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Steve_B_'s avatar
Steve_B_
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015

Cool Cat AC/Heat pump, not cooling

I have a Cool Cat installed under the rear bed in my unit. It is now 14 years old. I found this week that it is not cooling. Fan runs, AC kicks on but is not cold. Is this unit rechargeable?
I have not been able to find info on that question. Generally I just use the fan to cool the trailer down and that is sufficient. I doubt that I would spend the money to replace the unit but if it just needs a recharge I'd go for it.
  • I had a similar issue in my '03 Roadtrek. Issue was simply bad thermostat on the wall - got a new one (even though it is older they are still available) - problem solved - luckily!!! ST
  • The unit sounds the same as it always has, and the compressor kicks on when you set the thermostat down. Looks like the consensus is that these can't be recharged so I will just keep using the fan only for circulation when I need it. If I ever decide to head south with the trailer I'll have to reconsider getting a new unit.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    I haven't seen one, but if it's like other RV and window units, it's sealed. And highly unlikely to leak unless damaged or very corroded. Compressors don't fail all that often in RV units, but IF it has leaks or needs a compressor, as Chris says, It's Shot.

    If you want to try and troubleshoot it, I see three possibilities:

    1. Compressor - Should have a label with two or three amperage numbers:
    a. Running - What a normally running compressor should draw if properly charged. You can measure for that with a meter like this:

    b. Locked Rotor - What a compressor will draw if it cannot start.
    c. Startup - Possibly included but a common meter won't measure it unless it's featured to measure "inrush current"

    See if the compressor gets started and what amps it draws. If it doesn't start and draws Locked Rotor Amps, it's either seized or bad capacitor. If it starts and draws less than Running Amps, then refrigerant has escaped, compressor valves are bad, or the motor part of compressor has separated from the pump part.

    A bad Capacitor will keep Compressor (or Fan) from starting. If it draws Locked Rotor, you can try replacing Capacitor. Look to see if it appears bloated or a fluid has leaked out near the terminals. It's bad if either. Get the specs from its labeling. You can get one at an appliance parts store. I'm blessed to have a professional meter that measures capacitance, and some reasonably expensive ones do it as well.

    I've heard of starting a stuck compressor by smacking it with a rubber mallet right when it's trying to start. Suggested it to somebody here and they reported it worked.

    But your CC is also a heat pump, so there could be issues with the reversing valve, controls, maybe a defrost feature. Can't help much there. If a a large residential system has the valve stuck between Heat and Cool, there's a distinct rushing sound. Rapping on it while applying and removing the power might free it up. Again, it's a case where if it needs the sealed system opened up, most of us would treat it as Chris said, Shot.
  • Steve B. wrote:
    Sorry to say I did not try the heat setting. I never use it for heat as a small ceramic heater does the job nicely and quietly.


    If it were the solenoid, it would produce heat on the cool setting- because it didn't, that's not the problem.
    If you are certain the compressor is coming on, it's probably shot. :(
  • I have one of the Cool Cat units in my 2010 Roadtrek and it sometimes doesn't cool either. The unit kicks in and blows air but it's just hot air. I did a lot of playing around and think I found the issue and a simple work-around. In my case it always seems to happen when I turn the unit on in cool mode and lower the thermostat just enough to cause the A/C to kick on. What I've found is that I need to run the thermostat all the way down to get the A/C to start blowing cold air. After that I can set the thermostat at any point I'd like and the A/C properly comes on an off as I'd expect producing cold air.

    I thought it might be the thermostat and tried replacing it which wasn't easy given the model in my Roadtrek is no longer in production. But that didn't solve the problem. My best guess is that there's probably a signal (voltage or resistance) coming from the thermostat that signals the Cool Cat to switch the reversing valve into the cool position and that signal isn't strong enough when the set point temp is close to ambient temp. By running the thermostat all the way down to lowest setting the difference between set point temp and ambient is maxed out, the signal is strong and the Cool Cat switches the reversing valve.
  • Sorry to say I did not try the heat setting. I never use it for heat as a small ceramic heater does the job nicely and quietly.
  • Is it producing heat, or is it just blowing air around? These really are not easily recharged- to do a proper job would be better than half the cost of replacement.

    If it is blowing hot air, it could be a simple solenoid burned out.

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