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cdufault · 07-11-2016, 01:51 PM

What the maximum life expectancy is for a roof top air conditioner? The A/C in my 1977 Argosy 28 MH blows about 20 degrees cooler than outside temp. My local Camping World said a new A/C wouldn't cool much better (but I suspect replacing my AC was too much work.)

As far as I can tell I have an original roof top air conditioner on my 1977 Argosy 28 MH. The shroud has the same beltline trim as the motorhome, and the inside roof control matches the ceiling finish.

The shroud is still in tact and doesn't seem too brittle although I've painted it to provide some sun protection.

I'm just curious if there are older air-conditioners still in the service among air forum members.

dznf0g · 07-11-2016, 02:03 PM

Mine is only 10. My old SOB was 17. A 20 - 22 degree drop from INTAKE air is normal A/C guideline. IOW, measure the temp at the air intake by the filter, then take and insert your thermometer in the AC outlet grille.

drboyd · 07-11-2016, 02:38 PM

My Armstrong is original to the trailer - 38 years. It has a new fiberglass shroud, and a crack in the refrigerant tubing was repaired.

These older units are pretty sturdy, and will hang in there for you very well.

TG Twinkie · 07-11-2016, 02:54 PM

The 42 year old Armstrong on my Argosy is still running. If it fails while I own the coach I will have it repaired if I can't do it myself.

youngpeck · 07-11-2016, 03:30 PM

I just posted copies of the Armstrong manuals at the following thread. They have sections on troubleshooting, which might be helpful.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...-a-153544.html

Mine still works great. I just put a new shroud on it.

AldeanFan · 07-11-2016, 03:37 PM

39 years and still going

AWCHIEF · 07-11-2016, 04:18 PM

Original was 8 years old when replaced by Jackson Center due to recall. New unit just over 2 years old.

J. Morgan · 07-11-2016, 05:53 PM

44 years.

Using several tricks, it is 104 outside, and 74 inside right now.

Not bad for a 31 footer with an 11,000 btu unit.

Gradiens super tenui glacie.

Bill M. · 07-11-2016, 05:57 PM

One is 1.5 years old. The other is 9 years old. The 1987 Armstrong that I just replaced had a rusted fan and shaft on the outside of the unit. I had the first one replaced while it was still working before I found that people like the old ones better than the new ones. But I was headed to Alaska via a very hot spell in the southwest first and opted for a new one.

overlander63 · 07-11-2016, 07:02 PM

The new air conditioner dates from 1992. The original worked great, but the sheet metal pan had rusted so badly I had to use an umbrella inside the trailer.

m.hony · 07-12-2016, 10:59 AM

I know a guy with a 2008 or so Carriage Cameo fifth wheel.
He wanted a new a/c unit, but the RV serviced guy refused to replace it because he said there was nothing wrong with it.
My buddy is so afraid it will quit on a trip.
A new one might quit on a trip.
That is the reason for a 50 amp trailer and 2 units- redundancy-
If one quits, you still got the other-
His bedroom unit was installed new last summer-
He might be a bit OCD...

kdickinson · 07-12-2016, 11:30 AM

the original Armstrong on my 69 quit working and who knows when it stopped working. It actually never worked very well (my family has owned the trailer since new) it leaked condensate into the trailer, and it was very noisy. When I brought it to Colorado after the trailer being unused for 35+ years, A/C replacement was not on the list of immediate items of attention but was on the 2nd list of "get to when we can" items. We evaluated having it rebuilt but decided to go with a new, quieter, and more energy efficient unit. It turned out the cost of rebuild was about the same or slightly more than installing a new one including the metal work and reinforcement involved to replace the Armstrong unit. We went with a new one with a black shroud and an internal pump that actively pumps out the condensate upon compressor start and it is much quieter while running and boy does it work! We are very happy with the choice

manook · 07-12-2016, 11:31 AM

The original a/c on our 1972 is still working great. Not used often, since we love beach weather. Installed a new cover a few years ago.

ke6gkv · 07-12-2016, 11:54 AM

1980 carevalle, coleman ac,still running strong.

Norm excella · 07-12-2016, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

44 years.

Using several tricks, it is 104 outside, and 74 inside right now.

Not bad for a 31 footer with an 11,000 btu unit.

Gradiens super tenui glacie.

Share your tricks!!!!

Mike1997 · 07-12-2016, 11:59 AM

Got two 18yr old Duo-Therms made by Dometic. Both also have electric heat strips. No problem with either. This week at Airstream Park in Cape May and only using 1 unit near the seashore due to only 30 amp connections here. Actually need it more for humidity control being this close to the ocean.

Jacob D · 07-12-2016, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdufault

What the maximum life expectancy is for a roof top air conditioner? The A/C in my 1977 Argosy 28 MH blows about 20 degrees cooler than outside temp. My local Camping World said a new A/C wouldn't cool much better (but I suspect replacing my AC was too much work.)

As far as I can tell I have an original roof top air conditioner on my 1977 Argosy 28 MH. The shroud has the same beltline trim as the motorhome, and the inside roof control matches the ceiling finish.

The shroud is still in tact and doesn't seem too brittle although I've painted it to provide some sun protection.

I'm just curious if there are older air-conditioners still in the service among air forum members.

The Armstrong atop my '67 is original and just stopped working last Saturday. I am hoping to get it going again with a replacement capacitor for the compressor motor when we get home next week..

J. Morgan · 07-12-2016, 12:50 PM

I use the silver bubble wrap stuff in the west facing windows. I leave my awning deployed whenever the wind allows.

I run the cooler 24/7, on 80 degrees when unoccupied, and on 72 when occupied. (It is hard to catch up when the trailer is heat soaked)

I also found that my air conditioner apparently had foam gaskets missing under the interior shroud that was allowing cooled air to recycle back into the intake, since addressing this issue my cooler is loads more efficient.

As a disclaimer It also helps that my roof is painted white, and my interior is paneled entirely in wood.

Gradiens super tenui glacie.

PeterKV · 07-12-2016, 01:03 PM

It is 92 and humid out right now, 80 inside of trailer with ac set on low, using original 1985 coleman unit

Mikeyman · 07-12-2016, 01:25 PM

The Armstrong in my 1978 is still going strong, although the fan inside the trailer is a little loud. Not because it's broken though. I just took the shroud off this past weekend, removed the moss, sanded, patched, sanded again, and painted it silver to match the trailer. The AC underneath was in great shape (no rust or damage), so I'm hoping for many cool years to come!