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vjstangelo's avatar
vjstangelo
Explorer
Jun 06, 2017

Coleman Airxcel

Well, here we go again.

We have 2 - 13.5K BTU Heat Pumps on our 2012 Winnebago Vista. The front unit quit cooling (gradually less cool until no cool) last year at the end of the season, so we plodded along using only the rear unit until April when we had the bad unit replaced to the tune of $1000+.

We just came back from New Orleans and guess what? The back unit does the same (gradually less cool until no cool). I suppose we are going to have to drop another grand to get the back unit replaced as well.

I compare this to the 13.5K Coleman Mach AC unit in our old TT. That thing was a beast, never a hiccup after 14 years of abuse bouncing from one end of the US to the other!

I plan on sending a letter to the Coleman Company FWIW just to let them know that I am not pleased with their product.

:(
Class A
  • Mile_High's avatar
    Mile_High
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2017
    dougrainer wrote:
    1. While Dometic is built in China, they are built to DOMETIC's specs and parts
    2. Dometic was built in Mexico until the plant burned down a few years ago
    3. Dometic was originally built in La Grange, Indiana until they moved the plant to Mexico.
    4. According to BOTH RVP and Dometic, the higher failure rate has to do with mandated 410 instead of Freon 22 and the 410 runs at higher pressures and they had a learning curve on getting the compressors built for longer term operation( BLAME the Government for banning Freon)
    5. RVP(Coleman) is built in Wichita, Kansas.
    6. Dometic has the Lion Share of the business, so, you will see a higher failure rate.
    who cares who's specs they are built to? They are still built in China! You can't hide behind a spec. All specs are negotiable in China, and a language barrier surfaces when you try to stay firm. You get alternatives shoved down your throat.

    And manufacturers love to blame the government! It's like diverting blame to a common enemy you can both take comfort in, instead of coming up with a solution. At least the goverment is working a solution.
  • vjstangelo's avatar
    vjstangelo
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2017
    Final post here. New rear heat pump installed. Two year warranty.

    So we have 2 brand spanking new heat pumps. Let's hope we get years of service out of these.

    Kudos to RB Taylor RV here in Lynchburg VA,. I highly recommend them.
  • vjstangelo's avatar
    vjstangelo
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2017
    Ok, went on the roof today and pulled the shroud. The condenser coil clean as a whistle, no luck there.

    Conclusion: the dang thing just blew its charge at some weak point in the cooling loop. The new unit is on order and will be installed before the July 4th holiday.
  • vjstangelo's avatar
    vjstangelo
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2017
    wa8yxm wrote:
    YOu say it starts out cool but as it runs less and less cool?

    When was the last time you went, as the song is titled "Up On The Roof" and removed the covers and cleaned the condenser coils?

    IF more than six months.. GET CLEANING. in fact more than one month, check it to see if it needs cleaning.

    You got to clean the coils? Yes. or spend 1,000 dollars fairly often.


    Good point. I will get up on the roof and inspect the Condenser Coils this weekend. I already inspected the evaporator coils and they were clean.

    FWIW, the evaporator coils were not cool when I inspected them.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jun 08, 2017
    YOu say it starts out cool but as it runs less and less cool?

    When was the last time you went, as the song is titled "Up On The Roof" and removed the covers and cleaned the condenser coils?

    IF more than six months.. GET CLEANING. in fact more than one month, check it to see if it needs cleaning.

    You got to clean the coils? Yes. or spend 1,000 dollars fairly often.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jun 08, 2017
    1. While Dometic is built in China, they are built to DOMETIC's specs and parts
    2. Dometic was built in Mexico until the plant burned down a few years ago
    3. Dometic was originally built in La Grange, Indiana until they moved the plant to Mexico.
    4. According to BOTH RVP and Dometic, the higher failure rate has to do with mandated 410 instead of Freon 22 and the 410 runs at higher pressures and they had a learning curve on getting the compressors built for longer term operation( BLAME the Government for banning Freon)
    5. RVP(Coleman) is built in Wichita, Kansas.
    6. Dometic has the Lion Share of the business, so, you will see a higher failure rate.
  • vjstangelo's avatar
    vjstangelo
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2017
    Well, $1000 for a new heat pump and $100 installation. Without looking, our mechanic estimated $400 to repair (best guess), but no warranty. Once again will bite the bullet and go new with the 2 year warranty.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2017
    2 many 2 wrote:
    The Dometic 15K heat pump on my 2014 TT was made in China and only lasted three years until all the Freon leaked out. The new unit is noticeably quieter inside and out and of a different design (still made in China), the compressor is vertical instead of horizontal. Hope it lasts a little longer than the last one.

    I remember when all the RV A/C's were made in the US and lasted for decades, sadly, not anymore :(


    There are MANY things doing the exact same thing. Even in home appliances. :( We really need to get back to made in the USA. My hope is it lasts you longer too, as three years is pathetic.
  • 2_many_2's avatar
    2_many_2
    Explorer III
    Jun 07, 2017
    The Dometic 15K heat pump on my 2014 TT was made in China and only lasted three years until all the Freon leaked out. The new unit is noticeably quieter inside and out and of a different design (still made in China), the compressor is vertical instead of horizontal. Hope it lasts a little longer than the last one.

    I remember when all the RV A/C's were made in the US and lasted for decades, sadly, not anymore :(
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jun 07, 2017
    vjstangelo wrote:
    I wonder if the issue is the fact that these are heat pump units which have more parts that could fail and blow the freon charge.


    They are copper sealed systems. The only added part on the sealed system on a Heat Pump is the Reversing valve. Remember, Unlike standard COLD AC units, HP's run double duty. They HEAT and COOL, which doubles their operation. My old HP at Home, they have a service life of 10 years. Most Home AC units have at least 15 to 20 year life span. Still, the RV HP should last at least 5 years. Also, unlike HOME systems, the RV systems have to contend with widely variable 120 current. LOW current harms compressors and components and sadly, LOW 120 current problems happen all over the USA at RV parks. Doug

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