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Topic: roof air problems (Read 975 times) previous topic - next topic

roof air problems

Both roof airs on a 2000 36 ft U270 are not blowing cold air.
Has anyone repaired these by adding R134 refrigerant .
I know that there is no service port accoerding to Foretravel, but they say that a service port can be welded onto the crimped
factory end thereby enabling one to refill with the proper freon.
If they are no repairable how much do the unit cost?
Don

Re: roof air problems

Reply #1 –
Your problem, could also be the compressors are not coming on, check your T/stat and make sure it not set on "Fan Only", it is strange both are not cooling. Any good mobile RV Tech should be able to check them out for you. To answer you original question the units are repairable. Also if you replace your old units, I have read that some additional wireing and a new T/stat is required as well. There are some other posts here about installing new AC's that get into detail.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: roof air problems

Reply #2 –
Does your thermostat have four buttons or five?  If four button units some pretty major expense and effort to put new units in including the units, new control boards, and either transformers installed for the control boards or it is necessary to run 12 volt supply up to each unit. Or, alternatively, you will have to rewire from thermostats to units, a real challenge as I understand it.  I'd be real sure the units are shot before jumping into replacement. 

Have either of them ever worked for you?  Kind of unusual for em to bite dust simultaneously.  If they need a charge then they have a leak somewhere that must be fixed also. 

Chuck
"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: roof air problems

Reply #3 –
I have not bought this unit yet. But the owner is trying to get some systems operational before I buy it and pick it up.

I am trying to guide him and his repair facility to make it easier and less expensive.
Don

Re: roof air problems

Reply #4 –
Don,

The Roof A/C's are a sealed system.  So if lack of freon is the issue, you would not only have to solder in service ports, but also find and repair the leak.

With a 12 year old A/C, work out a 50/50 on the cost of a new one or whatever ya'll think is right and get a new one.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: roof air problems

Reply #5 –
Hi Don,
  If the A/C problem is in the four button control/thermostat, we have a member here, who can rebuild it to like new. No need to go to the upgraded ($$$) five button control/thermostat. He is Jim Frerichs, j_frerichs. He also rebuilds the Aqua-Hot control boxes for about half the price of new.
Raymond
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: roof air problems

Reply #6 –
I'd suggest calling Foretravel, giving them the coach model, and ask them what a new pair of AC units, along with any necessary extras would cost installed, and use that as your negotiating chip. I'd guess in the  2500 range.  As far as soldering in ports, recharging, fixing leaks, sure if you are just trying to extend the life of a unit you already own.  Those kind of fixes require a really skilled tech, not easy to find.  Most won't want to mess with fixing them for good reason-iffy results and lots of labor.  If the coils are corroded, forget it-scrap metal. 

That said, both AC units not working would have me looking for a control issue first.

Chuck
"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: roof air problems

Reply #7 –
I believe the roof airs use R22 like the older home air units.  You need to be certified to buy it.
Tom and Linda
1995 U280SE #4636

Re: roof air problems

Reply #8 –
Foretravel said today that any unit later than 1994 must use the new R134 freon.
Don

Re: roof air problems

Reply #9 –
That is true for the dash ac, but not for the roof ac's, they used R22 if the original units. As said before would look at control issues if both are blowing warm air. Possible start capacitors, of course they could have both leaked out the freon, but not likely.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: roof air problems

Reply #10 –
2 15,000BTU heat pumps with new 5 button thermostats, new control boards, plenums, etc., approx. $4K at Camping World.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: roof air problems

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Steve & Ginny Hill –
2 15,000BTU heat pumps with new 5 button thermostats, new control boards, plenums, etc., approx. $4K at Camping World.

Youch!  Boy was I ever wrong about the price...
"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: roof air problems

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Steve & Ginny Hill –
2 15,000BTU heat pumps with new 5 button thermostats, new control boards, plenums, etc., approx. $4K at Camping World.

Sure could do a lot of AC fixing for that kind of $$$. Of course all new is nice to0.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: roof air problems

Reply #13 –
Innovative Coach Works in Wichita replaced my Front Roof AC last year for 1300 bucks, not a heat pump, it did include new Thermostat.
Gary B

Re: roof air problems

Reply #14 –
Yeah. They cool and heat well, but WOW, are they LOUD. Un-ducted, unfortunately. That is one remodel that I would really like to do.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: roof air problems

Reply #15 –
Steve & Ginny,

I am in the midst of a battle with Dometic over a new Penguin unit that is way to loud.  Complain to them and see if they will do anything under warranty.  My coach is in the shop now having the A/C worked on parts & labor free because I would not take no for an answer.  There are a host of complaints on the internet about the new Penguin unit.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159
 

Re: roof air problems

Reply #16 –
Everything these days are wireless, remote, etc. The a/c, heating folks seem to be way behind the curve on these systems. Just think being able to control and monitor your system and temps via your smartphone or  remote computer.jc
JC
1999 U320