This topic kind of ties into one already started 8.3 Overheating but has to do with the A/C condenser.I have discovered that the electric fan on the A/C condenser does not come on when the dash A/C is turned on. In a car this fan would come on as soon as the a/c is turned on, should that also happen in this motor home (1997 America Dream).Before I start checking would like to know if that is how it should work.If so the first thing I would check is, is there power at the plug, then I would hot wire the fan to make sure it is working, if it is the solenoid I would love it if someone could take a picture and describe it's location.Should the fan be lowing into the condenser coil or sucking air out (not fighting the Motor Home fan)Just a note, this may be another example of incompetent RV Service center repairs. At the beginning of the season I took it to Caledoina RV because the A/C was not blowing cold. They charged the system and pronounced all was well. On the next trip it did not work until we hit a big bump, and then it did work. It has worked off and on again ever since. It was taken back, but they stated all was well.

works off and on,I,d check the wiring to that fan, and in my opinion the fan should come on when you turn the air on, ac working hints a loose wire.

Mine comes on the minute I turn the A/C on.

I'm going to look that this in the morning, what would really help is if any one knows the location of the fuse, and the reply for the fan?

You might have to follow the wiring to find any relays. Or call Fleetwood. You could use a switch and turn on the fan when you want it on. Then as you get near a mountain pass, you can turn it on early. It would save a lot of searching around just to install a new switch and #10 wire to the fan, along with a 30 amp fuse. If you don't want to run a lot of new wiring, then a #14 wire from the dash area to a new fog lamp relay (30 amps +) and then the larger wire from the battery to new relay to the fan. This will also provide more voltage to the fan, due to shorter wire run. Include a 30 amp auto re-set circuit breaker, and measure the amp draw if you can. it might take more than 30 amps?Sears used to sell a clamp on AC/DC meter. Most clamp on amp meters only measure AC amperage, but this one was a reasonably priced $90 meter that measures DC amperage just by clamping it around the wire, no need to cut into the circuit. Fred.

Golden_HVAC wrote:You might have to follow the wiring to find any relays. Or call Fleetwood. You could use a switch and turn on the fan when you want it on. Then as you get near a mountain pass, you can turn it on early. It would save a lot of searching around just to install a new switch and #10 wire to the fan, along with a 30 amp fuse. If you don't want to run a lot of new wiring, then a #14 wire from the dash area to a new fog lamp relay (30 amps +) and then the larger wire from the battery to new relay to the fan. This will also provide more voltage to the fan, due to shorter wire run. Include a 30 amp auto re-set circuit breaker, and measure the amp draw if you can. it might take more than 30 amps?Sears used to sell a clamp on AC/DC meter. Most clamp on amp meters only measure AC amperage, but this one was a reasonably priced $90 meter that measures DC amperage just by clamping it around the wire, no need to cut into the circuit. Fred.All good ideas, but we will get the original setup working again.

A/C Cooling Fan / Radiator / Cooling | Good Sam Community

DSDP_Don
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Glenn....I can't help you with tracing the electrical, but will mention when you get it finally figured out, your photo shows your A/C belt needs more tension. It shouldn't flutter like that, maybe a new belt. The tensioner is right there in the photo and looks like it's easy to adjust.

You did a good job at narrowing down the issue, like making sure the fan is good. Hopefully someone can tell you what triggers that fan.
GlennLever
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
edm3rd wrote:
Suggest contacting RV manufacturer. On some, fan runs constantly when a/c is turned on, others are temperature controlled by a thermostat and the fan is only turned on as needed.

Does it cool adequately when driven at highway speed (ie when there is enough air flow that the fan isn't needed)?

I have sent an e-mail to both Gillig the chassis manufacturer and Fleetwood, no response from either.

A/C dash vents have cool air coming out, but not what it should be.

There are no sensors on the condenser coil to signal the fan to come on and off.

Wire for the fan runs directly away across the frame, to the electronics compartment.
edm3rd
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Suggest contacting RV manufacturer. On some, fan runs constantly when a/c is turned on, others are temperature controlled by a thermostat and the fan is only turned on as needed.

Does it cool adequately when driven at highway speed (ie when there is enough air flow that the fan isn't needed)?
GlennLever
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Ok...This is what this morning revealed.

The A/C indicator light comes on when the dash A/C is turned on.

The A/C compressor comes on when the A/C is turned on and goes off when the A/C is turned off.

The fan over the A/C condenser will run when connected to a separate battery.

The test light does not light when connected to the terminals running to the fan.

The wires from the fan run into the engine compartment, across the rear frame then forward to the electronics compartment.

I find no fuses or relays marked as A/C fan, I do find one relay marked HVAC relay (which I have not tested). I also find one fuse marked RAD PWR AUX which does test good.

Can you help me locate both the fan relay and fuse?

Vehicle Vin 46GED1814T1052706

Fleetwood # 720AV5202890

MFD ID # 02890

Chassis sate 7/96

Vehicle date 1997
Gasman_2
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
GlennLever wrote:
Gasman 2 wrote:
Have you confirmed that the A/C compressor is running? This fan is controlled by a pressure switch in the high pressure side of the A/C. Sounds like you system is low on Freon and the A/C clutch is not engaged.

We are getting some cold air out of the vents, believe the system is working.

I have not confirmed the compressor is running.

I wanted to work on this this morning, but IT IS RAINING!
I would confirm that the compressor is running before starting a work around,
GlennLever
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Gasman 2 wrote:
Have you confirmed that the A/C compressor is running? This fan is controlled by a pressure switch in the high pressure side of the A/C. Sounds like you system is low on Freon and the A/C clutch is not engaged.

We are getting some cold air out of the vents, believe the system is working.

I have not confirmed the compressor is running.

I wanted to work on this this morning, but IT IS RAINING!
Gasman_2
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Have you confirmed that the A/C compressor is running? This fan is controlled by a pressure switch in the high pressure side of the A/C. Sounds like you system is low on Freon and the A/C clutch is not engaged.
GlennLever
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Golden_HVAC wrote:
You might have to follow the wiring to find any relays. Or call Fleetwood.

You could use a switch and turn on the fan when you want it on. Then as you get near a mountain pass, you can turn it on early. It would save a lot of searching around just to install a new switch and #10 wire to the fan, along with a 30 amp fuse. If you don't want to run a lot of new wiring, then a #14 wire from the dash area to a new fog lamp relay (30 amps +) and then the larger wire from the battery to new relay to the fan. This will also provide more voltage to the fan, due to shorter wire run. Include a 30 amp auto re-set circuit breaker, and measure the amp draw if you can. it might take more than 30 amps?

Sears used to sell a clamp on AC/DC meter. Most clamp on amp meters only measure AC amperage, but this one was a reasonably priced $90 meter that measures DC amperage just by clamping it around the wire, no need to cut into the circuit.

Fred.

All good ideas, but we will get the original setup working again.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
You might have to follow the wiring to find any relays. Or call Fleetwood.

You could use a switch and turn on the fan when you want it on. Then as you get near a mountain pass, you can turn it on early. It would save a lot of searching around just to install a new switch and #10 wire to the fan, along with a 30 amp fuse. If you don't want to run a lot of new wiring, then a #14 wire from the dash area to a new fog lamp relay (30 amps +) and then the larger wire from the battery to new relay to the fan. This will also provide more voltage to the fan, due to shorter wire run. Include a 30 amp auto re-set circuit breaker, and measure the amp draw if you can. it might take more than 30 amps?

Sears used to sell a clamp on AC/DC meter. Most clamp on amp meters only measure AC amperage, but this one was a reasonably priced $90 meter that measures DC amperage just by clamping it around the wire, no need to cut into the circuit.

Fred.
GlennLever
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014
I'm going to look that this in the morning, what would really help is if any one knows the location of the fuse, and the reply for the fan?

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