[Archived]

As a major ‘tune up” I would strongly suggest to extend the life of your existing rooftop a/c units, rather than get the substandard equipment on the market today to replace them, is as follows:

1) Thoroughly clean both evaporator and condensor coils.

2) Inspect all lines and ensure insulation is intack where it should be, including the cork tape lining of all cold lines.

3) Inspect the shroud, replace if cracks are found, or if there are cracks around the 4 attachment screws.

4) Preventatively replace the start, run and fan capacitors with appropriate values, and the PCTR thermal switch start cap cutoff device.

We have found that just a small shift in capacitance values will cause excessive compressor or fan run amp readings and premature motor failure. Replacing these will give much smoother and quieter unit overall operation.

In summary, if you have a “good old” unit, and you do these things, you will end up being much happier. The newer Dometic products have thinner base pans, louder fans and motors, and are simply not the unit the older ones were.

Also, replacing them with another brand will result in issues with compatibility and result in running new t-stat/control cabling….which can be a daunting task in some conversions.

Just my thoughts…

[Kurt]

I apologize for the delay responding. I just learned about the “font/caps” issue when I log in. I was not able to see the edit/reply buttons for awhile.

Thanks to all of you for the feedback and kind words.

Pam & I have decided to hold off over the winter. Saving some money and put aside an AC fund. As the fall weather has arrived, the days of AC are over. Its heat pump time and then webasto. Both systems have been checked and are working very well.

After all the feedback, I am leaning on what Ben recommended. I have cleaned all 3 units coils, we replaced all 3 units capacitors. We replaced all 3 unit shrouds & we replaced all 3 unit AC motors. The only thing I don’t see is the cork tape lining on my cold lines. Question: Where can I get the tape?

I’ll keep the current units until failure. At that point, I’ll have no choice. We’ll have the emergency fund ready for the replacements.

[Fred F.]

One great thing about an approach like that is when you maintain an older unit, have done all you can to preserve and extend its life, when the unit fails you have no hesitation to know replacing the unit is the right thing to do. That is true of all the devices on our coaches.

[Per]

2X what Jon said. Plus Chip just learned quite a bit about his roof air units which will help him down the road!

[Archived]

The learning curve on my XL has been straight up. From AC units to microphor toilets. I’m getting a wee bit smarter in areas I never really thought about. All of what I have learned is directly attributable to this forum and a CC owner I respect. Thanks