Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Topic: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl. (Read 1698 times) previous topic - next topic

Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

August 02, 2019, 09:54:39 am

Good morning. We finally made it to Camp Gulf in Destin FL yesterday. After spending the last few weeks fixing issues and replacing the power steering gear box (thanks a lot to Mike Rash!!!!!!) we now have a new issue. The front AC has always (since we have owned it) produced mediocre cool air at best. Compared to the rear AC one might say it isn't really cooling at all.

I am considering driving to the Camping World in Panama to buy a new unit and replace this one. Does anyone have any last minute suggestions or advice? This is day one of our nine day stay here in Camp Gulf. We have to have both ACs!

Thank you so much.
Eric

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #1 – August 02, 2019, 10:24:30 am

My main advice would be "DON"T LET CAMPING WORLD TOUCH YOUR COACH!".

Buying things at Camping World is fine. Letting them work on your coach is not.

If you have "washable" air filters in the ceiling A/C cover panels, are they clean?

Often reduced A/C cooling performance is simply due to dirty fins on the evaporator and condenser coils. Cleaning them is not difficult, but it does require climbing up on the roof and removing the A/C outer cover, plus the inside ceiling cover panel. The cleaning solution is available at most RV parts supply houses. The job is kinda messy, and takes two people - one on the roof and one inside to catch the dirty rinse water. If you don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, mobile RV mechanics should be plentiful in that area. Ask where you are staying for recommendations.

If cleaning the coils doesn't solve your problem, a mobile mechanic can also check other things (like refrigerant charge & fan motor amp draw).

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #2 – August 02, 2019, 10:45:04 am

Thanks Chuck. I am going to climb up on the roof now to look at the coils.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #3 – August 02, 2019, 10:52:20 am

Up on the roof, after you get the outside cover off the A/C unit, there will be another inner cover (usually sheet metal or styrofoam) that must also be removed to gain access to the evaporator. This will be obvious to you...but just thought I'd mention it.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #4 – August 02, 2019, 11:04:40 am

Agree with Chuck on CW.

Things you can do without getting on the roof;
You might remove the AC filter grill in the ceiling and with a flashlight have a look around up inside the unit. First of all, how does the filter look, and is there a filter? Next look around inside the filter opening and see if everything looks generally clean or dirty, then look way up inside and see if the evaporator fins are blocked with anything. If there is no filter then the fins will probably be clogged which will minimally require vacuuming from the inside, and/or if there is a filter that's dirty and blocking airflow then you need a new, clean filter. Both of the above can be contributing factors to improper cooling.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #5 – August 02, 2019, 12:08:44 pm

Well after taking off the outer cover I found what looks like oil coming out of the condenser. I have called a service technician who should be here in two hours or so (1:00 PM CST.). I hope he doesn't just show up and look real quick to tell me it has to be replaced. $130 min for travel and 30 min time.

Any thoughts from the experts? Can this piece be changed and recharged? I still have a little time to self work. The wife and kids are not as willing to put up with the issue as long as I am.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #6 – August 02, 2019, 12:19:52 pm

Check with PPL in houston to see if they can send you a new Atwood or get a new one sent to you and install it yourself,you can get
info on the forum as to how to do it,just get some muscle help instead of the $100 per hour tech,maybe you can find an "exchange
student"to throw it up there,if 70 year plus Nitehawk can do it you can.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #7 – August 02, 2019, 01:16:28 pm

If you end up looking at replacement of the unit, understand the control needs given you likely have the original Penguin units and ducted air. IIRC, current model units are not plug n' play with the existing thermostat.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #8 – August 02, 2019, 01:53:08 pm

Eric,

I'm no expert, but I have read online that although most roof air compressor units are "factory sealed", it is possible for a technician to replace a damaged component and add recharging ports. After that, the system can be evacuated and refrigerant added just like with a residential unit.

It all boils down to economics. Will the cost/hassle of repairing the old unit be more than buying and installing a new unit? Up to you.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #9 – August 02, 2019, 02:02:06 pm

A real refrigeration person could likely braze the leak if it's where you can get to it,pull a vacuum recharge the unit. You probably already know that the oil you see is refrigerant oil. Like mentioned above charging ports are no problem to add on to the line. It is an option worth considering and talking to repair "tech" about.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #10 – August 02, 2019, 02:15:44 pm

Anyone with minimal DIY skills can install a charging port in the roof air (if that's the problem).

Two videos below, one on how to install a charging port and the other on how to make the roof AC more efficient.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzowQ9Lgbhg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWUqQnEw-8Y

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #11 – August 02, 2019, 02:21:20 pm

He still has to fix the leak,idea,let's wait til his tech has a diagnosis.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #12 – August 02, 2019, 03:11:12 pm

Unit is trashed. the coils are banged up and the rest of it is in rough condition. The replacement takes over a week to come in and the vendor will not expedite. I am trying to pickup a unit from RV connections in Panama city. The local technician says they do not normally install products this way but they will make an exception. They say it will only run $175 to install. I am leaving now to make the 1 hour drive to the shop. I will likely buy a new distribution box as well as thermostat or conversion kit.

I am considering going with a 15K btu over the 13.5K unit so we will have a little more capacity when we can only run one unit due to camp sites with only 30 amp hookup.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #13 – August 02, 2019, 03:17:00 pm

Too bad you are in crisis mode. A mini split would be a much quieter and possibly more economic. Price is almost the same. Yes there are models that are 120vac. Lots of good utube vids of installs in various types of Rv.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #14 – August 02, 2019, 03:21:04 pm

Quote from: Eric & Alena + 3 – August 02, 2019, 03:11:12 pm

I am considering going with a 15K btu over the 13.5K unit so we will have a little more capacity when we can only run one unit due to camp sites with only 30 amp hookup.

Usually not a great difference in price to go with the larger unit. When we recently replaced our roof units, we went with 15K btu front and rear, and I am not sorry. When it's over 100 degrees outside (and possibly humid), you will appreciate having the extra cooling capacity.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #15 – August 02, 2019, 06:51:48 pm

cant cool to much in the high heat areas..changing my originals out soon..still work good but want some change.. bought me some atwood 15k... probably list the old ones on craigslist. front one will not run off auto.. so swap it is.

Good luck on your fix

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #16 – August 02, 2019, 07:04:52 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – August 02, 2019, 02:15:44 pm

Two videos below, one on how to install a charging port and the other on how to make the roof AC more efficient.

Pierce,

Regarding your second video link (make roof AC more efficient), take a look at the shell on the Atwood heat pumps. I guess the OEM designers subscribed to that same theory: "remove all possible obstructions to the air flow". Compared to the cutouts on our old "low profile" Penguins, I would say our Atwood units have probably double the air flow capability. Well worth the slightly higher silhouette, IMHO.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #17 – August 02, 2019, 09:05:11 pm

Chuck,

Good photo. They sure did. I'm trying to rebuild ours as even though they are not that old, they have lots of cracks. The material is different on both, strange as they were purchased at the same time. One bends easily and has a couple of long cracks, the other just breaks into small pieces if handled much. Nice to design up one made out or aluminum or something more durable.

Pierce

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #18 – August 03, 2019, 09:43:59 am

Tex
Have you installed a mini split? How do you drain the inside unit?

I have looked at them for fitting in the pass firewall.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #19 – August 03, 2019, 09:54:19 am

If anyone is replacing rooftop units, I need a compressor unit. The rest of my Coleman is newish and works fine , simply compressor stopped.
Thanks. MM

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #20 – August 03, 2019, 09:55:13 am

Have used mini-splits at the house to save on electric bill,can't see modifying a coach to make one fit,at some point in time a
manufactuer will make one,if yours are working,just wait,if yours are not working look at the Atwoods.If you can afford the coach
and afford to travel why worry how to make a higher SEER work,just my opinion.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #21 – August 03, 2019, 10:03:00 am

These guys are very fast. And cheap. RV Air Conditioner & Cooling | My 12 Volt Store

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #22 – August 03, 2019, 10:18:12 am

I like the low sound level
If I'm going to a new unit , I like a long term solution.
I have been making space for something cool in the pas footwell.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #23 – August 03, 2019, 05:30:08 pm

Your hearing!

Indoor units run from 19 dB(A) at low speeds to 49 dB(A) at high speeds. Considering that a quiet library has a noise level of 40 dB(A) and the average home's noise level is 50 dB(A), the ductless mini split indoor unit is generally quieter than its environment.

Decibel Levels of Common Sounds
20-30 dB   Whisper
50 dB   Refrigerator   Jet Flyover at 1,000 ft.
60 dB   Normal Conversation   Snowmobile
70 dB   Vacuum Cleaner   Chainsaw

Reasons to consider mini splits.
1. Your hearing.
2. Efficiency
3. Space
4. Cost.
5. Heat pump capable.

Current Rv Ac units run 70 db on average.! Some will claim 55 - 66 db. But in use db levels are 70db.

Think about having a chain saw running 24/7 in your Rv.

Re: Help - Down AC in Desin Fl.

Reply #24 – August 03, 2019, 06:15:20 pm

Quote from: Texhub – August 03, 2019, 05:30:08 pm

Your hearing!

Indoor units run from 19 dB(A) at low speeds to 49 dB(A) at high speeds. Considering that a quiet library has a noise level of 40 dB(A) and the average home's noise level is 50 dB(A), the ductless mini split indoor unit is generally quieter than its environment.

Decibel Levels of Common Sounds
20-30 dB   Whisper
50 dB   Refrigerator   Jet Flyover at 1,000 ft.
60 dB   Normal Conversation   Snowmobile
70 dB   Vacuum Cleaner   Chainsaw

Reasons to consider mini splits.
1. Your hearing.
2. Efficiency
3. Space
4. Cost.
5. Heat pump capable.

Current Rv Ac units run 70 db on average.! Some will claim 55 - 66 db. But in use db levels are 70db.

Think about having a chain saw running 24/7 in your Rv.

Where are you going to put the compressor/condenser unit?

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