Air Conditioner issue---NEED HELP

Thanks everyone!

Was kinda leaning towards ordering the 15000 btu unit and installing myself. Have helped with one before.

So far I have ran on a generator once and it was big enough to power a small town.

colliehauler---Hello! Spent several days in McPherson over the last couple years. Job changed and not up that way anymore. Thanks for your information as well. I feel very lucky to have a place like Discount RV here. They have always been very good to work with.

duck1973 wrote:
I have a 2007 Dutchman travel trailer. The trailer is 30' and came with a 13,500btu unit.

Called to have it serviced and the RV dealer said would be more expensive to have it serviced than replace it. He also said the 13500btu unit was to small for the camper. He wants to replace with a 15,000btu unit. Priced it at $600 and 150-$225 labor.

1) has anyone had an RV a/c unit serviced and what was the cost? I have rinsed mine out. I believe its low on Freon or possibly even motor not running proper rpms.

2) the units come filled and ready to run as they are a sealed unit from what I was told--does anyone know if that's correct?

3) is swapping from the 13500 unit to the 15000 unit a direct swap?

4) any reason not to go with the bigger unit?

The dealer is actually right.! sadly, most small PTAC units like rv and window are made as consumable throw away units.. However, they can be serviced but the labor cost is high, so 2 or 3 hours of labor at $100/hr vs $400 for new unit is a no-brainer.

Go with the bigger unit, most are undersized anyway for hot temps.

duck1973 wrote:
I have a 2007 Dutchman travel trailer. The trailer is 30' and came with a 13,500btu unit.

Called to have it serviced and the RV dealer said would be more expensive to have it serviced than replace it. He also said the 13500btu unit was to small for the camper. He wants to replace with a 15,000btu unit. Priced it at $600 and 150-$225 labor.

1) has anyone had an RV a/c unit serviced and what was the cost? I have rinsed mine out. I believe its low on Freon or possibly even motor not running proper rpms.

2) the units come filled and ready to run as they are a sealed unit from what I was told--does anyone know if that's correct?

3) is swapping from the 13500 unit to the 15000 unit a direct swap?

4) any reason not to go with the bigger unit?

Welcome to the forum neighbors.

1) Waste of money getting the old unit serviced. Throwing away money on service.
2) Sealed unit you were told correctly.
3) Should be a direct swap and a big improvement.
Discount RV has the best price around in Hutchinson.

duck1973 wrote:
I have a 2007 Dutchman travel trailer. The trailer is 30' and came with a 13,500btu unit.

Called to have it serviced and the RV dealer said would be more expensive to have it serviced than replace it. He also said the 13500btu unit was to small for the camper. He wants to replace with a 15,000btu unit. Priced it at $600 and 150-$225 labor.

1) has anyone had an RV a/c unit serviced and what was the cost? I have rinsed mine out. I believe its low on Freon or possibly even motor not running proper rpms.

2) the units come filled and ready to run as they are a sealed unit from what I was told--does anyone know if that's correct?

3) is swapping from the 13500 unit to the 15000 unit a direct swap?

4) any reason not to go with the bigger unit?

1..

Not much can be "serviced" on a RV A/C. All that it is designed for is cleaning the fins, "freon" is not designed to be topped off.

They are a factory sealed unit, the only way to check freon pressure or top off is to have ports installed. This is not cheap and requires the unit to be evacuated.

If the unit has lost Freon, it means there IS a leak somewhere, finding and repairing the leak is going to add additional labor..

Paying a A/C tech to do that operation will cost nearly the same as a new unit.

2... SEALED, YES. Factory loads the unit, crimps then welds the tube shut..

3.. 15K will fit the same 14x14 roof vent opening.

4.. Amperage draw.

15K will draw a few amps more than a 13.5K, this can be a problem if you have other high draw items running or only 15A/20A connection or a small generator.

Yes, I would agree that a 13.5K is a bit small with a 30 ft trailer but that is pretty much the standard size on most RVs.

You do have to plan a bit, start it early in the morning and allow it to run all day. Otherwise it may not cool much at all in 90+ temps..

Only drawback to me would if your running with a small generator. My 2000 watt Honda will run my 13.5 AC. Just my two cents worth.

Our Outback came factory installed with a 13,500 BTU. Last year we had installed a 15,000. Best thing we could have done, considering our's has only 1 air conditioner and we are 35 feet long. The price quoted by your service team is about right.

Not sure what a repair would cost instead of a replacement though. But I don't think I'd fiddle around with a repair, just replace if you are planning on keeping the camper much longer.

We have a 31 foot TT with a 15,000 A/C unit and on hot desert days it has a hard time keeping up. Those are 100 degrees plus days, below 100 degrees the unit does very well for cooling.

If it were me, I would pay the little extra and get the new bigger A/C unit. The new unit will have no wear, comes with a warranty and will cool faster and better.

1) has anyone had an RV a/c unit serviced and what was the cost? I have rinsed mine out. I believe its low on Freon or possibly even motor not running proper rpms.
What is the difference between the intake temp and output temp? Normal is 18-20º
Compressor not running? May only need a start capacitor.
Fan either runs or not. If not then it may need a capacitor.

2) the units come filled and ready to run as they are a sealed unit from what I was told--does anyone know if that's correct?
Yes

3) is swapping from the 13500 unit to the 15000 unit a direct swap?
Yes If it is a Coleman get a PS model.

4) any reason not to go with the bigger unit?
NO If you camp in cold/cool weather a 15K heat pump would be my choice.

Might contact a local AC man and ask about service. I know they can do it.
Probably ok for direct swap. 15 vs 13.5.
They do come sealed but a service guy told me they can still do it. They install some saddle valves. I've seen it done before.
I would not go through a dealer.