15 Minutes Make Over for Your Air Conditioner

 15 Minute Make Over for Your RV Air Conditioner

*check out the Professor’s new RV Air Conditioner Maintenance DVD in his bookstore*

The Air Conditioner on top of a Recreational Vehicle is one of the most overworked and under serviced appliances on the coach. A few simple procedures will help keep your unit operating at its peak performance.

Efficiency of Your Air Conditioner

Testing the Operation or DELTA T – A simple test with a thermometer will help tell you how your unit is operating.

1. Turn on the air conditioner and allow it to operate for at least 15 to 20 minutes so it can start cool the coach.
2. Take a pocket thermometer and insert into the return air grill of the unit – typically where the air filter is. Let it read for about 5 to 6 minutes. Note this temperature reading
3. Take the thermometer and insert in the air register that is closest to the air conditioner. Let it read for 5 to 6 minutes.
4. Compare the Return Air Temperature with the Discharge Air Temperature – this temperature difference is the efficiency of the unit or the Delta T
5. If the unit is operating properly you should see an approximate difference of temperatures of 14 to 22 degrees F.

Note: If you are in desert area the temperature will be higher as the unit only has to cool the air not strip moisture from the air.

      If you are in an area that has high humidity you will see a lower Delta T or temperature        difference due to the unit stripping the moisture from the air. You will also have a larger    amount of condensation dripping off the coach.

Cleaning the Air Filter(s) – the air filter of the unit is usually a very basic foam or screen type of filter.

*Cleaning is based upon the conditions where you are. More dust – More often

*Full Timers should inspect filter at least every 2 weeks.

Cleaning

1. Remove the filter assembly
2. Take outside of coach and dust off with hand
3. Take a pail of soapy water and dip and clean
4. Rinse with fresh water
5. Allow to dry
6. Before reinstalling the filter(s) inspect the coils that are now exposed. – these coils are the heat exchangers that take the warmer air and strip out the heat and cool it down so it can blown into the coach.
7. If there is dirt and debris – take a damp rag and gently wipe down the coils- CAUTION they will have sharp edges. Be careful not bend the fins.
8. Reinstall the air filter assembly.

 On the Roof

Coil Straightening The outside coils sometimes get bent due to tree limbs or during hail storms. They can be straighten to increase the efficiency of the air conditioning unit.

1. Access the roof of your coach – CAUTION: Always be aware of where you are on the roof of your RV. Find the rafters and step on them and be aware of the sometimes slippery conditions of the roof. – HOW close to the edge are you?
2. Take a fin comb and gently begin to work with a down ward manner straightening the fins. This task is one of patience and requires that you be gentle. This is no place to be a gorilla!!!
3. If you find fins that are excessive attempt to straighten them with a screw driver and needle nose pliers….here again patience and being gentle pays off.
4. As you straighten the coils realize you are opening the air flow path for the heat exchange of the Freon gas that is flowing inside of the tubes. Every inch you can straighten will increase the efficiency of air conditioning unit.

The Professors Law of Air Conditioning that he teaches his students is…..

In order to have cool air inside you must let the hot air out!!!!

It’s our job to help keep your wheels rolling….we’ll see you on down the highway!

Check out the Professor’s New RV Air Conditioner Maintenance DVD by going to his store at

www.MobileRVAcademy.com