Old Coleman AC

[Kpackpackkelley]

Sometimes this Ac starts and runs right but sometimes starting amps go up to high and it will kick the breaker. Wanted advice on if it could be the capacitors or the compressor going out. Thanks

[Kpackpackkelley]

Looks like I need a new Ac.

[Kpackpackkelley]

Thanks for the answers. I’ll let you know what I find.

[jjrbus]

RV AC seems to have a tremendous amount of misinformation on the net. I am no expert either and can only relate my experience and opinion.

41 amps. It takes decent equipment to measure the starting amps of an AC. The 41 may be right or close enough. AC has 2 amp measurements running amps and LRA locked rotor amps. A very brief less than a second amp surge from the start capacitor to kick start the compressor. inexpensive meters will not measure the LRA accurately or at all!

Need a meter that can measure farads to actually measure the health of the capacitor. Can be good but not good enough, like a weak battery. Be cautious with capacitors they can produce enough voltage to kill!

Tough call, circuit breakers can and do get weak, go bad. Capacitors can get weak. Compressor may need a hard start. No idea how to test a breaker? I can test capacitor.

cheapest easiest option is replace breaker and hope!

[bazar01]

Kpackpackkelley wrote:
I don’t know enough to make a decision. Don’t want to spend the money on capacitors and it is the compressor going out thanks.
I had a clamp on meter on it and sometimes it would go up to 41 amps and kick the breaker. But other times I cut it on it would act normal and run right.

41 amps is too high on a 15 amp circuit breaker. It could be capacitor or compressor. Could be a loose spade connector on the cap or compressor.
You have to take a look at it anyway so you can get the capacitor specs so do a visual on the cap, wires and spade connectors.

[deltabravo]

First thing I'd do is replace the circuit breaker, it's an easy first step.

[wa8yxm]

Have same issue on one A/C New cap did not fix.
I will never know what it is because the Rig was clipped by a semi. Not a lot of damage but Insurance says "Totaled" so.. I've been a bit worried about my ability to continue the RV life.. Insurance gets it soon as I get it cleaned out and now it is THEIR problem.

[Bird_Freak]

Mine did the same. Capacitors solved problem.

[Kpackpackkelley]

I don’t know enough to make a decision. Don’t want to spend the money on capacitors and it is the compressor going out thanks.
I had a clamp on meter on it and sometimes it would go up to 41 amps and kick the breaker. But other times I cut it on it would act normal and run right.

[Matt_Colie]

Yes, it easily could be. It is not, however, a given. Capacitors do age out.

Matt