A/C question - goes on and off frequently

[Ted Aloupis]

2014 23FB International Serenity. A/C recycles frequently. Temperature is set at 73, once inside temp hits 73 the AC will shut down as it should only for about 2 - 4 minutes and then comes back on will run about 5 minutes cool off the trailer and shut down. This cycle happens throughout the night. The AC / Thermostat is set at COOL and fan is on AUTO. This this normal?

[xrvr]

73 is low. The ac is having trouble keeping up. If it is in the nineties outside, 73 may be pushing it.

[ghaynes755]

Yes. Could be one of two things. The temperature spread on the thermostat (not knowing what model T-stat you have) is usually 1 degree if it is a digital T-stat. The Dometic models can also be set to a 2 degree spread. Instructions in the manual. Alternative could be that the AC needs to run a defrost cycle. High humidity and the coils may have gotten a coating of ice. Less likely than the first item since you say it shuts off and with a defrost the fan keeps running.

[HowieE]

Sounds like there is TOO little load on the AC. You can try running the fan on low full time to equalize the load in the unit or you could cover, insulate, the thermostat to increase the time it takes to react to the change in temperature.

If you can adjust the hysteresis, the difference between on and off, try that.

The AC is Too big for that unit when there is a light load. You hae to fake it into believing the load is greater.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Ted Aloupis

2014 23FB International Serenity. A/C recycles frequently. Temperature is set at 73, once inside temp hits 73 the AC will shut down as it should only for about 2 - 4 minutes and then comes back on will run about 5 minutes cool off the trailer and shut down. This cycle happens throughout the night. The AC / Thermostat is set at COOL and fan is on AUTO. This this normal?

Mine does stuff like that too.

I have found that it is useful to tape a piece of cardboard over the thermostat sensor, at times, to prevent this sort of thing.

Over the years we've placed greater emphasis on traveling during the cool times of the year and also on finding shady places to park, so we use the A/C less than we used to.

[HowieE]

An AC is designed to do 2 things, lower temperature and reduce humidity. In these situations where the AC is cycling often if you are in a low humidity location you might just open a window or 2 to increase the load on the AC. The same effect as running the auto AC with outside air intake open

[Jacob D]

Originally Posted by Ted Aloupis

2014 23FB International Serenity. A/C recycles frequently. Temperature is set at 73, once inside temp hits 73 the AC will shut down as it should only for about 2 - 4 minutes and then comes back on will run about 5 minutes cool off the trailer and shut down. This cycle happens throughout the night. The AC / Thermostat is set at COOL and fan is on AUTO. This this normal?

I don't know the arrangement of your trailer, but the thermostat may be getting cool air from the a/c directed toward it which can usually be corrected simply by moving the vanes on the air discharge. Someone else suggested a piece of cardboard over the thermostat which might work. Someone else also suggested the "dead band" or temperature spread of the thermostat may be too close. All of these are possible with pretty simple remedies.

[ijustlee]

That is normal for a light load. It's not good to short cycle the compressor like that as it can overheat the start capacitor and/or the compressor. It would be better if you could get it to go about 10 minutes per cycle by changing something about the situation. How about leaving the fan run continuously to smooth out the temperature at the thermostat? Crack open a window, cover the thermostat or lower the setting to 70?

[m.hony]

When mine starts doing that, the only way to make it stop is to power it down and back on.

[NOAZRK2690]

If you have a sensor in the bedroom area that's about the size of a silver dollar, try taking a k-Cup from the Keurig type coffee machines, clean it out and press it over the sensor. Works great.

[Ted Aloupis]

Thanks to all for your replies and suggestions. I powered off the A/C, waited a few minutes and powered it back on. I adjusted the temp to a higher setting. That resulted in far less cycling of the compressor. We were comfortable and slept much better. My wife wants a new model with ducted A/C. That ain't happening!!