AC Not Working / Unusual Symptoms

[enahs]

Dometic Penguin AC on kids R-Pod has failed. Ran but did not cool. Then started to blow shore power source breaker in campground and at home, regardless of attaching cord used. No breaker in RV was tripped. Then started, fan runs, but AC cycles every several minutes. Unit is 5 years old and is clean. Local RV repair opinion is that freon is gone and unit is beyond reasonable repair. But before doing a replacement (which is not currently available), I would like to have a bit more insight on the likely problem. I am reasonably good at this stuff and could do the electrical checks. But before getting up there, I would like to know if this sounds like a freon issue (which I accept as beyond repair).

[enahs]

Reporting back! Replaced start and run capacitors as well as the PTCR (which came with the start capacitor). Unit now works fine. I didn't check these components, so I cant report which one it was. But since I had to send for them, I didn't want to guess wrong and have to wait for another to arrive. Total cost was less than $100. All of the insight here helped a lot. Thank you everyone.

[enahs]

I am presuming (when I get that far) the PTCR should show no resistance when it is cool. Is that correct?

[sayoung]

enahs wrote:
Have not checked capacitors, since the RV AC specialist I consulted by phone said that is an unlikely issue, though I will probably do that before buying a new AC. I know how to do it. The breakers that tripped were 30 amp. Nothing else running in RV. It did not trip the 20 amp AC breaker in the RV.

If the fan will start running after you get it turning/spinning then the run cap is bad, usually. If you have amp meter check draw of compresser and make sure all 3 compresser terminals are good, could have one burnt off. I lean to electrical fault or locked compresser ( mechanical fault ) before refrigerant when breaker is tripping, but what do I know.

[enahs]

I am going to replace the capacitor as soon as I can get one. I'll report back.

[dougrainer]

enahs wrote:
Thanks Doug. I've come to the same tentative conclusion. No, I didn't have to pay for the phone call. Tech was patient and generous with his time. But at the time we talked, I didn't have the fan info available. And he was mystified by the tripping breakers. In any case, no replacement is available for quite some time due to covid and hurricane, I am told. So there's time to play. And $40 against $1000 is worth the try..

If you can manually get the fan to turn and then it gets to speed, Bad Capaicitor. Doug

[enahs]

Thanks Doug. I've come to the same tentative conclusion. No, I didn't have to pay for the phone call. Tech was patient and generous with his time. But at the time we talked, I didn't have the fan info available. And he was mystified by the tripping breakers. In any case, no replacement is available for quite some time due to covid and hurricane, I am told. So there's time to play. And $40 against $1000 is worth the try..

[dougrainer]

enahs wrote:
Only price I find for a replacement is nearly $1000 or more, depending on source. (Dometic 936008723). I'll do that if necessary. But would like to be a bit clearer on the problem before turning the screwdriver (which I do quite well). BTW, discover additional symptom. Unit works hard to start AC. Fan requires an initial spin to start, then it starts and restarts with no issue.

Fan----BAD capacitor. Doug

[dougrainer]

enahs wrote:
Have not checked capacitors, since the RV AC specialist I consulted by phone said that is an unlikely issue, though I will probably do that before buying a new AC. I know how to do it. The breakers that tripped were 30 amp. Nothing else running in RV. It did not trip the 20 amp AC breaker in the RV.

Yea, RV specialist. Did you have to pay for that phone call? Capacitors are indeed the FIRST thing you look at. Now, If out of 410(not freon), the compressor would just RUN and never cycle off. If it comes ON and the cycles off, then it could be its overload switch which means the compressor is bad. Or, the capacitor is weak. Doug

[enahs]

Have not checked capacitors, since the RV AC specialist I consulted by phone said that is an unlikely issue, though I will probably do that before buying a new AC. I know how to do it. The breakers that tripped were 30 amp. Nothing else running in RV. It did not trip the 20 amp AC breaker in the RV.

[time2roll]

enahs wrote:
Then started to blow shore power source breaker in campground and at home, regardless of attaching cord used. No breaker in RV was tripped.

What is the breaker rating that tripped? The A/C should be on a 20 amp breaker in the RV. But then we don't know what else was running. Put your clamp-on ammeter on the circuit and verify amp draw for best answers. Also post the voltage in the RV.

[Bird_Freak]

Have you checked start and run capacitors?

[12th_Man_Fan]

Gas can be replaced but you have to install a valve in the line. These are considered throw away units but if you have the tools an know how you can add freon. The question is how long will it last.

It sounds like something was seized in the unit such as the fan or the compressor that was tripping the breakers.

Good luck.

[enahs]

Only price I find for a replacement is nearly $1000 or more, depending on source. (Dometic 936008723). I'll do that if necessary. But would like to be a bit clearer on the problem before turning the screwdriver (which I do quite well). BTW, discover additional symptom. Unit works hard to start AC. Fan requires an initial spin to start, then it starts and restarts with no issue.

[jdc1]

You can replace it for under $700, if you can turn a screwdriver.