AC is icing up but not cooling
Hello, We have a 15k BTU Colman AC with a heat pump in our Open Range fifth wheel. The unit wasn't cooling so I replaced the capacitors, but to no avail. The compressor is running and the lines ice u...
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Not a bad reply in the bunch!
Here's the Text Only of Chris Bryant's A/C Tuneup Thread. It's been moved around so much that the links to the pictures don't work right.
I was able to find the Diagram Chris drew and refers to:
Front of RV is on the LEFT in the Diagram. You need to remove the decorative cover then enough internal shrouding to access the Blue Indoor Coil, properly called Evaporator. The Red Outdoor Coil, the Condenser, should already have decent access, once the Cover is off.
Chris had a pic of Freeze Sensor, which I can't find, but it's on the forward side of that Blue Coil.
I plan to clean our Coleman Mach 15 today and I'll get a couple pix. It's straight cool and non-ducted so no Freeze Sensor or Reversing Valve.
When it's dirty, the Evaporator Coil is now insulated, and water that should drip off, Freezes. If Refrigerant charge is low, then the reduced amount expands right at the Evaporator Inlet. That overcools the one area, enough that condensate freezes. The frozen area expands because the ice is an insulator and prevents air flow across itself.
But please heed Chris' words: Not Usually Low Refrigerant!
If lines are icing, compressor is running and there's at least some refrigerant. I suppose the Reversing Valve that switches unit from Cool to Heat could be in trouble but let's not jump to that conclusion.
See if you can inspect both coils, clean as needed, and get back to us. Just remember, BOTH, not just the Condenser you can see in back right away.
Here's the Text Only of Chris Bryant's A/C Tuneup Thread. It's been moved around so much that the links to the pictures don't work right.
I was able to find the Diagram Chris drew and refers to:
Front of RV is on the LEFT in the Diagram. You need to remove the decorative cover then enough internal shrouding to access the Blue Indoor Coil, properly called Evaporator. The Red Outdoor Coil, the Condenser, should already have decent access, once the Cover is off.
Chris had a pic of Freeze Sensor, which I can't find, but it's on the forward side of that Blue Coil.
I plan to clean our Coleman Mach 15 today and I'll get a couple pix. It's straight cool and non-ducted so no Freeze Sensor or Reversing Valve.
When it's dirty, the Evaporator Coil is now insulated, and water that should drip off, Freezes. If Refrigerant charge is low, then the reduced amount expands right at the Evaporator Inlet. That overcools the one area, enough that condensate freezes. The frozen area expands because the ice is an insulator and prevents air flow across itself.
But please heed Chris' words: Not Usually Low Refrigerant!
If lines are icing, compressor is running and there's at least some refrigerant. I suppose the Reversing Valve that switches unit from Cool to Heat could be in trouble but let's not jump to that conclusion.
See if you can inspect both coils, clean as needed, and get back to us. Just remember, BOTH, not just the Condenser you can see in back right away.
