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bshpilot's avatar
bshpilot
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015

SOLVED - WAS: Traveling: Air Conditioner NOT powering on

DANG IT ! We're traveling (in amarillo now, on our way to grand canyon).

My rear Air Conditioner won't turn on.
The electric heat strip works, the fan will run on manual (high & low) but the AC won't kick on.

When i 1st tried it the temperature display wasn't on - i pulled the cover & started to check the fuse & when i pulled on the fuse the display came on.

Its a COLEMAN (mach) w/ the RV Comfort Thermostat.

The AC unit was working yesterday & earlier today.

Any trouble-shooting tips that anyone has would be appreciated !

Class A

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  • bshpilot's avatar
    bshpilot
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2015
    Sprink-Fitter wrote:


    Sorry for trying to help. Did you say the front ac was working, did you say the generator was running.

    The fan could run on 12 volt so I thought I would ask.

    I don't "assume" anything, so you figure it out yourself.


    my apologizes for expressing my frustration or directing my frustration at you.

    I'm sure you realize that - all roof top air conditioners are 120VAC (only) - there's no 12vdc supply going to roof top air. knowing this information, you also know, the fan & heat (strip) will NOT run on DC Voltage, ONLY AC Voltage.
  • bshpilot's avatar
    bshpilot
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2015
    bdpreece wrote:
    Since the heat strips work I think you can rule out a problem with the wiring or thermostat. If I were troubleshooting I would climb up in the roof and remove the cover. Look for the start capacitor and see if it is swollen and/or leaking at the top where the wire connections are. You could swap the caps between the two ac's but be careful you need to power down the unit then short the terminals together with a screwdriver. Be careful if you do this as these things bite hard if not discharged.


    I have a some AC Volt/Amp Panel Meters (inside the coach).

    If the starting cap was bad would i see an attempt or current drawl (ac current load) on my 120 VAC panel meters ?

    I dont see any spike or increased AC Voltage (VAC) drawl of the compressor when i switch the thermostat to Air Conditioning mode "on".

    I do see an AC amp draw when the fan is (manually) turned on or the heat is turned on.
  • Sprink-Fitter's avatar
    Sprink-Fitter
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2015
    bshpilot wrote:
    Sprink-Fitter wrote:
    Don't you need the generator running to run the air?


    hello !?!?! the fan runs & the heat strip works....so obviously I'm getting AC Current from somewhere (assume the generator)....so YES the generator is running - my FRONT air conditioner (among other things) are working fine (using ac current).


    Sorry for trying to help. Did you say the front ac was working, did you say the generator was running.

    The fan could run on 12 volt so I thought I would ask.

    I don't "assume" anything, so you figure it out yourself.
  • bshpilot's avatar
    bshpilot
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2015
    Sprink-Fitter wrote:
    Don't you need the generator running to run the air?


    hello !?!?! the fan runs & the heat strip works....so obviously I'm getting AC Current from somewhere (assume the generator)....so YES the generator is running - my FRONT air conditioner (among other things) are working fine (using ac current).
  • bdpreece's avatar
    bdpreece
    Explorer II
    Jun 05, 2015
    Since the heat strips work I think you can rule out a problem with the wiring or thermostat. If I were troubleshooting I would climb up in the roof and remove the cover. Look for the start capacitor and see if it is swollen and/or leaking at the top where the wire connections are. You could swap the caps between the two ac's but be careful you need to power down the unit then short the terminals together with a screwdriver. Be careful if you do this as these things bite hard if not discharged.

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