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dylanksimmons's avatar
dylanksimmons
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016

Air Conditioner without Auto??

I just purchased my first trailer (1998 Fleetwood Mallard 19N) and I ran into something new to me. I'm used to staying in my parents fifth wheel with A/C units controlled by a thermostat. So you can imagine I was surprised to see all the controls on the ceiling on my new camper. So I guess my question is won't the unit run constantly while I'm camping if it's hot outside? I know the compressor will kick off but I don't want to be getting up in the middle of the night turning the thing on and off. I guess why didn't they put an AUTO feature on these things? or a wall mounted thermostat? Sorry if this is dumb question but I'm new to the TT scene.

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  • dylanksimmons's avatar
    dylanksimmons
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2016
    Murphsmom wrote:
    dylanksimmons wrote:
    I plan on going to the lake for a 8 days here in about a month and temps will be 90 plus during the day. Is it bad for it to run constantly or should I give it break when I can? I guess whats the worst I can do? Burn up the fan motor?


    I think I would be inclined to only run it while you are actually in the trailer. Why cool it when nobody is there using it?


    Our pug will be sleeping in it while we are not there. Can't leave her in the heat
  • Murphsmom's avatar
    Murphsmom
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2016
    dylanksimmons wrote:
    I plan on going to the lake for a 8 days here in about a month and temps will be 90 plus during the day. Is it bad for it to run constantly or should I give it break when I can? I guess whats the worst I can do? Burn up the fan motor?


    I think I would be inclined to only run it while you are actually in the trailer. Why cool it when nobody is there using it?
  • Murphsmom's avatar
    Murphsmom
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2016
    Our current trailer (2013 Keystone Cougar) is the first one we have owned that had the thermostatically controlled AC. Prior to that the ones we've owned have either had the ceiling controls like you have, or in the case of our very first trailer way back in the early 70s, no air conditioning at all.
  • dylanksimmons's avatar
    dylanksimmons
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2016
    I plan on going to the lake for a 8 days here in about a month and temps will be 90 plus during the day. Is it bad for it to run constantly or should I give it break when I can? I guess whats the worst I can do? Burn up the fan motor?
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer II
    Jun 29, 2016
    Lots of camper AC units have only ceiling controls. There is a thermostat, it's just built into the unit on the ceiling. It should have a knob to adjust it. The fan will run all the time. The compressor will kick in and out as needed.
    I tried modifying mine so that the fan turned on and off with the compressor. I didn't like it and switched it back. I got too hot in between compressor cycles. The running fan keeps the air stirred up and it stays much more comfortable.

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