RV Air Conditioner Maintenance - New Gasket Seal + Clean & Lube
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- Опубліковано 20 кві 2021
- In this video, I replace the sponge gasket the seals our Cougar fifth wheel's rooftop air conditioner. Our RV is now 10 years old, and recently I spotted a few dribbles of water coming out of the inside AC panel.
I solved the problem temporarily by tightening the mounting assembly, but I figured the old gaskets days were numbered. So, I ordered a new sponge gasket and waited for a nice day to get up on the roof and pull off the AC. Our AC is a Coleman Mach 3 Plus.
Since I had the AC removed, I decided it would be prudent to bring it down for a good clean, lube, and inspection. I gave both the condenser and evaporator coils a clean and straightened any bend fins. Then, I lubed the fan motor bearing and coated any rusty-looking parts with Lippert Chassis Shield Rust Inhibiting Spray.
Related Links:
Previous AC Maintenance Tips Video - www.loveyourrv.com/rv-air-con...
Recent Slide Roof Replacement Videos - www.loveyourrv.com/alpha-syst...
Camco Universal Replacement RV AC Gasket - amzn.to/3tLbU3G
Eternabond Tape Reveiw - www.loveyourrv.com/rv-roof-re...
Hard Start Capacitor Installation - www.loveyourrv.com/installing...
Routine Roof Maintenance Tips - www.loveyourrv.com/routine-rv...
Boeshield Lubricant Review - www.loveyourrv.com/update-on-...
Lippert Chassis Shield Spray - amzn.to/3xpdTNg
LA's Totally Awesome Review - www.loveyourrv.com/las-totall...
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*Previous LYRV AC Maintenance Tips Video* - www.loveyourrv.com/rv-air-conditioner-maintenance-tips/
Nicely done you're a good neighbor to us all no matter where we are.
Yes do an. easy start review
Good video Ray. those bearings sounded prity noise when you were turning that motor by hand.
Its always sounded the same when spinning by hand for me and it has worked for years with no change. This is 3 1/2 years ago - ua-cam.com/video/sz79Kr_86PY/v-deo.html I never tried it new or in the first number of years so not sure what normal is. Cheers, Ray
Wow I didn't know you was a bee keeper so am I nice to know love my girls.
I'm not, but love the hive tool. :)
Thanks.
Have you looked into an EasyStart? Something to consider instead of a hard start kit. Your 2000 watt genny should work. Plenty of UA-cam how to’s on an install.
Both EasyStart and SoftStart have offered to send me free review samples in the past as I mentioned in this video and asked if there was any interest in me installing them for review ua-cam.com/video/UKajweIFh4M/v-deo.html
The bearings sounds very loud in the video. Great content, thank you.
Likely the camera mic, it seems to amplify higher pitches, I notice that with birds and the seaplanes around here. It is actually as quiet or quieter than its ever been. Cheers, Ray
I installed an EasyStart and my Honda EU2000i will start and run the Coleman Mach 13.5K BTU AC. I have only tested at 4000 ft elevation and ECO mode must be off. It would be interesting to what happens at sea level.
Cool, that's good to hear.
Bolts should be tightened to 40 to 50 inch pound. See if you can get the new RV Air Styrofoam insert to install work really well, but costly. Thanks Ray and Ann
The Coleman Mach AC install instructions referenced little yellow tabs they have on the OEM gasket, you torque the nuts until they are aligned with the bottom of the roof board
"Proper tension has been achieved for each bolt
when any portion of each gasket indicating tab has
been pulled down even with the roof. See Figure 4.
The upper unit has now been properly installed with
optimum gasket compression. "
I sort of guesstimated with the Camco universal replacement gasket as the instructions only said in bold do *not* overtighten and refer to OEM manual. But Camco had no tabs to reference.
@@LoveYourRV Thanks Ray
“Ray’s RV Services”....i’m definitely a customer!
I guess if we ever stop traveling I can fire up Love Your RV! mobile repairs. :)
Thanks Ray, You certainly love your RV ! Your AC job would have taken me two trips to the store and a nap in between. Keep the videos coming, I am almost convinced I can refresh my rig on my own !
Would be nice to see how a soft start is installed and operates.
Thank you for the info. Need to check mine out.
Been installing the capacitors like that since the 1980's but I knew about them from the 1960's. Only two that I've seen now that put one in a RV AC I would rather give that a try before spending hundreds for any Soft Start system. I never spent over $15 for the capacitor including for 15,000 btu 220 amp AC. Back in the day we called those capacitors a "rejuveinator" capacitor.
By the way the voltage in those capacitors can pick up a large man from sitting on a floor and throw em across a room. I've seen it happen also. They were in all of the old tube TV's. Always ground already attached capacitors because even with the power source cut off or unplugged they can build up full voltage from picking up static in the air that finds it's way to the electrical system. Especially if you know they are made up of paper and foil winding inside.
You bet. I used to be a TV/Stereo repairman back in the day and remember repairing the old vacuum tube TVs and radios. Some the large electrolytic DC power supply caps in them held over 400 volts DC. They would wake you up real fast! ;)
I would love to see you do a review of the Soft Start. I see people using solar to run an AC after they have installed a Soft Start, If ‘’Ray” said you could run an AC off solar with a Soft Start, that would carry significant weight given the help you have provided over the years.
I would be interested in seeing the Soft Start review. Is the AC heavy? I heard the had part was getting a new one on the roof.
It is about 80 lbs. or so I think. I have a good back so wasn't too bad but likely best to be a 2 man job.
Thanks for sharing Ray! I have the same AC unit and need to replace mine. Only leaks when driving in heavy rain, so I have to get under there and check things out.
You're welcome. :)
Another great video Ray, thank you so much. I sure learn a lot from you
I installed one of the soft starts and it is a Soft Start. The last part of the installation is to start and stop the AC 5 times so the softstart unit can determine the settings that it needs to adjust itself to. After the 3rd restart I could not detect it starting the compressor. I opened the roof vent right by the AC and I still couldn't hear it start. I just knew it was because it started getting cold. It has to be easier on the compressor motor as stated. It defiantly is a lot less draw on my 3500 Champion.
Ray, i enjoy your channel. I know you’re not an AC tech or an electrician, but i like your thought process. I have a problem i hope you’ll suggest a solution. I own a small RV 20’ and it has an AC that is too big and strong for the space. (Unusual problem I know.) In hot and humid Florida it runs a short time, then is off a short time. It repeats this cycle over and over. It doesn’t remove moisture from the air.
Can you think of a way to reduce the speed of fan so the the ac would run longer when it cycles on? Thermostat has a fan hi and lo speed, but the low is not low enough. Thanks, Greg from Tennessee.
I wouldn't tamper with the fan speed or block the vents it could overheat the compressor but I would experiment with the thermostat location or maybe the AC is blowing right on it and a vent could be adjusted away from it. Also, you could leave the fan on always-on mode, not auto, and then the compressor would cycle as needed for cooling but it would be less noticeable as the fan would always be running.
@@LoveYourRV thank you
I'd install one of the East Start's if they are going to send you one for free. I had one on my roof top A/C when I had a trailer and the nice thing about it is that you can barely notice the compressor start as before it would dim the lights and groan even on shore power.
Hello Ray, I would like to see your option of the “Soft Start” install experience. I’m thinking about adding one to my 2017 Navion.
As always, another great video Ray.
Regarding the mounting bolts.. I saw another video where they referenced them where they said to torque them between 40-50 inch pounds.
The Coleman Mach AC install instructions referenced little tabs they have on the OEM gasket, you torque the nuts until they are aligned with the bottom of the roof board
"Proper tension has been achieved for each bolt
when any portion of each gasket indicating tab has
been pulled down even with the roof. See Figure 4.
The upper unit has now been properly installed with
optimum gasket compression. "
I sort of guesstimated with the Camco universal replacement gasket as the instructions only said in bold do *not* overtighten and refer to OEM manual. But Camco had no tabs to reference.
Your take such good care of your rig Ray. Ill follow your lead when I get mine. Lol
Thanks again for lift. And the calm voice in a crazy world. Lol
Thanks, trying to make it last as we love rig and new ones are so expensive these days. :)
I had a similar problem with a small leak from my Carrier AC unit. It seems the foam gasket compresses unevenly by the weight of the unit and can loosen in spots over time. (My rig and AC unit are both 2003 vintage.) I found the hold-down bolts had become barely finger-tight over 18 years (and two previous owners), so I tightened the bolts and the leak stopped. Eventually, I will have to replace the gaskets, if not the entire AC unit, since it will not last forever. Considering how old it is, it still runs perfectly well and receives a yearly cleaning. Stay cool!
Makes sense, I'll tighten them a bit more in a week or two as the foam compresses a bit. At least living full time in the RV I can spot issues pretty quickly! Notice the puddle on the floor right away. :)
If you want to get better airflow I highly recommend the RV Airflow diverter box. It also makes the AC quieter.
Thanks for the tip,. Our air flow is great, I always leave the fan on low, but quieter would be nice. :)
Wow, they sure want a chunk of money for what looks like Styrofoam?
They are pricey. I made one from pink foam board and aluminum tape. Big difference in air flow, really helps in Florida. I also replaced the inside grill with a 16 x 16 filter back return air grill like in your house. It only sticks down a half an inch more.
Thanks, guess I haven't cared too much about AC since we summer on the mild west coast of Canada and usually winter in the southwest where its not that hot that time of year, fans are usually plenty. I can imagine in FLA in the summer months it would make a huge difference! Cheers, Ray
Ray a cheap fix is adding reflective duct tape in the AC cavity helps the air to go into the vents instead of the roof cavity..
Great job Ray! Always find your videos informative and honest. Hope to see ya down in the States soon.
I hope so too!
A/C 101, great job, as usual. I had several questions that were all answered by your comments section. 80 lbs on your back up a step ladder, WoW! TKS!!
I spent over 25 years as a tv repairman so got really good at carrying heavy objects. Its all about technique and balance. Those old CRT TVs were a load! I was happy when LCD came around. :) Cheers, Ray
Another great video. By the way we are looking at Cougar Travel Trailers.
Hi Ray thanks for a great video. I am emailing about your choice of lubricant for the fan motor bearing. In your opinion that is a good fan bearing lubricant?
I wasn't technically lubricating the bearing but added a few drops of Boeshield T-9 rust inhibitor/lubricant boeshield.com/ to the point the shaft exits the motor case. In the past, I have had rust build up there to the point that the motor seized and would not start. I believe the actual bearings on this motor are sealed and don't need to be lubed. I can't see any oil fill ports. Cheers, Ray
I would like to know how you got the a/c off and then back on the rig. By yourself?
Wow popular question! ask about a half dozen times so far. Guess I should have videoed it. :) Guess I'm strong or something. Just put it on my shoulder to carry the weight and my Werner folding ladder setup to my slide roof, then muscled it on and off the main roof. I think it weighs about 80 lbs. So sort of heavy, but I have a good back. Would be much easier with a helper but really wasn't too bad for me.
I was stunned when a friend replaced his 15 year old home air conditioner instead of having it repaired. I’m a cheapskate, as long as there are parts and skilled technicians , I’ll repair every time.
Nice Job Ray, it will last for many more years. I got the same A/c unit as yours on my 2011 Flagstaff TT. Back in 2017 my A/c not cooling, compressor not coming on. found that black box like yours with the power wires and the 9-pin connector on it, was bad on my unit. Troubleshooted it and found the compressor relay was bad you here it click but the contacts were burnt open. The whole board was $54.99 on eBay at the time. so I improvised and used a 40A 4 pin square box Relay you get at the auto parks store, it has enough room in the box in a corner to put it and ran some wires over to the relay on the board to bypass the bad relay. now the box is working again and no problems since with the A/c. I developed a chart to add 12v input simulating the thermostat to the board and ohming out the 9 pin connector checking the relays and hear the Fan Hi & Low speeds & Compressor relays clicking on and off for future testing if needed.
Cool, thanks for the info, good fix. :)
Have a Honda 2200 generator, could not run my Dometic AC unit, in rush current to great. Add micro air soft start, works perfect now. I would recommend adding one even if you do do not use for boondocking very much. Just having the compressor ramp up slow instead of a full in rush current really makes the difference.
My only question is how did get it off and back on the roof?
Just put it on my shoulder to carry the weight and my Werner folding ladder setup to my slide roof, then muscled it on and off the main roof. I think it weighs about 80 lbs. so kind of heavy but I have a good back. Would be much easier with a helper. :)
"I LOVE WATCHING YOUR INFO VIDEOS ON RV TIPS"!
I have learned ALOT
Your really good at demonstrating and explaining each step by step,,
And one more thing I noticed,,. The first video I saw of yours,,
I thought ,,"he sounds like somebody"
Then it came to me,,
Your the ,,"Steve Correl" of RV 's
Oops!
It's Steve CARELL
Why not drill the drain holes out bigger (staying within the confines of the area)?
That's a good question, I wonder why the OEM chose such a small drain hole size. I don't see any reason for them to be so small.
Y6L457C21
$159.92
Fasco, Zhongshan Broad-Ocean, Coleman 1/3 HP, 115V, 1675/1080 RPM, 2 Speed, CWLE, Double Shaft, RV Blower Motor Replacement
• OEM Upgraded Fasco Blower Motor
Model: Y6L457C21
Manufactured by: Fasco
Thanks
I installed a SoftStart last year on my trailer in hopes of running the AC with my Honda 2000i gen. while boondocking. It works great! We don't use it very often but it sure is nice when you want to! It, of course, helps the normal startup when on short power. That said, I'd love to replace it with a mini-split. Does anyone know if there is a roof top mini-split option yet?
Ray, how did you get it off and back up on the RV?
Just put it on my shoulder to carry the weight and my Werner folding ladder setup to my slide roof, then muscled it on and off the main roof. I think it weighs about 80 lbs. so kind of heavy but I have a good back. Would be much easier with a helper. :)
You the man Ray, do you have any appointments available, so you can work on mind.
It's Steve CARELL
How did you get the the AC off of the roof and back on? Does it take more than one person?
Just put it on my shoulder to carry the weight and my Werner folding ladder setup to my slide roof, then muscled it on and off the main roof. I think it weighs about 80 lbs. so kind of heavy but I have a good back. Would be much easier with a helper. :)
I am considering a soft start module for one of the AC units on our rv so that we can cool the rig off for a good nights sleep while on the road without hook ups. If you are afforded the opportunity to review a unit, I would certainly be interested in installation and performance.
Likely with summer approaching the companies will be looking for reviews. If approached I'll grab one and giver a test. I have a so-called 2000W generator so will be interesting to see if it could run the AC.
@@LoveYourRV I had one installed in my class B, I have a generac 2200, one of those super quiet generators, and before getting the softstart installed, the generator would trip everytime, but now the AC runs. The lights dim badly for a few seconds but it starts up just fine. Just make sure you size the units to your AC power/BTUs, there's different models.
Ray, yes to the easy start review. I am east of the Mississippi river and need air-conditioning many times of the spring to fall. Also, have you considered some of the AC mods to improve airflow?
Another great video, I just recently went up on my roof , 2019 hideout and some critter chewed on the lap sealant and chewed a hole the size of a loonie right the rubber membrane. In 2 places, I sealed it up with eterna bond tape , I didn't want to go through insurance, how long will that tape last, in harsh Ontario weather
It should last quite a while, I have stuff that has been up there for over 6 years now, still in great shape. I think the harshest climate for it is summers in AZ since it gets so hot and sunny there. The UV is really bad.
A wire brush on a drill works great for removing the gasket. Just an FYI for next time.
Thanks for the tip!
How would I go about changing out my foam gasket if my ac is ducted? I have the exact same ac unit but mine does not have an access panel in the RV that is visible, it's just ducts. So I have no way to unscrew those long bolts because there is no cover to remove from inside.
Weird, I guess you have to find out how your AC is removed from the rooftop. Try to find its make and model number and see if the manual is online.. Cheers, Ray
Come to Niagara Falls Ray 13 cm snow last night , shocker, good idea about trying Softstart as I have your generator but have 15,000 btu air, nice job on AC service, how you get that air off roof.
Seems Ontario and BC are always opposite weather. It suppose to cool down in a couple days so I guess you'll warm up. I took it up and down by myself, just used my shoulder to carry the weight and my Werner ladder setup to my slide roof, then muscled it onto the main roof. I think it weighs about 80 lbs. so kind of heavy but I have a good back.
Your better man than me, they be carrying me to hospital after i tried that
Thanks Ray!. Like 116
As always a great video. THANKS. Did you consider enlarging the drain holes to lessen the chance of them getting plugged with debris?
Good idea!
Try a heat gun to heat the glue.
Those fan bearings sound really bad they should be almost silent when you spin the shaft.
Strange as its always sounded the same when spinning by hand and it has worked for years with no change. This is 3 1/2 years ago - ua-cam.com/video/sz79Kr_86PY/v-deo.html
Hey Ray how did you get the AC off the roof and on. What’s the weight on those?
I took it up and down by myself, just used my shoulder to carry the weight and my Werner folding ladder setup to my slide roof, then muscled it onto the main roof. I think it weighs about 80 lbs. so kind of heavy but I have a good back. Would be much easier with a helper. :)
2nd!
just fyi LA totally awesome will eat that coil so I wouldnt use that to clean it
You think it would eat right through the copper coil even if rinsed well? Seems pretty extreme. I'd think at worse if left on it may dull the aluminum fins a little bit, but could be wrong. The bottle does list air conditioner and aircraft but recommends a 10:1 dilution. Cheers, Ray
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