Trailer A/C: 2012 Dometic 13.5BTU roof mount(Penguin AC PW 410A), ducted with 3313192 LCD thermostat
Status: Plugged in to 30 amp service. When turned on, thermostat displays temp setting, no error codes but fan does not run and a humming sound can be heard (like binding motor).
History: Purchased trailer (used) in Jan, 2018. Tested A/C at time of purchase for operation/cooling and while loud, A/C blew cold. We are the third owners and past maintenance history is unknown.
Recent events: Two-week trip to two different FL state park campgrounds. First week/park we were plugged into 30amp service and used the A/C for 2-3 hours each afternoon when temps were in low/mid 90โs. When turning system on in โCoolโ mode, fan starts up immediately and then the compressor kicks on 10-15 seconds later. Turned system off each day when outside temps dropped into low 80โs. No issues.
Second campground for week 2, again plugged into 30amp service: Turned A/C on and fan started as usual however the compressor did not come on and the thermostat flashed โE5โ. Thermostat booklet lists E5 as an โOpen Circuitโ or โOut of Range Freeze Sensorโ error code. Booklet also notes that with an E5 error, fan and furnace will function but cooling mode is locked out. All other electrical items in the trailer operated fine. Just in case we had bad 30amp service, I plugged into the 50amp recept. (using adapter) and tried the A/C again but received the same E5 code. Not knowing what else to try I reseated all wiring plugs on the inside of the roof unit and also removed and reseated the thermostat with no change. About an hour later I tried turning it on again and it operated normally with no E5 code. Chalked it up to gremlins and enjoyed the afternoon. Once it cooled down enough outside we turned the system off for the night.
Day 2: Afternoon temps into 90โs, turned A/C on. Fan ran and E5 flashed, no compressor. Tried cycling on/off numerous times and E5 went away, A/C came on and trailer cooled down. Turned off for the evening as before.
Day 3 was more of the same: E5, cycle through off/on, wait an hour and try again and finally it would work.
Day 4 was a little different: Still had a few issues of E5, but then the code went away. Fan was running but the compressor still didnโt kick on. After 30 seconds or so (maybe more, maybe less, I didnโt actually time it) I bumped the thermostat temp down to 71 (we had been keeping it at 79) and the compressor finally kicked on and it started blowing cold. Not wanting to risk it shutting down, I left the temp low and let it run. After about 3 hours it suddenly turned off. When trying to get it going again I found that it had shut off because it had tripped the A/C branch circuit breaker. Turning everything back on got the fan running and an E5 code, with no cooling. Called it quits for the night.
Day 5: Wondered if maybe there might be an issue with the wiring at our campsite (since all of the issues were in the afternoon at peak times), I tried turning the system on in the morning while it was still cool out (low 70โs). No E5. That afternoon I turned it on and got the dreaded E5 again. Repeated attempts throughout the afternoon brought nothing but sweat and irritation. That evening we decided to head for home the next morning. I was hoping that we might possibly just be victims of weak wiring at our campsite and that maybe the electric load of other campers during peak times might be the issue.
Day 6: Got home after a long drive and plugged into my dedicated 30amp RV circuit. Got things unpacked and figured Iโd check the A/C. Turned it on and no E5. No fan either. Nothing but a hum like described at the beginning of this post. Itโs been raining since we got back so I havenโt had the opportunity to get on the roof and pull the cover to get the exact model number or do anything further. Figured Iโd check in here to get some opinions/suggestions as to where to start.
So, any suggestions?
Thanks
