Air conditioner problem

[paula grant]

When I turn on AC it runs about 5 or `10 minutes cold and then cuts off for about 5 minutes and then comes back on. Trailer is 1994 35 foot excella. Anyone had this problem ? Thanks Paula

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by paula grant

When I turn on AC it runs about 5 or `10 minutes cold and then cuts off for about 5 minutes and then comes back on. Trailer is 1994 35 foot excella. Anyone had this problem ? Thanks Paula

Extension cord???

Andy

[HowieE]

I think Andy is on the right track. Sounds like the AC is cutting off on internal overload, compressor heating up due to low voltage.

Could be poor source voltage or voltage drop across an undersized cord.

If you have a voltmeter take a reading on one of the 110 volt receptacles while the AC is running. If it is below 100 voltage is your problem. Even 105 may be the problem.

[FullTimin2HI]

Our heat pump acts the same way... I think it's supposed to do that...

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by FullTimin2HI

Our heat pump acts the same way... I think it's supposed to do that...

Nop.

Andy

[paula grant]

Will check extension cord tomorrow also voltmeter reading, hope it fixes it. Thanks Paula

[LomedIvrit]

I've read quite a few of your posts here on airforums and you don't let a wealth of knowledge go to your head! Your always polite and very quick to add a post to help someone with their current problem! (no pun intended)

LomedIvrit

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by FullTimin2HI

Our heat pump acts the same way... I think it's supposed to do that...

Time to check your voltage also.

A heat pump should not short cycle. Either you have a voltage problem or a thermostat that is the problem. The thermostat may be defective or it may be in the direct draft of the unit and shutting down early.

[paula grant]

We checked electric cord going into trailer it was 124 amps. Inside of trailer also 124. When ac turned on with fan running about 3 amps., when compresser kicked on it was 10.6 , when ac gets ready to cut off it was 11.2 . We still have same problem, does anyone think it might be the thermosat? Thanks Paula

[NevadaGeo]

Watch your amps when it's getting ready to turn off, raising amps may indicate increase in resistance (something is getting hot, like an extension cord.) You'll probably get same voltage on both ends, until the load turns on. If you're not on a 30 amp circuit, you'll probably need to plug into a 30 amp circuit to keep the A/C running more than a few minutes. I checked this out on mine by plugging into my noisy generator, A/C runs fine. On my 20 amp house circuit, cuts off in a minute.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by paula grant

We checked electric cord going into trailer it was 124 amps. Inside of trailer also 124. When ac turned on with fan running about 3 amps., when compresser kicked on it was 10.6 , when ac gets ready to cut off it was 11.2 . We still have same problem, does anyone think it might be the thermosat? Thanks Paula

I have got to assume that the number 124 was volts since it could not be amps.

If you are using a clip-on amp meter the readings you are posting for amps are close to normal. However as noted above if you are not plugged into a 30 amp circuit, which it doubt you have at home, the amps, current, will go up as the resistance increases due to the lighter circuit or smaller wire diameter.

Put your volt meter in place and cycle the AC until it cuts off. Watch the voltage during this test. If the voltage is dropping as time goes you are on a circuit or using a wire that is too small.

The AC is protected by a click-on that cuts off as the voltage drops below a set point and the current goes up.

If the voltage remains above 110 volts and the unit still cuts off I would look at the condition of the evaporator and condenser coils for dirt. Dirt will cause a reduction in air flow and put an additional load on the unit causing the current to go up.

[paula grant]

Guess I will have to take trailer to have unit worked on nothing seems to work, thinking it might be theromsat problem. I think it's something small just can't seem to find problem. Thanks to all who tryed to help, it's great to be a Airstreamer and have a place to go for help. Thanks Paula

[Jammer]

Have you checked to be sure that the condenser (the outside coils up above the roof) aren't blocked by leaves or other debris? That's a common cause of the problem you describe.

[Crusty]

In my '92, I've had the AC stop several times due to the condensate water building up because of drain tube stoppage, and when the water gets up to the level of the control circuit board the AC quits. It damaged my control board and I had to replace it with a new one from Ebay.

I now keep my drain tube open by threading a piece of weed whacker cord up from the bottom of the tube as far as I can get it, then chucking the cut end into my screw gun and using it to clear the gunk out.

[paula grant]

To all who tryed to help with our problem, hopeful by luck we found problem. My husband accidently broke the extension cord on trailer and had to buy new one to replace it, when he took old one off he found that the black & white wires were backward. Every since we have replaced that, ac has been working good.Thanks for everyones help. Paula