanks to the picture posted by Jan & Richard, found a dead 15a fuse/circuit breaker for the condenser fan. Given the age, I'm replacing that one and the A/C compressor fuse too.
ETA: Replacing these fuses cured the issue.
Just an update here, the replacement 15a circuit breaker for the condenser fan has failed again. I've ordered an auto-reset 20a version to replace the one-time 15a unit. Hopefully this issue does not reappear.
The fan motor might be failing, mine was. Spin it by hand and see if it is free. The motor can fail even if it move freely.
I agree with craneman replace the fan.
If the capacitor is gone would that cause the breaker to go?
No capacitor on the 12 volt fan motor.