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A/C -- risk of running dry

Yahoo Message Number: 116284
Our (rarely used) OTR A/C hasn't been serviced for several years and has gradually lost cooling ability. There is no convenient, trustworthy service facility nearby at this time. Is there any risk of causing damage by traveling (indefinitely) without having the OTR A/C serviced?
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Tom Harsch -- 2002 Allure #30791

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116289

Get the do it yourself kit at wal mart and add some refrigerant your self and let it run. There isn't really much to service except to operate it to keep seals lubricated.

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116293
Tom - I'll second the advice to exercise the OTR AC, once you get it recharged and if needed any seals replaced.

We just do this every time we take the coach out for exercise, when not traveling. Try to do it every 4 weeks, but it has slipped to 6 weeks from time to time. We have a normal route we run, a little of an hour. Fire up the generator and Hydro Hot (Diesel) before pulling the coach out. The drive at highway speeds with the Generator running both Roof Top AC's for at least 15 minutes. (If it's cold outside, we then shift to rear AC heat pump, to keep medium load on the generator for the balance of the coach exercise period.) We also run both heat zones, we have two fed from the Hydro Hot, too - to keep the registers from dunking up. And to exercise those pumps from the Hydro Hot. And yep, we run the OTR AC too. All of this is to keep everything well lubricated, and as mentioned, seals moist, and generator coils dry, tires at temp, etc., etc.

Good luck on fixing the OTR AC... I'll share one more tip on that. Our OTR AC stopped working on a trip to Santa Fe, NM. We started to debug it, and had no luck. Fan would come on, but no cool air. I had another owner suggest I confirm the engine's AC compressor was kicking in. So went to the back, opened the rear hatch, and had the DW turn on the OTR AC. No engagement of the AC Compressor, thus, no coolant feed/cool air. Another poster shared that they had had a wire feed to the compressor compromised, and suggested I check it. I found that when Cummins had been working on my engine, they had disconnected the wire to the Compressor (In the back/well front I suppose. Anyways facing the front of the coach side of teh Compressor. Had to use a mirror and flash light to examine.). And when the connected it back up, they had not slide up the rubber gasket like sleeve that helps hold it on. So cleaned the connections well, slide connection back on, and then slide the rubber sleeve protector gasket thing-a-ma-jig over it. And we had cool OTR AC again. This is only pertinent if you are not feeling any cool air. Though remember you have lines back on the rear of the coach too, which could have leak points as well as the lines up in the front of the coach.

Please let us know what you find out,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116297
Thomas, use the AC diy article in the CCI Tech Articles Library on the Club website.
Lee Zaborowski

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116299
HI Tom,
My '03 Allures OTR A/C also stopped cooling gradually over the years. One problem that a competent A/C guy pointed out was that I had never had the A/C drier canister (not sure I'm calling it correctly) serviced or replaced. He took care of that and the OTR A/C came back like a champed. Not saying this is your problem but just a suggestion.
Regards,
Jose Ferrer
2006 Magna 6568
2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116310
Thanks to all for your suggestions. I picked up a DIY recharge kit today and will try it out when/where the weather is warmer and dryer. The kit says 75-85 degrees for accurate pressure readings -- we're basking in 45 degrees today.

Still no answer to my original question though. Am I likely to (further) damage anything by traveling prior to servicing the A/C system?

Thanks again to everyone who responded. Good tips from all!
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Tom Harsch -- 2002 Allure #30791
Rapid City, SD

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116311
Tom......If your system charge is low, a pressure switch in the refrigerant line will not allow the compressor clutch to engage the compressor. It just free wheels. So.....the AC system is not being impacted by continuing to drive the coach. Should get the leak addressed ASAP though.

Dave Trotter
'01 Intrigue 11215

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116312
When the pressure in the system gets low enough, because the refrigerant is low, a low pressure sensor responses and prevents the compressor clutch from engaging. This prevents the compressor from running without lubrication. Eventually without circulation of refrigerant oil, seals will dry up but that will take months.
Brett
08 Allure #31665

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116316
I agree with Brett. Our unit was dormant for a couple of years. I'd paid too much money in past years to fix the leak twice. Never was, so we relied on the roof units.
Then I learned the DIY recharge method. When I used the charging device you connect to the refrigerant it read zero to start. Two cans of refrigerant did the job, just like new. So I bought a case of 12 from Amazon. Should last 2 years. A cheap solution.

Lee Zaborowski

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116328
I've had the leak fixed on my Allure three times. Once at CC, again at the selling dealer, and the third time at a commercial truck refrigeration shop. My leak is always at the high pressure hose near the compressor. CC re-crimped a fitting, selling dealer replaced a piece of the hose, and the commercial truck place removed the suspect leaking fitting and made what appeared to be a substantial repair. That last fix lasted 6 months.

We gave up and use the genset and roof airs.

Gary
07 Allure 470 #31578

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116329
I had a similar problem, the RV service center said the short patch hose never works
And replaced a complete hose from the compressor to the condenser coil. Bob
06intrigue 12047

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116330
A fiend of mine had the same issue with an Allegro and now a Dynasty. Took the same solution. TWInsall 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116331
Have had the same experience and use the same fix. Repaired at the high pressure hose several times. Using genset with roof A/Cs.

Jerry & Brenda Azzara
1999 Intrigue Chefs Delite
#10702

Pro

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116334
The (Walmart) DIY recharge kit got the A/C clutch to engage and the the system to begin operating again. Probably not quite fully charged yet, but the A/C puts out cooler air now.

Once I knew what to look for, Google turned up a couple videos that helped with the actual procedure. Couldn't be much easier.

Time will tell if the leakage is significant -- the A/C was last serviced over 15 years ago (by Jack's in Tucson, AZ). If only all repairs would hold up that long!

Thanks again to all who responded.

--
Tom Harsch -- 2002 Allure #30791
Rapid City, SD

Re: A/C -- risk of running dry

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116335
We had the over the road AC problem, had it recharged at Fountain RV in Lakeland FL, which got it back in commission, but it continued slow-leaking and stopped again in a few months. Got a "final" fix when OMC in Eugene replaced the condenser unit a year plus ago, and it's still working fine. So I'm guessing all of these issues are not the same. Good luck with it!
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
40' w/tag, Cat C-9 & Cat tranny

Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116338
Hi all,

I'm sorry to hijack like this, but I haven't had success in starting a new one. We are traveling for business with some hurry involved.

Any chance anyone has any suggestions as to ways to keep the drawers in the kitchen closed when driving and taking curves?

Thank you in advance.

Mary Frederick
06 Inspire 51784

Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116339
Mary,
There is a possibility that the clips at the back of the drawers have broken. There are the same kind of clips that keep the wardrobe doors closed but smaller. Any RV supply place should have them. There are different sizes so you will need to remove one from the bottom of the drawer to compare to.
Your welcome in advance.
Michael Title
05 Inspire 51381

Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116340
Michael,

Thank you so much. We'll do that. Do you also find that, for example, you can't leave your silverware the drawer as that's just too heavy? I've gotten rid of what may have been heavier stuff and now have not much in there just to keep the frustration of these drawers coming out so often. We also have a routine of putting in a yard stick through the three handles and then bracing that, hoping for them to stay closed, but they still come open somewhat. Several other drawers do the same, so getting one of these off and checking maybe with Keven Waite too is our next route. Thank you very much!!!

Mary

Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116341
Mary,
I've had a lot of success using 10 lb push latches for heavy drawers. Like you whenever I went around a turn one or more of my kitchen drawers would bang open. The push latches solved that problem permanently, I put one on each drawer.

Here is a link to Amazon where I found them: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=10+lb+push+latches&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3A10+lb+push+latches

Good luck
Jose Ferrer
06 Magna 6568
Tow 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid
As an Amazon Associate Country Coach Owners Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116342
We have a spring loaded curtain rod with rubber tips on the ends that we put between the silverware drawer and the refrigerator when traveling. The only unhandy thing is you have to remove it and remember to put it back when pulling into a rest stop to use the bathroom. The silverware drawer is so heavy it kept breaking the clips. This rod can be screwed in or out to get the right length and tension.
Dave
2005 Allure #31284
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116343
Thank you so much! You could probably tell from my post that I needed to get this handled!

Mary
06 Inspire 51784

Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116344
Jose,

Thank you. This looks like a really good idea too. So when you're parked, these latches are still there, right? Does it get easier to open, or is it not that hard to open anyway? Thank you for the idea and the link.

Mary
06 Inspire 51784

Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116345
Mary,
There also the possibility that the latches on the drawer slides have worn out. I got new ones from the manufacturer
Of the drawer slides. You should also be able to buy them on line.
If they are Accuride slides they will replace them for free.

Here is their warranty info...

Accuride warrants its Accuride-branded drawer slides against defects in material and workmanship for so long as the original purchaser owns them. *This warranty does not cover drawer slides which have been damaged due to abuse, improper installation, excessive loads, or any use contrary to the instructions accompanying the product.
Accuride will send the purchaser a replacement of the same model or a comparable model at no cost. This warranty is for replacement only and does not cover the cost of removal, installation, or other incidental charges.
To obtain a replacement slide under this warranty, contact Accuride Technical Support within 30 days of the discovery of the defect. Please let us know how the product was used and the type of defect or malfunction experienced.
Just letting you know.
Dave
2007 Allure 40' #31495

Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: how to keep the kitchen drawers closed when traveling

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116346
Dave, this is excellent. Thank you. We will follow up. Thank you.

Mary and Mike Frederick
06 Inspire 51784