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04-29-2021, 07:25 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Stillwater
Posts: 11
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2021 Alpine AC Problem
Purchased 2021 Alpine 3220RL in March 2021. First time out: outside temp 73 degrees and main cabin inside temp 76 with both AC units set at 70 on Cool with Auto fan. Returned to dealer for check. Dealer logged 76 in main cabin after 3 hours run time on 80 degree outside temp. Dealer says AC temp spread good on vent to return and did not find any issues with ducting. Anyone have issues with AC like this? Dealer only recommendation to add another AC unit! What!
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04-29-2021, 07:59 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,456
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rkmarple
Purchased 2021 Alpine 3220RL in March 2021. First time out: outside temp 73 degrees and main cabin inside temp 76 with both AC units set at 70 on Cool with Auto fan. Returned to dealer for check. Dealer logged 76 in main cabin after 3 hours run time on 80 degree outside temp. Dealer says AC temp spread good on vent to return and did not find any issues with ducting. Anyone have issues with AC like this? Dealer only recommendation to add another AC unit! What!
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20 degree differential between intake and discharge is the correct number.. The ambient temp is irrelevant...
After that it's how much of the cool air is blowing out into the trailer.. If the vents aren't allowing enough airflow... it ain't gonna get cool..
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2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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04-29-2021, 10:34 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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In a 35'+ 5th wheel with only 1 ac I doubt in outside temps above the mid 80s you will ever get too comfortable inside!
Any rv 25'+ being used in warm weather it would/should be mandatory to have 2 acs! It's much easier to turn the second off if not needed than to need it & not have it.
There are numerous threads of what to check as far as duct work & the return & output being sealed that you may want to search.
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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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04-29-2021, 11:02 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
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Those 2 A/C's should cool it off. Sounds to me like the dealer is just hoping to get rid of you. Oblige him. Find a RV repair shop or a mobile mechanic. Ask if they are an authorized warranty repair facility for your brand of A/C (Dometic?).
Cultivate a relationship with the repair shop or mobile mechanic.
Avoid the dealer like he is avoiding you.
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2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
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04-29-2021, 06:28 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 2,977
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If you haven’t removed eacc overhead AC duct then you are most likely loosing a lot of cool air in between the ceiling and roof…
Here are images of torn OEM sealing tape and last image is repair I did using aluminum HVAC tape from Walmart.
Huge difference in cooling
Also remove overhead return ducts .. 2 in LR and 2 in BR and check r9 see you don’t have a collapsed return duct..
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2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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04-30-2021, 01:08 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Colbert
Posts: 248
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Like ChuckS posted, Keystone and other RV manufacturers usually do crappy work when it comes to the AC ducting. I had to use foil duct tape at several locations to seal off the ducting properly so the cool air wasn't escaping into the ceiling area. I also purchased new vents that had better air flow and 360 degree rotatable so they can be aimed.
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2017 Avalanche 320RS 5'er
2022 Ford F-350 Lariat Ultimate with 6.7L Diesel
Andersen Ultimate 5th Wheel hitch
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04-30-2021, 03:17 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Newport
Posts: 215
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Double check the ducting. I would not trust the dealer. Really look at the baffle behind the inside cover of the unit that separates the return side from the cold side. That area is very commonly sealed poorly. Use a flashlight on one side while looking on the other side to see the air leaks. The lower and upper corners are usually suspect. Also ensure it goes all the way to the top and sticks down far enough to seal properly to the lower covers.
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2021 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 32BHS 5th Wheel
2022 F-450SD, Lariat Ultimate, CC, 4WD, FX4, Rapid Red, Curt A16/R24 Slider
Upgraded: 2020 F-250SD, XLT Pre, CC, SWB, 4WD, FX4, HCTP, 6.7 PSD, 3.55 e-lock, Blue Jeans Metallic
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04-30-2021, 03:22 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Stillwater
Posts: 11
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Thanks. Dealer says 30 degree spread on main cabin unit. Seems high to me. Could be airflow problem.
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04-30-2021, 03:24 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Stillwater
Posts: 11
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Has 2 units. Going to check airflow myself. Good idea on finding quality repair shop.
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04-30-2021, 03:30 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Newport
Posts: 215
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rkmarple
Thanks. Dealer says 30 degree spread on main cabin unit. Seems high to me. Could be airflow problem.
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That alone would make me question their diagnosis and thoroughness. 20-22° is the best your gonna get.
__________________
2021 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 32BHS 5th Wheel
2022 F-450SD, Lariat Ultimate, CC, 4WD, FX4, Rapid Red, Curt A16/R24 Slider
Upgraded: 2020 F-250SD, XLT Pre, CC, SWB, 4WD, FX4, HCTP, 6.7 PSD, 3.55 e-lock, Blue Jeans Metallic
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04-30-2021, 04:53 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
That alone would make me question their diagnosis and thoroughness. 20-22° is the best your gonna get.
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I’ve seen 30* a couple of times, but I agree 20 is the usual.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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04-30-2021, 08:41 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: El Paso
Posts: 155
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rkmarple
Purchased 2021 Alpine 3220RL in March 2021. First time out: outside temp 73 degrees and main cabin inside temp 76 with both AC units set at 70 on Cool with Auto fan. Returned to dealer for check. Dealer logged 76 in main cabin after 3 hours run time on 80 degree outside temp. Dealer says AC temp spread good on vent to return and did not find any issues with ducting. Anyone have issues with AC like this? Dealer only recommendation to add another AC unit! What!
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I added a third return grille right underneath the 2 ac units. For some reason the return air grille on the Alpines are far apart closer to the walls. By adding the 3rd grille, it made a huge difference. Now i can run just one unit and it will suffice cooling the entire coach. I've also added a few more air supply vents and changed out all the OEM vents. Before the front portion of the Alpine was always hotter in summer, now it's more balance. if i need more cooling, then i'll flip on the 2nd ac.
__________________
2021 F350 Lariat Ultimate Pkg,FX4,CC,LB
2017 Alpine 3660FL
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04-30-2021, 01:50 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Micky Town
Posts: 241
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When you were having this issue, were you on 30A? I ask because I recently thought my new rig with triple ACs were bad. Compressors kept taking turns going off, then all off. Turns out it was because on 30A, it was automatically shedding them. Had fridge and water heater on ac and oat was about 80, but couldn’t cool the cabin below about 75. Sometimes the fwd bedroom was cold, other times not. Mine has a panel that was indicating the shedding, which is what finally clued me in on it. The rear unit in the garage I had off btw.
Maybe?
Troy
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2022 Coachmen 339DS DP-don’t kick me out!
2018 Keystone Limited 3551FWMLS...Gone.
2020 Heartland 4270 Cyclone…Gone
2018 F350 CC 6.7 PSD drw…Gone.
2021 F350 CC 6.7 PSD drw Platinum…Gone
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04-30-2021, 02:16 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Stillwater
Posts: 11
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I was definitely on 50 amp. Both unit compressors running and had cold air. Just not enough air flow. Based on suggestions in this forum I have more checking to do!
Thanks for your post!
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06-06-2021, 03:12 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Port clinton
Posts: 1
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Did you ever get yours fixed. We also have a 21 Alpine with the same issues.
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06-06-2021, 05:07 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 2,977
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just returned from eight day trip with my Alpine... temps during day time was 85 degrees.. Set LR A/C at 68 and BR A/C at 65... inside temps measured with with two thermometers was around 70 degrees in LR and 65 in BR...
IF you take the time and remove all those overhead ducts and retape with good HVAC tape and inspect the returns with a cell phone on video mode you will find issues that you can fix yourself and make those A/C units work much better...
My Alpine is 8 years old and the A/C units work fine.. I've also stayed in 105 degree temps and the inside temp was usually around 75 degrees..
I place a cover over the furnace return so that all that outside heat don't come in thru basement into furnace return grill
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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06-06-2021, 05:40 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Stillwater
Posts: 11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E Rod
I added a third return grille right underneath the 2 ac units. For some reason the return air grille on the Alpines are far apart closer to the walls. By adding the 3rd grille, it made a huge difference. Now i can run just one unit and it will suffice cooling the entire coach. I've also added a few more air supply vents and changed out all the OEM vents. Before the front portion of the Alpine was always hotter in summer, now it's more balance. if i need more cooling, then i'll flip on the 2nd ac.
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Good idea!
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06-06-2021, 05:54 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Stillwater
Posts: 11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Therealdjinn
Did you ever get yours fixed. We also have a 21 Alpine with the same issues.
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Just took unit out after so called repair by dealer! Still not working! I believe all they did was shoot grill temps!
I know with the high temp spread there is airflow problem. Upon inspection with endoscope (camera), lots of trash/debris in ceiling return ducts. Also several areas of poor sealing (as mentioned in this problem thread) observed. Most unable to access. Expanded foam blocking one area. Unit reached LR 88 and BR 85 with an 82 degree ambient. This is after the repair by dealer. NOT!
Taking unit in tomorrow to dealer with a heavy discussion! Will update!
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06-06-2021, 05:56 AM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Stillwater
Posts: 11
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Update #2
Still problematic! Taking to deal tomorrow with my observations and yours on this thread! Thanks for your feedback and ideas!
More to come!
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06-19-2021, 11:28 AM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Brooklet
Posts: 1
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Having Same Issue
Let me start by saying we're new to RV living (and love it). Bought a 2020 Avalanche last year. Used all last summer (summer 2020). Had a blast. Noticed front ac didn't cool quite as well as rear ac (bedroom) but we were never uncomfortable.
Took RV to dealer after season with punch list of 11 items that needed warrantee work. They had it 4 months and really didn't fix anything.
Got it back and front ac blows warm air.
Today, on Georgia coast, it is 83 degrees, cloudy, and humid. Front ac blowing 80 degree air. Rear ac blowing 40 degree air (I actually calibrated by thermometer and rechecked that value).
In front, we have two air returns and two small round registers. Good air flow on both returns but only one register is blowing warm air.
I have tried everything in my limited knowledge of RVs to fix. We have a trip coming up to Texas in July to visit the old folks and we really, really would like to take our RV.
Up top, the capacitors are both good (had 'em checked) but the compressor is running very hot.
Questions...
1. how do I check the freon level or is this even possible?
2. every video I have watched shows Coleman AC units have large square bezel on ceiling underneath AC unit. I do not have this. Does Keystone use ducting instead of large square bezel? If so, has anyone heard of ducting issues on Keystones creating an issue like this?
Dealer we bought our Avalanche is now out of business. Keystone was not much help over the phone. In this part of the world it takes approx 4-6 months to get an RV serviced (Camping World our only remaining option for service).
Does anyone have any suggestions on what I might try to fix this? IT seems like compressor is running albeit not efficiently.
We're getting concerned about spending a week in East Texas in a 41' RV with only 1 AC.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
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