Forum Discussion

nextlevel's avatar
nextlevel
Explorer
May 14, 2018

Dometic air conditioner

I recently purchased a Puma 38PFSKB travel trailer. I bought it last July. This large trailer came with just the one Dometic unit. The previous owner installed a window unit in the rear of the trailer where the bedroom is. Between the two it kept the trailer cool in Alabama's heat last year.

We are having a May record breaking heat wave right now and it got to 92 today. The ceiling unit is just not cooling like it should. It got 86 inside today. I have checked everything I know to check. Would the unit possibly need replacing?
  • jwandvassie's avatar
    jwandvassie
    Explorer
    May 14, 2018
    Measure the air temperature at the filter and at the nearest outlet. There should be a 20 degree difference. If not, something wrong with AC. If so, you need more AC.
  • folivier's avatar
    folivier
    Explorer
    May 14, 2018
    Look at the inside unit where the filter is. There is probably a grille that can be slid open to direct the entire air flow down into the camper. Called a quick cool down feature. That could also show if there is a problem with the ductwork.
  • Samsonsworld's avatar
    Samsonsworld
    Explorer
    May 14, 2018
    High humidity will kill its ability to cool and is a lot more likely to freeze up. Removing the filter will help, as can opening the bottom of the main unit (what I call dumping the air). It takes away from the vents, but it cools better. I use a small fan to circulate air when I do this (when stuck with a 30 amp site...I have two units).
  • nextlevel's avatar
    nextlevel
    Explorer
    May 14, 2018
    Thanks for all of the advice. I will do some cleaning and see what happens.
  • nextlevel's avatar
    nextlevel
    Explorer
    May 14, 2018
    It is parked in the same place. I wish it was in the shade. I don't see any styrofoam insulation with the inside cover off. It appears to be metal ductwork.
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    May 14, 2018
    Is the trailer still parked in the same place? If you are in full sun now, but shade, even partial before, that could make a huge difference in the interior temp.
    Also check the volume of air being moved, sometimes the styrofoam insulation that the duct is cut into will collapse.
  • nextlevel's avatar
    nextlevel
    Explorer
    May 14, 2018
    I watched the cleaning video. I will check the coils again. My concerned is generated by the fact that the trailer stayed in the 70's last year even with the hot weather as long as I ran the rear window unit.

    This is a ducted unit. Would that have any bearing on the cooling situation? Should I seal off the ductwork from the blower? Ductwork does not seem to work well anyway.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    May 14, 2018
    I don't think there's anything serious wrong with your existing AC. It's just too big of space for one unit.
  • nextlevel's avatar
    nextlevel
    Explorer
    May 14, 2018
    Sorry. It is a 2011 model and the AC is original. I have cleaned under the shroud and I keep the filter clean. I pulled the shroud off this afternoon and felt the low pressure side of the compressor. It wasn't very cold. It is cooling down now but the sun has gone down. Still 77 inside.

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