A/C not blowing cold anymore

[hollandranch]

Hello, the A/C in one of our Airstreams blows no cold air anymore, also it goes slower and sometimes we have a little cold air for a short time.
It's a 1976 Airstream with a Armstrong heater/cooler. Is this a freon problem?

Thanks, Hans

[Lumatic]

First, I don't claim to know what I'm talking about but maybe others do.

Second, on one of my old Armstrongs I was told by an AC guy you can't get this type of freon except maybe on the black market for exorbinate $. It's also the stuff that makes swiss cheese out of the ozone layer. If I wanted to save my Armstrong I would have had to have it converted to use the safe(r) stuff. Anyway the cards were cut it looked like a better idea to replace it.

Hope someone else gives you better news.

[hollandranch]

Sound expensive to put a new A/C on the roof. Can we just put a portable unit in the Airstream like this one:

Haier Designer Series 7,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner - Wal-Mart

our Airstreams stay at the camping and w ecan put this unit in the bathroom because we don't use the bathrooms because we have a central bathhouse. 7000BT should be enough to cool a Airstream?

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by hollandranch

Sound expensive to put a new A/C on the roof. Can we just put a portable unit in the Airstream like this one:

Haier Designer Series 7,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner - Wal-Mart

our Airstreams stay at the camping and w ecan put this unit in the bathroom because we don't use the bathrooms because we have a central bathhouse. 7000BT should be enough to cool a Airstream?

Maybe in Canada. The originals were 13,500, almost twice that. I have a new 15,000 Btu Carrier that I am going to install tomorrow.

[TomW]

The Armstrong unit on my '67 Airstream was spec'd to run on R-22. This is the same freon that is in my home air conditioner.

Replacement freon was not a problem when I had the compressor (which uses the same type freon) replaced last year.

Tom

[hollandranch]

Originally Posted by TomW

The Armstrong unit on my '67 Airstream was spec'd to run on R-22. This is the same freon that is in my home air conditioner.

Replacement freon was not a problem when I had the compressor (which uses the same type freon) replaced last year.

Tom

Do you think freon is the problem and can somebody do this by their self?

[TomW]

Originally Posted by hollandranch

Do you think freon is the problem and can somebody do this by their self?

Maybe, and no.

Refrigeration work involves some level of experience.

Tom

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by hollandranch

Do you think freon is the problem and can somebody do this by their self?

No you can not.
The EPA has put restrictions on who can purchase Freon.

The following people can buy any type of refrigerant under the sales restriction (for instance, R-11, R-12, R-123, R-22, and R-12), except for "small cans" containing less than 20 pounds of R-12:

• technicians certified to service stationary appliances (i.e., Type I,
  Type II, Type III, or Universal certification) by a Section 608
  EPA-certified testing organization;
• employers of a Section 608 certified technicians (or the employer's
  authorized representative) if the employer provides the wholesaler
  with written evidence that he or she employs at least one properly
  certified technician; and
• manufacturers of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, where
  the refrigerant is used in the original manufacture of the equipment

[hollandranch]

What our problem is we can't move the Airstreams so we have to call somebody to check the A/C We are 7 miles from the nearest town and when people have to come out and check it it already costs 80 Dollars. Isn;t it better to buy a 13000 BTU portable unit? Anyone experience with this?

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by hollandranch

Sound expensive to put a new A/C on the roof. Can we just put a portable unit in the Airstream like this one:

Haier Designer Series 7,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner - Wal-Mart

our Airstreams stay at the camping and w ecan put this unit in the bathroom because we don't use the bathrooms because we have a central bathhouse. 7000BT should be enough to cool a Airstream?

I don't know anything about these units but they don't sound as efficient as a standard househould window mount unit. Cooling air uses energy, energy produces heat. In a regular ac this heat is vented out the window, The hot air has to go somewhere. Even talking an ac which vents outside I don't think 7000 BTU would cool anything other than a very small trailer. I just put in a new ac in my 25 footer. I was told by several people I needed at least 13,500 btus.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by hollandranch

What our problem is we can't move the Airstreams so we have to call somebody to check the A/C We are 7 miles from the nearest town and when people have to come out and check it it already costs 80 Dollars. Isn;t it better to buy a 13000 BTU portable unit? Anyone experience with this?

HR,

You should look to an 'old timer' domestic air conditioning tech. They will have the tools, guages, experience AND license to take care of your Armstrong. They were essentially household units that were modified to be put on the roof by Airstream. When they work, they do a great job. Most RV Techs are not qualified to work on units like this, as the new roof units are
not serviceable from the refrigerant/compressor angle.

That said, a portable unit has to be vented outside, and you will need a drip pan on the inside of the trailer, or a drain hose running into the shower drain.
I have a 10K BTU unit that I lend out to customers that are waiting for either repair parts or a new A/C unit. Florida gets HOT and HUMID, in case you have never been there.

This 10K unit works quite well in even a large 5th wheel of MoHo, so it could cool your Airstream as well. Very efficient also, as it draws just 10 amps while running.

[vswingfield]

I sympathize about the distance from town and the problems with dealing with the replacement of the roof air. The Carrier Air V I am installing over the weekend is a heat pump model and came from Family RV on EBay. The address to the 15,000 Btu unit is eBay Motors: NEW 07 CARRIER 15k BTU RV A/C AIR CONDITIONER HEAT PUMP (item 140159204160 end time Sep-27-07 13:07:23 PDT). The cost is slightly less than $700 including shipping. The prices of stopgap measures are starting to approach this very quickly. One of the 7000 Btu units was already half this (without shipping), and the Carrier cool only units are even lower than the heat pump units.

In the south, including Texas and Arkansas, (Blasphemy in the same sentence, much less the same paragraph no matter which state you live in) the heat pumps should be a viable alternative to propane during most of the winter. Propane is very expensive.

You have a very large trailer. Coming from someone who moved from a 24’ trailer bought in San Marcos (south of Austin) and used for years and recently moving into a 34’ trailer, (and never looking back) bigger is better. Especially when it comes to air conditioning. You can always turn it down.

[hollandranch]

Originally Posted by lewster

HR,

You should look to an 'old timer' domestic air conditioning tech. They will have the tools, guages, experience AND license to take care of your Armstrong. They were essentially household units that were modified to be put on the roof by Airstream. When they work, they do a great job. Most RV Techs are not qualified to work on units like this, as the new roof units are
not serviceable from the refrigerant/compressor angle.

That said, a portable unit has to be vented outside, and you will need a drip pan on the inside of the trailer, or a drain hose running into the shower drain.
I have a 10K BTU unit that I lend out to customers that are waiting for either repair parts or a new A/C unit. Florida gets HOT and HUMID, in case you have never been there.

This 10K unit works quite well in even a large 5th wheel of MoHo, so it could cool your Airstream as well. Very efficient also, as it draws just 10 amps while running.

What is a 10K BTU unit and do you have a brand and type, thanks Hans

[lewster]

Hi Hans,

The unit is currently in my shop in FL. I'll find out for you in a day or so.

[lewster]

Try this one from Buy a Portable Air Conditioner, Washer Dryer Combo, Ice Maker, Compact Refrigerator, or Dishwasher - Compact Appliance






EdgeStar 12,000 BTU 4 In 1 Portable Air Conditioner, Heater, Dehumidifier & Fan
-Highest Overall Rated Unit
-#1 In Reliability Tests
- Coldest AirFlow Tested
List Price: $599.00
Our Price: $399.00

[hollandranch]

Originally Posted by lewster

Try this one from Buy a Portable Air Conditioner, Washer Dryer Combo, Ice Maker, Compact Refrigerator, or Dishwasher - Compact Appliance






EdgeStar 12,000 BTU 4 In 1 Portable Air Conditioner, Heater, Dehumidifier & Fan
-Highest Overall Rated Unit
-#1 In Reliability Tests
- Coldest AirFlow Tested
List Price: $599.00
Our Price: $399.00

Just read some of the reviews, loud and empty the water every 3 hours We rent out the trailers, how can we do this, wake the people up at night


EdgeStar 12,000 BTU 4 In 1 Portable Air Conditioner, Heater, Dehumidifier & Fan

[TomW]

Originally Posted by hollandranch

..empty the water every 3 hours We rent out the trailers, how can we do this...

Offer a rent discount if they'll shlep water ...

I'll bet, without much effort, the condensate line could be plumbed to drain through an inconspicuous hole/pipe in the floor.

Keep in mind that "loud" is a relative term. I SAID, "KEEP IN MIND THAT..."

Tom

[hollandranch]

Good news, one of our guests knew some AC stuff and we found out it was the run capacitor who failed. Bought a new one for 25 Dollars and de AC is blowing cold again, life can be easy (sometimes)