Air conditioner replacements?
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 223
Likes: 34
From: Arizona
Air conditioner replacements?
I recently upgraded our travel trailer with a newer used one. It has 2 A/C units and both are toast according to a repair tech friend. What does everyone recommend installing?
It had Dometic Brisk II 13500 BTU units. Online reviews seem to be all over the place.
If I do go with Dometic, I am thinking of doing the 15000 BTU model. Any opinions? Is there a better option?
It had Dometic Brisk II 13500 BTU units. Online reviews seem to be all over the place.
If I do go with Dometic, I am thinking of doing the 15000 BTU model. Any opinions? Is there a better option?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Having worked on them, I never found one brand to be better than another. I did find tech support to be much better for Coleman than Dometic. How old are the units you have? Both compressors are bad or they both lost their charge?
Steve
Steve
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 223
Likes: 34
From: Arizona
The trailer was first sold at the end of 2017. It is a 2018 model. The previous owners lived in the trailer 6-8 months out of the year in Arizona. They made me aware of the issues and said they did not perform any preventive maintenance and no vehicle cover. They claimed they got a quote to fix the units for about $1,500. I can buy 2 new units and replace myself for not much more. They were quote "done with RVing" and just wanted rid of it. I think we got a good deal on it.
My friend is a recently retired normal AC repair tech, with admittedly minimal RV experience. He said both motors and compressors are bad. One of the units clearly has multiple parts that have been replaced. Both turn on, but make horrible grinding noises and smell like they are burning.
My friend is a recently retired normal AC repair tech, with admittedly minimal RV experience. He said both motors and compressors are bad. One of the units clearly has multiple parts that have been replaced. Both turn on, but make horrible grinding noises and smell like they are burning.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
The only reason I asked is AC units are probably the most reliable and long lived of RV components and it is not unusual to see them cooling for more than a decade. Of course 6-8 months a year of continuous operation is a lot.
So this is just a thought, but why not simply see if you can turn the fan motors to see if they are shot. They should turn freely Normally when a compressor dies, it does not make a grinding noise. If just shorts out and throws a breaker (but there are always exceptions and i am not trying to dis your friend). If the grinding noise is from fan motors, they are not all that expensive, although kind of pain to replace and if it is just the blades hitting the housing on the condenser coil (the one of the back of the AC), it might be something as simple as build up from who knows what. I am not sure how far you want to take this, so if new is what you want go for it. i have just seen so many good units replaced that could have been repaired for a fraction of what one costs new.
Steve
So this is just a thought, but why not simply see if you can turn the fan motors to see if they are shot. They should turn freely Normally when a compressor dies, it does not make a grinding noise. If just shorts out and throws a breaker (but there are always exceptions and i am not trying to dis your friend). If the grinding noise is from fan motors, they are not all that expensive, although kind of pain to replace and if it is just the blades hitting the housing on the condenser coil (the one of the back of the AC), it might be something as simple as build up from who knows what. I am not sure how far you want to take this, so if new is what you want go for it. i have just seen so many good units replaced that could have been repaired for a fraction of what one costs new.
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,710
Likes: 12,848
From: Wyoming
I get more out of the RV/towing subforums here on FTE than I get on any of the dedicated RV forums.
Trending Topics
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
I have a coleman on mine. works well. If you can go larger do so, it will work more efficiently.
As Steve said, I would pull the cover off, see if it free spins the fan and go from there.
While you are there check for duct problems and see any areas that allow the cold air to be directed in the roof and not in the living area.
As Steve said, I would pull the cover off, see if it free spins the fan and go from there.
While you are there check for duct problems and see any areas that allow the cold air to be directed in the roof and not in the living area.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 223
Likes: 34
From: Arizona
I watched a few YouTube videos on troubleshooting. I determined one of the units may have a bad capacitor. I will give it a try first. I think I will find a mobile RV company to check the other regardless.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Having a bad capacitor means something isn't starting, usually the compressor. If you are up on the roof, you can feel and hear it start with the cover off. I would not throw parts at it with diagnosing since it is not very hard to cover the basics. If you are working with capacitors makes sure you have the power off and the capacitor is bled down. The shock is startling if it is sill holding a charge. If you have a meter that test capacitors, you also can check it in place after disconnecting at the capacitor terminals. I think you cheapest avenue would be a mobile tech if one is available and understanding AC systems. If he has a clamp meter and knows how to use it, he can check the amp draw for the whole system without even going on the roof.
Steve
Steve
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sdiesel
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Oct 29, 2017 12:33 PM