Air conditioning while towing
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 3
Air conditioning while towing
Has anybody had this happen ?
Excursion V10.
I recently had my freon recharged and now it works when driving.
However, while towing the camper last weekend the blower would be very weak or not blow much at all and the air was accordingly cold but barely coming out.
After un-hitching and driving the air conditioning worked fine again.
We have a 4000# Rockwood 2109S that has the fridge running on the trailer battery when towing.
I am guessing the alternator of the truck somehow can't keep up ?
Am I onto something here or do you have a better idea ?
Excursion V10.
I recently had my freon recharged and now it works when driving.
However, while towing the camper last weekend the blower would be very weak or not blow much at all and the air was accordingly cold but barely coming out.
After un-hitching and driving the air conditioning worked fine again.
We have a 4000# Rockwood 2109S that has the fridge running on the trailer battery when towing.
I am guessing the alternator of the truck somehow can't keep up ?
Am I onto something here or do you have a better idea ?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,708
Likes: 12,846
From: Wyoming
What type of battery do you have in the trailer? Is it LiFePO4? If so and the battery has a low state of charge it can suck the living daylights out of your alternator. But it shouldn't be able to pull any more amps than the fuse in the 7-pin circuit allows.
A DC-DC charger that is rated for ~20 amps will help reduce the hit on the alternator.
Is your refrigerator a three-way? I've heard that the DC draw can be quite high. I have surplus watts produced by my PV so I run my propane/AC absorption refrigerator off of my inverter. It pulls about 375 watts as I recall.
A DC-DC charger that is rated for ~20 amps will help reduce the hit on the alternator.
Is your refrigerator a three-way? I've heard that the DC draw can be quite high. I have surplus watts produced by my PV so I run my propane/AC absorption refrigerator off of my inverter. It pulls about 375 watts as I recall.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 767
Likes: 132
From: Lynden, WA
Not sure about your Ex but on my 96 F150 the AC will discharge out the bottom floor heater discharge duct if the engine is working hard and engine vacuum is low vacuum and discharge will come back to the dash ducts after the vacuum goes high. Obviously the engine is working harder towing a trailer and vacuum will be low.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 3
Just got back from a 600 mile trip, no towing, and air conditioning was fine all the way, so still a mystery why only towing is an issue, but I can live with it I suppose.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,734
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From: SE Florida
Have you looked for a vacuum leak? If there is a leak the air will discharge out of the defrost vents instead of the dash vents. There is less vacuum available from the engine while towing, so this problem will show up only when towing.
I tow over 9,000 pounds with my V10 Excursion and the air works fine.
I tow over 9,000 pounds with my V10 Excursion and the air works fine.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Chino Valley, Arizona
Has anybody had this happen ?
Excursion V10.
I recently had my freon recharged and now it works when driving.
However, while towing the camper last weekend the blower would be very weak or not blow much at all and the air was accordingly cold but barely coming out.
After un-hitching and driving the air conditioning worked fine again.
We have a 4000# Rockwood 2109S that has the fridge running on the trailer battery when towing.
I am guessing the alternator of the truck somehow can't keep up ?
Am I onto something here or do you have a better idea ?
Excursion V10.
I recently had my freon recharged and now it works when driving.
However, while towing the camper last weekend the blower would be very weak or not blow much at all and the air was accordingly cold but barely coming out.
After un-hitching and driving the air conditioning worked fine again.
We have a 4000# Rockwood 2109S that has the fridge running on the trailer battery when towing.
I am guessing the alternator of the truck somehow can't keep up ?
Am I onto something here or do you have a better idea ?
2nd if you are questioning your electrical system get one of these and verify it,
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 3
Vents all are good for both air and heat, I suspect vacuum weakness rather than a leak.
The voltmeter you recommend is not an ammeter, but maybe it gives more immediate info on voltage I suppose.
The voltmeter you recommend is not an ammeter, but maybe it gives more immediate info on voltage I suppose.
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