Possible A/C issue?

[KRSmitty]

On our 2016 Heritage Glen we have noticed on numerous occasions where our main main A/C "short cycles" for lack of a better term.

Under normal use, the A/C fan will kick on, then after 10-15 seconds the compressor will kick on. Then when done, compressor turns off then 10-15 seconds later fan turns off.

On numerous occasions we have noticed that the A/C will be running and then all of a sudden everything (fan and compressor) shuts off. Then after 10-15 seconds everything will come back on. This may happen several times over a time period, then may not happen again for awhile, next day, etc. It seems that it does not do it until the A/C has been in use for at least a day.

We took it to the dealer under warranty and they said that they could not duplicate the problem. Emailed Forest River about it and they recommended I call Dometic, since there is a 2 year warranty on it.

Wanted to see if anyone has had same issue?

Thanks,

[Bama Rambler]

If you have the LCD thermostat and it's set to Auto fan, the fan will stop when the temp gets close to setpoint and switch speeds. It will also stop and switch speeds when the temp gets further away from setpoint. It seems like it's short cycling, but it's really not. It's just designed that way.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

If you have the LCD thermostat and it's set to Auto fan, the fan will stop when the temp gets close to setpoint and switch speeds. It will also stop and switch speeds when the temp gets further away from setpoint. It seems like it's short cycling, but it's really not. It's just designed that way.

X2

[KRSmitty]

Yes, we have the LCD type thermostat.

So, it is designed to completely quit running like pulling the plug on it, wait 10 seconds and plug it back in? It is just changing fan speeds?

[lesptr]

Yep.
Annoying.

[KRSmitty]

Thanks for the replies!

[Rich5117]

Have to ask. When the fan speed change occurs, everything shuts off including the compressor then starts up 10 to 15 seconds later and this is normal?

I only ask, because I have always been taught that the immediate restarting of a piston style compressor is not good for it. Most have a time delay built into the system to prevent this.

Have never had this happen in our unit, however if the AC shuts off or is shut off, and you try to get it to come back on immediately the LCD thermostat shows an hour glass which usually is around 5 to 6 minutes before it will restart.

[Bluepill]

Discussion here:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...es-118846.html

[Rich5117]

Original OP advised everything is shutting off, can understand fan shutting off and changing speed

[KRSmitty]

Originally Posted by Rich5117

Original OP advised everything is shutting off, can understand fan shutting off and changing speed

Yes, everything is shutting off...fan and compressor.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Are you sure the compressor shuts off? It sounds like it as it is suddenly quiet as the fan completely stops before restarting at the other speed. It is a bit disconcerting.

[KRSmitty]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Are you sure the compressor shuts off? It sounds like it as it is suddenly quiet as the fan completely stops before restarting at the other speed. It is a bit disconcerting.

It sure seemed that way...got really quiet anyway. Guess I will have to wait until Summer to find out for sure now.

[ben31]

If the stopping and starting is driving you nuts, simply set the fan speed, instead of leaving it on Auto. I seldom leave mine on Auto. I set it for a constant speed, depending on how hot it is outside. Doing this also helps to keep the whole RV at about the same temperature, instead of allowing hot spots to form (like in the bedroom) between cycles.

[KRSmitty]

Originally Posted by ben31

If the stopping and starting is driving you nuts, simply set the fan speed, instead of leaving it on Auto. I seldom leave mine on Auto. I set it for a constant speed, depending on how hot it is outside. Doing this also helps to keep the whole RV at about the same temperature, instead of allowing hot spots to form (like in the bedroom) between cycles.

Not driving me nuts. To me, it seemed like a problem/issue.

Honestly, did not know about the fan speeds. I will have to check it out and see how I have it set.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by KRSmitty

It sure seemed that way...got really quiet anyway. Guess I will have to wait until Summer to find out for sure now.

I thought the same thing but when I attached an amp probe I realized others were correct and the compressor didn't actually stop.
My concern over setting the speed manually is that it never turns off, even when the compressor has stopped. This does keep the temperature more even throughout the RV but I hate the noise when it isn't needed.

[Rich5117]

Certainly hope that this problem is just the fan shutting off then coming right back on at a different speed. Because I want one. I want an AC that has a compressor that quiet that you can't hear it running. Please !!!!!

[KRSmitty]

FR gave me the number to Dometic. Since it is still under warranty think I will give them a call and see what they have to say.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Good plan. Please let us know what they say.

[Kirk S]

Just to add to the conversation, the fan on my unit is so loud I thought the entire unit was short cycling also. When I read on this forum about the fan changing speeds when the temp is near setpoint I paid closer attention and found that the compressor was not turning off... just the fan between speeds. This happens when the fan is set to auto on the thermostat. The high and low settings allow the fan to run constantly at the chosen speed which I've also changed on occasion by accident.
In our case, almost every time we walk past the thermostat we inadvertently change temp, mode or fan speed. I either need to relocate it or get thinner.