Krause
Ontario, Canada
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We have had an issue in our 27' Jayco hybrid with the the air conditioner freezing up on hot nights when you run it for the entire night which results in no A/C by the middle of the night. You basically have to turn the unit off or just turn the fan on to allow the coil to thaw out.
I have checked the cheap foam filters which have never been that dirty so I know there is good air movement- is it a matter of these units being sized too small for the size of the trailer?
We are headed to Nevada and the Grand Canyon next summer and I could see us using the A/C a fair bit. Are there any suggestions?
Any help would be great.
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moved from Technology Corner to Tech Issues.
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Terryallan
NC
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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Get it serviced. I bet it is low on coolant. When coolant is low. They freeze fast.
Terry & Shay
Pioneer 23T6
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
Lazy Campers
NC
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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Need model of AC.
IF you have a wall tstat, then the AC has a Freeze control. If the freeze control is operating, then the unit cannot freeze regardless of any other problem. The odds are you have a RVP (Coleman) unit.
Doug
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HR03
Seattle, WA , Hood Canal, WA & Quartzsite, AZ
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Mine has done the same thing. Was in Laughlin, NV last spring. 100 degress out and it froze up.
I think maybe a combination of to much moisture from showers and dishes an temp set too low.
My experience is when freon is low, doesn't cool well.
Steve
Wife of 35 years
Self of too many years
03 Holiday Rambler 30FKS
04 Chev Silverado 2500HD LT 4x4 LB
Duramax/Allison
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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I do not think you can add freon to TT A/C's folks, just house or car/MH kind.
Do you leave fan on high? Lots freeze if using low fan speed I think. Also if you shower, use bath exhaust fan to get rid of humidity. Also use fan over stove when needed.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded)
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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Krause
Ontario, Canada
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Let me run this by you guys- I haven't looked at it but has anyone ever modified their A/C so that it is controlled by a proper thermostat? When I look at mine I don't think it can be done but I find it annoying that it NEVER shuts off. You can set the temp with one dial and set the fan to "Low" or "high" on the ceiling unit. If you set it to high, it really blows and can be very uncomfortable. Seems to me if you could cycle the unit it would avoid some of these problems.
Having said all of that I will get it serviced in the spring.
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dodgebob08
Mississippi
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mine has run 24/7 for several days in a row on the gulf coast in august and it never froze up. also been in las vegas at end of june for a week and never froze up. the one time it did, fan was on low and doors and windows open in august (my fault). keep fan on high, vent out moisture and it shouldn't freeze up, if it does, have it checked out. good luck and be cool (ha ha)
2008 Dodge 2500 MegaCab CTD
2006 Copper Canyon 295RLS
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Hi,
You can have someone add freon to the air conditioner, I am thinking it is a little low on freon. But they remove the service ports that are used to check the freon level while at the factory, so that no tiny amount of freon can get past the valves. The reason is there is only about 1 pound of freon in the system, and that should last for 20 years or more. Unless there is a leak, as in your case.
There is a weld on fitting that is installed, then the center pierces the copper tubing, allowing you to check the pressures. This is the best kind, as they tend not to leak. The bolt on kind tend to leak faster than any other kind. What I did for my RV was bolt on a fitting, recover all the freon, then take that one off and weld on a permanent fitting. 2 hours at $86 an hour, and you can guess how many are going to sink $200 into a air conditioner that can be replaced for $550. Especially if you already know that it is leaking 1/4 pound of freon each year through a hole to tiny that it might never be found.
But my labor was free, and I did not want to change out the air conditioner yet.
The only way to test the freon level is with a thermometer to measure the air in and air out temperatures. If it is falling 20F, then the air conditioner is working great. If it only falls 10F or 13F, then it is likely low on freon. If the temperature is only dropping 7-10F, you need more freon.
The other way is to check the amperage of the compressor and measure the temperature of the hot gas line going from the compressor to the outdoor coil. If this is not 110F on a warm day, then you are likely low on freon. The hot gas line should be 10 - 30F warmer than the outdoor air temperature.
Also wash the outdoor coil with a garden hose.
The air conditioner is more likely to freeze up when on low fan speed, or when there is high humidity, or when it is low on freon. Also set the thermostat to a point that is achievable. So the compressor will shut off every hour or so for a few minutes, or do this manually every two hours maximum.
If the thermostat is set for 68F, then it will not cycle off the compressor until that temperature is reached. By setting it at 75, then the compressor will cycle off once in a while. Set the fan to stay on, and stay on high speed if you think it might freeze up due to humidity, or your desire to set it cooler.
The dial that says warmer and cooler also can be set to 77, 75, and other temperatures. It is just not calibrated or marked in those numbers, but it will repeat at those numbers. You might want to make a mark with a permanent marker at the place that is ideal setting for comfort, without being to cold to prevent the compressor from cycling off.
Also you might want to get a voltage monitor. Many carry a voltage booster, because many campgrounds are less than 110 volts in the summer, causing many to shut off the air conditioner despite the heat, so they do not damage them. I shut mine off if the voltage is less than 105 volts.
Good Luck,
Fred.
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javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
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Joined: 03/30/2005
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Kevin,
Since you mentioned that you have a non-ducted unit with the controls on the ceiling (unit fan always runs), you won't have a freeze sensor as Doug mentioned.
Before concluding that the refrigerant is low, a few things to check would be for clean coils and that the insulated foam tape the manufacturer should have used to isolate the supply and return plenums in the ceiling, hasn't peeled away.
This is what happened to my non-ducted Duo-Therm. As soon as I re-sealed the plenums, my unit never froze again, even on low fan. This was on my 2003 Coachman trailer.
Steve
2007 Springdale 291RKL
2009 F150, 5.4 ltr.
1986 Palomino Hard-Side PUP
"Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride". ("The Secret Of Life", James Taylor).
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