NEW OWNER of One Owner 1972 Ambassador 29 foot

[Mrwaterway]

Hi Folks,

You may have seen some of my pictures posted. I am currently full timing in the AS that I bought in Maine from a gentleman who purchased it new in 1972. I had looked at a lot of over priced units and missed some on Ebay, so felt that a "quick" drive from Florida to Maine would be a pleasant experience. At any rate I bought it and hauled it home-orginal axles and all-over 1500 miles! I did re-wire the magnetic brakes and added a load control in the truck. I did notice that with the drapes open, I could use the rear view mirror and watch Truckers tail gate me. The rig pulled well and I was suprised that the old shocks seemed to work-no rivet popping or internal damage of note. After reading the forums and talk about hauling home used trailers, I probably was lucky, but let it bear testimony to the design of the trailers and the fact that it had not been "passed around" by several owners, that I and the rig arrived safely. I am currently trouble shooting the Armstrong AC unit that keeps popping breakers and running down the list possible culprits. Thanks for all the great postings!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Mrwaterway

Hi Folks,

You may have seen some of my pictures posted. I am currently full timing in the AS that I bought in Maine from a gentleman who purchased it new in 1972. I had looked at a lot of over priced units and missed some on Ebay, so felt that a "quick" drive from Florida to Maine would be a pleasant experience. At any rate I bought it and hauled it home-orginal axles and all-over 1500 miles! I did re-wire the magnetic brakes and added a load control in the truck. I did notice that with the drapes open, I could use the rear view mirror and watch Truckers tail gate me. The rig pulled well and I was suprised that the old shocks seemed to work-no rivet popping or internal damage of note. After reading the forums and talk about hauling home used trailers, I probably was lucky, but let it bear testimony to the design of the trailers and the fact that it had not been "passed around" by several owners, that I and the rig arrived safely. I am currently trouble shooting the Armstrong AC unit that keeps popping breakers and running down the list possible culprits. Thanks for all the great postings!

Are you using an extension cord for the trailer?

Andy

[Alwhisman]

Congrats and Welcome! Now that is a great way to celebrate your new AS!

Al

[willyd]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum - any pictures???

[Mrwaterway]

Regarding AC issues...

No extension cord-found a bad starter capacitor and a corroded GE Relay under the roof cowling that may be the problem. Voltage at the breaker box-(new 20Amp breakers) right at 120V. Printed schematic from forum post, so am trying to understand the relatively complex Armstrong AC unit-very rugged looking, but a lot of wires, old school parts and future failure potentials. I would like to keep it going, BUT also need to look at a replacement that would conform with the general lines of the Ambassador

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Mrwaterway

Regarding AC issues...

No extension cord-found a bad starter capacitor and a corroded GE Relay under the roof cowling that may be the problem. Voltage at the breaker box-(new 20Amp breakers) right at 120V. Printed schematic from forum post, so am trying to understand the relatively complex Armstrong AC unit-very rugged looking, but a lot of wires, old school parts and future failure potentials. I would like to keep it going, BUT also need to look at a replacement that would conform with the general lines of the Ambassador

Those parts are available at W. W. Grainger.

Andy

[Mrwaterway]

PIcking up new relay and starter capacitor today-if it works-GREAT-if not I am going to look at one of the low profile AC units 7.5" Carrier? to refit the Armstrong. I will keep the Armstrong as intact as possible. Cowling cover is perfect and inside air duct cover as well. I was concerned with over flow of condensation in our Florida humidity and the water leaking over the side. Also, somewhere I read that the old Armstrong roof plate could be "folded" to support the new unit without seperate bracing. It certainly appears stout and I cannot imagine the weight of the older unit.

[mwells4654]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum - would love to see pics

[adonh]

Originally Posted by Mrwaterway

I was concerned with over flow of condensation in our Florida humidity and the water leaking over the side.

The Armstrong is equipped with a drain pan that connects to a drain line that runs inside the skin and come out just before the passenger side wheel well. It you go with the Carrier as a replacement it does not have a drain pan but can be set up to drain condensation through the existing drain line in the A/S. Also I read in a recent thread that Carrier is discontinuing their RV AC production in December of 2010. Their AC units are still available but supplies will go down over time. Maybe others have more details on this.

Don

[danalee]

Congratulations-would love to see pictures.

[Mrwaterway]

Well, just as I was about to call it quits, I got the old Armstrong to work!. I had to add a new Universal Supco relay and a Dayton Starter capacitor and rewire from my breaker box to the unit's inside power supply hook-up. Apparently internal rubbing fried the relay & capacitor-I expected low voltage-but the ends were so corroded that that almost were non existent. I guess I will keep the $700 bucks in my wallet for the time being and maybe replace the main Compressor Starter Capacitor-a much bigger unit to ensure easy starting of the compressor. The Unit is OLD! But is humming along as I type-accidently kicked on the Furnance due to the temp drop! I guess all you fans of these AC's may be right-They don't make 'em like that anymore.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Mrwaterway

Well, just as I was about to call it quits, I got the old Armstrong to work!. I had to add a new Universal Supco relay and a Dayton Starter capacitor and rewire from my breaker box to the unit's inside power supply hook-up. Apparently internal rubbing fried the relay & capacitor-I expected low voltage-but the ends were so corroded that that almost were non existent. I guess I will keep the $700 bucks in my wallet for the time being and maybe replace the main Compressor Starter Capacitor-a much bigger unit to ensure easy starting of the compressor. The Unit is OLD! But is humming along as I type-accidently kicked on the Furnance due to the temp drop! I guess all you fans of these AC's may be right-They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Those old AC's are like us.

A little patch here and there, some TLC, a part or two, and then they keep on going and going.

The only problem for you might be the cooling is rated at 12,000 BTU.

The unit may also need some Freon at this point.

On a warm day, turn the AC on, and let it run for 15 minutes or so.

Check the exhaust air temperature as it comes out of the ceiling shroud.

You should have a reading of about 18 to 20 degrees cooler than the inside temperature of the trailer. If you do, then the freon charge is OK. If it's less than that, then some freon would need to be added to maximize the cooling BTU.

Welcome to the Forums.

Andy