There’s nothing quite as frustrating as when you’re having RV air conditioner problems. Do you sweat it out (literally) while waiting for a repairman to come check out the problem and likely present you with a large bill, or do you attempt RV air conditioner troubleshooting yourself? If you want to go the DIY route, to get back on the road and comfortable faster, you’ve come to the right place. We’re sharing everything you need to know about RV air conditioner repair, RV air conditioner maintenance and more, so you can be an expert!
RV Air Conditioner Parts
First, let’s start with the basics with the two main RV air conditioner parts and systems. The first is the sealed system, which is typically on top of the motorhome. It contains the compressor, condenser and evaporator. In some cases, the sealed system may also include a freeze sensor to keep it from overworking. Depending on the size of your RV, you may have one or two of the rooftop units.
The second of the RV air conditioner parts is the air moving system, which includes a motor and two fans. The first fan moves the air across the condenser and one moves it across the evaporator. Of course, that’s a lot of working and moving parts, so any of these parts can need repair. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with them, so when you’re doing RV air conditioner troubleshooting, you know what you’re working with.
If you’ve decided to consult a professional, it can also be helpful to be familiar with the RV air conditioner parts to accurately describe the issues. In some cases, it can help avoid a service repair visit!
Now that you know what parts are included in your RV air conditioner, let’s talk about RV air conditioner maintenance. It’s a necessary evil, and can help you avoid RV air conditioner problems and ensure your unit lasts the test of time. Luckily, the maintenance tasks are relatively easy and quick to complete.
The first maintenance task is one you’re probably familiar with: cleaning and replacing filters regularly each month, and especially after the summer months when you’ve used the air a lot. This simple task has a dual purpose: it can help improve the life span of the RV air conditioner, but it can improve the quality of the air inside your rig. The filters can be gently washed with warm water and air dried, but if there is damage or tears, you should replace the filter.
But an even more important maintenance task is cleaning RV air conditioner. The parts of the RV air conditioner can accumulate dirt, dust and grime over time, just from natural use and age. But as it accumulates, the dirt can restrict airflow and cooling efficiency, resulting in potential RV air conditioner problems.
To begin cleaning RV air conditioner, first turn off all electricity to your air conditioning unit. Next, unscrew the white AC cover on top of your RV. Then, you’ll want to tackle actually cleaning the AC evaporator coils and condenser coils. There are special products for cleaning AC coils, but you can also utilize dust rags or an industrial wet/dry ShopVac, which can eliminate big messes.
While the top is off of the RV air conditioner, another RV air conditioner maintenance task you can complete is cleaning the AC fan motor, then servicing and oiling it.
RV Air Conditioner Troubleshooting
But even with regular, great maintenance, sometimes RV air conditioner problems just happen. While it’s difficult to diagnose and fix a problem without knowing specific details on the RV air conditioner’s type, model and layout, there are some common RV air conditioner troubleshooting repairs that may fix some issues. Some of the most common troubles include the unit not blowing cold air, not turning on, or just being noisier than usual.
With these common problems, the best RV air conditioner repair task is first to replace a new filter for the unit. Of course, if it isn’t turning on at all, you can skip replacing the filter and first check the power supply to make sure that the air conditioning unit and the RV itself are still getting power. You may have tripped a breaker or have too much electricity being used for your rig.
Another common RV air conditioner repair task is cleaning the unit, especially the air filters, fins and coils. As mentioned above, the built-up dirt, dust and grime can cause RV air conditioner problems that a good deep clean can fix!
If your RV air conditioner problems include blowing air that isn’t cold, the unit may need Freon added to it. It could also simply be too hot outside for your AC to keep up. This can be a common issue if there is just one RV air conditioner unit for a large RV. If you run into this problem often, you may want to consider adding an additional unit.
Some RV air conditioner repairs and problems are simply just due to age – some units just don’t work as well once they’ve aged. Of course, before scrapping it and getting a brand-new unit, you may want to consult a professional.
Keep these tips and tricks in mind, or bookmark this page for your monthly RV air conditioner maintenance day. By keeping all this in mind, you’re bound to have a cool RV trip – pun intended!
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