RV Air will not start

[Dick Langendorff]

Turned on the air on the trailer and all it would do is groan for awhile and the shut down. After awhile it would start to do the same thing. It never would actually run and blow air. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance! It is a 04' Dometic 13,500 BTU



Dick Langendorff

925-550-8727

 

[HBarlow]

What is the AC input voltage? An overloaded power system in an older RV park can cause that on a hot afternoon with many trailers running A/Cs. Or perhaps your own power source is low if at home?

 

[B.G. Smith]

You have mud daubers up there? They will build a mud nest in the fan and lock it up sometimes. If you can get to the fan from inside the trailer reach up in there and turn it. If not accesable from inside you will have to go on top of trailer and pull the cover and turn it from up there. Has happened to me. bg e, i

 

[mwilson]

Is the fan blowing any air at all when you turn it on???



If not, and the two scenarios mentioned above don't apply then it is possible the fan motor is toast.



Dometic had a recall going that will replace the motor and adds an extra capacitor to help the motor start up without damage.

Call Dometic with the numbers from the unit and see if it is included. If I remember correctly you can get the numbers by removing the main duct (6 screws) and the info is on the metal framework above it.

Mine did it the first year I owned it.

The noise you hear is the compressor humming, you can't normally hear it because the fan motor is louder.

Let me know if I can provide any more info to help you.

Mike.

 

[mvaughn]

If it's not low park voltage or critters as the first two post suggest I would look for loose wire connections at the circuit breaker or a loose wire nut at the A/C unit.

 

[Hoefler]

I would bet the compressor is locked up.

 

[HBarlow]

I didn't think about it yesterday when this thread was new but back in the early '90s I had an Airstream with a symptom like that. I think the simple replacement of a starting capacitor fixed it. Cheap part easily installed or a small labor charge.

 

[Dick Langendorff]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I'll start to check things out and let you know.



Thanks again.



Dick Langendorff

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I had a similar experience with a fifth wheel I had. Wound up being a piece of foam that got wedged between the squirrel cage and the housing. Maybe you'll get lucky.

 

[Dick Langendorff]

Thanks to everyone.



I checked the voltage at home with the trailer plugged in. 124 v. It would still growl. But would not start. I always felt it might be voltage to low.

After reading the one about the fan, etc. I was able to use a push rod through the vent to try and move the fan motor. It still would not start.

I went online to a chat person with Dometic. He said that some of the units during that era, the fan motor had a dead spot. I rotated the fan one more time and used his suggestion to set the thermostat as high as possible, turn on the AC, see if the fan runs, it the fan runs, move the thermostat down to 78 degrees or so and see if the compressor comes on.

I did that sequence and it now cools.

I'm going to check with dometic about the motor and a possible recall and see if I can get any relief.

I also sometimes think I will win the lottery!

While the AC was running, the voltage in the outlets in the trailer were 107.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Thanks to everyone...
I also sometimes think I will win the lottery!
While the AC was running, the voltage in the outlets in the trailer were 107.

Sounds like you are pulling a heavy load through some small wires, either household or extension cord.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Mine does this every year. You have to crawl up on the roof, remove the shroud and force the shaft to turn a few times. They seem to rust and wont turn until you abuse them a bit. This WILL NOT hurt the AC in any way.

I sure wish this cheap AC would die so I can get a Carrier.

 

[Dick Langendorff]

Yes, I was plugged in at home on a 20 amp circuit and 40 feet of extension cord.

 

[ARedmon]

The air conditioner on my Keystone Sprinter (no longer own) used to do that every year when I first turned it on. I would have to go up top, take the cover off, spray the fan shaft and bushing with a little WD40, and give it a flick with my finger to loosen it up. Then it would work fine as long as I used it at least once per month. I believe it was a Dometic also but I'm not sure. My 5er now is an R-Vision Dodge model with a Carrier. It's never had that problem.