Visit our Popular Forums

LowellN · 06-14-2005, 02:35 PM

The Armstrong A/C on my 75 Sovereign seems to work well. My only concern is that on a hot humid day, say around 90 degrees, it runs on high constantly to hold the trailer at about 75 degrees. IS this normal or should it do a better job? I know it's a large area, but I think it should be able to cool it off a little better without running non-stop, am I correct? The air is relatively cold but not super cold. It doesn't freeze up at all, so I'm not sure if it's low on freon or not. One more question, has anyone changed the R-12 freaon in their Armstrong to R-134a? I've been told that I can do this by one of my friends who used to work in the refrigeration business, but I'm wondering if anyone else has done this.

Thanks,
Lowell

**jcanavera** · 06-14-2005, 03:34 PM

If it's 75 inside and 90 out and if you are in the full sun, I'd consider that your A/C unit is running pretty good. Once you get to a certain point, it's not unusual to find the compressor is running full time.

Jack

till · 06-14-2005, 03:54 PM

My neighbor (local heating and air guy) says that the Armstrong (1967 version) is a pretty tough unit. But is limited by it's coil sizes. He will help me rebuild mine.

overlander63 · 06-14-2005, 04:27 PM

An air conditioner is considered to be doing its job, if it can keep the inside of whatever you are cooling 20 degrees cooler than outside. That would, of course, be plus or minus a couple of degrees, depanding on conditions.

john hd · 06-14-2005, 06:42 PM

pretty sure they use R-22.

john

early · 06-14-2005, 08:56 PM

Just had our '71 armstrong charged. He used R-22. It made a big difference. Live in the south, just about everyday here is hot and humid. It blows nice and cold.

Dawn

LowellN · 06-15-2005, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the information. I'll probably leave it alone unless it starts acting up. If it ain't broke...don't fix it.

Lowell

Silvertwinkie · 06-15-2005, 01:31 PM

Hey, before you all go run out and convert.....

I've had some great success with R-12a and R-22a (Duracool). You need no license for it, it's safe for the environment (at least as far as they know now) and it costs and takes less than good ol' R-12 and R-22. We used R-12 a in a walk in cooler that lost it's charge....got plenty cold in there after adding this stuff...and best of all it works under less pressure than typical R-134a and is far, far, far less nasty than R-134a.

Check it out:

http://www.duracool.com/Duracool/refrigerants.html

AYRSTRM2 · 06-29-2005, 08:34 AM

I think we need our Armstrong AC recharged (after 39 years!). It didn't really cool down the air in last weeks 90 degree camping trip. The compressor would turn on for a minute or two, then turn off for a couple of minutes and then back on, but no cold air, just a breeze, as if just the vent function were running. Sooo....I'm calling an AC person to come out and recharge it, but...

where does the freon go? Do I remove the plastic cover on the inside and it goes in there? Do I remove the shroud and it goes up top? Inquiring minds want to know before the AC guy arrives.

John

TomW · 06-29-2005, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AYRSTRM2

...where does the freon go? Do I remove the plastic cover on the inside and it goes in there? Do I remove the shroud and it goes up top? Inquiring minds want to know before the AC guy arrives.

Top side.

Remove the shroud, and the top cover plate. The recharge fitting is where the lines go into a big pile of RV putty. The yellow thing in the picture below is the tip of my ladder; The recharge port is just in front of it.

Tom

smily · 06-29-2005, 09:04 AM

I have seen older units that do not actually have a "Charge" port. The line is simply crimped and soldered shut.

In the old days, only AC repair shops would do the work and they would actually solder or install a fitting as needed.

Watch out!

Inland RV Center, In · 06-29-2005, 11:14 AM

All Airstream installed Armstrong airtconditioners, had a low pressure charge port.

That was true from 1964 to 1979 models.

Andy

smily · 06-29-2005, 11:37 AM

never say never and never say all............

Respectfully, If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would not make the comment.

Maybe it was cut off by some novice A/C repairman

Smily

AYRSTRM2 · 06-29-2005, 12:50 PM

Thanks, guys. Now if I can just figure out how to get the weird off brand shroud somebody put on up there so I can access the port. Hey, I really appreciate the advice, my wife won't go camping again until we get this fixed!

John

76argosy26 · 06-29-2005, 02:04 PM

Any suggestions and pictures to show me how to work on top so I will not dent/scratch the top? All I currently have is a couple of 6 foot step latter’s and a 8 foot extendable to 14 feet. All I can think of is scaffolding up one side and down the other with a rack across the top. This is a bit extreme in the old pocket book. I am a 260 lb boy who is a bit affraid of walking on top.

TomW · 06-29-2005, 02:48 PM

Inland Andy said he had a picture of a bunch of Airstream employees standing on one unit for, I guess, a PR shot. Unfortunately, he has not been able to find it.

Most people agree that as long as you scoot around on your butt from one rib to another, everything will be okay. Don't get near the endcaps, though.

I prop an extension ladder on the rolled-up awning, and use the awning as a foothold to maneuver to where I want to be.

Tom

Inland RV Center, In · 06-29-2005, 03:08 PM

Tom.

That's it.

No scaffolds, no platforms, no skyhooks, no bridges, no parachutes. Just rubber soled shoes. Other dress attire, optional.

Just think, if the shell can take the punishment we give it going down the road, at 60, 70, 80 or 90 mph plus, then the roof will certainly withstand the weight of even a heavy 250-300 pound person. No, don't dance the Polka, just walk normally. No magic needed.

We prove that everyday, and have for some 39 years.

However, DO NOT WALK ON THE END SHELLS. First of all if you do, you will likely fall off the trailer and secondly, you will need to replace a segment or two, or three!!!!!!

Andy

Chuck · 07-06-2005, 09:26 AM

fwiw: I was up on my roof over the weekend attending to my (Coleman) a/c shroud, and I noticed that several copper lines coming to and from that pressure-tank-thingy had been cut/crimped and soldered up.

why?

smily · 07-06-2005, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

fwiw: I was up on my roof over the weekend attending to my (Coleman) a/c shroud, and I noticed that several copper lines coming to and from that pressure-tank-thingy had been cut/crimped and soldered up.

why?

Hmm, You dont say................