Durb wrote:
rvexodus wrote:
Durb wrote:
pnichols wrote:
The OP's air conditioining may not be operating as a "closed system" ... in that the A/C's air intake is not 100% circulating only air from the house interior. In other words some of the A/C's intake air is continuously made up of some new (hot) outside air that is leaking in. This means that there is an "outside air leak" somewhere in the A/C's intake system.
If the OP's A/C system is otherwise operating properly with no intake air leaks and with all windows/vents closed and is 100% using "recirculated intake air" like it's supposed to be, then it's outlet air into the interior is always around 20 degrees lower than it's intake air. Since the intake air is supposed to be 100% coming from the interior of the house, it's outlet air temperature is always getting colder and colder until limited by the thermistat setting ... THAT IS IF the BTU capacity of the A/C system is great enough to, at any expected outside temperature, swamp out the continual heat gain from the outside through the ceiling, the walls, and the floors.
One should always buy a new RV with the maximum BTU size air conditioning system(s) offered - just in case they find themselves having to camp in unexpectedly high temperatures. IMHO, that's part of the "self-containment" goal of an RV.
BTW, a leak in the intake system would also explain why opening some windows would help with cooling from an air-leaking system. The slight pressure increase in the interior - as maintained by the air conditioning system's fan(s) trying to pull in some air from the outside, when they shouldn't be - would be relieved by the open window(s)r - thus permitting flow of some extra cooled air from the leak on out the open window(s).
I Have the same problem with my Carrier air conditioner. The best it could do was lower the trailer to 88 when 92 outside. This post inspired me to get on the roof and pull off the cover and shroud. I had a spot where the coper tubing enters the plenum where hot air could come in but it was minor and I fixed it with some foam tape.
I did notice there was a large opening between the intake and output sides within the air conditioner house portion. The installer stuck a piece of foam in front of the gap and not sealing it. The fan was just circulating air within the unit not pulling it over the cooling coils and not pushing it out the vents. I sealed the gap thoroughly. Turned it on and I now have about 3 times the air volume coming out of the vents and it is cold.
I'm excited to test the air conditioner in a couple of weeks on our trip to some hot locations. Thank you pnichols.
That’s awesome news. I’m going to do the same when it’s not 117 out.
As a follow up I just returned from our trip. Outside air was 101 degrees, inside 81 degrees. 20 degree drop, I'll take it. This air conditioner tune up could have been completed from inside the trailer.
Awesome and congrats. There is hope for me yet!
