Normal Lifespan of A/C Units?

jlarocca95 wrote:
My rig's in the shop right now for A/C problems. The air feels cold blowing out the vent but the thing isn't cooling. We live in Arkansas with typically hot humid summers and the first year we had it the unit worked great. 2nd Summer it has been more mild than usual and we can't seem to keep the rig cooled. I took it to the shop before my trip to Destin and they said that a divider plate was blocking part of the duct and they taped it in place and it ran fine. Down in Destin it was 85 degrees most days and even running all night the unit wouldn't cool us down to 70 degrees inside. I've always been told a properly sized unit will maintain a maximum of 22 degree difference between the outside and inside temp so at 90 degrees I should be able to maintain 68 inside.

You were told wrong see GOPACKGO.

I believe the rule is that the cold air coming out of the AC unit should be 15-20 degrees colder AS MEASURED AT THE CLOSEST OUTPUT POINT TO THE MAIN UNIT (if ducted) of the AC unit compared to the current temp INSIDE the RV.

* Measured with the same thermometer.

I don't think the temperature outside of the RV enters into the equation.

jlarocca95 - How long is your 5th wheel ? If camping in the south, the bigger ones need 2 AC units to cool them adequately. I'm not saying you're wrong about your AC unit problem, just trying to help. I have a 35 ft 5th wheel with 2 AC units because I originally started out using it in Florida and other southern states. Glad I ordered it that way. No way could one unit cool it down.

Tim

My rig's in the shop right now for A/C problems. The air feels cold blowing out the vent but the thing isn't cooling. We live in Arkansas with typically hot humid summers and the first year we had it the unit worked great. 2nd Summer it has been more mild than usual and we can't seem to keep the rig cooled. I took it to the shop before my trip to Destin and they said that a divider plate was blocking part of the duct and they taped it in place and it ran fine. Down in Destin it was 85 degrees most days and even running all night the unit wouldn't cool us down to 70 degrees inside. I've always been told a properly sized unit will maintain a maximum of 22 degree difference between the outside and inside temp so at 90 degrees I should be able to maintain 68 inside.

34 years with no major problems. Did have to clean and lube the shaft from the motor to the compressor 3 years ago. It didn't want to start, but after a half hours of cleaning and lubing it has been working fine.

Ours is going on 10 years no problems. However we have found if we need AC we're in the wrong place :)

The motor went out on ours at 10 year,2 months.
I am probably to blame,as it has been run on less than that 108 volts.
Lesson learned.

I had the Dometic 15k AC unit replaced on my one year old fiver in June. Freon leak. It had a 'Made in China' sticker on it. Any more questions ?

ksg5000 wrote:


Running AC on low current is one method that results in premature death - always good to keep an eye on voltage when running your air conditioner.

We just had a hard start capacitor burn out due to low voltage in a state campground. It happened on a weekend when the campground filled up with campers, all running AC. Less than $40 including shipping has the 16 year old AC running again.

As IVYLOG and SAUDIA MAN said low voltage will do in a A/C unit.

It seems that newer isn't necesssarily better when it comes to AC and Refrigerators. Both of those on my 18 year old fiver are still working. (fingers crossed) It seems like the old adage about lost arts is holding true.