air conditioning

[LIQUID PROZAC]

have a 1987 jayco popup camper with a roof mounted air conditioner/heater--it is a coleman rotary mini-mach my problem is that it cools fine until it gets hot--around 85 degrees--and then it cuts off for a few minutes and then kicks back on--it will do this continuously and will not cool efficiently until ambient temp comes back down- i took the cover off and cannot see any freon leaks and i do not have any fiitings to hook guages to-i thought about cleaning the coils although they do not look bad--is there an air filter and where is it located or any other ideas thaks guys

 

[Splat]

Re: air conditioning

My guess is it's low on freon, or a strainer screen is clogged.

But I don't pretend to be a HVAC guru, i merely play one on tv.

I'm sure one of "those guys) will be around shortly to give you better ideas

Bill

 

[ehenry]

Re: air conditioning

there has to be a return air filter on it some where. There are generally foam and accessilbe on the inside. They are generally on each or either side off the unit. with the top cover off....is the unit freezing up? Any signs of frost on the low pressure side ??

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: air conditioning

Before you call a HVAC company.

Go up top, remove the cover. It should come off. Have a pressure washer and some good cleaner. But not any cleaner you can't put on copper or aluminum. Pine Sol works great.

I guessing the Air-conditioning condenser is plugged up with dirt.
Make sure you spray the condenser really well. You have to make sure you get all the dirt out of the fins.. Also while you are up there, just before the condenser/radiator, there should be a fan. See if it spins.

Oh, make sure you do this when the unit is turned off.

This is what we have to do at the Hotel I work at.. Usually every spring we have to clean out the HVAC units.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: air conditioning

Make sure your evaporator fan motor is moving air over the evaporator or it wont cool.

 

[Zeeter]

Re: air conditioning

Very typical of an evap freezing up. Either airflow is restricted or a freon orifice is stuck open.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: air conditioning

thanks for the replies--i will clean the condensor and look for the air filter-have had it for 4 or 5 years and never thought of the filter-duh-huh- also will run afterwards and check for fan operation and freezing up--will post update

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: air conditioning

Alot of ac units have a thermostat sensor mounted directly on the compressor. It is there to turn off the compressor in case it gets too hot. You may have a bad thermostat. This part is easy to change .

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: air conditioning

here is an update--cleaned condensor--found minor trash in it but airflow was poor when started and better when finished-also cleaned air filter out-not dirty at all-seemed to cool better when done--may be wishful thinking--will need to try in direct sunlight to tell--was not freezing up but did not seem to be sweating properly--may be low on freon thanks for all the replies

 

[jacknbella]

Re: air conditioning

Some automotive A/C systems have a built-in A/C compressor protection system which turns off the compressor when low pressures are indicated then it cycles back on when pressures return to normal. If your compressor is cycling on and off, this may be the root cause of your problem. R134a refrigerant (aka freon) also carries oil to and from the compressor to keep it lubricated so any leak could eventually spell doom for your compressor. The goal of a good compressor protection system is to prevent the compressor from seizing up and costing a fortune to replace. Of course, you'll feel intermittent cooling as a result. Best of luck and let us know what really happened in your case.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: air conditioning

thanks for all the replies found it low on freon-fixed the leak-hard to find but able to dye test it and recharge-- momma's cool and happy now

 

[jacknbella]

Re: air conditioning

Glad to hear momma's happy!!! Curious, where was the leak? How did you fix it?

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: air conditioning

found a small pinhole in line going to condenser--it didn't have any fittings so i had to open up the low side line and install fitting--flushed system and soldered hole and recharged--it's just beyond me why they would not have installed a fitting--i guess so you would replace whole unit??

 

[Capt Ron]

Re: air conditioning

I just throw a piercing service valve on them.
One of the things that I was going to suggest is the power cord. My dad learned the hard way about a overloaded cord of incorrect wire gauge. His A/C acted the same way right up to the point that the compressor burned up.

Capt Ron

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: air conditioning

thanks capt ron-i'll keep that in mind about the cord

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: air conditioning

Throwaway society, service something ? Nah get another one out of china for "cheap".
Glad you got it fixed, that's good work.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: air conditioning

thanks windsor--assuming you have an 03 cobra? I've been with Ford for 19 years--any questions you can pm me--duh went back and saw the link--nice ride