Roof top AC
Sometimes at start up my AC units take 30 minutes fir the compressor to start and begin cooling. Fan is immediate. Any ideas?
Forum Discussion
Some air conditioners are smarter than I am.. I have been known to turn one off and turn it right back on (This is very hard on the compressor) so the makers of SOME models include precision timers that insure that when the compressor stopps it is at least THREE minutes before it kicks back in.
IF this timer is defective... Well 30 minutes is possible.
A clamp on ammeter (I will tell you how to do this) can help diagnose.
How to use the meter
Method 1: Open breaker box and "Clamp" on the wire to the Air Conditioner.
Note the amprage (Should be zero) with the unit off
Turn it on Fan only, Note the reading
Turn it on to COOL note the reading,, (it should go way up then quickly go down to around 10-15 amps. and the compressor SHOULD be running.,
IF it goes up, then back down to 'Fan only" then up then back down to Fan Only.
Read the posts above mine.,
If it takes 30 minutes to go up.. This post.
NOTE: if you are on 50 amps and have an Energy Management System (Load Shedder) you must be on 50 amps to run this test.
Method 2 (works on 30 amp rigs) use a 30-50 and 5-30 dog bone adapters on the power cord, ONE of these has to be a "Flat" cable type (3 wires side by side) Separate out one of the outside wires and clamp on that. NOTE that with this method the amp readings will be higher (since you are also reading current to the TV, Fridge, Converter, Et-al)
IF this timer is defective... Well 30 minutes is possible.
A clamp on ammeter (I will tell you how to do this) can help diagnose.
How to use the meter
Method 1: Open breaker box and "Clamp" on the wire to the Air Conditioner.
Note the amprage (Should be zero) with the unit off
Turn it on Fan only, Note the reading
Turn it on to COOL note the reading,, (it should go way up then quickly go down to around 10-15 amps. and the compressor SHOULD be running.,
IF it goes up, then back down to 'Fan only" then up then back down to Fan Only.
Read the posts above mine.,
If it takes 30 minutes to go up.. This post.
NOTE: if you are on 50 amps and have an Energy Management System (Load Shedder) you must be on 50 amps to run this test.
Method 2 (works on 30 amp rigs) use a 30-50 and 5-30 dog bone adapters on the power cord, ONE of these has to be a "Flat" cable type (3 wires side by side) Separate out one of the outside wires and clamp on that. NOTE that with this method the amp readings will be higher (since you are also reading current to the TV, Fridge, Converter, Et-al)
