Yet Another Carrier AirV Installation Thread

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by bilby05

Staying cool is a struggle. We added silver window tint to our 69' Sovereign, a 5k window unit over the kitchen sink and run a small fan to move it all around. Still if the outside temperature is over 90 and the sun is shining on the roof it can't keep up. The roof unit is only about 6 years old, but hail squashed most of the metal fins, before we got it. So it's capacity is diminished, but then, so is mine.:-) I too am considering some kind of portable shade device, since campgrounds can't seem to guarantee a shady spot. I have also considered painting the top of the AS white, but opinions vary on the effectiveness of that. Do SOB's have this same problem? Maybe I should ask some of them? They just don't seem as friendly as Air Streamers. But then I have been told I don't play well with "others."
cheers, bill b.

There are condensing coil fins "combs" available from many sources.

Gently and carefully, with the comb, you can restore the fins to almost like new condition. There are different combs for a different number of fins per inch.

DO NOT attempt this with a hair comb.

When the fins are squashed, the efficiency of the AC goes down.

When the fins are in good shape, then maximum efficiency for that unit will be a thumbs up deal.

Might take a half to one hour of your time, but that's certainly a lot cheaper than a new AC.

Andy

[soldiermedic]

Hey Vaughn,

Just went outside to plug the old girl in for the trip, and my AC turns on. Funny since my AC unit switch is OFF. I did get the fans to shut off by rotating the circular switch to off, but not without it being a PITA. The knob is stripped, and I have to use pliers. Is there a reason the on/off switch isn't working like it should?

Steve

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by soldiermedic

Hey Vaughn,

Just went outside to plug the old girl in for the trip, and my AC turns on. Funny since my AC unit switch is OFF. I did get the fans to shut off by rotating the circular switch to off, but not without it being a PITA. The knob is stripped, and I have to use pliers. Is there a reason the on/off switch isn't working like it should?

Steve

Hi Steve,

I assume that the AC unit switch you are referring to is the toggle under the cabinets in the galley that lets you choose between the AC and the microwave? It sounds like that switch has gone bad. It should be available at an ordinary hardware store.

I would unplug the old girl, remove the switch, and take it with me to the store to be sure I got the right one.

Have fun on the trip! Regards to the clan.

[soldiermedic]

Vaughn,

No such switch exists in my trailer. I wonder perhaps if this switch is to turn the heat strip on and off.

Steve

[vswingfield]

Hi Steve,

The on/off rocker switch on a Carrier AirV controls whether the air sweeps up and down, not the entire unit. The circular switch controls everything else, including the heat pump. I'll see if I can dig up a pdf of the owner's manual for you. That should help.

[vswingfield]

Hi Steve,

Here is the owner's manual for my heat pump model. The controls are the same for the heat strip ones.

[soldiermedic]

Awesome Vaughn...thanks a bunch.

Steve

[JimGolden]

Vaughn, Great Post man!

The pictures really help. Make it better than my verbal descriptions!

For you guys with the 34 footers having trouble on one 15,000 btu a/c....paint the roof highly reflective white. It sounds trivial, but it really really helps.

I've not had mine in 101 degree heat yet, but in 92 degree heat I can get her down to about 65 or so.

The silver really sucks up a lot of heat. Going white helps cut the heat gain. it might be enough for you to get by with one a/c instead of two. Even if not, it'll still help with the heat gain.

I've been very pleased with the results after I did it. Just make sure you follow proper procedures for painting aluminum...aka you must etch it. Go to Aircraft Spruce and Specialty's website and you'll find what you need.

The only other thing I've been toying with is covering the whole roof with solar panels. I figure with a 34 footer, I should be able to get about 600 watts of solar power on there

see ya on the road!

[GREENovaters]

Hello Everyone! In your adventure of installing that new Carrier Air V did you install a drain pan and attach to the drain hose? If so, and I'll bet you did, do you have photos? My 34' doesn't appear to have drain pans and so the excess condensation comes raining down into the trailer when the unit shuts off.... any helpful advice on how to get a drain pan?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by GREENovaters

Hello Everyone! In your adventure of installing that new Carrier Air V did you install a drain pan and attach to the drain hose? If so, and I'll bet you did, do you have photos? My 34' doesn't appear to have drain pans and so the excess condensation comes raining down into the trailer when the unit shuts off.... any helpful advice on how to get a drain pan?

There never was a drain pan for the Carriers AC's, as almost always the water never becomes excessive for the slinger to handle.

Andy

[vswingfield]

Andy's right about the Carrier not having a drain pan. Most of the time the slinger takes care of the condensation. Sometimes here in Arkansas the humidity gets high enough that some condensate runs down the side, but not much.

Buying new now, I would go with another brand, but not because of the slinger vs the drain (although I would like a drain) but because Carrier has exited the RV market.

Otherwise I am pleased, though I do need to paint the top white.

[Melody Ranch]

If you read the Carrier instructions/parts info you will see that they offer a drain line adapter to be installed if the slinger is overwhelmed. It is a plastic (I don't like plastic) elbow fitting that the instructions tell you where to install. Then hook up a standard drain line to the belly. My Carrier could not sling off enough of this Texas humidity so I had a water flow over the polished sides. UNACCEPTABLE! PPL guys in Houston pointed out the fitting, gave instructions, etc. It solved the problem.

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

If you read the Carrier instructions/parts info you will see that they offer a drain line adapter to be installed if the slinger is overwhelmed. It is a plastic (I don't like plastic) elbow fitting that the instructions tell you where to install. Then hook up a standard drain line to the belly. My Carrier could not sling off enough of this Texas humidity so I had a water flow over the polished sides. UNACCEPTABLE! PPL guys in Houston pointed out the fitting, gave instructions, etc. It solved the problem.

I was aware that there was a fitting for the low profile Carrier units, but was under the impression that there was none for the high (standard) profile units. Is your a high profile Carrier?

Not that my Excella is polished by any means. Perhaps if I win the lottery I will replace the front cap panels and polish, but not till then.

[GREENovaters]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

If you read the Carrier instructions/parts info you will see that they offer a drain line adapter to be installed if the slinger is overwhelmed. It is a plastic (I don't like plastic) elbow fitting that the instructions tell you where to install. Then hook up a standard drain line to the belly. My Carrier could not sling off enough of this Texas humidity so I had a water flow over the polished sides. UNACCEPTABLE! PPL guys in Houston pointed out the fitting, gave instructions, etc. It solved the problem.

I bought my trailer with the current AC unit which did not have any documentation included. So, any advice as to where I may purchase this drain line adapter... I dread trying to call a general 800 number and work my way to parts of something like it. Any RV dealers carry this? Thankful for all info regarding this!

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by GREENovaters

I bought my trailer with the current AC unit which did not have any documentation included. So, any advice as to where I may purchase this drain line adapter... I dread trying to call a general 800 number and work my way to parts of something like it. Any RV dealers carry this? Thankful for all info regarding this!

After several calls I connected with Kevin Miller at Carrier. (800) 673-2431, Ex. 350. If he is still there, Kevin was very helpful.

[Melody Ranch]

Oh yeah....I was talking about a low profile Carrier. Don't really know about the others. Sorry.

[Ganglin]

I'm in process of finally planning the install of our Carrier. The manual indicates the drain attachment applies only to the Low Profile.

Link to manual:

http://www.corp.carrier.com/StaticFi...9-00469-02.pdf