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Tibof View Drop Down
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Joined: 19 Sep 2017
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Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Another AC Issue
    Posted: 15 Aug 2020 at 11:17pm
Originally posted by mcarter

What did your AC tech say? No opinion.

To be clear, the unit has not been on-site examined by a tech.  They are slammed and two weeks out.  But he was kind and generous enough to offer an over the phone opinion based on what I had found to that point. He guessed it was a freon issue but was mystified by the breakers tripping. What I had not found then was that the fan will start with an assist spin.  And now no breakers are tripping.  Even if the unit is a dead, nothing new can be gotten due to Dometic covid/hurricane interruption (I am told).  So there's time to probe things.  And I've found  that in decision making situations where a variety of variables are involved and a wealth orf experience from others can be consulted, it pays to explore.  OTOH, if a competent tech had examined the unit and concluded it was time for the junk heap, I wouldn't be wasting my time of that of anyone else. So I appreciate all the insight.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 5:10am
Sometimes shop recommendations don't necessarily align with what an owner might do given a choice. Shop rates are high and its risky for them to turn a tech loose on something unknown which might take a few hours to troubleshoot and repair when just throwing on a new one can be done quickly for a known amount.

If you have a week or two to evaluate then I'd suggest getting a DMM that can measure capacitance and ac current as well as the usual voltage and resistance and doing some testing in the meantime. Can't really go wrong investing in the proper tools, and this stuff is so inexpensive now....If you don't already have one that does clamp on dc current then I'd highly recommend that too for future use on your 12V circuits. 

A quick look on Amazon shows that the latest ones also include temp and non contact voltage testers, how cool is that? Almost makes we want to buy another meter but I have 5 or 6 already dang it.  Wink
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 7:40am
First thing to address is the start/run capacitor since you say the fan will start if given an assist. I recently had to replace a start capacitor on a motor that also would just sit there and hum until given a push. Then it started and ran just fine. Once you get the fan fixed, you may (or may not) find that the compressor is okay. However, if you are going to try to fix it, address the fan motor first. It will likely be the most cost-effective route. If you get the fan working and then it still has issues, you won't be so financially in on it and it may make the decision to repair or replace easier.
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Tibof View Drop Down
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Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 1:48pm
Given the small cost involved, I am going to replace the capacitor (there's only one) as soon as I can get one.  I can do all of the testing necessary, but if its not the capacitor, then the unit is toast.  Clearly it is getting power.  To me, the fan starting with an asset is the revealing clue pointing to capacitor.  I'll eventually report back.
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 2:31pm
I look forward to reading your report.
StephenH
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2020 at 2:39pm
+1
Mike Carter
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2020 at 6:21am
Originally posted by Tibof

Given the small cost involved, I am going to replace the capacitor (there's only one) as soon as I can get one.  I can do all of the testing necessary, but if its not the capacitor, then the unit is toast.  Clearly it is getting power.  To me, the fan starting with an asset is the revealing clue pointing to capacitor.  I'll eventually report back.

Only one? There should be 2 capacitors in there, at least that is what I've seen. What model a/c do you have?
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Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2020 at 10:08am
Dometic Penguin  641915C751J0.  Dometic parts for it show one capacitor.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2020 at 10:15am
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/support/dometic-penguin-ii-_-20772

Hmmm...Schematic on pg 11 shows a run cap for the compressor and fan and a start cap for the compressor. That's how mine is, mine is also a 2015. 
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Posts: 115 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2020 at 12:37pm
I see what you mean.  But you don't have the correct model.  The one my kids have is 641915C751J0.  It does have a hard start kit available, too.  But I don't yet know if that's standard and on there.

Sorry.  One number was incorrect.
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