1988 345 Classic Dash Air Con

[Alechemist]

I installed a dash mounted 12v fan from Camping World, and I run the generator and roof A/C on the road.

[Air Dog]

The compressor failed on my 98 Explorer. The system vented itself through the over pressure vent that stuck open from the fibers from the pumps self destruction. Quotes to repair it ranged from $1800 to $2400. I did some online research and watched some repair videos. I ordered a repair kit that included the pump, oil, office, drier, and seals. It was $256. I picked up a service manifold and vacuum pump on sale at HF for another $300. I opened up the entire system and flushed it completely. Replaced all the seals, evacuated the system and did the vacuum check. Charged it with the specified amount of R134. It took about 6 hours. Most of that was pumping it down and leak testing. About 2 hours of actual wrenching. Total cost was about $300 not including the tools. It's been running fine for 3 years now.

Now I'm looking for used window A/C to build a freon recovery system.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[crazeevw]

Fellow RV'r pointed out to me when I bought my Airstream. Let's just say, the Airstream gets 10mpg on the road w/o using the Dash A/C. Utilizing the Dash A/C now gets you 9mpg. So at 60mph, your not using an extra fuel just to run the Dash A/C and are only halfway keeping the driver/passenger area cool (WHOLE lotta windows up there)

Then, if you run genset and operate both roof A/C/s, the genset only uses a gallon per hour of use.

So, which is more fuel friendly??? Genset and Roof A/C units IMHO.

Derek

[Vycan]

You can do a complete retrofit as Air Dog discussed. Just remember to add stop leak to it to coat all the tubing that is rated for R12 if you decide to go the R134a route. For the lengthy plumbing in our mohos, I would recommend two cans of stop leak.