Forum Discussion

57_Panhead's avatar
57_Panhead
Explorer
Sep 19, 2017

AC Still not working---Update---

First, Thanks to all who suggested possible problems to check on my Coleman Mach 15,000 AC unit. So I checked the start and run capacitors and they are in spec. To be sure I even swapped them out with new ones and no change. Checked all wiring and no loose wires. Swapped circuit breakers and still no change. There is 115 Volts at the wire where it connects to the compressor but it wont start. Is it likely that the compressor has seized up on a unit that is only 5.5 years old and has not seen very much use?

So now I ask, is it fixable or am I better off just buying a new unit?

Your opinions please.

Thanks
Steve
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Sep 19, 2017
    What difference does it make which breaker trips first...you have a short to ground somewhere as a 15A unit should not trip a 30A breaker when it tries to start. While it's not likely the short is in the board I would pull one of the wires going to the compressor and see if it still trips the breaker before replacing the entire AC.
  • sayoung's avatar
    sayoung
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    Mandalay Parr wrote:
    One more test you might try is to disconnect both motor leads and ohm out the motor making sure the motor is not open.

    If seized thermal overload opens in most cases so appears as an open winding. If tripping breaker then you need to check if compressor windings now have continuity to GND & you need an ohmmeter that has MEG-ohms range .
    You might get lucky & just be loose connection at breaker.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Sep 19, 2017
    Have you measured amps and volts during the event?
    Otherwise you may as well take it in to the shop.
  • 57_Panhead's avatar
    57_Panhead
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    darsben1 wrote:
    If the compressor is seized I would expect the breaker to trip


    Yes, the breaker trips but it is confusing to me because sometimes the breaker at the source trips and sometimes the breaker in the trailer panel trips.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    One more test you might try is to disconnect both motor leads and ohm out the motor making sure the motor is not open.
  • darsben1's avatar
    darsben1
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    If the compressor is seized I would expect the breaker to trip

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