Why won’t both of my A/Cs work??

[Tommyp001]

2024 Isata 5 Explorer - GE A/Cs

Neither of my 2 A/Cs are working. Didn’t use from purchase (April 24) until I hit some hot weather in Palm Springs in November. Both A/Cs just blow mostly warm air …. Barely cool ( I even hate to use that word). It’s about 85 outside temp, and with air on its about 85. Just blowing air but not cool. Don’t think compressor ever kicks on. Firefly never says SHED, so I don’t think that is the problem. I’m plugged in to 50 AMP and everything works. When I have run the A/Cs, I’m not running anything else ( Micro/water heater/etc.) I’ve tried just running 1 A/C at a time, and still no cool. Firefly says each A/C is pulling about 9 to 10 amps, never see it get to 15 or 20 amps ( I think needed for compressor to start ).

I’ve tried all of the following to see if that helped:
Flipped the breakers in the bedroom by the floor ( why put them there ) for the A/Cs off and on, no change
In firefly setup confirmed the correct floor plan and correct ( GE ) A/C units.
Turned off “salesmen switch” off to shut down system, turned back on after 5 minutes, no change
Unplugeded and turned off both master RED switches, waited 10 minutes, turned on switches and plugged back in - No Change

Not sure what else to do?

Any suggestions?

Tom

 

[Aussieguy]

don't know about your thermostat or setup

but my thermostat I had to select..... "Low Cool Auto"

 

[Tommyp001]

I’ve been using either Cool with fan on either high or auto. Or set temp with set to auto. All adjustments are made via the Firefly on the 2024.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Well......sounds as though you need a HVAC service tech. Did they ever work? If so, then likely there is loss of refrigerant. They can be recharged and a sealer added if the leak is minor. The tech will need to add Schrader valves to recharge. A current of 9 to 10 amps says the fan is running and the compressor is running but there is no refrigerant charge so there is no load on the compressor.

Set the system to AUTO and let it control fan speed.

I would investigate warranty service before paying out any money. Most likely the warranty is GE and not via the Dealer. The Dealer will need to get approval from GE. All of this becomes a PITA and time consuming.

Bob

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

2024 Isata 5 Explorer - GE A/Cs

Neither of my 2 A/Cs are working. Didn’t use from purchase (April 24) until I hit some hot weather in Palm Springs in November. Both A/Cs just blow mostly warm air ….
Any suggestions?

Tomy

I suggest you take it back to the dealer for warranty repairs. The air conditioners should be covered under warranty.
They typically replace air conditioners rather than trying to repair them.

 

[firedude2]

Have you tried using them with the generator? Just to diagnose.

 

[Tommyp001]

Yes, tried that too, same situation, fan runs …. Not cooling


Brian or any Dynamax people, any thoughts ? Ideas? I’m going to Florida from here so, not going anywhere near Indiana until April, 2025.

 

[jjscsix]

Ten amps seems like a lot just for the fans to come on. Last week I put an amp meter on my 50 amp cable supplying my trailer. It read 2 amps when I turned just the fan on to the main A/C unit.

Good luck!

 

[bclemens]

I do think they had a batch of A/C's where the refrigerant did not have the right oil ratio (or something like that). Knowing that, they have a revised "testing procedure" that diagnoses it pretty quickly. You don't need to have it worked on in Indiana, any dealer can service A/C's. That would be my suggestion, as you have covered the basics.

I would also suggest requesting them to be replaced with the GE Profile that we run today. Just slightly shorter and two fans vs. one. On the bright side...if it is both, then you saved yourself from fixing one, only to have to come back and fix the other.

 

[Judge64]

I'm not much of a believer in coincidence when it comes to issues like this one. For both A/C's to crap out at the same time falls into that category for me.

There is an EMS setting in FireFly. Even though you don't see SHED, I would try toggling the EMS option and giving it a try.

On the FireFly Mainboard, there are Pin-Outs specifically for the compressors. It is J10 on a G12 Mainboard. I would also check those with a meter.


I had a Thor Super C and in the first 6 months after I bought it I had issues with both A/C's (Coleman-Mach). Sometimes the fans would run but not the compressors. Other times the compressors would start but not the fans. If I killed 12V to the FireFly to reboot it, they would start working again briefly and then the problem would start again. After troubleshooting with FireFly after I had tried everything, they agreed with me that the mainboard was the issue. I had it replaced under warranty and never had an issue again.

So I would not rule out a FireFly issue.

 

[Tommyp001]

I do think they had a batch of A/C's where the refrigerant did not have the right oil ratio (or something like that). Knowing that, they have a revised "testing procedure" that diagnoses it pretty quickly. You don't need to have it worked on in Indiana, any dealer can service A/C's. That would be my suggestion, as you have covered the basics.

I would also suggest requesting them to be replaced with the GE Profile that we run today. Just slightly shorter and two fans vs. one. On the bright side...if it is both, then you saved yourself from fixing one, only to have to come back and fix the other.

So who would pay for my 2 new GE Profile A/Cs on my New 2024 RV? Agree, if these don’t work, they should be replaced.

 

[Tommyp001]

I'm not much of a believer in coincidence when it comes to issues like this one. For both A/C's to crap out at the same time falls into that category for me.

There is an EMS setting in FireFly. Even though you don't see SHED, I would try toggling the EMS option and giving it a try.

On the FireFly Mainboard, there are Pin-Outs specifically for the compressors. It is J10 on a G12 Mainboard. I would also check those with a meter.


I had a Thor Super C and in the first 6 months after I bought it I had issues with both A/C's (Coleman-Mach). Sometimes the fans would run but not the compressors. Other times the compressors would start but not the fans. If I killed 12V to the FireFly to reboot it, they would start working again briefly and then the problem would start again. After troubleshooting with FireFly after I had tried everything, they agreed with me that the mainboard was the issue. I had it replaced under warranty and never had an issue again.

So I would not rule out a FireFly issue.

So, currently the EMS is lighted, so I’m guessing it is on. I did toggle off, but no change, still running at about 10 amps.

 

[Judge64]

So, currently the EMS is lighted, so I’m guessing it is on. I did toggle off, but no change, still running at about 10 amps.

Did the two A/C units work during your PDI when you took delivery?

 

[Aussieguy]

If they under warranty and repair person says they faulty they should be under warranty unless repair guys finds you hit it with a hammer...
don't know how long a warranty you got but I expect that the general rules apply
Forest river warranty for first x months... A/C warranty then can kick in .

 

[Tommyp001]

Did the two A/C units work during your PDI when you took delivery?

When you take delivery - outside - in Michigan in April, sure they blow cold air - outside air was cold.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

When you take delivery - outside - in Michigan in April, sure they blow cold air - outside air was cold.

They are re-circulating systems. Makes no difference regarding outside air temp.

Bob

 

[Judge64]

When you take delivery - outside - in Michigan in April, sure they blow cold air - outside air was cold.

I did a PDI last April in Pennsylvania.

As long as the outside air temp is not ridiculously cold you should be able to measure the Delta-T with a digital thermometer to determine the compressor is running and cooling. As Bob said.... the A/C recirculates the air inside the coach.

This won't help you now but it may help someone else.......

Just run the furnace to heat the interior temperature above 65 - 70F. Then turn on the A/C and set it to the lowest temp and measure the Delta-T after a few minutes of running and look for a difference of 18 - 22F betwen the air being sucked into the unit and the air coming out.

At the very least I would have had them move the rig into their service bays so I could complete my PDI and fully test each system. I would think they have service bays are heated with temps above 60F.

Personally... I never drive a coach off the lot until I have checked that every system is working for this very reason.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

The PDI serves at least 2 purposes. (a) to familiarize the new owner with the features and functions and operation of the systems. Everything must operate and operate correctly and the new owner must understand how to do this solo. (b) to identify any flaws, defects, and etc. which are to be corrected BEFORE the new owner takes possession. Don't let the excitement of a new rig overtake the job to be done.

It is also wise to have someone else, a 3rd party, video each and every item. Retain for future reference when it is cold and raining and you have no lights. etc.

Bob

 

[Tommyp001]

I did a PDI last April in Pennsylvania.

As long as the outside air temp is not ridiculously cold you should be able to measure the Delta-T with a digital thermometer to determine the compressor is running and cooling. As Bob said.... the A/C recirculates the air inside the coach.

This won't help you now but it may help someone else.......

Just run the furnace to heat the interior temperature above 65 - 70F. Then turn on the A/C and set it to the lowest temp and measure the Delta-T after a few minutes of running and look for a difference of 18 - 22F betwen the air being sucked into the unit and the air coming out.

At the very least I would have had them move the rig into their service bays so I could complete my PDI and fully test each system. I would think they have service bays are heated with temps above 60F.

Personally... I never drive a coach off the lot until I have checked that every system is working for this very reason.

Again, I believe they were working at PDI, not working now …… 8 months later in hot weather. Thanks for your helpful comments.

 

[Tommyp001]

The PDI serves at least 2 purposes. (a) to familiarize the new owner with the features and functions and operation of the systems. Everything must operate and operate correctly and the new owner must understand how to do this solo. (b) to identify any flaws, defects, and etc. which are to be corrected BEFORE the new owner takes possession. Don't let the excitement of a new rig overtake the job to be done.

It is also wise to have someone else, a 3rd party, video each and every item. Retain for future reference when it is cold and raining and you have no lights. etc.

Bob

Again, 8 months down the road, not helpful now. 3rd RV, 6 year RVer, have done 3 very good PDIs. But certainly helpful on next purchase.