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Old 06-18-2016, 09:41 AM   #1
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A/C cooling issue

So I just purchased a Columbus 377RLMB. I have two A/C units, the rear which is a 15000 btu and the front a 13500 btu. My problem was that I was unable to cool the unit down. I was just running the rear unit. When I bought the RV I was lead to believe that the rear unit was for the living area and the front unit was for the bedroom area. After discussing my issue with the service department that is not entirely accurate. The system is designed with both units to work together. However, this also requires 50 amp service. I have been trying to cool the unit on 30 amp service and just the rear unit. The service dept. tells me that I can not run both units on the 30 amp service, Had I been told this when I purchased the RV I would not have bought it. Both units are tied together in the same duct system so there is no way to shut the front off from the rear. I mainly camp at state parks which only supply 30 amp service. So, my question is has anyone had the same issue, and secondly, is there a fix for it.
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Old 06-20-2016, 10:46 AM   #2
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Yes, you cannot work both units on 30 amp but this applies not only to Columbus but any FW with two unit. What I don't understand is why you cannot work one independently from the other. I have a 30 RKT an you can do it if you play with the thermostat. Yes, there are days we need both units to cool it down, this is our experience.
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Old 06-20-2016, 11:01 AM   #3
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Any camper with two a/c units can only be run one at a time on 30 amp.
You can run one or the other independently.
You can make the bedroom a/c non ducted.
Also pull the filter on the 15k and check to see if the divider between the intake and exhaust has came loose and mixing return air with the exhaust air.
Mine had came loose.

Also with a digital thermometer make sure your exhuast air is 20 DEGREES cooler then intake air.


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Old 06-20-2016, 06:47 PM   #4
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Ok doing some testing tonight as im also on 30 amp.
Over the weekend it felt like our 15k wasnt up to the task, however so far on paper its fine!
Either a blocked duct or poor insulation could be the culprit.
Camper is also in full sun.
Turned a/c on at 430

430
Ext temp 90
Int temp 103
Ret temp 97
Exh temp 73

530
Ext temp 87
Int temp 95
Ret temp 86
Exh temp 59

630
Ext temp 83
Int temp 89
Ret temp 81
Exh temp 55

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Old 06-20-2016, 07:48 PM   #5
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Ext temp 81
Int temp 82
Ret temp 73
Exh temp 49

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Old 06-21-2016, 08:25 AM   #6
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Does the fan cycle on and off often while the compressor stays on?
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Old 06-21-2016, 08:47 AM   #7
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No

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Old 06-22-2016, 05:17 PM   #8
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A/C cooling issue

If you know an electrician or understand how they are wired, split the front air off onto its on circuit by place a 12-2 extension cord plug between the front air and the campers breaker box. Then when your at a 30 amp place unplug the connection and run a drop to the connection for the front air and plug into your 20amp in the box then run you regular 30 amp to service the everything else in the unit. I always camped at state parks but they shut ours down over the winter and installed 50amp.
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Old 06-22-2016, 05:18 PM   #9
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I included the photos I put in my camper to do this- each box will have a 30amp and 20 amp.
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Old 06-22-2016, 06:19 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rmk2001800 View Post
If you know an electrician or understand how they are wired, split the front air off onto its on circuit by place a 12-2 extension cord plug between the front air and the campers breaker box. Then when your at a 30 amp place unplug the connection and run a drop to the connection for the front air and plug into your 20amp in the box then run you regular 30 amp to service the everything else in the unit. I always camped at state parks but they shut ours down over the winter and installed 50amp.
This may not work in a full campground. Usually three of the 30A pedestals are connected together upstream to a 100A breaker. If all three sites on any one 100A breaker use over 30A from their pedestal, you will trip the 100A breaker. This usually means finding a ranger to reset the 100A breaker as they are usually in locked panels.
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Old 06-30-2016, 05:02 PM   #11
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I just bought 2017 Columbus 377MB and found that in full sun at 93-95 degrees outside, granted starting day at 65 degrees inside by 3:30 was 84 in living room and 88 in bedroom. That was with both units running, I verified compressors running on both. Ours is going in the shop, when cooler out, back wall of camper sweats up at roof line.
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Old 06-30-2016, 05:04 PM   #12
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I went down the other night with 80's out and overcast it was 65 in camper, set on 65. I'm thinking insulation isn't what was stated. Had my thermal imaging camera there, will have to look at over 4th weekend.
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Old 06-30-2016, 06:36 PM   #13
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After having this Columbus for two years, I have experienced that whether it's summer or winter the temperature inside is 10 degrees warmer inside unless you use the air conditioners or the furnace. During winter when it's 40 degrees outside, it's 50 inside. During winter when it's 75 outside, it's 85 degrees inside. I am glad where I live during summer rarely goes over 85 during summer. The air conditioners suffice. During winter when we go to south TX, I'm glad it rarely goes under 45 degrees at night. My two cents on this.
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Old 06-30-2016, 06:37 PM   #14
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Sorry I meant during summer when it's 75 outside, it's 85 inside.
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