Need a replacement AC unit. - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Pinn · 07-13-2014, 12:52 PM

Having a great time at the lake until our AC unit decided it doesn't want to work correctly. WE now need to purchase another one. Any good deals out there anywhere?

campthewestcoast · 07-13-2014, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinn

Having a great time at the lake until our AC unit decided it doesn't want to work correctly. WE now need to purchase another one. Any good deals out there anywhere?

Are your sure you need a whole unit or a replacement part ?

Pinn · 07-13-2014, 04:27 PM

The ac unit froze up quite a few times and at others blew warm air. As far as I know these units are closed systems and cannot be recharged. Am I wrong?

JackandJanet · 07-13-2014, 04:52 PM

Pinn, I think if it freezes, it will blow warm air, so the one may be a result of the other.

While the refrigerant may be low, and I don't know if it can be recharged, it may just need cleaning. I've not done mine, since I've only used it about 3 times, but there MAY be a filter that can be cleaned and you might be able to clean the coils if you take the cover off.

Cleaning would certainly be cheaper than replacement.

- Jack

charlie b · 07-13-2014, 07:38 PM

Jack is right, if it is freezing up it is a sign the coils are dirty and can't get enough air through them to dry them the moisture freezes. If it works good for a while is isn't lack of freon.
I once took a window air conditioner in for repair and it was the dirt that caused it to malfunction. My fault, I ran it with out a filter.

Pinn · 07-13-2014, 08:56 PM

Filters are clean, I just pulled them out and they looked pretty good. Got the cover removed and removed two decent sized wasp nests. Going to clean the coils tomorrow evening and see if that does the trick.

Pinn · 07-19-2014, 07:05 PM

After cleaning the coils and the filters and testing on a hot/humid day, the ac still doesn't want to work correctly. ..... Off to the shop it will go now.
I'm out of ideas.

Pinn · 07-21-2014, 07:13 PM

After several phone consultations, It has been determined that the AC unit needs to be replaced. After playing phone and email tag with a couple of repair crews, the AC unit will be replaced next week. He is even going to come to my house and work on the UFO. Less than I expected to pay but more than I wanted to spend.

Luckydog671 · 07-21-2014, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinn

After several phone consultations, It has been determined that the AC unit needs to be replaced. After playing phone and email tag with a couple of repair crews, the AC unit will be replaced next week. He is even going to come to my house and work on the UFO. Less than I expected to pay but more than I wanted to spend.

That's a bummer! It would be interesting to know what the cause of failure was.

Pinn · 07-21-2014, 07:57 PM

From what I understand I have to haul off the old unit. Hopefully we will find out the cause of the failure. I've had older units work better than this one has.

sam · 07-21-2014, 10:47 PM

The AC unit is really heavy. Our hi lo dealer used a fork lift to to put the new one up on the roof for instillation. What brand do others have on their HiLO? How do you like it? Any negatives. Ours is a carrier and works very well on our 25footer Classic. One advantage is that it came with a warranty. Priceless on a very hot muggy day. Our expensive hobby!!

Luckydog671 · 07-21-2014, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam

The AC unit is really heavy. Our hi lo dealer used a fork lift to to put the new one up on the roof for instillation. What brand do others have on their HiLO? How do you like it? Any negatives. Ours is a carrier and works very well on our 25footer Classic. One advantage is that it came with a warranty. Priceless on a very hot muggy day. Our expensive hobby!!

Hi Sam,

Ours is a Duo Therm Penguin (Dometic):

Dometic Duo Therm Penguin Air Conditioners on Sale - eRV Parts Superstore

Jeff H · 07-22-2014, 07:48 AM

We had the A/C unit on our 2207T replaced in early May with the Dometic Penguin II. The original was also a Dometic Penguin and even though the new one has a sleeker design and is touted as being quieter, it is still loud in the camper. However, it works great! The original unit died last August but the problems started 4th of July weekend. One night we experienced a single breaker trip in the camper and later at the electrical post that weekend but could not determine why. During an August trip, the smoke detector went off one night but there was no visible reason why and shortly after that the A/C would just work as a fan. The unit smelled burnt so maybe that is why the smoke detector went off (very sensitive, which is good!). I don't know for sure but I believe the problem was caused (or started) by insufficient/poor electricity at that heavily used campground July 4th weekend. I have since bought a 30 Amp Portable Electrical Management System (surge protector) that will also shut things down if voltage levels are too high (above 132V) or too low (below 104V). I figure that it is a $250 insurance policy so that I don't have to pay another $1200 for A/C replacement or possibly refrigerator, water heater, etc.
Hope this helps you out.

Jeff

Pinn · 07-22-2014, 08:20 AM

My repair guy is going to install an Advent model. Not sure how he is going to get it on the roof since he is coming to my house.

Luckydog671 · 07-22-2014, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinn

My repair guy is going to install an Advent model. Not sure how he is going to get it on the roof since he is coming to my house.

Maybe something like this?

Pinn · 07-22-2014, 09:25 AM

Oh My, I hope not.

Pinn · 07-29-2014, 10:25 AM

Repair guy is at the house now replacing the unit.. Wish I could be there to watch him.

notanlines · 07-29-2014, 02:33 PM

Pinn, we just drove by your house and it looks just exactly the way Greg described.....

Garry · 07-29-2014, 02:51 PM

Pinn, when I drove by the bamboo scaffold had collapsed, but the a/c appeared to be okay. She was standing there in her little grass skirt with a big palm branch furiously fanning the repair guy.

Luckydog671 · 07-29-2014, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

Pinn, we just drove by your house and it looks just exactly the way Greg described.....

Let's hope not!