Sunseeker AC Not Cold

[sherman12]

Hello Forum'ers,

Good friends of mine have a 2013 Sunseeker C, 31 ft. and their rooftop AC is only blowing cool. It cannot cool down their rig in mid 80-degree temps. They had a friend come over that does HVAC work but was perplexed that there are now access ports or such to test the unit out. Any suggestions I can pass along to them from Sunseeker owners, or I guess RV'ers in general on what to look for. They called a couple of places in the Buffalo, NY area but it approaching mid-summer and everyone camping because of Covid-19, they were told weeks before they could get their rig in for a service call.

[5picker]

These R/V rooftop A/C units are what are called 'sealed units' and have no service ports.

They are made to not be serviced easily.

There have been several lengthy threads recently on the pros/cons of adding a service port to check the freon level.

If it is a Dometic unit, several models were under a warranty replacement program.

Unfortunately, they are simply designed to be replaced.

[sherman12]

Sounds like something out of the world of camping. Thanks 5picker.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by sherman12

Sounds like something out of the world of camping. Thanks 5picker.

Well... not only the world of camping... back in the day, my father made a very good living as an appliance repairman. Today they are simply delivery men for new/replacement units. It has become a 'throw-away' world!

[Johntgif]

I added a service port to my main unit, serviced it back up and have enjoyed cold air for three years so far. Cost a lot less and easier than replacing the whole unit.

[fred+sherry]

Make sure to clean the coils + the fan blade's + filter
Some people over look the easy things
Do mine every year, sometimes twice
You can add service port's , a HVAC guy may charge a couple hundred , if you know him .more if it's a big company.
My 15000 btu unit will drop 20 degrees from outside temp .
95 out 75 in

[sherman12]

Besides being able to do analysis, what do the service ports due? Is this to add freon, or whatever coolant is being used today?

[fred+sherry]

Yes the port's are to charge the system , or test for leaks .
If you have no freon in the sealed system you have a leak somewhere .
To find the leak you can look around the piping . if you see a oily substance it's your leak .
If you add port's to the system have a HVAC guy help you , high pressure in the piping . you can do a vacuum test with the new port's , if it stays at 500 microns or 1000 for a half hr. That would tell you no leak . well were did the gas go to in the first place .
If you add port's and you cut the pipe and there's a change in the system 300lb. you can get hurt bad , frozen fingers , lost of eyes , hire a HVAC guy . or buy a new a/c unit
To add port's and test + recharge could be half the cost of a new unit .

[sherman12]

Super info guys I'll pass along to my friends.
Yesterday they got someone to look at their rig, waiting to hear from them if the problem was discovered or resolved

[The Evil Twin]

I had a unit replaced under warranty thankfully. They actually left the old unit in the garage of the TH. I bought saddle valves to pressurize the unit and find the leak at the evap coil. Brazed it closed and installed permanent service ports to evac and charge. So now I have a 15k unit ready to go.

[dcheatwood]

Smarty! Don't you just love it when things go tour way?[emoji16]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

I had a unit replaced under warranty thankfully. They actually left the old unit in the garage of the TH. I bought saddle valves to pressurize the unit and find the leak at the evap coil. Brazed it closed and installed permanent service ports to evac and charge. So now I have a 15k unit ready to go.