Life of AC?

[FLGup]

Our 6 year old Coleman 1350 AC keeps tripping the breaker when the compressor kicks in. The RV shop said the compressor is going and that the life of an AC unit is 3-5 years.

Does this sound right? If so, should I replace with a 1500 unit? Will this cool better? If someone has replaced their ac, what was the cost? ( for reference).

Thanks,

2014 26’ KZ Spree Connect

[MeloyeloCJ7]

Just replaced a 7 year old Dometic unit on my TT. Tried to fire it up this year before vacation and it was short cycling as the compressor tried to start about every 5 seconds. It also obviously wasn’t cooling at all either. Dealer said freon had most likely leaked out and wasn’t serviceable. I got the new unit and changed it out myself. Hardest part was getting the new one on the roof.

[cougar28]

First thing I would do is check the compressor capacitor. If that's bad it will cause a high amp draw trying to start. You would think the place you took it to would have check it but you never know.

[fla-gypsy]

I’m 15 years into my current one. Replaced a condenser fan last year finally

[Gulfcoast]

I wouldn't put $300 into a 6 year old a/c., I put the $10 kit on mine last week. nice

[theoldwizard1]

A TRUE "soft starter" is much more than just a capacitor. Yes, a bigger capacitor will help, but what you need is some "smart" electronics that limit the current for a second or two until the motor starts spinning before "giving it the gas" !

MicroAir EasyStart

[KD4UPL]

When I solar my camper the AC unit was 15 years old. It still worked great.
I would try a new breaker first, that will only cost you about $5 for the breaker and 10 minutes to change it.
There's no way 3 to 5 years is a normal failure time frame.

[Gulfcoast]

Put a start kit on it

Start Kit

[kellem]

I personally will not hookup at the CG pedestal without a quality EMS " electrical management system ", not the cheap ones that merely display an issue but offer no protection.

Most common issue is the AC compressor burns out from low voltage.....yes the breaker does offer some protection but nothing near what a quality EMS can do.

I've been using a progressive industries EMS-PT30X, also here good reviews with Autoformers.

[jdc1]

colliehauler wrote:
If it was run on low voltage it could need replaced. Low voltage will destroy a A/C unit.

Tell me about it. LOL.

[12th_Man_Fan]

Check all of your wiring connections in the back of the breaker panel.

Be sure to unplug first.

[valhalla360]

It's possible it's failing but 3-5yrs is no where close to typical.

If you have it plugged in running at home all the time, how are you protecting it from low voltage?

[midnightsadie]

breaker is cheap change it, just a cheap try. they weaken after being trip alot. lowes home depot.

[ksg5000]

Life of AC may depend on how it was treated. My 91 is working fine ... I did add a hard start capacitor when it was about 18 years old. If AC is like most things - older units probably have greater life than newer units ... but I have never heard anyone say that life of newer units is 3-5 years. As others have said running AC on low voltage will create issues.

[ktmrfs]

One MachIII in my small trailer is 16 years old and still working fine.
One Mach III in my big trailer is now 10 years old and doing fine.

I would expect 20 years of life or more.