Does rooftop AC need charging?

In my opinion a 9100 btu AC shouldn't trip a 15 amp breaker even connected to a 25 foot orange extension cord. I've run a 13,500 AC on a 15 amp breaker with a 25 ft orange extension cord without popping the breaker. Yes, the outlet and cord got hot but it didn't pop a breaker.

This guy either has a bad AC or bad wiring in his shore power.

In a typical RV air conditioner cleaning both the evaporator and condenser coils will help reduce electric draw which may help. Also - depending on the model of your air conditioner installing something like a Supco hard start capacitor would help overcome the initial start up electric draw - their not expensive and easy to install. You might consider hooking up to a better shore power source - if the air conditioner works fine at a 30 amp RV site then you know the compressor isn't the issue.

My first MH someone tapped into the lines to recharge it.

I found this out when I had a licensed AC guy come out to check something else out on the AC. He took one look at the added valve and came back down the ladder and said he couldn't work on it because it had been altered.

In some states licensed HVAC guys can not work on an altered sealed unit and can loose their license if they do. I got down south and it was not a problem there. But then again union licensed workers and EPA spies are not in abundance there! Just saying.

Yes, but you would still have the leak. Which will cost more to repair than the A/C is worth.
If it is using R-22 it's running over a $100 a pound now, so again not very cost effective to keep adding coolant.

Have an air conditioner tech come to your place and check it out. Doesn't have to be an RV person.

Even though they are not designed to be recharged, saddle valves can be added to do the job. A good AC tech can do it.

...or maybe its the starting capacitor??
Dave 04 Excel td

Also, they are not designed to be recharged.

Hi,

It could be as simple as the 14 gauge 50' extension cord that you might be using. It will cause a huge voltage drop, and will cause a 15 amp load like the compressor to draw to many amps.

If you are on a 15 amp circuit breaker, and the compressor is drawing over 20 amps at start up, that will trip a circuit breaker. Also check what else is being shut off in the house. If the kids TV, a few other items drawing a total of 4 amps also shuts off, then the compressor might trip the circuit breaker at even a small 11 amp or 16 amp load while on a 20 amp breaker.

If you can unplug the washing machine (it will be on a 20 amp dedicated circuit breaker) and can plug in the RV there, you will know that it has no other loads on it. Also use the largest "Gauge" extension cord, and short as possible too. So if you can back the van up really close to the house, and not need a extension cord, that is the best possible solution. If you do require a extension cord, then a short 25' long #12 gauge or #10 gauge extension cord is best!

Also you might have a bad "Capacitor". It is a silver item under the outside cover. IT is hooked up to the compressor motor, usually with a red and sometimes yellow wire. If the capacitor "Pops" (you can google popped capacitor pictures) then replacing it will normally restore the compressor operation.

You probably do not have a bad "Condenser" or outside coil on the air conditioner. They tend to leak, but normally will go well over 20 years without leaking freon.

You might have a bad "Compressor" - check it with a ohm meter, and it should read 3-6 ohms from red to common (normally black) and 8-14 ohms from red to yellow (or start winding). If any of the windings are grounded, you are looking at replacing the compressor (probably 8 hours labor at $150 each and $475 in materials) or a new unit ($650 with a 1 year warranty).

Check the $20 capacitor first.

Make sure that you are using a 20 amp circuit breaker, and #12 wire rated at 20 amps, or #10 wire (the thickness of the RV cord) that is rated at 30 amps.

Good luck,

Fred.

Sounds like you are using an outlet with 15 amps. You'll need at least 20 and 30 would be better yet. If it trips a breaker in the garage then that's most likely the cause.
john 'I am Canadian'