Rear A/C problems

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Rear A/C problems

July 26, 2019, 12:46:28 am

Having problems with the rear air conditioner on our 2001 Intrigue. We are leaving Glacier national park in the morning on our way to Idaho. We will be staying in several different state parks. Trying to find someone to look and repair the problem. Everyone says they are backed up for several weeks. We will be in Lewiston, Boise and then Twin Falls areas through August 8. Anyone have any good repair places that would be able to slip us in to fix the air conditioner prior to getting going into Utah?

Thanks,
Gene
2001 Intrigue 11292

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #1 – July 26, 2019, 11:31:13 am

Yahoo Message Number: 118262

You might call ahead to some of the parks you'll be staying in during this time. They often know local mobile techs that come into the park to assist. Might get lucky and find a good one...

And what are the symptoms your seeing? Is is a Dometic Penguin on that year coach? With the 5 button controller?

If it is the 5 button controller, remove the inside grill with the vent, and look up see if you have the RJ45 phone plugs from wife's going into a female to female plug. Over time, these can build up moisture/mold and then stop making good contact. A electrical spray cleaning the male plug, and then just replace the female to female jack. Adding a dab of dielectric grease with a Q-tip to the male RJ45 contacts, seems to help too.

And capacitors are often a problem on AC units. And not real difficult to replace. (Check Youtube).

Best of luck to you, and enjoy the scenery and hope this year the smoke is not as bad as last year!!

Travel safe,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #2 – July 26, 2019, 01:57:58 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118263

https://www.mobilervtech.biz/about-us in Ennis, Montana. We have used Don several times. Might be quite a drive for you though.

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #3 – July 26, 2019, 10:49:39 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118264

Gene, we have an 06 Intrigue with 3 15K BTU rooftop units. Recently our rear unit was not keeping up. While we looked for someone to repair it, others suggested that we check to see that the RV power supply was providing enough voltage. When we checked the voltage, sure enough, we were getting only 105 to 108 volts from the post. When I plugged our Hughes auto former into the post, then our 50 Amp cord into the auto former, we now had 124 volts and all of the ACs started cooling much more efficiently. We no longer needed AC repairs. We only recently purchased this MH and I know very little about Auto Formers, but it sure made a difference for us! Plug a voltage meter into one of your outlets to see what you are getting.

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #4 – July 27, 2019, 06:06:33 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118265

Smutty,

Yes I have called ahead trying to get some help. I have found a RV repair in Sandpoint that will look at on Monday.

It is a Dometic a/c with the 5 pin connector. I looked at the connector and it is clean.

I tried to just run the fan and it will start and run a very short time and then stops.

I don't have very good internet or phone service to look at YouTube to replace the capacitors. I am hoping that is the problem.

No fires so no smoke here this year.

Thanks again for the advice.

This is our first big trip since we bought the coach. We love it so far and understand things will break and needs to be fixed.

Gene

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #5 – July 27, 2019, 07:49:42 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118266

Fat finger that should have been Smitty. Can only use my phone. These keys are to small.

Sorry about that Smitty.

Gene

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #6 – July 27, 2019, 09:56:37 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118270

Gene,
I don't know what a five pin is and you most likely have done this but.... did you try the simple reset?
Best of luck.
Michael Title
05 Inspire 51381

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #7 – July 28, 2019, 10:23:49 am

Yahoo Message Number: 118272

Editorial comment: Be certain that there is NO electric power, ac or dc, on either connector before spraying any liquid on them.

Shouldn't need to ask me why!

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #8 – July 28, 2019, 01:18:18 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118274

"Fat finger that should have been Smitty. Can only use my phone. These keys are to small." LOL! I've, probably deservedly so, been called a few things work then Smutty!!!

And I hate typing on phones!! And while texting, have sent some very strange messages with the combo of my fat fingers on small keys and auto spelling correct combinations!!!

Smitty (Smutty:)!)

04 Allure 31017

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #9 – July 28, 2019, 02:06:20 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118276

Whenever I get bored with television I can always go to CC Owners on Facebook for a little entertainment. In defense though the I and the U are right next to each other on the keyboard. LOL

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #10 – July 29, 2019, 12:31:41 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118291

Well not good news. The fan motor needs to be replaced and they said it would take 1 to 2 weeks before they could get one in this small town. So about $200 for the motor or $1200 for a new a/c.

We need to keep moving on since we have reservations.

The fan turns very slow. So I guess I will try calling farther south to see if they can help.

Thanks for all of the help.

Gene

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #11 – July 29, 2019, 12:54:47 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118292

Now that you found out the problem if you can get to the fan and read the model #, check Amazon. You might get it in 2 days with prime shipping.

Tom

Tom
2007 Allure # 31570
'02 Silverado M&G Braking System

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #12 – July 30, 2019, 07:56:30 am

Yahoo Message Number: 118299

It can usually be free'd up using wd40 or such. Spray the area where the shaft goes thru the casing and rotate. You may need to d oit several times. I have one that I have to do almost every year, after that it is fine for the rest of the year.

Mikee

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #13 – July 30, 2019, 10:59:52 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118303

Well took a look into the a/c this morning. Sprayed some wd40 on shaft. Ran just the fan motor and it finally started to spin a little bit faster but the motor was getting very hot and then the fan kicked off. Looks like I will be getting a new unit. Don't think buying just a motor would be worth the trouble to replace.

Thanks,
Gene
2001 Intrigue 11292

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #14 – July 31, 2019, 01:10:01 am

Yahoo Message Number: 118304

If the motor is getting hot verify the voltage at the ac. Both before it starts and once running. Low voltage is a common cause of overheating motors.

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #15 – July 31, 2019, 09:45:15 am

Yahoo Message Number: 118308

Hi Gene,
FYI. We replaced the front air 2 years ago because the original was doing weird things. We
stayed with the Dometic Penguin, but upgraded to the high capacity, 15K, unit. The fan blows more air, but is noisy, but the extra cooling is worth it. I might not do that in the bedroom.
Don
'01 Intrigue #11238

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #16 – July 31, 2019, 01:21:18 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118312

Following up on Don's input on going to a 15K unit, if you do end up replacing the AC, and his comment about noise.

I've read some positive results by a few who have used the AC Silencer Kit. I'm considering adding one to our front AC unit. (And our coach was optioned up at purchase to 15K Penquins, X's 2, and knocking on head - they're still serving us well. Coach was built in Sept 2003.).

I have reservations about the Silencer no having what we call the 'Ram Cool' thrust straight down out of the AC unit. Had thought about spacing in two more AC registers along the ceiling ducting, to ensure what I'd consider a restriction by losing the direct vent down into the coach from the AC combo Return and Direct Vent. Thinking that adding two, perhaps four, more vents into the ducting, would compensate for losing the direct vent...(?).

I also a light tan/bone color AC Silencer grill, to match our coaches ceiling. So would probably end up having to buys a close matching spray paint, to match the interior of our coach.

And finally. I've shared before that we've modified some higher quality filtration filters to Blue or Green tape to the bottom of the return grill of our existing Penquin II. We've survived very smokey conditions, sealed up in our coach with either the AC's running, or running the units Fan only, when in cooler areas. The Pacific Northwest travels the last few years, have had us in some very unhealthy air conditions alert situations from the forrest fires. The taped on filters, have been a game changer for our comfort. ---- And my concern, is if I would be able to tape those over, or make new ones (I go and buy the highest allergen heater filters available, and then cut them to the shape I need.), for over the return area of these new grills. (Suspect I could.) But since the new AC Silencer includes better filtration to start with - it maybe too much filtration.

And to be clear not attempting a hijack here (Which I've been known to do!)., it was to address the noise level, by sharing the link to this AC Silencer:)!

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/WackO-Products-DA100-Dometic-RV-A-C-Silencer-Kit-p/da100.htm

Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #17 – July 31, 2019, 08:04:31 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 118314

Hi All,
I met up with an old friend over the weekend. He has installed one on his front Penguin, and by his non-scientific evaluation, he feels the noise level is about 1/2. I'm ordering one as soon as I'm at an address long enough to get mail.

Don

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #18 – August 01, 2019, 01:04:27 am

Yahoo Message Number: 118317

I'm going to jump on the same bandwagon. Mine's a Coleman.

Tom
2007 Allure # 31570
'18 Silverado M&G Braking System

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #19 – August 07, 2019, 04:19:06 am

Yahoo Message Number: 118329

I'm needing possibly 3 new heat pumps for our coach (non CC) and I'm concerned about noise levels also. I had email correspondence with the tech at AIRXCEL and he said Db ratings were never a concern within the RV industry which explains why they are elusive all across the different manufactures. I looked into the silencer as well but from what I read I dont think they are designed for use on ducted systems. If someone has used the silencers on a ducted system could you please post your opinions on how well they worked and if anything needs to be modified? Thanks much.

Re: Rear A/C problems

Reply #20 – August 09, 2019, 11:47:37 am

Yahoo Message Number: 118342

Well finally received the starting and running caps. Could not see this problem on the starting cap when I was looking at the caps as it was hidden. The rear A/C is NOW working. Below is a picture of the running cap hope it goes through.

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions and the help. This is a great group.

Gene
2001 Intrigue 11292

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