Basement ac problem
My 2005 Suncruiser a/c works fine and then just stops. After awhile it just starts again. I was plugged into 50 amp. We want to take a trip but I'm afraid it will quit working when we need it the most...
Forum Discussion
The basement air systems are not all alike in their control systems, but here's a quick review of the system operation:
There are two compressors in the basement air unit. When your thermostat calls for temperature that is one degree below ambient inside the coach, only compressor 1 runs, and the condenser fan in the outside unit runs at Low speed (although I can't really tell low from high just by listening).
When your thermostat calls for temperature that is two or more degrees below ambient, both compressors run; the condenser fan shuts down briefly then restarts in High speed.
With that knowledge, here are a couple of things you can try:
First, see if you have two circuit breakers identified as "AC System 1" and "AC System 2" (may not be this exact wording). If the breakers are not tripped, turn the System 2 circuit breaker OFF and see if your air conditioner keeps running. If it does, that indicates that something is amiss in System 2 or its control circuitry. Not all systems are wired the same, but on mine there is an in-line fuse in the high-speed condenser fan wire. If the fuse is blown, the fan can't run on high. It won't automatically revert to low, so your system shuts down (probably due to high pressure because of no cooling air across the condenser).
On my system, a blown fuse was the cause. Mine uses an 8-amp glass automotive type fuse; I replaced it and the system has run fine since.
When you turn off the circuit breaker for System 2, you are taking the System 2 compressor and the High condenser fan speed out of the equation. The system won't cool as well with only one compressor running, but it will keep running and give you some cooling. If you can get the condenser fan to function in high-speed mode (by replacing the fuse), you're in business.
Be careful, and make sure everything in the system is turned OFF while you're working on it. Let us know whether this was any help.
There are two compressors in the basement air unit. When your thermostat calls for temperature that is one degree below ambient inside the coach, only compressor 1 runs, and the condenser fan in the outside unit runs at Low speed (although I can't really tell low from high just by listening).
When your thermostat calls for temperature that is two or more degrees below ambient, both compressors run; the condenser fan shuts down briefly then restarts in High speed.
With that knowledge, here are a couple of things you can try:
First, see if you have two circuit breakers identified as "AC System 1" and "AC System 2" (may not be this exact wording). If the breakers are not tripped, turn the System 2 circuit breaker OFF and see if your air conditioner keeps running. If it does, that indicates that something is amiss in System 2 or its control circuitry. Not all systems are wired the same, but on mine there is an in-line fuse in the high-speed condenser fan wire. If the fuse is blown, the fan can't run on high. It won't automatically revert to low, so your system shuts down (probably due to high pressure because of no cooling air across the condenser).
On my system, a blown fuse was the cause. Mine uses an 8-amp glass automotive type fuse; I replaced it and the system has run fine since.
When you turn off the circuit breaker for System 2, you are taking the System 2 compressor and the High condenser fan speed out of the equation. The system won't cool as well with only one compressor running, but it will keep running and give you some cooling. If you can get the condenser fan to function in high-speed mode (by replacing the fuse), you're in business.
Be careful, and make sure everything in the system is turned OFF while you're working on it. Let us know whether this was any help.
