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Freightguy's avatar
Freightguy
Explorer
Apr 06, 2018

AC issues need diagnosis

I have 3 AC's on my motor home. All Coleman mach series with Atwood thermostat. When I bought the coach a year ago I was told the two front ACs had just been replaced and they are much newer than the rear one. They cool the coach great, but when they get close to the set temp they start making some awful noises. I am hoping someone might be able to listen to the noise and know what is wrong.

https://youtu.be/KYH3oXGXoJs
  • Sorry, I meant to state AUTO/COOL. I would suspect one of the capacitors. Have you checked the upper capacitor box for shorted/burnt wires? Also, have you checked the MOUNT for the Condenser Fan. See if the mount and motor is loose or the mount studs have broken loose. Check to 120 FEED wire to the upper control box. Since BOTH units have the same noise, maybe the installer did not wire nut the Black and White 120 wires securely and they are arcing when the system has a higher amp draw. Doug
  • No the fan is on auto and cool. What you are explaining is similar to what happens with my original rear AC unit. The noise that the front two are making is very violent and extremely loud outside. To the degree poeple will stop and ask what is wrong.

    Also, in the video you may notice the noise lasts for 3 seconds. I cannot control when the issue happens, but 3 seconds is a very small noise compared to the normal. It will ussually go about 5 to 7 seconds and sometimes over 10 seconds. Most times when its then trys to restart the compressor it will fail and then wait a full minute before trying again. At that point it will run as it should for a few.
  • OK, Mach 8. When this happens, is the system on HI/FAN Cool? When the Mach 8 is within 1 degree of the set temp, you will hear a noise when the Hi Fan shuts OFF for a second and then AC goes to LO fan. It will then run until it drops that 1 degree and then shut off. The fact that BOTH new units make the same noise, points to the noise is normal. Doug
  • No only the two newer units do this. Yes on 50 Amp, but it will have on any amp or the generator.
    The buss noise is what cause the the unit to shut down, it happens the instant the noise stops.
  • Do all 3 make the same noise? Are you on 50 amp service? How long after that buzz do the units shut off? Doug
  • Buzz noise. Back ground noise is stapling papers together and filing and such.
  • Are you talking about the buzz noise or what sounds like rain or debris blowing around.

    Or the cell phone alert.