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Topic: 1996 FT dash air (Read 301 times) previous topic - next topic

1996 FT dash air

It has never worked since I purchased it 6 years ago. Probably needs everything replaced.
I've heard it never worked well and it's not worth repairing.
I start the generator and turn on the roof air when needed driving.
What are your opinions?
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: 1996 FT dash air

Reply #1 –
My dash air is also grossly inefficient. I had the roof air vents extended to the front and run the generator and roof airs if needed
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: 1996 FT dash air

Reply #2 –
It's not a must for me Dan but once you get used to the cold air in your lap and knees I would miss not having it. I live in the deep south and most of our trips take us south, southwest from here and it gets hot down here. I'm kind of quirky about air conditioner's in all my vehicles and keep a produce thermometer in the vents and it needs to be in the low 30's or I start wondering why. I understand the owners who  could care less. It wouldn't cost much to charge your system and see how it performs, it may just need a minimum tune up.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: 1996 FT dash air

Reply #3 –
Dan, it may be worth a shot and you could get lucky.  Like Dub says charge it up and see what happens.
Ours was blowing nothing but warm air. I got a set of gauges, we evacuated the system, put in a bottle of Red Angel stop leak, refilled the system and dang.........been blowing cold ever since ( over 5 years now).  Not getting down in the 30's but it does blow at 42 which we have been very happy with.  When it gets super hot outside, we flip on the gen and run the roof airs too.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: 1996 FT dash air

Reply #4 –
Quote from: MarkC –
Dan, it may be worth a shot and you could get lucky.  Like Dub says charge it up and see what happens.
Ours was blowing nothing but warm air. I got a set of gauges, we evacuated the system, put in a bottle of Red Angel stop leak, refilled the system and dang.........been blowing cold ever since ( over 5 years now).  Not getting down in the 30's but it does blow at 42 which we have been very happy with.  When it gets super hot outside, we flip on the gen and run the roof airs too.
Knock on wood, my coach's dash air has worked great since I bought it 10 years ago but the AC in my CRV has started to leak and it's getting worse. I'm going to try some of that Red Angel stop leak.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: 1996 FT dash air

Reply #5 –
I'm an outlier, my dash AC works great. It has been overhauled but works great. We went out last week, temps in the mid to high 80's, sunny.... did not need to run the generator or roof AC's while underway.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: 1996 FT dash air

Reply #6 –
Ours did not work when we purchased it either. I want the dash A/C to work, if only for a "backup" in the event of roof air or generator failure. I can tell you a story about a friend who didn't worry about fixing his dash AC because he planned on just using the roof air. Then he made a trip to the Florida Keys and his generator failed. July, no generator, no dash AC and he suffered for 350 miles. Drove the trip in nothing but his boxer shorts.  :o  First thing he fixed after the generator was the dash AC.

I replaced the Compressor on ours along with the dryer and two new cooling fans. It still didn't get as cold as it should, Further investigation found the outside air damper wasn't closing because of the vacuum valve couldn't overcome the spring pressure keeping it open so I ty wrapped it closed (temp fix). Also the heater bypass valve wasn't closing all the way allowing hot water to flow thru the heater coil thus offsetting the work of the evap coil. A 3/4" ball valve in the heater hose fixed that. (temp fix  :D }

It cools as it should now.......

It's not a complicated system, just takes time and parts and patience to repair,

Good luck......
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: 1996 FT dash air

Reply #7 –
I believe our Freon was changed out many years ago. It is running 134a which I'm sure is not how it was equipped in 1992. Unless I'm in FL, I can generally drive with only the dash air. If it's not sunny, I generally have to leave it on the lowest fan setting or I freeze. Now I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to cold, but still, it's very helpful with our rig as our generator is LP. I might feel differently if it was diesel.

All that said, if it's fixable, it would be worth it to me to use the dash air.

Michael
Michael & Ginny
Frankfort, KY
1992 U240 GV Build #4116
2007 Mini Cooper

Re: 1996 FT dash air

Reply #9 –
As long as some "genius" didn't get in and mess up the system with goofball fixes, it's usually pretty simple to get the dash A/C blowing cold.
1998 U270 34'