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Repairing Dash AC


Zulu

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My dash AC has been problematic ever since I bought my 2001 Newmar Mountain Aire in 2010.

 

Granted, my RV is going on 14 years old, but I've paid to have the AC repaired twice, but it's still on the fritz. It will work a while, then some new problem starts.

 

Are these RV dash ACs that hard to fix?

SKP #79313 / Full-Timing / 2001 National RV Sea View / 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
www.rvSeniorMoments.com
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I wonder if part of the problem is that the engine is in the rear. I know on my coach when I turn the AC on in the bedroom (AC from engine, not heat pumps) it cuts down the amount of AC coming from the dash. I believe the dash AC is similar to an automobile in that a compressor on the engine supplies the cooling. It's a long run from the engine to the dash AC.

 

I wonder if you could find the air runs and insulate them some??? Just a "wag" here. Have you actually taken it to a coach service center rather than just an AC shop?

 

Sorry I have no real ideas for you.

GS Lifetime #822128658, FMCA #F431170

 

2012 Airstream Mercedes Interstate Extended Class B

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I wonder if part of the problem is that the engine is in the rear. I know on my coach when I turn the AC on in the bedroom (AC from engine, not heat pumps) it cuts down the amount of AC coming from the dash. I believe the dash AC is similar to an automobile in that a compressor on the engine supplies the cooling. It's a long run from the engine to the dash AC.

 

I wonder if you could find the air runs and insulate them some??? Just a "wag" here. Have you actually taken it to a coach service center rather than just an AC shop?

 

Sorry I have no real ideas for you.

I believe you will find in the Newmar that it is just the freon which runs from the engine to the dash, not the cool air. They put the evaporator unit (cooling coils) in the dash, just like you find in a car/truck.

 

They shouldn't be any harder to fix than on a car or truck. It is the same type setup.

 

It could be the Country Coach is set up differently if you have a rear a/c cooled by the compressor on the engine. You may have two evaporator units, one in the bedroom and one in the dash.

Edited by Al Florida

Al & Sharon
2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 
2020 Chevy Colorado Toad
San Antonio, TX

http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/

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You are most likely correct. We do have an evaporator unit under our bed that supplies the rear AC when under way. Like I said, I was just guessing what might be wrong. Since there haven't been too many responses, guesses may be all that is available at this time.

GS Lifetime #822128658, FMCA #F431170

 

2012 Airstream Mercedes Interstate Extended Class B

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  • 1 month later...

A standard auto air conditioner re-charge kit ,W/replacement oil and stop-leak, will replentish the refrigerant and oil in the system. I've topped mine off once when it was not cooling properly.It's worked fine ever since. Buy the kit with a gauge to show when enough refrigerant is in the system because the R134 acts differently than the old R12. Too much R134 and the system will not cool properly, the correct amount works, more or less does not.

 

2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.  John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961

 

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Medico.....I am a refrigeration tech. Been one since 1969. A certified journeyman refrigeration tech is fully capable of repairing any motorhome AC. When I had my business I was called out countless times by RV repair facilities to do the AC repairs on both dash air driven off the engine and the roof air ones. Suggesting to the OP that taking it to an AC repair place is not adequate is rather insulting to my profession. Rather my advice would be the other way around. DONT take an RV to an RV shop for AC repairs....take it to an HVAC shop that has a refrigeration technician on staff.

<p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well.

IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR.

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Medico.....I am a refrigeration tech. Been one since 1969. A certified journeyman refrigeration tech is fully capable of repairing any motorhome AC. When I had my business I was called out countless times by RV repair facilities to do the AC repairs on both dash air driven off the engine and the roof air ones. Suggesting to the OP that taking it to an AC repair place is not adequate is rather insulting to my profession. Rather my advice would be the other way around. DONT take an RV to an RV shop for AC repairs....take it to an HVAC shop that has a refrigeration technician on staff.

Are you sure a HVAC Shop wants to start tearing apart a MH dash and/or crawling into the engine compartment to mess with the AC stuff?

Al & Sharon
2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 
2020 Chevy Colorado Toad
San Antonio, TX

http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/

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No I'm not sure but it dont hurt to ask. I used to ( if I had time ) but that was me. I also had tools that the rv techs had never seen....made me wonder how they got things right.

Edited by Jimalberta

<p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well.

IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR.

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No I'm not sure but it dont hurt to ask. I used to ( if I had time ) but that was me. I also had tools that the rv techs had never seen....made me wonder how they got things right.

Absolutely! A run of the mill RV Tech is not likely to have the tools or expertise to work on air conditioning.

Al & Sharon
2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 
2020 Chevy Colorado Toad
San Antonio, TX

http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/

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Guest ticat900

My dash AC has been problematic ever since I bought my 2001 Newmar Mountain Aire in 2010.

 

Granted, my RV is going on 14 years old, but I've paid to have the AC repaired twice, but it's still on the fritz. It will work a while, then some new problem starts.

 

Are these RV dash ACs that hard to fix?

Seeing as no one has actually given you a answer directed to your actual question I will try

To try and give you a answer first off explain what you have had repaired and what the AC is currently doing.Most Pusher AC systems from late 90,s to late 2010ish all basically work the same way. the systems are reasonable simple but sometimes the accessabilty can be trying

so whats the problem? Not cold enough? not high enough fan speed? Totally not working? blowing warm only??????

Edited by ticat900
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  • 10 months later...

Not sure this is your problem, but on our Dutch Star our dash A/C started acting up. It would work fine, then just decide to stop working. Drove me nuts for a couple months. Then poking around in the rear I noticed a thin wire running into the front of the compressor. I gave it a little tug to see if it was connected properly, and it came off in my hand. I just re-spliced it, and shrink wrapped it, and it's been working fine since. But as my luck would have it, now I have a burned out roof A/C fan motor. I'll be replacing that this coming week. Just one of the joys of RVing.

Edited by Mariner

Fulltiming since 2010

2000 Dutch Star

2009 Saturn Vue

Myrtle Beach, SC

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  • 5 years later...

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