AND another AC question...

[Opn Rd]

AC wouldn't start on a blistering hot 100+ day in a crowded campground. 2 days later when it was 75 degrees in an empty camprgound it fired up and ran fine all day. 2 weeks later, in mild Minnesota temps, it ran everyday fine. But I took it in nonetheless to have it looked at. The guy said it was compresser and the whole unit needs to be replaced.

Can a bad compressor work sometimes but not in extreme temps or is it like being pregnant...you either are or you aren't?

[rowiebowie]

Could it be the compressor is just getting hard to start? Did it stall on generator, when plugged in, or both?

If so, many posts recommend soft start (or is it hard start) capacitors be installed. Search for those threads if you think it may be your problem.

But bottom line, I'd replace an a/c over 4-5 years (doing it Monday) since they seem to be mostly non-servicable. For example, neither my 7 yr. old unit or the new one sitting in my garage have connections for charging like you home & car a/c. They are sealed from the factory.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Other than replacing the starting capacitor, there's not much to "fix" on an RV A/C unit. ( yes there's the fan and the thermostat ...). If the problem *is* in the refrigeration part of things ... time for a swap out.

Can a compressor go bad at high temperatures? - sure it can.

Bob

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Other than replacing the starting capacitor, there's not much to "fix" on an RV A/C unit. ( yes there's the fan and the thermostat ...). If the problem *is* in the refrigeration part of things ... time for a swap out.

Can a compressor go bad at high temperatures? - sure it can.

Bob

[Bob Peahl]

A hot day in a crowded campground could brown outs, reducing the amps needed to start the AC. If that was the only occasion in which the AC failed, I would treat the site as suspect. You should get an error message on the thermostat, something like E-7.

[gr.austin]

If the A/C runs on days less than 95 degrees there is nothing wrong with the A/C. It is designed that way.



With temps over 100 inside and outside the compressor will be severely overloaded. So will the power company be overloaded and supplying Low Voltage. With High Condenser temperatures and High evaporator temperature there is no doubt that the unit would not start.


Possible help: Mist the A/C unit. Make sure the condenser coil (on top of the roof) gets wet and stays wet for a few minutes (5-10). Next block the indoor filters for the evaporator coil (low fan speed) Set the unit to cool and raise the temperature setting to as high as it will go (85+). Next put the indoor fan on low speed and NOT on Automatic. After the indoor fan has been on a minute or two lower the 85+ setting to 80 degrees. Listen to hear the compressor try to start. If the compressor starts to hum and then shut down it is just too darn HOT. The A/C unit will cool down a little and try to start again. (maybe 10 minute wait or up to several hour wait). NOT BROKEN. Never leave the A/C unit in this condition TURN IT OFF and wait to try again.



If the compressor doesn't try to start than get out you pocketbook.


Happy Streaming

[guskmg]

Surge Guards and SoftStarts by MicroAir will greatly inprove the problems caused by surges, brown outs, and general AC line conditions. Researching their benifits will convince any Airstream owner that your investment needs this protection. I could have saved $1,000s if I had done this first off.
guskmg

[Opn Rd]

Thanks for all the info. Which would have saved you $1000, Surge Guard or Soft start? I assume its surge guard. What is the soft start? How much are they?

[Jstsal69]

Originally Posted by Opn Rd

AC wouldn't start on a blistering hot 100+ day in a crowded campground. 2 days later when it was 75 degrees in an empty camprgound it fired up and ran fine all day. 2 weeks later, in mild Minnesota temps, it ran everyday fine. But I took it in nonetheless to have it looked at. The guy said it was compresser and the whole unit needs to be replaced.

Can a bad compressor work sometimes but not in extreme temps or is it like being pregnant...you either are or you aren't?

Did all the power go out or just the AC? This can sometimes be hard to notice if you have the battery shut off turned “on”. The AC should give you an error code and while in TX last month we experienced 2 brown outs that triggered our pedestal surge protector but gave an error code on the AC controller.