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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Groverunner92 on September 24, 2021, 08:05:09 am

Title: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Groverunner92 on September 24, 2021, 08:05:09 am
Hello, Everyone!  We have a 94 U280 GV,  we got to our site last night and I went to power up the roof top unit in the bedroom and it will not come on.  We have power to the thermostat but the unit won't heat, cool, or even blow just the fan.  The front unit works as it should,  we are hooked to 50 amp service.  The thermostats are the original analog type. I believe the unit is a dometic duotherm.  Thank you for any input!
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Michelle on September 24, 2021, 08:56:24 am
Have you cycled the circuit breaker for the unit?  Breakers do age out, particularly when the panel is on the bed over the engine, due to heat and vibration from the engine. 
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Groverunner92 on September 24, 2021, 09:14:56 am
Hello, yes I tried the breakers.  As an update I unhooked from shore power and turned the generator on and now both units will turn on
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Twig on September 24, 2021, 09:35:39 am
First thing I would do is swap out the 2 thermostats if resetting the breaker fails, and see if the problem follows. Very easy.
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Groverunner92 on September 24, 2021, 09:58:04 am
First thing I would do is swap out the 2 thermostats if resetting the breaker fails, and see if the problem follows. Very easy.

Hello, thank you for the suggestion.  I did have to disconnect from shore power to fill up with fresh water and I turned the generator on and the unit started working.  Possible ATS problem? Or perhaps a breaker I am not aware of is on/off?
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Michelle on September 24, 2021, 10:38:42 am
Hello, yes I tried the breakers.  As an update I unhooked from shore power and turned the generator on and now both units will turn on

Sounds like a possible problem with either campground shore power (only one leg working), shore power cord (loose lug or wire), or shore power wiring to transfer switch (loose connection).

If you carry a multimeter, carefully check pedestal voltages as a start.
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: turbojack on September 24, 2021, 11:14:22 am
If you have the cord that twist locks into the outlet in the coach, it is possible that you do not have it twisted enough.
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Groverunner92 on September 24, 2021, 11:36:15 am
If you have the cord that twist locks into the outlet in the coach, it is possible that you do not have it twisted enough.

I double checked and I can hear the thumping of the switches when I turn the breaker on/off.
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on September 24, 2021, 12:02:53 pm
A/C works on generator - doesn't work on shore power.  You must find the broken link in the shore power delivery circuit.

Note:  Arrows are red on my copy of diagram, but are grey on uploaded copy.  (?)

Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: wolfe10 on September 24, 2021, 12:15:11 pm
Yup, sounds like you are not getting one of the CG hots.

If safe working around 120/240 VAC, pull out your voltmeter and check the CG outlet:

Two outer straights are the HOTS
Center straight is NEUTRAL
Center round is GROUND
So, between either outer straights and either center= 120 VAC
Center straight to center round= 0 VAC
Outer straight to outer straight= 240 VAC.  If mis-wired, can read 0.  As long as outer straights to either center= 120 VAC, it will still work.

Next would be to open your ATS.  With everything disconnected/off, check that all connections are tight and no burned wires.
Black to white= 120 VAC
Red to white= 120 VAC
Black to red= 240 VAC (see also above)
White to green= 0 VAC

Let us know what you find.
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Groverunner92 on September 24, 2021, 12:39:14 pm
Thank you everyone, I unfortunately don't have a voltmeter in the coach.  I may run to the store and get one.  I will update with findings once I get my hands on one
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Groverunner92 on September 24, 2021, 01:06:33 pm
Quick update I noticed in the panel above the door, the power watch meter is at 100 volts and the green light is not lit.
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: wolfe10 on September 24, 2021, 01:08:28 pm
While the power watch meters are not known for their accuracy, if it "usually" reads correctly  (around 120 VAC), you have certainly identified that there is SOME problem.
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: Groverunner92 on September 24, 2021, 01:18:17 pm
I believe the issue is with the Campgrounds 50 amp service.  I switched to 30 amp before running to the store and everything is working as it should.  Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.  This forum is full of the best people  I am going to check my connector when we arrive back home to make sure there for sure isn't an issue on our end
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: red tractor on September 24, 2021, 07:07:44 pm
On 30 amps you should not have more than one ac running at a time.
Title: Re: Rooftop Unit not turning on
Post by: rclark on September 26, 2021, 05:35:30 pm
I volunteered for the COE for a few years as their electrician. We had a lot of the 50 amp breakers that one side would go bad and not trip the breaker. The brand of breakers that seemed to have the most problem with was GE. I bet we changed out 30-40 breakers a season every year. I talked to a COE employee this year and they are still having the same problem. I don't know what brand breakers they are using now. I know this doesn't help your problem but It will give you a starting place.
My two Cents
Ron