2nd a/c failed for 2nd time

[Bgibbs]

Just picked up AS a week ago after having Zone 1 a/c replaced for 2nd time. After getting it home, Zone 2 unit has failed for the 2nd time. Dealer tech told me what to check and the compressor has failed just like Zone 1. After my test, he ordered another unit. It arrived yesterday and I am scheduled to take it in Mon morning.
When will it end?!

[dbj216]

Any reason given for these premature failures?

The first thing that came to my mind was trying to run them on an inadequate power circuit, like 15 or 20 amps. If it is the electrical motors that are failing, that is one possible cause.

Then again maybe they are not "blowing cold" and there is a freon leak somewhere.

Certainly the manufacturer ought to be very interested in these failures and quickly find the reason. I think it is highly unusual. Your dealer and Airstream ought to be communicating.

David

[brick1]

What vintage airstream? Where do you normally plug in?
brick

[Bgibbs]

Either plugged in at home or in campground on 50a circuit. Always use Progressive Industries power management device. Before plugging in, I always check voltage on both circuits and check for faults. I have 2 Honda 2000 generators but have never used since I first bought them. I did hook them up when I first bought them to make sure I could run 1 a/c. That was when I still had original a/c’s in early 2016. I have found several posts where owners had multiple Dometic failures and they all seem to be units manufactured in 2015-2016. Dometic has not questioned any of the replacements under warranty, so I think they are aware of a problem.
I’m not an a/c tech, but on both recent failures the compressors were pulling only 6-7 amps. Less than half what they should draw. Does that mean there was no Freon? Or is that a compressor failure? You tell me.
On the first failures, in Nov 2016, I was told that the compressors got so hot that the refrigerant lines had severely discolored from heat.
First units were replaced at North Dallas RV and the last 2 at Vogt in Fort Worth.

[wildhorses]

Originally Posted by Bgibbs

Either plugged in at home or in campground on 50a circuit. Always use Progressive Industries power management device. Before plugging in, I always check voltage on both circuits and check for faults. I have 2 Honda 2000 generators but have never used since I first bought them. I did hook them up when I first bought them to make sure I could run 1 a/c. That was when I still had original a/c’s in early 2016. I have found several posts where owners had multiple Dometic failures and they all seem to be units manufactured in 2015-2016. Dometic has not questioned any of the replacements under warranty, so I think they are aware of a problem.
I’m not an a/c tech, but on both recent failures the compressors were pulling only 6-7 amps. Less than half what they should draw. Does that mean there was no Freon? Or is that a compressor failure? You tell me.
On the first failures, in Nov 2016, I was told that the compressors got so hot that the refrigerant lines had severely discolored from heat.
First units were replaced at North Dallas RV and the last 2 at Vogt in Fort Worth.

That's good info, we installed a brand new one last year and used it once, tried to fire it up yesterday and nothing happens, just hums. How do you go about making a warranty claim?

[AFTER TAXES]

Originally Posted by brick1

What vintage airstream? Where do you normally plug in?
brick

following the brick..........lol

[ITSNO60]

It's the volts while running that matter. Voltage drop will not be present without a load. You may see 115-128 volts when you test at the pedestal but with no load that number is meaningless. To see the true voltage it needs to be measured while the units are running, this and only this will tell the true story. A 20 amp circuit that is 25 feet from the source will probably have less voltage drop than a 30 amp circuit that is 150 feet from the source depending on wire size and connections.

With 2 units running at once you have a pretty heavy load and the potential for substantial voltage drops is high.

Does your system monitor and display voltage?

[Rob Cope]

It is important (obviously) more information comes out on this thread. I am concerned. I am still on warranty. So far so good.

[AlanMcD]

Several in our NOVA unit have had new AS's AC's fail and be replaced. This is not really an Airstream issue as much as a Dometic issue. But the failures are a known issue with these Dometics but I thought they were already corrected since I hadn't heard about them in a while, however, I see your AS is a 2016 so that falls into the years we've seen fail which have been 2016's & 2017's. IMO I/we think it was a lot quantity that had this issue from Dometic.

[Bgibbs]

The Progressive Industries EMS monitors for over and under voltage, as well as over and under frequency and shuts down power if everything is not normal. The a/c units have died because they were defective and nothing else.

[AirstreamInc]

Originally Posted by Bgibbs

Just picked up AS a week ago after having Zone 1 a/c replaced for 2nd time. After getting it home, Zone 2 unit has failed for the 2nd time. Dealer tech told me what to check and the compressor has failed just like Zone 1. After my test, he ordered another unit. It arrived yesterday and I am scheduled to take it in Mon morning.
When will it end?!

Hi Bgibbs,

We're very sorry to learn about the A/C issues you are having. We know you are taking it to the dealer, but if you need additional assistance, please send us a direct message with your contact information and the last 6 digits of your VIN so we can share it with our Customer Service and Technical Support team.

You can also reach Airstream Customer Service and Technical Support at customer_support@airstream.com

Thank you.

[guskmg]

I would not operate any A/C without MicroAir EasyStarts installed. They not only carefully controls starts, but they also condition the line voltage so that it is simular to that off the output of a inverter generator. Do not confuse these with "Hard Start Capacitors" that Dometic uses. After installation, you will notice there is no more clunking when starting or shutting them down. Look them up on the MicroAir website. If you use the name Airstream in the discount code box you will get $40 off.
guskmg

[Bgibbs]

Took AS back to Vogt yesterday and they replaced the bad a/c and installed the additional gaskets on both units. They did it while I waited so I am now a “pseudo” expert. The unit they replaced was sitting so low that one of drain cups was cracked from sitting on the roof. Don’t know if this is fact, but one of the techs said that all of Dometic’s problems started when they changed refrigerants a few years ago. Their units allowed the new refrigerant to leak out. Hopefully, they have solved the problem.

The units are much quieter now that they are not sitting against the roof.

I will post pictures after they are resized.

[Bgibbs]

Here are some photos. It’s surprising how much difference the additional gasket makes.

[Bgibbs]

The piece of foam at the bottom of the upside down unit is what I added to keep the metal pan from hitting the roof after the first replacement.

[mkcurtiss]

I see this is an old thread, but as with any repair thread, they are subject to reference at a later date, so I will add one bit of info.....
If your a/c unit is low on freon, then it is also starving for lubrication...in a/c systems, the lubrication for the compressor is carried thru the system by the freon...if the pressure/ freon is low, then effectively, the lubrication for the compressor is low also, and this will ultimately cause your compressor to seize....most a/c units have a low pressure cut off switch, that keeps the compressor from running all the time if the freon is low, but this is an imperfect situation, and harm can come to your compressor before this happens......