Air Conditioning Question

[dsalmon55]

I have a 2015 XL 40RB that I bought this spring as a new leftover and have not yet been camping in it. It is plugged into a 30 amp service at my house and yesterday I wanted to run the air conditioner so I could spend some time in it.I started it late morning when the outside temp was mid 70s and the thermostat indicated an inside temp of 76. I ran the front unit for several hours and although I could feel cool air coming from the vents the inside air temp showed the temp actually going up to 77. The outside temp got close to mid 80s. Should this unit be more efficient than this and actually be able to get the inside temp down more or am I being impatient? Wondering if the unit needs to be charged? Any info would be appreciated, Dave

[hkreck]

I think you should have it looked at, It should be cooling better than that.

[Flybob]

RV AC units are made to not be rechargeable ( Cost savings). If it a Dometic unit, they had a bad batch about the time yours was made where they failed to add the anti-corrosion additive and the units leak over time. Call the dealer and have it checked. Dometic is replacing the entire unit. As it is covered under Dometic warranty, you may be able to have it done at a local Dometic authorized shop rather than returning to your dealer.

[Phil57]

That's not uncommon. If it was sunny with no outside shades o would expect the same result. You don't say if you have 15000 or 13500 BTU a/c. You will want to get windshield covers and I suggest awnings. The sun is your biggest problem. I do know when they check the A/c they use a restaurant style probe thermometer. Pot it in a vent to see that the cooled are is before it comes into the room.

[Bunci]

Originally Posted by Flybob

RV AC units are made to not be rechargeable ( Cost savings). If it a Dometic unit, they had a bad batch about the time yours was made where they failed to add the anti-corrosion additive and the units leak over time. Call the dealer and have it checked. Dometic is replacing the entire unit. As it is covered under Dometic warranty, you may be able to have it done at a local Dometic authorized shop rather than returning to your dealer.

This is very interesting. Is there a recall? Our front ac is starting to act up.

[dsalmon55]

Originally Posted by Phil57

That's not uncommon. If it was sunny with no outside shades o would expect the same result. You don't say if you have 15000 or 13500 BTU a/c. You will want to get windshield covers and I suggest awnings. The sun is your biggest problem. I do know when they check the A/c they use a restaurant style probe thermometer. Pot it in a vent to see that the cooled are is before it comes into the room.

Thanks for the input. It is a 15000 but and ost of the window shades were down. I guess we need to try it some more and see what it does

[Jersey Guy]

Very interesting indeed, I had to replace my rear unit last year because it was leaking at a solder joint. Was told by Dometic that it wasn't covered.

[TURBS]

What is the exhaust and intake temp difference?
That will immediately tell you whats going on.

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[Bunci]

Originally Posted by dsalmon55

Thanks for the input. It is a 15000 but and ost of the window shades were down. I guess we need to try it some more and see what it does

What Phil is referring to is exterior window coverings to block the sun from heating the surface of the glass. For example Magna Shade makes a very good product.

[I-RV]

dsalmon55 - You mention one degree difference. I'm not sure how you cab be so accurate. First of all, you probably already know that if you are plugged into a 20 amp circuit; only one AC can be run. I fine that having the vent right beneath the AC open that the AC is less restricted and really pours cold air out. However when I am inside and want quietness, I shut that vent. I also once having the moho cooled, run the rear AC with all the rear ceiling vents closed (primarily in the evening). The rear AC now will come out the front vents with great quietness.

Even with shades closed if bright sun is beating down on the moho, the moho is a can and heats up easily. Achieving more then a 10 degree differential is sometimes difficult if in hot sunlight. Besides temperature, the reduced humidity is a benefit, even if the temp is not down where you want it.

Tip - Get shady campsites, especially when down south,
Hank

[I-RV]

dsalmon55 - I forgot to mention; if parked in the sun, you can have as much heat pouring out your shower's dome that unifies the cooling. There has been several posts on how to block the dome.
Hank

[dsalmon55]

All great info, thanks. I will look into magna shades and research blocking the shower dome. As far as the inside temp I was just going by the reading on the AC digital wall thermostat. Thanks again, Dave

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by dsalmon55

All great info, thanks. I will look into magna shades and research blocking the shower dome. As far as the inside temp I was just going by the reading on the AC digital wall thermostat. Thanks again, Dave

As I mentioned before, to make SURE your a/c is cooling properly you need to stick a digital thermometer in the intake and exhaust to see if you have atleast a 15° difference.

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[TwiceTheIce]

We just spent Sunday thru Wednesday at the beach (Destin). Temps were in the mid to upper 90's. Humidity was high. I had the thermostat set on 71. Our interior stayed at 70F the entire time. A/C units cycled on and off, and ran very little after sun down.

[dan-nickie]

Originally Posted by TwiceTheIce

We just spent Sunday thru Wednesday at the beach (Destin). Temps were in the mid to upper 90's. Humidity was high. I had the thermostat set on 71. Our interior stayed at 70F the entire time. A/C units cycled on and off, and ran very little after sun down.

Would that be with 3 AC units running?

[GL1800Rider]

Originally Posted by TwiceTheIce

We just spent Sunday thru Wednesday at the beach (Destin). Temps were in the mid to upper 90's. Humidity was high. I had the thermostat set on 71. Our interior stayed at 70F the entire time. A/C units cycled on and off, and ran very little after sun down.

I am guessing since you have the XLT, you have 3 AC units and better insulation and double pane windows. Try that on a 32' Class C with a single 15k. By the way, I am on my 3rd AC in less than a year.

[TwiceTheIce]

Yes, it is an XLT. FR has hit a home run with this model. In Januaty, with freezing temps, we didn't need to use the furnaces. Between the heated floors and the heat pumps, it was more than comfortable.

[Thurman]

Re: Post #5 asking about a Dometic recall: NO, Dometic has not issued a recall that I know of. I'm not on my third 15K A/C unit since buying my TT in January 2014. Dometic has replaced the other two after a local service guy confirmed the exchange temps, between air going into the unit and out of the unit, and the amperage draw while the unit is running. Also: Dometic IS NOT extending the warranty of these units. Dometic warrants their A/C units for two years from the date of original purchase. IF you have a unit replaced the warranty runs out on the brand new unit the day your RV turns two years old from the original date of purchase. On the FR forum I read of one RV owner who had his fifth A/C unit put on two days before his purchase anniversary date. My local service guy says he has one customer who is on his third unit with an RV less than one year old.

[Mmnsc]

My Berk is 3 1/2 years old and I am on my 4th front Dometic A/C unit but the original on the rear one. Knock wood.


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[Thurman]

That's interesting. Are they both 15K or one 15K and one 13.5K?