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Old 03-12-2021, 08:36 AM   #1
Bnrc73
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A/C cleaning

What’s everyone using to clean your air conditioners coils? My unit doesn’t seem to be working very efficiently unless I turn it down into the 60s. At 72 plus the fan doesn’t shut off but the compressor doesn’t seem to kick in. I’ve been told that 11 years on a unit is a pretty good run. Maybe it’s reaching end of life. Any ideas out there? Thanks
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Old 03-12-2021, 09:17 AM   #2
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We use compressed air, take the cover off and get busy!! Make sure your return filter is clean, an if the coils inside looked clogged with dirt I suppose you could blow them out.
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Old 03-12-2021, 10:12 AM   #3
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My original A/C was 16 years old (13.5K BTU Dometic) and worked fine. Not sure if an A/C wears out and gets less effective but you may have a bit of a refrigerant leak over time? Anyway, I strongly recommend you NOT take garden hose to the upper unit coils. I don't know you well enough to explain the reason I know this. It is an effective way to clean the coils AND the floor in your camper.
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Old 03-12-2021, 01:17 PM   #4
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It is an effective way to clean the coils AND the floor in your camper.[/QUOTE]

I personally will keep that in mind because I had thought about doing it..... Experience is the best teacher... I'll be using compressed air... Thanks..
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Old 03-12-2021, 01:40 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Bnrc73 View Post
What’s everyone using to clean your air conditioners coils? My unit doesn’t seem to be working very efficiently unless I turn it down into the 60s. At 72 plus the fan doesn’t shut off but the compressor doesn’t seem to kick in. I’ve been told that 11 years on a unit is a pretty good run. Maybe it’s reaching end of life. Any ideas out there? Thanks
Your description is a little confusing to me but sometimes I wake up confused. Turning the tstat down will not make it cool any quicker and the fan/compressor should still operate the same, just turn off at a lower temp. The system is sealed so as long as there's no leak and the coils and fan are clean it should continue to run.

As for cleaning, I hose the outside coil with water when washing the trailer. Have never had to go further than that but it will depend on the environment where you camp. For example: upstate NY is notorious for cotton wood trees clogging coils. High winds at the beach or desert SW can trap sand in the coil's.

On our unit the A/C return is very close to the LR door so outside conditions can clog the filter rather easily. I keep a close eye on the filter, cleaning it every day if it's a real dusty place. OI keep a can of computer "dust off" and when I pull down the filter to wash it I'll blow out the inside coil. I also keep a can of Nu-Calgon Evap Foam No Rinse (part #4171-75) in with the cleaning supplies. I'll turn the unit off, spray the coil; and let it set for about 10 min then turn the unit back on. The condensate on the coil will flush out the remaining foam and dirt. It has a lemon scent to it makes it smell fresh as well.

This has worked for me for several trailers over the years. YMMV
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Old 03-12-2021, 02:13 PM   #6
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What’s everyone using to clean your air conditioners coils? My unit doesn’t seem to be working very efficiently unless I turn it down into the 60s. At 72 plus the fan doesn’t shut off but the compressor doesn’t seem to kick in. I’ve been told that 11 years on a unit is a pretty good run. Maybe it’s reaching end of life. Any ideas out there? Thanks
It may be the thermostat..either if it’s one on the wall or the one on the unit itself... you say it works when you turn it down to 60 but not when you want it at 72?..as far as the refrigerant it should stay in there forever unless there is a leak or someone has worked on the refrigeration side and didn’t charge it properly. I would clean the coils but wouldn’t expect a big difference unless they were noticeably dirty.
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Old 03-13-2021, 08:01 AM   #7
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Sorry. I had a senior brain f#$&. I had just the fan a few days ago and had the fan set on low. Forgot to turn it back to auto when I turned on the A/C. Seems to be working ok now. Thanks for the cleaning tips anyway. Think I’ll use compressed air and call it good.
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Old 03-13-2021, 08:20 AM   #8
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It is an effective way to clean the coils AND the floor in your camper.
I personally will keep that in mind because I had thought about doing it..... Experience is the best teacher... I'll be using compressed air... Thanks..[/QUOTE]

You don't have to be a detective to guess where the water went...
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Old 03-13-2021, 09:11 AM   #9
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If washing with water caused it to leak into the trailer, you need to remove the ceiling assembly and tighten the 4 screws that hold the roof unit to the RV, the gasket is compressed and needs re compressing from time to time.
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Old 03-13-2021, 02:58 PM   #10
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Old 03-13-2021, 05:00 PM   #11
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Turning the tstat down will not make it cool any quicker and the fan/compressor should still operate the same, just turn off at a lower temp.
Ya think you can get that through to my DW... ? I've been trying to for years and it just never sinks in at home...
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Old 03-13-2021, 05:30 PM   #12
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Ya think you can get that through to my DW... ? I've been trying to for years and it just never sinks in at home...
Couldn't begine to. our anniversary in 9 days will be 41 yrs of marrige. I haven't made her understanjd either.
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Old 03-13-2021, 06:00 PM   #13
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Gotta luv ‘em!! Mine is convinced she needs the AC running to keep her cool as she blow dries her hair.
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Old 03-13-2021, 06:12 PM   #14
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Ya think you can get that through to my DW... ? I've been trying to for years and it just never sinks in at home...
Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
Couldn't begine to. our anniversary in 9 days will be 41 yrs of marrige. I haven't made her understanjd either.
On a new construction job I was on years ago they installed a replacement thermostat in a locked closet and left the old thermostat on the wall for all the different contractors who kept turning the stat up or down all day

You would get carpenters coming in dressed for working outside in the winter and then right behind them a sheet rocker would come in wearing a tshirt ...it was hard to keep everyone happy
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Old 03-13-2021, 07:29 PM   #15
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"Back in the day" I worked for a retailer that specd a tstat by Lightstat. You vould set up the temp spread and it didn't matter where anyone set the lever to.
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Old 03-15-2021, 11:23 AM   #16
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You don't have to be a detective to guess where the water went... [/QUOTE]

Thats what the FBI would call a clue.... LOL

Chuckster, I'll have to keep that in mind too... makes sense...what doesn't come loose after moving around for awhile..
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