Don,
I'm glad that you got it going!
It's not surprising to me that the thing still works after 25 years, the
only reason it won't go as long as a household refrigerator is the
physical abuse that it takes from being on the road.
That, and the dirt: If the condensor coils (the ones outside) get
plugged, or even partially blocked, the "head pressure" in the
compressor goes WAY up. The only protection for the compressor is a
built-in thermal overload device that will shut down the compressor.
It'll then cool down, kick the compressor on until it heats up, then
cycle it again. Now, it isn't too hard to imagine how hard this is on
things, and that little thermal overload gadget is going to give up the
ghost sooner or later. That's if the compressor itself doesn't crap out
due to being overloaded.
Another thing that's hard on a trailer A/C is the low voltage often
found in RV parks. It's a very good idea to have a voltmeter in your
trailer; look at it before starting the A/C AND while the A/C is
running. I'd be very nervous about running it if the voltage falls below
110VAC. Low voltage won't hurt your voltage convertor, but is death on
air conditioners.
The advice about keeping the coils clean holds for your home A/C unit
also, both window and central air compressors. Most folks only know
about cleaning the filter and/or evaporator coils. The condensing coil
is 'out of sight, out of mind', so is often neglected. One word: DON'T.
<<Jim>>
Don Hardman wrote:
>
> I posted a few days ago concerning my AC problems and the advice I received
> from my RV guy. With the continuing question s from others on their AC woes
> maybe this may be of help.Basically I was told that my unit failed the
> "Delta Test" and
> should be replaced. The Delta Test is checking the discharge air temp and
> mind was at about 60 degrees which would not keep the trailer cool during
> our mid 90 degree days here in Houston. I was also told that they checked to
> make sure the Evaporator was clean.
>
> I received a lot of good advice especially from Jim Dunmyer.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jim Dunmyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> Normally, the filter is in the front, the fan pulls the air
> > through the coils and pushes it out a vent. So, if they're dirty, it'll
> > be in the front where it's easy to see.
> >
> > This is NOT the case with the condenser, there's no filter there.
> >
>
> Jim, well today I was able to get up on the trailer and pull the top and
> take a good look at the unit. Without a doubt I am the 1st person to look
> inside this one since it came from the factory. Just like in other paces I
> found throughout the trailer everything was caked in dirt. The condenser
> coils on the fan side were virtually blocked except for a circle in front of
> the fan. The evaporator coils were not as bad but by no means clean as I was
> told.
>
> I cleaned the condenser coils
> with a low pressure water hose after covering the fan motor with a plastic
> bag. It looked like the Red River running off my trailer. I also used and
> air compressor to blow out the other coils and lightly brushed them as
> well. I checked the birdcage blower and all of the blades were full of dirt.
> Also, the Allen Set Screw was lose and although the blade could not come off
> it did move up and down on the shaft. Its tight now. I put everything back
> together except the top and started it up. The results are very good. Its in
> the high 90s here today and after a couple of hours I am reading 78 degrees
> in the trailer. That is 10 degrees cooler than this time yesterday.
>
> I did not see any evidence of the air short circuiting the coils but I am
> going to check further later today. Its hot on top of that trailer.
>
> I am not an AC man, But I am impressed with this Armstrong unit. Twenty Five
> years old, no service, no cleaning and its still going. Also I found out
> this thing has a heating coil. I guess that is why the thermostat has a heat
> setting. I will have to try it to see if it works, but I think I will wait
> until fall.
>
> Thanks Jim and everyone else for very good advice. I hope this helps others
> with AC problems.
--
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<<lower SE Michigan, USA>>
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