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Dash Ac condenser replacement

August 01, 2010, 10:05:42 am

Just discovered a large hole in the outside of the dash AC condenser (procedure:  attach gauges, note no pressure, fill from canister, note loud hissing from condenser ).

It's on a 99 U270 36'

Before I order one from Foretravel, does anyone know of alternate sources of condensers?  Since it isn't from a common car/truck model, looking for a replacement on line seems hard.  Maybe some place that lists by size & mounting.  And I guess there's always the possibility that it's a custom part .

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #1 – August 01, 2010, 10:26:39 am

Sorry to hear about your problem, and I can not answer any of your questions.  Don't be in too big of a hurry to fix it, although it shouldn't be months because of the possibility of internal corrosion.  You can run the generator and roof units for cooling.  There is a slim possibility that a shop could repair the old one.  Doubt that Foretravel installed a custom unit.  It may take a little time to find a replacement, but someone probably has it.  The dryer or desiccant will need replacing also.

Jerry Whiteaker
96 U270

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #2 – August 01, 2010, 10:53:54 am

Dave, I remember reading someone replaced theirs on here about a month ago. I will search when I get to a computer. You might search here or yahoo as I do remebe reading about that.

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #3 – August 01, 2010, 01:46:18 pm

Dave, I suspect that the condensers used in our FT's are standard sizes.  Check with a good AC shop, give them the dimensions and I will bet that they either have one or can order one for you.  I also suspect that a replacement from FT will bust your budget.

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #4 – August 01, 2010, 07:17:38 pm

Thanks!  I did several searches of this forum with no luck, so would appreciate a pointer.  I'll try a search of the Yahoo site.  The old condenser has to come out in any event, so I may just take it to an Ac shop and see what they say.  Barry (Barrybeam) sent me Foretravel P/N's of the condenser, so I'll do a search with that also.  Many time it seems that Foretravel just uses the P/N of their supplier.

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #5 – August 01, 2010, 07:36:17 pm

Dave;
 Let me get this straight,, if the dash air "coil" is leaking in the dash area,,that would be the evaporator coil. The coil in the rear of the coach ,with the electric fan, would be the condenser coil.
I would suggest a good refrigeration company would do you a lot of good. These coils are fairly cheep and should not be anything special.

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #6 – August 01, 2010, 10:04:59 pm

Thanks to all for the replies and suggestions! 

It is the condenser in the rear of the coach, and I'm hoping that a local AC shop can order the replacement, as several have suggested.  I'll pull the old one out tomorrow and plug the lines, then take it to a local shop.  Only thing I can imagine might be custom are the side mounting brackets that mount the condenser and the fan, since these usually are mounted in front of the vehicle radiator, but we're parked in my brother's driveway, so a good place to work on it and modify the mounting if necessary.

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #7 – August 02, 2010, 11:23:06 pm

Well, I took the condenser out today and found that the hole was caused by someone poking a large sharp object into the condenser through the grill!  

I'm guessing it happened at a truck stop when we stopped for fuel and lunch.  Other RVers have reported malicious things being done to them at truck stops. 

Removing the fan and condenser wasn't too bad except for the corroded inlet/outlet connections to the condenser.

Took the condenser to a local radiator/AC shop, and they are looking for a replacement.

Photos:

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #8 – August 03, 2010, 12:43:39 am

Where did you park your rig in the truck stop area?  Was it in with the trucks?  What truck stop was it?

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #9 – August 03, 2010, 02:40:49 pm

Bummer!  Check other areas like the CAC on the radiator side. 

Jerry Whiteaker
96 U270

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #10 – August 03, 2010, 10:53:26 pm

Not sure which stop it was (and might have been a rest stop), but it was somewhere between Sturbridge MA and New Holland PA.  We usually park with the trucks unless there is a separate RV place, but if there is room, we park by ourselves.

I have checked the CAC and radiators on the other side.  All OK, thankfully.

Having some trouble finding a replacement here.  One shop is continuing to look for substitutes.  Foretravel didn't have one in stock, but said the price was $224, which is as cheap as I could imagine getting it anywhere.
They are checking with the manufacturer - Specific Climate Systems to see if one can be drop-shipped to us in VA.

Incidentally, I looked up the SCS web site, and found what looks like the airbox/blower unit that is in our rig - listings by RV maker and years.

Check out
http://scsfrigette.com/pdfs/rv/scs%20motor%20home%20units.pdf

http://scsfrigette.com/pdfs/rv/condenser%20coils.pdf

http://scsfrigette.com/hvac-systems-recreational-vehicles-catalog.php

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Re: Dash Ac condenser replacement

Reply #11 – August 04, 2010, 02:06:12 pm

And a further update - discovered that SCS/Frigette - manufacturer of  our AC/heating systems - has closed, all phones are disconnected, and RV manufacturers are apparently scrambling to find another supplier, as are we...  Bummer!

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