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obiwancanoli's avatar
obiwancanoli
Explorer
Jul 08, 2019

Air Conditioning Malfunction?

I have a 2017 Newmar Ventana LE which, due to warranty and repair issues, has not seen weather requiring the use of my a/c system, and until this past weekend, had no need to use it. However, a camping trip to a climate where the outside temps were 100 degrees + also saw inside temps of 95, despite all efforts to cool the inside of the RV, starting at 9 am, and running all day long, and into the night.

The thermostat is a 2-zone system (dual a/c units on top) which, among other modes, includes "Cool" and "Auto". Neither of these modes resulted in anything akin to a/c cooling, although the fans pushed cool-ER air through the system, just not AIR CONDITIONING cool... by comparison, I also ran the a/c system in the cockpit dash, and that works just fine... it's just not designed to cool the entire RV.

I know it worked at one time, since I spent a couple nights in the rig at the time I purchased it, and the a/c system was freezing me out (I was new to the lifestyle, with my first RV, and hadn't properly set the unit).

I've gone over everything I know to figure out and resolve this, and though unsuccessful, hope to do so before my next trip to a warm/hot clime.

Does anyone have a thought on what I'm missing here? Or is it possible I have TWO defective a/c units?
Class A
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 21, 2019
    Branson N Tucson wrote:
    I believe that if you are only on 30 AMP only one unit at a time will run. 50 AMPS both will kick on.


    True but the fans on both may run. (Depending on how it controls them)

    Second To the O/P when was the last time you cleaned the condener coils.. often they get a touch ...er... clogged with stuff?

    (Mine were last leaned last thursday)

    FInally. how did you measure the cooler air. Dont expect 35 degree air if the room is 90 as they can only drop the temp 20-30 degrees in most cases. And high outside temps will reduce effiency as well. and it has been HOT OUT
  • obiwancanoli's avatar
    obiwancanoli
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2019
    Gjac wrote:
    I doubt you have two bad A/C's on a 2 year old MH,so I would start with simple things to check. Can you here the compressor kick in when you set it on cool?


    Nope... checked that out couple days ago... fan comes on... I can feel the air flow, albeit not air-conditioned cool air...
  • obiwancanoli's avatar
    obiwancanoli
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2019
    Haven't taken it there yet... waiting for call re: parts ordered for another issue, he'll have a look at it when I take it in... probably within next couple weeks... I hope
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Jul 21, 2019
    How did you make out with your AC's, did the tech find the problem?
  • obiwancanoli's avatar
    obiwancanoli
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2019
    Contacted Newmar, rep informed me there's a 2-year warranty on the a/c units, so will have my tech check it out... I CAN hear the compressor come on...
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Jul 09, 2019
    I doubt you have two bad A/C's on a 2 year old MH,so I would start with simple things to check. Can you here the compressor kick in when you set it on cool?
  • sgfrye's avatar
    sgfrye
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2019
    was your shore power 30amp or 50amp? if 30 probably only able to run one unit at a time.

    our Travel trailer is a 37ft with one 15k btu ducted system in living area. ducts run to bathroom and front bedroom. here in north carolina we can get some extremely hot days. for comparison 2 weekends ago our campsite was in full sun no shade, outside temps were approx 95 degrees. inside TT was 88 degrees by noon with ac running constantly.

    when the sun gets low in the evening it cools down quickly and gets comfortable. will go down into 60's if we wanted at night with outside temps in mid 70's

    what we do now during day if we can't get a shaded spot is close front bedroom door and turn vents on ac unit to dump straight down and bypasses the ducts.

    shrinks the area needed to be cooled and keeps temps in 70's if outside temps are in mid upper 90's

    not sure if your units have mechanical issues but just some thoughts to check on first.
  • Branson_N_Tucso's avatar
    Branson_N_Tucso
    Explorer II
    Jul 09, 2019
    I believe that if you are only on 30 AMP only one unit at a time will run. 50 AMPS both will kick on.
  • Flute_Man's avatar
    Flute_Man
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2019
    Set both zones to cool with the fan set for auto and lower the temperature setting at least 10° below ambient , wait 10 minutes and see what happens. You should be able to hear the compressors kick in on both units.

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