Basement A/C Removal & Outdoor Blower Replacement Procedure

[Duner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuddyP Bill, While looking for info on another issue, I ran across your post on A/C removal. Thank you for taking the time to document the proceedure. Up until this time, I dreaded the idea of ever removing the A/C unit. Now I feel very comfortable about taking on the task. As a side note, my condolences to you for your loss. I looked at your other pics and it looked like you and Marie had a heck of a good time together.

Thanks to all for the great feedback. When I get the positive comments it makes the initial effort to put that procedure together very rewarding.

BuddyP, or anybody else, if you get into an A/C repair or have any specific questions, just send me a PM or email (it's in my profile, at least it was in the forum s/w).

Ya, I miss Marie a lot....
Bill

[MWSartain]

I just found this. What a great write up. Thanks Duner!

[ravenbuck]

Fantastic. We are fulltimers now and the A/C has really been getting a workout the last two years. After living in Alaska for 40 years we are still not acclimated to the lower 48. With a sick wife that needs the A/C 24/7 I have tried to find how to service the unit myself and have been unsuccessful until now. You know Murphys law saws it will quit in the middle of nowhere when its 115 degrees. Thanks for the great details and pics. 2005 Meridian.

[kcaravelli]

Man, this is better than Shop Class. Very nice work!!

[wagonmaster2]

Agree with the compliments on the write-up for the basement air removal, which we all will be faced with sooner or later.

Wagonmaster2

[azloafer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duner I've uploaded this procedure in PDF format to "Google "Site" so you can download and save a copy to your computer or print a hardcopy. Here's the link to the pdf. Thanks guys for all the great feedback. Yes, I was a tech writer in the early years of my engineering career. It's now been a couple of months since I repaired my unit and it's working real well. That new plastic blower is much quieter that the original metal blower. Standing in front of my rig, you can hardly tell the A/C is running. Good luck,

Great job! I have a question about the squirrel cage. If everything is working just fine, is replacing the squirrel cage worth it for increased air flow, or is it just a marginal improvement? What year did Winnebgo go with the new squirrel cage? Would the new type already be in my 2008?Joe

[Florida Guy]

Has anyone removed their AC unit on a Diesel? I have a 2003 Journey and the start capaciter for the outdoor blower needs replaced. Bills instructions were excellent and he stated on a Diesel the AC unit has to be lowered vs. a gas unit it slides out the side. I looked at mine and it appears the AC unit cannot be lowered due to a welded cross beam under the rear. Anyone have any experience removing these AC units on a Diesel?

[Paul T]

I had a private message exchange with Duner not long ago a really respect his posting and experience with the basement air removal and service. Basically I was asking for advice. Mine was squeaking a bit so I printed out his instructions and started getting my courage up to tackle at least lubricating the squirrel cage bearings. While comparing Duner’s instructions with what I was looking at while under the rig I started tapping around and listening to the squeaking/scaping sound through a plastic tube trying to isolate specifically where the noise was coming from. I couldn’t locate it and it seemed to be all around and not from one end of the squirrel cage or the other. Then I tapped on the bottom of the unit lightly and the noise level increased momentarily. Then I rapped the area a bit harder; -- the noise got louder momentarily, -- and then, - just the nice hum the A/C should have.

So my theory is there was just some crud at the bottom of the squirrel cage housing that had accumulated after 4 years. The tolerance is quite small there and just a tiny bit of gravel or mud could have created my noise. I blasted some water from a garden hose toward the opening from underneath just to make sure any junk got swept out. Thus far it is running smoothly. However, - I’m going to order the newer blower and bearings to carry along as insurance.

Thanks again Duner,

[BattChief]

Florida Guy..... I just had mine out a few weeks ago. I have a 2001 Horizon, which should be the same basic chassis as yours. On mine, I did not have to lower it out the bottom. I thought it had to, and spent HOURS working to get the bottom bracket out, using a motorcycle jack, pry bars, etc. After getting the unit out, I realized I only had to loosen the two nuts on the back of the frame, and then loosened the front bolts until they were almost out (about 2"). The unit is wedged in pretty tight to ensure a good seal against the indoor return air duct. Once broke loose, it will drop down to the bracket and slide out as indicated in Duner's post like a gasser unit. I had to take it out a couple of times to get things right. The first time was about 4 hours (no exaggeration!). Once I figured it all out, I could get the unit out in under 30 minutes.

[TurtleKent]

2004 Horizon DP, and the RVP unit slides out the side similar to Duner. It does take at least two men to slide and lift. My local heat/air guy will be replacing #1 compressor. And apparently it never had a filter used because the return air fins are almost blocked!

[CaptBill]

What a valuable resource this thread continues to be. Thank you Duner. My blower bearings are noisy, and I don;t know if I should have started this project today, as we are supposedly leaving for a trip this week (maybe not now...), but I did. It took me about 4 hours to loosen the 2 long 3/4" bolts at the front bracket (actually had to cut one of them off, as PB Blaster didn't do it). Now I am struggling with the supply air brackets, (also different from the O.P.), and the 2 rear bolts. Then I should be able to slide it out.

But once I get it removed, Duner's info is better than a service manual, and I hope to at least get some oil in the bearings before our trip, as I will not have time to order and receive new ones.

My unit is 10 years old, and this is the first time it is being removed, Thanks again for your helpful photo-essay how to.