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paulm999's avatar
paulm999
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014

Coleman AC fan shuts off, but compressor keeps on humming

Shut off the AC last night and found the fan went off, but not the compressor. Discovered I can get the compressor off by dialing the t-stat to it's warmest setting. However, today it was 87* and the compressor went on all by itself. I've been keeping the circuit breaker off to the AC until I have to use it. It's an old model, probably as old as the trailer (1977). Still cools good, except it's only a one speed motor. It has no circuit board or relays. Just all mechanical and heavy duty wiring. Pretty much certain it's the selector switch. Internet and all the RV parts online are useless. Problem is it's so old, the model number and the switch part number don't show up in any meaningful way on any searched. Even Coleman websites are useless. Where can I goto for old parts? The switch is an easy out & in operation, if I can find one.
  • Problem solved, after a little more head scratching. Like I said, I've been able to turn off the compressor by dialing the t-stat to the warmest settings. I thought if I didn't ever find a switch, this extra step isn't too much bother. Then I woke up to 56 degrees in the trailer. Seems the t-stat didn't cycle off/on at it's minimum temp of 68*. That's when I got to thinking I have more of a problem than the selector switch. Maybe the t-stat is gone the same way as the selector switch. Maybe that large relay by the capacitors (that's there only for the capacitors.) Actually, what was happening is the selector switch was going from bad to worse and now affecting the t-stat. I found an exact replacement switch and traveled the 120mi RT to get it for $32. Leonard Howell, who I thought left the RV appliance business 10 years, is now working out of his home with about $67,000 worth of parts. Leonard's been doing RV appliances longer than most of us have been alive. I think he's 90. He assured me that all the troubles I've had with the old AC are because of the selector switch. Right he was. Just got the AC back together and it's working perfectly. So, if anyone has an older RV and needs old obsolete parts, this is the guy to call. His number is on his web page. He is located in Lakeside, California, which is pretty close to Santee Lakes Campground.

    http://howellsrv.com/
  • Perhaps take the switch out and take it to an RV appliance repair shop and get one that will do the same job reguardless of make or part #
    Just a suggestion.

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