dash ac

[wb13798]

i got all the luck. last rally the dash ac went south . i have the ARA crap and i need to update. i know run the overhead and forget the dash . i also had a problem with the gen set and overhead was not available . it is still early in the year and open windows were a life saver. just wanted to know what other folks have done to get away from the ARA system.
i have a aluminum cast mount for the compressor and that has worn to the point you can move the compresson in the mount. i have found a gm mount and dont know if the compressor will fit the mount. the mount is for a gm a-6 compressor. dont know if i want to go that way . some one tell me what you did to fix this problem.. lol
al

[74Argosy24MH]

What are you considering, upgrading to R134? It is not as efficient and to do it right not cheap.

John

[Bfrank]

I have a 79 24ft excella 454. The A/C clutch was bad so I replaced with a rebuilt A-6 compressor. before mounting I fillled
the compressor with the recommended amount of r134a compatible oil and purchased a r134a conversion kit (basicly the adaptors that screw over the schrader valves also remove the old valve core before screwing on the r134a quick release adaptors. This system was designed for R12 refridgrerant
so to fill properly you install 80% of the r12 capacity so if the system holds 5 oz of r12 multiply that by 80 % and install that much r143a refridgerant and it will work. R134a is not as efficient as r12 but it ain't 260 bucks for a 20 lb can either. My dash is
pumping out 40 degree F air consistantly. It won't freeze you
out of the camper but I have been cool enough to not be sweating also some 12v fans can help distribute the air around the coach. You should be able to get rebuilt A6 For around 100 bucks, the conversion kit from 20 to 30 bucks, and the reciver dryer for about 25 or 30 bucks at napa jobber. now before the system can be charged you have to pull a vacume on the system
to remove all of the air you let into the system when it was dis-assembled and you may also want to check the system for leaks before installing refridgerant if the system holds the vacume it should be ok. Be sure not to overfill the system with r134a as this will cause the system not to cool at all. if you don't have a vacume pump you could re assemble the system and then take it to a a/c shop and save some $$ by haveing alot of the repair work already done the a/c tech can then pull a vacume verify no leaks and then recharge the system with r134a and you would be cool again wouldn't it be great to be COOL again ? Just my 2 cents worth !

Frank S
79 excella 24ft
83 310 under restoration

[wb13798]

o yes. BFRANK
fixed the gen set so as long as it works the over head works great. i dont like to run the gen set/overhead ac untill i need it. i do the monthly one hour under load for the gen set. seems i picked up some trash in the carb. after the problem last year i put a in line filter in the gen set gas line. figure that one out.
what type of bracket do you have ?? the gm 5 piece steel bracket
i have a cast one piece aluminum bracket. last year i had to have the mounting holes welded almost shut and redrilled
the bracket had soo much play . that tightened the compressor up some but the compressor mounting brackets are also aluminum and they were wore and now the have more wear. did the a-6 bolt up to the existing feed lines ?? my present compresor is not a a-6 but some other brand . but it is long like the a-6. i have located a steel bracket set i plan to buy. i converted the system to 134 some years ago when i couldnt get r12. it has worked great doesnt keep the entire coach cool but in the drivers area it is cool enough. i also have two fans to move the air . the system is still filled compressor doesnt work . and im not sure i want it to work due to the condition of the mounting brackets.
thnx for the info .lol
al

[74Argosy24MH]

If it looks like below it is a Sanden. Good compressors and still available.

John

[wb13798]

the brand is in the service manual. just havent had time to look it up , it looks liike the one you posted. found a dealer that was a ARA dealer. might get him to fix thje mess. lol
al

[wb13798]

took a closer look at the the ac compressor today and looks like the mounting bolts had loosened up. tightened them down . guess ill keep the compressor for a while longer . not much play when the mounting bolts are tight. put 12 v to the clutch and it works . must be a wire loose some place. or fuse blown or what ever. would be nice to have a electrical drawing for the ac. put the gage on it and it is pulling 25 lbs so im told that is on the money. had the dash apart working on a speedo problem guess i will look there for a lose wire. my other vehicles have a relay does anyone know if the p-30 has a relay on the hi current side of the switch . is so where was the best place to look . lol
al

[wb13798]

thought i would post on the results of my problem. i have a service manual with a electrical drawing didnt make any sence to me until i pulled the dash out and look up under the ac.heater control unit. the drawing shows three wiring plugs plus two single wires running to this unit. as previously assumed a wire had come loose was a correct assumption. the point i wanted to pass on is the service manual drawing is correct but it is a bit on the need a draftsman to clean this one up. a free hand . also the color code wasnt correct. lol
al