New Dometic BAD SMELL

[perryg114]

The weather has just gotten hot enough to run my new Dometic Briskair and it has a sour smell coming from it. Has anyone noticed this before. It smelled like this from day one so it is not soured water in the condenstate drain. I am not real happy about this. One reason I got rid of my old Coleman was it was old, smelly, and dirty.

Also the thing seems to be recycling its own air and turning off prematurely which seems to be common on these things. My old coleman had the same issue. The compressor would cut off before it got cool in the trailer because it was recycling its own air.

Old Airstreams have enough bad smells without adding more.

Perry

[xrvr]

These ac do not bring in outside air, I believe. jim

[perryg114]

The problem is from the unit not from the trailer.

Perry

[TG Twinkie]

Sounds like you have mold or something growing inside the AC. It will only get worse because each time you run it. The mold spores will be blown around. Have you pulled the shroud off and checked to see if the evaporator and condenser are plugged with stuff?

[xrvr]

Try running the fan on high and see if that helps. Might clear up after awhile. Set the thermistat down low and see if that does any good. jim

[perryg114]

It was like this new out of the box. It has not had time to mold up or clog up. It maybe something they coated the metal with at the factory to preserve it.

Perry

[ROBERT CROSS]

Perry,

We used to get some foul smells from the AC on our 63. Got in the habit of removing the shroud and spraying down the condenser, evap and foam filter with a weak bleach solution every Spring.

Haven't had to do it on the Classic, just ck for critters on the fan,(Mud D), and clean out the leaves and stuff.

Our AC doesn't get used a lot up here, so I make it a point to run it for several days on the pad during warmer weather....use it or loose it.

Bob

[perryg114]

I have some condenser cleaner stuff in a can and it is pretty strong stuff. A guy at work gave me some of it. It gives you a headache till it evaporates. I will try that first. I am afraid the bleach will corrode something.

One thing I don't like other than the obvious smell is there is only one vent on each end of the unit and it is in the wrong place to send air to the bedroom on a center bath unit.

Perry

[ROBERT CROSS]

Perry,

Snap goes the memory....the tech's at the Chevy Store used something called "evap fresh", (I think), disinfectant in a spray-can>can't vouch for it though, never tried it.

Bob

[overlander63]

It could be something between the inner and outer skins that the a/c is sucking up and blowing back out. Rotten insulation and mouse poop both come to mind.

[Silver Goose]

All of the rooftop A/C units I've seen are of the recirculation design, they simply pull the inside air through the dust filter, chill it and condense moisture out, then distribute the cool dry air back to the interior. Most of the condensation drains away, but a small amount can remain. If the A/C sits unused for awhile particularly in more humid climates, mold, mildew and algae can grow in this environment. This sometimes happens in car A/C units so most auto parts stores carry a can of stuff you spray into the intake that eliminates what's growing in there as well as eliminating the odor. (remove the dust filter to spray directly into the return duct with the fan running) You may want to have the windows and door open and make a hasty retreat.

This is a link to one brand a local auto parts store here carries.

http://www.hyundaiaftermarket.com/70...aner_4_oz.html

I found this worked for the used trailer I bought a couple of years ago. We use the trailer regularly and get to use the heat pump function in the fall so that seems to thoroughly dry out everything up there before winter storage and I haven't had to repeat the treatment since, but it is not very humid here.