R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > I need HELP!!!
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Another AC Issue
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedAnother AC Issue
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Tibof View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 19 Sep 2017
Location: North Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Another AC Issue
    Posted: 13 Aug 2020 at 7:59pm
Sorry for the double subforum post.  I mistakenly initially posted this under "Maintenance". 

AC has been fine to this point.  Now, when plugged into shore power (home or campground) it blows the shore breaker.  Generator ran the AC just fine, but now it shuts down in overload.  I have no experience with AC, so suggestions as to starting point would be much appreciated.  I can check the compressor and the capacitor, but I want to consult the collective wisdom of the Forum before tearing into this. All other systems in the Pod are running fine. My son recently reported that AC attempted to start with a groan then shut down.
2015 Pod Hood River Edition
2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter
Back to Top
Tibof View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 19 Sep 2017
Location: North Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 2020 at 6:09pm
Got the unit to kick on and start.  Fan runs but AC cycles on and off every few minutes.  Local AC RV repair says in their opinion, it's a freon issue and not worth repairing.  Five years old, used very little, and ready for the trash.  New ones are slow in production and not available.  When they are, the cost is around $1000 or so, just for the unit.  Has this been a great RV  or what!   
2015 Pod Hood River Edition
2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter
Back to Top
offgrid View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 2020 at 8:33pm
Originally posted by Tibof

Got the unit to kick on and start.  Fan runs but AC cycles on and off every few minutes.  Local AC RV repair says in their opinion, it's a freon issue and not worth repairing.  Five years old, used very little, and ready for the trash.  New ones are slow in production and not available.  When they are, the cost is around $1000 or so, just for the unit.  Has this been a great RV  or what!   

When you say its cycling on and off, you mean the compressor is cycling? Is the pod getting cool when the compressor is running? If so then it sounds normal. My a/c runs pretty short cycles as well, especially if its not very hot out. Might only be on for 3-4 minutes, then off for 5-6 or so. The temp differential between compressor turn on and off is called hysteresis and is set by the thermostat not the a/c. 

OTOH if the compressor is running but the a/c isn't cooling the pod then that is quite likely a refrigerant leak...
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
Back to Top
Tibof View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 19 Sep 2017
Location: North Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2020 at 10:31am
Cycling without cooling anything is the issue. Cycling after just several minutes.  OTOH, it is still a mystery why it was previously tripping shore source breakers at campground and back home — no breaker tripped in Pod. Now its not doing that.  
2015 Pod Hood River Edition
2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter
Back to Top
offgrid View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2020 at 11:29am
If the evaporator doesn't get cold at all in the short time the compressor is on then its probably the refrigerant as your service center suggests. Otherwise I'd suspect the thermostat. Both the compressor overload and freeze protection shutoffs can also cause short cycling. If you have a clamp on current meter you could see what the compressor is drawing, that might tell you something. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
Back to Top
Tibof View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 19 Sep 2017
Location: North Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2020 at 2:30pm
It does not run long enough to get cold, even if there is no problem.  Couple of minutes is all.  It struggles to start.  Discovered fan requires a spin to start.  Then runs and restarts just fine.  Will take it in for a diagnosis or do one myself before tossing the unit and getting a new one.  But the local shop was puzzled as to reason for breaker on shore source tripping — which it is no longer doing.  That has me wondering about freon being the issue.  
2015 Pod Hood River Edition
2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter
Back to Top
mcarter View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2020 at 5:05pm
I think I would trust the on-site AC tech. Always good to get second opinion, before complete replacement, however his assessment seems right to me.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
Back to Top
offgrid View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2020 at 5:10pm
If both the compressor and fan motor are having problems it might be the run/fan capacitor. If its bulging leaking or shorted then its toast. Be sure to short the terminals out on it before handling it, they hold a charge. Beyond that if you don't have access to a meter that can measure capacitance you could consider just replacing it and see if that helps. Cost is around $40. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
Back to Top
Tibof View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 19 Sep 2017
Location: North Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2020 at 6:26pm
Basically, the capacitor is about all that can be reasonably replaced.  Given the cost, my instinct was  to throw that part at the problem.  All of these opinions are helpful.
2015 Pod Hood River Edition
2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter
Back to Top
mcarter View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2020 at 6:37pm
What did your AC tech say? No opinion.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz