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Topic: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered (Read 747 times) previous topic - next topic

Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

I recently had the fan motor go wacky on me in the rear unit, I quickly realized 1 unit is not enough to cool the bus on a hot day.  Did I mention I do not have dash air?! So due to them being 20 years old now I am thinking that I should upgrade the the back unit (possibly both) instead of repairing.

Thoughts?

If anyone has some ideas of the dash air I am all ears on that too!
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #1 –
Does the compressor for the dash air kick in?Put a set of gauges on it to see if there is any pressure.  If so, it might just need some refrigerant.  If not, put a vacuum on it and confirm if it holds before adding refrigerant.
40ft 1997 U320

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DayDreamer –
Does the compressor for the dash air kick in?Put a set of gauges on it to see if there is any pressure.  If so, it might just need some Freon.  If not, put a vacuum on it and if it holds before adding freon.
I need to take it to a shop and have it checked. The compressor does not engage so I am not sure how to add freon to it. A/C is not my thing!
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #3 –
Adding a little Freon these days is pretty easy. You can buy cans that have a hose attached to them already and you just hook up to the fitting that's right by the compressor that the hose fits and put it in fairly simple. There's a low pressure switch that will keep the compressor from running if there's no pressure in the system so you might have to put some Freon in it to build the pressure before the compressor will start. YouTube is your friend
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #4 –
Agree, there are some good instructional videos.  You can get a loaner gauge set from OReilly or Autozone.  You essentially purchase it, but they give you all of your money back when you return it within 48 hours.  Will also need a can tap for around $7 and several cans of refrigerant, but do not add until you confirm you do not have a leak.    The cans with the hose attached are significantly more expensive than a 12oz can, but they are convenient.

If you put a gauge on the low side and there is no pressure, you will want to vacuum it first and ensure it holds a vacuum.....can also get a vacuum pump at some of the stores.....each is different, so you have to check.

Mine had some pressure and the compressor would come on, but still took 3 each 12 oz cans....it is a long way from the compressor the the dash on a Foretravel.
40ft 1997 U320

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #5 –
All cans with hose attach.  Just unscrew hose assembly. Screw on new full can. Any brand. Save money. Just buy one can with hose. Then as many cans as you might or will use. 
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #6 –
Please stop saying Freon...that's R-12 and confuses the novice refrigeration folks.  R-12 was banned in 1988 and phased out over the next 6 years.  1995 and later coaches use R-134.  It is NOT the same thing.

If you put a gauge on the low side with the engine off, and the gage is above yellow range, then it's not a refrigerant problem...it's electrical.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #7 –
Freon is a trademark name for refrigerants. Freon makes R134a and many other refrigerants. The old R-12 was made by many different companies also. R-134a is no longer used in new vehicles at this time and is going the r-12 route on pricing.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #8 –
The Refrigerant Story: From R-22 to R-410A | Goodman Manufacturing
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #9 –
Freon is not exclusively R12 refrigerant.  Admittedly, I was a little sloppy referring to refrigerant as Freon (since edited the post), but as Craneman stated, Freon is a trademark..  Using Freon instead of refrigerant is similar to referring to bleach as Clorox. 

Freon is a registered trademark of Chemours Company (originally Dupont) and they still market many refrigerants under the Freon label.  Freon brand R134a can be purchased on Amazon..




40ft 1997 U320

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #10 –
All good information!

Can we talk about roof top unit upgrades? I have read that some go back with Duo-Therm and others go with Atwood. Pros and Cons anyone?
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #11 –
The Furrion units with dual fans were getting some good initial  reviews, would be interesting if anyone has a hands on report.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #12 –
Quote from: DayDreamer –
Freon is not exclusively R12 refrigerant.  Admittedly, I was a little sloppy referring to refrigerant as Freon (since edited the post), but as Craneman stated, Freon is a trademark..  Using Freon instead of refrigerant is similar to referring to bleach as Clorox. 

Freon is a registered trademark of Chemours Company (originally Dupont) and they still market many refrigerants under the Freon label.  Freon brand R134a can be purchased on Amazon..
Other brands of refrigerant. The R-12 cans I bought for less than a buck when I was a service station mechanic. I was able to get the 30# bottles of R-134a when they were $30.00 at Wallmart.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #13 –
I replace both of my dometic units with the atwoods. Other than my initial issue with the thermostats not working with the aqua hot, they've been very good. I got the heat pump one, and 15,000 BTU. They keep the coach as cold as I needed to. They're not loud and other than sticking up a little higher than the dometic ones look good on the roof. In my front one I did put the easy start capacitor in, and that unit can run off the inverter and the lithium batteries and solar. The rear one would only work with shore power or generator.
last few days I've been getting condensation dripping from the rear AC unit onto the bathroom floor. Not sure what that's about. I took the filter out and it was dirty so I cleaned it and put it back in again. So in my opinion the atwoods were a good buy significantly cheaper than the dometics. But since dometic bought out Atwood I'm not sure how long they'll be available.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #14 –
Lost front AC and replaced with dometic.  So VERY glad we caught it before we left what with some 95/100 degree afternoons.  Can cool entire coach with front only.  Very pleased with it.

As for dash air we had to replace the compressor a couple of years ago.  Not expensive.  I know some just run the roof air and do without the dash but I like a backup.  Lost all on one trip thru west Texas one year at 108 degrees even at 8 pm.  Dash would not work....hence replaced....and generator would not gen to run roof AC.
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #16 –
I need to replace my original rear a/c in the future. I'm going to just clean the coils and hope it doesn't go out soon. It's very hard to find a Dometic a/c. With them being built in China, they are scarce. Hopefully next fall I'll be able to find one.
Mike (Shelby the wonder dog)
2003 U320 (Barry Beams old coach)
2012 Honda CRV

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Journey, Roam, Explore –
I replace both of my dometic units with the atwoods. Other than my initial issue with the thermostats not working with the aqua hot, they've been very good. I got the heat pump one, and 15,000 BTU. They keep the coach as cold as I needed to. They're not loud and other than sticking up a little higher than the dometic ones look good on the roof. In my front one I did put the easy start capacitor in, and that unit can run off the inverter and the lithium batteries and solar. The rear one would only work with shore power or generator.
last few days I've been getting condensation dripping from the rear AC unit onto the bathroom floor. Not sure what that's about. I took the filter out and it was dirty so I cleaned it and put it back in again. So in my opinion the atwoods were a good buy significantly cheaper than the dometics. But since dometic bought out Atwood I'm not sure how long they'll be available.
What model did you buy? I love the idea of being able to run one A/C on solar! I plan to add solar this winter or next year as long as something else does not happen that eats up the coach bucks!
What easy start capacitor did you use?
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705
 

Re: Opinions wanted! A/C upgrade considered

Reply #18 –
The Atwood unit I replaced my dometics with was a $15,000 BTU heat pump unit. I don't have the model number in front of me right now. The easy start capacitor is the micro air. Seems to work just fine. I may put one on the rear air too as well but to be honest I usually limit my amps drawing to 30 even though I'm hooked up to a 50 amp connection and never have an issue. I can do that with my Victron system. Just know that I can run my AC on my battery system and solar but there's usually a deficit. It's better to run it off the generator. And once it gets dark and there's no more solar it doesn't take long to draw the batteries down. So while I can run it off to solar and the batteries I don't do it for very long.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired