Forum Discussion

Dachristianman's avatar
Dachristianman
Explorer
May 03, 2013

AC Service

My roof AC doesn't seem to blow as cold as I think it should. I can hear the compressor kicking on, so I know it's working, but is there something that I can do to service this thing?

It's on a 92 Winnebago Brave, so after 21 years, maybe it's just old. Some additional info is that this rig has spent the majority of its life in Alaska, so the unit hasn't had a whole lot of use and the chassis only has 30K miles on it. The older fella I bought the MH from said he was selling it because it was cheaper to rent a hotel on the once or twice they normally took it out, furthing my theory that the unit has been used very little.

Thanks in advance.
Class A

12 Replies

  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    May 07, 2013
    Dachristianman wrote:
    Even after cleaning the condenser, it appears that the output temperature gets colder on the "low cool" setting than on high. That tells me that it may be a bit low on R22 but since I don't have the gauges to service R22, I'll just run it on low cool and hope for the best.


    That is NOT a valid test and really means nothing. ALL AC systems will get colder air on a lo fan setting because the air going thru the evaporator is moving SLOWER and has more time to "absorb" the cold air on the evaporator coil/fins as it flow thru. The ONLY valid test for a RV AC roof top system charge is a AMP DRAW reading of the compressor corrected for outside ambient temp. Doug
  • Dachristianman's avatar
    Dachristianman
    Explorer
    May 07, 2013
    Even after cleaning the condenser, it appears that the output temperature gets colder on the "low cool" setting than on high. That tells me that it may be a bit low on R22 but since I don't have the gauges to service R22, I'll just run it on low cool and hope for the best.
  • Nick-B's avatar
    Nick-B
    Explorer
    May 07, 2013
    dougrainer wrote:
    mustangglp wrote:
    A 92 probably uses R12 witch the outlawed in 93 if I rember right so I would replace it just my 2 cents if you have to spend much on it.


    They did not use R 12 in any 120 operated system They used R 22. Doug


    Agreed. The roof air uses R22 and is not easily user serviceable like the engine driven dash air. Beyond cleaning and perhaps replacing a bad start capacitor, requires a service tech or replacement.
  • Dachristianman's avatar
    Dachristianman
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    I'll poke around and see if I can figure out how to take the covers off and give it a good cleaning. I'd agree that the PO didn't as he had no reason to.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    May 03, 2013
    mustangglp wrote:
    A 92 probably uses R12 witch the outlawed in 93 if I rember right so I would replace it just my 2 cents if you have to spend much on it.


    They did not use R 12 in any 120 operated system They used R 22. Doug
  • jlsmit's avatar
    jlsmit
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    I Agree with most here in needs a good bath and cleaning inside and out! the fins on top can be cleaned with a high power compressor too and wash the filters on the inside! then try it again good luck
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 03, 2013
    Have YOU ever cleaned the evap cooler and condenser cooler?

    Doesn't sound like the previous owner did as they rarely even used the rig.

    I would bet it will cool better after you have cleaned up the coolers and return air filter.
  • mustangglp's avatar
    mustangglp
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    A 92 probably uses R12 witch the outlawed in 93 if I rember right so I would replace it just my 2 cents if you have to spend much on it.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 03, 2013
    Options range from "it needs a good bath" (Cleaning) to "it needs major work and it'd be cheaper to replace it".

    Alas, kind of hard to say which it is. I do clean mine from time to time.

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