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smhx4 · 12-31-2009, 07:13 PM

Hello, Need some advice before we do our first major repair on our AS. On our last camping trip during labor day weekend our a/c went out. We hadnt been running it constantly but when I turned it on, it sounded normal for a few seconds then sort of downshifted, then produce a electrical burn smell. Basically we are pretty sure the compressor went out. After doing some research, we think it was due to low voltage. Our camping neighbor plugged it into a outlet and then we tried it again, sure enough the meter dropped a lot. Sorry I dont remember the number.

Anyway, of course we are out of warranty, by only about three week prior. We also experienced our first leaks during that trip. Oh well, whats done is done now.

Our trailer is a 07 Safari 25SS. I called our local dealer, Wentzville MO. They suggested replacing the whole unit, so we wouldnt have problems down the road, plus we would have a warranty again. We are not the original owner or we would have had a partial warranty. Well its not cheap. About 1800$. We also had the water drips that come down from the inside of the unit onto the floor, they have "fixed" that twice but it still happened on that last trip. I'm hoping a whole new unit would fix that problem.

Does this sound right?

Also what about the leaks, are those easy to take care of or should we have the dealer fix that also.

We are thinking about taking a trip to Jackson Center this spring, we could have the work done there or is the dealer just as good?

Ok so I have thrown out a lot in my first post. I appreciate all the information I have learned from this forum. We are still new but hope to own a AS til we die. Im just sick it has turned out to be so expensive so soon. I hope this is a freak accident because we plan to do a lot of camping in our future.

thanks

Boondocker · 12-31-2009, 07:30 PM

You should be able to put in a new AC for a LOT less than $1800, about half that in fact. IF the AC was the cause of the leak, then a new one might fix it.

Inland RV Center, In · 12-31-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smhx4

Hello, Need some advice before we do our first major repair on our AS. On our last camping trip during labor day weekend our a/c went out. We hadnt been running it constantly but when I turned it on, it sounded normal for a few seconds then sort of downshifted, then produce a electrical burn smell. Basically we are pretty sure the compressor went out. After doing some research, we think it was due to low voltage. Our camping neighbor plugged it into a outlet and then we tried it again, sure enough the meter dropped a lot. Sorry I dont remember the number.

Anyway, of course we are out of warranty, by only about three week prior. We also experienced our first leaks during that trip. Oh well, whats done is done now.

Our trailer is a 07 Safari 25SS. I called our local dealer, Wentzville MO. They suggested replacing the whole unit, so we wouldnt have problems down the road, plus we would have a warranty again. We are not the original owner or we would have had a partial warranty. Well its not cheap. About 1800$. We also had the water drips that come down from the inside of the unit onto the floor, they have "fixed" that twice but it still happened on that last trip. I'm hoping a whole new unit would fix that problem.

Does this sound right?

Also what about the leaks, are those easy to take care of or should we have the dealer fix that also.

We are thinking about taking a trip to Jackson Center this spring, we could have the work done there or is the dealer just as good?

Ok so I have thrown out a lot in my first post. I appreciate all the information I have learned from this forum. We are still new but hope to own a AS til we die. Im just sick it has turned out to be so expensive so soon. I hope this is a freak accident because we plan to do a lot of camping in our future.

thanks

Ball park, a new 15,000 BTU AC with heat is about $900.00, or so,

Sounds like the dealer did a little over quote, by several hundreds of dollars.

Why can't the original AC be repaired?

Andy

overlander63 · 12-31-2009, 07:37 PM

For that amount, you can buy this unit from these people:
NEW CARRIER BRAND 15K BTU. RV, AC, AIR COND. COMPLETE:eBay Motors (item 130339631514 end time Jan-22-10 10:09:50 PST)
Hook up the trailer, drive to California, pay me to put it in, and have about $200 left.
Plus you'd get a vacation out of the deal.

SSChanger · 12-31-2009, 07:39 PM

I replaced my AC in our 1994 AS this summer, and total bill was $900, and that was considered high on the airforums site. The "leak" is probably due to improper drainage of the condensation, and that should be resolved with installation of the new AC. Recommend finding a good RV service center nearby, not necessarily AS.

Whoever quoted the $1800 price is gouging you, in my humble opinion.

smhx4 · 12-31-2009, 07:51 PM

We had a leak from the a/c but also one that just appeared from a panel seam in the ceiling during a heavy rain.

The AS dealer quoted me the 1800$. They said it could be repaired but would cost a lot and we may have problems down the road.

I was also told this would be for the same lower profile a/c we have now. The other A/C units on SOB's are less expensive but are not low profile.....

I am concerned with keeping the height the same, we building a house and plan to garage the AS and the door is 12ft high.

Thanks so far for the replies......

smhx4 · 12-31-2009, 08:02 PM

We do have a local RV service center that we trust, we have used them for hitch issues but thats it. The AS dealer said they would need to order a few parts from them for the install.

I was just thinking something this important the AS dealer should fix it.

Boondocker · 12-31-2009, 08:08 PM

You can do this yourself.

AC is held in by 4 VERY long bolts and a gasket. The only trick is to get the new AC up on the roof and the old one down. Compress the gasket to about 60%. Buy some prime bourbon with the money you save.

Melody Ranch · 12-31-2009, 08:09 PM

For comparison...I just bought a 15000 BTU, Carrier, low profile for $625, including the inner ceiling, unit plus a delivery shipping cost.

Unless your married to that dealer....I'd shop around.

Jammer · 12-31-2009, 09:05 PM

Refrigeration is not voodoo. The compressor does not know and does not care whether your fans, housing, condenser, and evaporator are new or two years old (unless the thing fragged internally and blasted a jet of hot shrapnel down the high pressure line, which does happen occasionally, but not very often, and a tech who knows what they're doing can tell you this and lay out the options).

Get thee and thy trailer to the nearest refrigeration specialist and get a new compressor installed. If I found myself in your situation I would call one of the guys who works on walk-in coolers or dairy equipment because they do this every day. The automotive AC guys often don't know how to solder refrigeration lines, so avoid them.

The repair is typically around $600:

R-22 Rotary Compressor, 208/230V, 1.5 HP - Air Conditioner Compressors - AC Refrigeration - HVACR : Grainger Industrial Supply

You do have to be aware, that there is a slight chance (5%) that one of the solder joints the technician makes will leak, usually within the first few days. They will cover this under warranty if it happens, and the margins on compressors are high to cover this risk to the repair firm.

Is your rain leak in the AC or next to it? Either way, putting on a new AC to fix it is rather like trading in a car because the ashtrays are filling up.

Chief · 12-31-2009, 09:18 PM

As evidenced by the many responses, your dealer's quotes are too high.

I'm going to give you two places to get comparison quotes, that I guarantee will provide the best quality service:

Airstream of Arksansas
Svc Mgr: Bill Tyler
(877) 247-4641
They are located just South of Little Rock

Jackson Center Airstream
Svc Advisor: Chris Burch
(937) 596-6111 x7413

Removing/replacing the A/C unit is not a real complicated deal, but I would be careful about letting someone crawl around on top of my coach that didn't have experience with Airstreams.....dents are expensive!

Chief

smhx4 · 12-31-2009, 09:25 PM

We have two leaks, the AC and a leak in the roof when it rains. We have the aluminum walls inside. The leak was coming out of a seam in the ceiling...towards the front of the camper away from the ac and fantastic fan. It was raining pretty heavy also.

We have never had it leak tested or did any resealing ourselves but clearly we have a issue. Im just not sure if we tackle this ourself or take it to the dealer....

Boondocker · 12-31-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smhx4

We have two leaks, the AC and a leak in the roof when it rains. We have the aluminum walls inside. The leak was coming out of a seam in the ceiling...towards the front of the camper away from the ac and fantastic fan. It was raining pretty heavy also.

Okay, you have two issues here, and they need to be treated as such. How much is the dealer asking for the AC repair and how much for the leak?

cosmotini · 12-31-2009, 09:33 PM

I was about to post what Chief had already given you. Either place is very competent. The distances are about the same for you, approx 360 miles. Both places have a Seal Tech unit that can check your unit for leaks or you can have that done locally by contacting Soldier Medic here on the forum. The advantage (to me) of going to Jackson Center is you can stay at the Terra Port for free and you get to take factory tours. But you'll probably spend more than you wanted in their Airstream Store.

smhx4 · 12-31-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Okay, you have two issues here, and they need to be treated as such. How much is the dealer asking for the AC repair and how much for the leak?

The 1800 is for the AC only, I never mentioned the leaks from the rain.

Boondocker · 12-31-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smhx4

The 1800 is for the AC only, I never mentioned the leaks from the rain.

Ahh, then to be putting it delicately, you are getting screwed without so much as a kiss. Take your business elsewhere.

smhx4 · 12-31-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Ahh, then to be putting it delicately, you are getting screwed without so much as a kiss. Take your business elsewhere.

Thats putting it delicately! Funny.

Im relieved already, we really wanted a better hitch system but put it on the back burner since we thought we were about to spend 2k on a new ac.

We will definitely shop around.

thanks

vswingfield · 12-31-2009, 10:20 PM

I also have to agree that the quote is not just a little high, but extremely high. I got a Carrier from the source Terry linked to in post 4 a little over a year and a half ago, see http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...ead-40795.html, and was very pleased with my dealings with that company.

The hardest part was getting off the 25-year old sealer. Two-year old sealer should cut the installation time more than in half. I spent longer removing the hardened sealer than the entire rest of the job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief

As evidenced by the many responses, your dealer's quotes are too high.

I'm going to give you two places to get comparison quotes, that I guarantee will provide the best quality service:

Airstream of Arksansas
Svc Mgr: Bill Tyler
(877) 247-4641
They are located just South of Little Rock

Jackson Center Airstream
Svc Advisor: Chris Burch
(937) 596-6111 x7413

Removing/replacing the A/C unit is not a real complicated deal, but I would be careful about letting someone crawl around on top of my coach that didn't have experience with Airstreams.....dents are expensive!

Chief

One slight correction, Airstream of Arkansas is located just other South (North) of Little Rock. Searcy is about 50 miles north up US67/167. They are good people. Being north makes them a little closer, too.

See:
Airstream of Arkansas: RVs for Sale in Searcy, AR - Airstream, Airstream Trailers For Sale - Airstream Travel Trailer
3111 East Race Avenue
Searcy, AR 72143-4809
(877) 247-4641

woppa 4 · 01-01-2010, 05:45 AM

I suggest that you consider challenging the camp ground folks. Low voltage;unless they have a disclaimer for that, or act of nature.You are paying the freight at the CG. I had the same problem at a KOA,( negative damage). After that experience, I did purchase the autoformer. Also; somebody on the forum suggested that a dig voltmeter constantly pulled in,is a must.Mel

Jammer · 01-01-2010, 06:42 AM

I'm not necessarily buying the idea that low voltage was the culprit. It's tough on them, yes, but they're supposed to be thermally protected and should shut themselves off before they melt. It may have failed for other reasons.