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Old 08-04-2021, 10:50 AM   #1
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2019 25' Flying Cloud
Pala , California
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How Often Do AC Motors Fail?

Hi,

Well the motor in my 15,000BTU failed a few weeks ago. I searched high and low for a replacement and ZERO nation/world wide!

I had found one at Dometic and they cancelled the order saying it's 5 months back ordered, I finally found one at a funky old RV repair shop and had it sent to me. Next day..the Dometic one showed up!!!!!

So I have two and can send the Dometic one back for a refund...probably minus shipping....OR keep it as a spare!

Dometic says it fits both my ACs....

I'm leaning towards keeping as a spare as this has been a hassle to replace. While Covid caused the delay who's to say it won't become scarce again... Then again perhaps motors last for decades....

Dometic sells via Amazon and had 11 last night and only 3 today....

What say you? Is this shortage an anomololy or does Dometic periodically run out of such parts?

Thanks!

Trav
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Old 08-04-2021, 11:51 AM   #2
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Hi

Fan motors generally last about as long as compressors on RV A/C units. When the compressor goes, you normally replace the whole thing ( = it's the low cost option ). With both of them (fan and compressor) maintenance , use environment, run time, and line voltages all impact longevity. There's also just luck of the draw in terms of getting a lemon.

In answer to the question, I have gear here that have AC motors from the 1940's and they still are running fine. I still would not count on any part of an A/C unit running for more than 20 years .....it might, but I wouldn't count on it.

Bob
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Old 08-04-2021, 12:05 PM   #3
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Probably can be rebuilt too.
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Old 08-04-2021, 12:52 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by civeng99 View Post
Probably can be rebuilt too.
Yes!

But not cheap or fast. I called a few small motor repair places and was quoted ~$300! IF the could do it. $65 analysis fee....
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Old 08-04-2021, 01:01 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob View Post
Hi

Fan motors generally last about as long as compressors on RV A/C units. When the compressor goes, you normally replace the whole thing ( = it's the low cost option ). With both of them (fan and compressor) maintenance , use environment, run time, and line voltages all impact longevity. There's also just luck of the draw in terms of getting a lemon.

In answer to the question, I have gear here that have AC motors from the 1940's and they still are running fine. I still would not count on any part of an A/C unit running for more than 20 years .....it might, but I wouldn't count on it.

Bob

Oh yea!

I have used numerous decades of USA MADE motors for years/decades!

The Dometic are cheapo china made.

Dometic makes the warranty impossible if you're using your AS. Make an appt. 2-3 months out. LEAVE your AS there and they will get to it in 10-14 business days. Once diagnosed they submit claim to Dometic who can take 30 days to respond. THEN order parts....Then bring back and let sit for 10-14 business days before it's fixed. It can easily take 5-6 months to get a zero out of pocket warranty repair completed.

This was the time line from several Dometic authorized repair facilities the past couple months....
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Old 08-04-2021, 01:41 PM   #6
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Hi

The simple answer is that nobody repairs this stuff anymore. If it breaks and it's not a trivial fix, you replace the whole thing.

Bob
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Old 08-04-2021, 04:19 PM   #7
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?

I think a new a/c would be the ticket.
__________________
I always keep a supply of stimulant handy in case I see a snake ......which I also keep handy
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Old 08-04-2021, 07:27 PM   #8
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I think a new a/c would be the ticket.

I considered that but ~$1500 after taxes and the hassle of installing by myself....

Motor looks straight forward to replace.

Thanks!

Trav
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Old 08-05-2021, 09:16 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisH View Post
I considered that but ~$1500 after taxes and the hassle of installing by myself....

Motor looks straight forward to replace.

Thanks!

Trav
Hi

The common wisdom is that if the fan motor died, the compressor isn't far behind it ....

Bob
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Old 08-05-2021, 10:14 AM   #10
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Elec Motor

You can store a electric motor for a many years with minimum effort.
Grease shaft with a good quality grease, wrap with cheese cloth,or a cotton rag. Store in dry place and once a year or when you think about it spin the shaft a couple revolutions. A spare is always a good thing with the way things are today.
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Old 08-05-2021, 03:04 PM   #11
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But isn't your coach a 2019? Unless you are living in it full time, how many days of operation have the AC's seen? You have a California address, so unless you spend a lot of time where it's super hot (AZ) or hot and humid (East of Rockies) I can't imagine using it all that much...

I'm trying to wrap my head around a three year life expectancy.
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Old 08-05-2021, 03:16 PM   #12
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When at the international rally I spoke with someone who worked for Dometic at one time. He said the A/C’s made now are designed to throw away when they fail and are cheaply made. They make hundreds of thousands of these per year and every place they can save a nickel they do!

I mention this because he said, as did others, the cheapest thing to do is replace the entire unit.
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Old 08-05-2021, 04:21 PM   #13
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Well to answer your question, on average they typically fail less then once each. Many times the rest of the AC fails first.
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Old 08-07-2021, 08:52 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob View Post
Hi

The common wisdom is that if the fan motor died, the compressor isn't far behind it ....

Bob

Why? I can see this with an older unit but mines not 2 years old....Mine was running but on its way out due to long start up....
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Old 08-07-2021, 09:01 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hans627 View Post

I mention this because he said, as did others, the cheapest thing to do is replace the entire unit.
Motor $229 Easy to self install

AC $1500 a bit more of an effort and takes special lift or assistance. Pro install would be over $500.

Please explain how this can be even remotely accurate..... Literally $1200 to $1800 MORE but it's cheaper?????
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Old 08-07-2021, 11:58 PM   #16
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…prepping the popcorn…

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisH View Post
Motor $229 Easy to self install

AC $1500 a bit more of an effort and takes special lift or assistance. Pro install would be over $500.

Please explain how this can be even remotely accurate..... Literally $1200 to $1800 MORE but it's cheaper?????
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Old 08-08-2021, 05:57 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisH View Post
Motor $229 Easy to self install

AC $1500 a bit more of an effort and takes special lift or assistance. Pro install would be over $500.

Please explain how this can be even remotely accurate..... Literally $1200 to $1800 MORE but it's cheaper?????
The guy who worked for Dometic must have been referring to the compressor motor and/or other components. Please excuse my ignorance as I obviously misunderstood and stand corrected!

Sorry!
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Old 08-08-2021, 07:39 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisH View Post
Why? I can see this with an older unit but mines not 2 years old....Mine was running but on its way out due to long start up....
Hi

Mainly because in about 90% of the cases, folks don't get much more time out of the A/C before the compressor dies. Buying a fan motor and then replacing the whole thing after another month of run time .... not a lot of savings.

Bob
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Old 08-08-2021, 12:05 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by uncle_bob View Post
Hi

Mainly because in about 90% of the cases, folks don't get much more time out of the A/C before the compressor dies. Buying a fan motor and then replacing the whole thing after another month of run time .... not a lot of savings.

Bob
They are separate entities. The compressor is only effected by the spin of the motor. When my motor starts the RPM is consistent and seems top speed.

I could see the life span of each being equal but not in the case of a lemon motor.

My AS has only been on the road 14 months and maybe 6-8 months of AC usage.
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Old 08-08-2021, 12:08 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by TravisH View Post
They are separate entities. The compressor is only effected by the spin of the motor. When my motor starts the RPM is consistent and seems top speed.

I could see the life span of each being equal but not in the case of a lemon motor.

My AS has only been on the road 14 months and maybe 6-8 months of AC usage.
Hi

There are lots of things that can nuke a motor. The same low voltage / loose wire stuff that takes out the fan motor also takes out the compressor motor.

Again, the "common wisdom" is simply looking at the odds. It's not and never will be a 100% guarantee.... life is never that simple.

Bob
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