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Jeep401 · 04-11-2019, 09:08 PM

Update:
I tracked down my problem of no zone 2 to the cable that run between the two units after hours of troubleshooting and trips up on the roof.
I've run a temporary wire which took care of the problem, now I just need to figure out how to run the proper way and put everything back together.
Thanks for all the suggestion on things to try.

How is yours coming along 3x5? Did you ever get this fixed?

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HamboneTHW · 04-12-2019, 05:41 AM

Jeep, a lot of folks mention running wires through ducting. If the old wire is there and not cut, you can tape the new one to it and pull it through. Don’t know how many tight turns would be in the run, but I’ve used that method before.

Chief Alen · 04-12-2019, 05:50 AM

Did that on boats many, many times.

Old Scout · 04-12-2019, 07:14 AM

….you can certainly run new wire thru the ceiling ducts but the "old" wire is imbedded in the foam insulation or in separate wire runs so not really available for pulling new wire--I think.

Jeep401 · 04-12-2019, 09:03 AM

My plan is to run the new wire in the duct, you will never pull a new one with the old on my coach. One end only moves a little and the other not at all, which is where I suspect the original problem started.
I poked around for while looking at both air boxes trying to decide the best way to penetrate them. I'm not sure what the best plan would be, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jeep401 · 04-12-2019, 09:14 AM

As note in several other old threads, the wire for the Aqua Hot is by the rear unit and never had an end put on it. I don't have the option on my coach.
I also have a wire at the front unit without an end on it, does anyone have an idea where the wire goes or what it might have been for originally??
My thought was if the other ends of those two wires ended in the same spot on the other end that I might be able to put them together and use them....just a thought... I'm not sure where in the storage bay to start looking.

Old Scout · 04-12-2019, 09:18 AM

….could/does vary by model of Alpine and year but the air box under the A/C units is pretty funky with lots of opportunity for entry/exits so remove the ceiling cover and you can see what I mean....as for the other ends--the ducts extend into the rear closet and the front overhead cabinets above the windshield so a modest hole in the ceiling, inside the rear closet or the inside the front overhead cabinets will give you access....note--this is on a 40ft so rear entry/exit point could be more challenging with no rear closet......

HamboneTHW · 04-12-2019, 09:20 AM

The 03 40ft didn’t have a rear closet? My 05 40FDTS has a rear closet.

Always interesting to see the variations...

Jeep401 · 04-12-2019, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

….could/does vary by model of Alpine and year but the air box under the A/C units is pretty funky with lots of opportunity for entry/exits so remove the ceiling cover and you can see what I mean....as for the other ends--the ducts extend into the rear closet and the front overhead cabinets above the windshield so a modest hole in the ceiling, inside the rear closet or the inside the front overhead cabinets will give you access....note--this is on a 40ft so rear entry/exit point could be more challenging with no rear closet......

My thought process being put into writing isn't always the best sorry.
The ends that I'm asking about are of the phone type wires without ends on them in both the front and rear ac areas.

3x5 · 04-12-2019, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep401

Update:
I tracked down my problem of no zone 2 to the cable that run between the two units after hours of troubleshooting and trips up on the roof.
I've run a temporary wire which took care of the problem, now I just need to figure out how to run the proper way and put everything back together.
Thanks for all the suggestion on things to try.

How is yours coming along 3x5? Did you ever get this fixed?

Jeep401, my wires checked out. (I assume you tried changing the ends.)
I have an extra RJ11 phone cable with end in the back air conditioner, not attached to anything. I think someone posted earlier that it would go to Hydrohot, if I had one, which I don't.

Sorry. I wrote up a post a couple of weeks ago, but forgot to actually post it. Been fixing too many other things.

But it's fixed. I have zone two on my a/c and heat pump now. The Duo-Therm Comfort Control was fine. The EE error code on it when away when I unplugged the RJ11 in the back a/c. The plug is behind the access panel in the bottom of the a/c, which you get to from the bedroom. Then the system would work zone 1 only. Zone two was completely gone.

It was a bad circuit board located in the back a/c, accessed from the roof by taking off the fiberglass shroud. There is a 3 amp automotive fuse on it which I checked first, but it was ok. Per a sticker on the circuit board, it was part number 3109229.009. Dometic and several sellers including PPL Motorhomes say that it is replaced by part number 3311557.000.

One repair shop I stopped by had one, but wanted $168 for it. I found several for sale online at much better prices. One of the best prices was on eBay, $78.83 plus $7.90 shipping, usps priority mail, which I ordered.

Switching the control boards was straightforward. Afterwards, I reset the Comfort Control by turning it off and holding down the Mode and Zone buttons at the same time while sliding it back to on. Suddenly both zone 1 and zone 2 were there.

Thanks to everyone for their help. I had no idea that the control board would be in the top of the air conditioner!

I hope this helps anyone else with the same problem.

Jeep401 · 04-12-2019, 01:46 PM

Awesome, I'm glad you're fix also.
I'm running the new wire down the duct right now and should be all back together shortly.
Thanks for the update.

RVPioneer · 04-12-2019, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep401

My plan is to run the new wire in the duct, you will never pull a new one with the old on my coach. One end only moves a little and the other not at all, which is where I suspect the original problem started.
I poked around for while looking at both air boxes trying to decide the best way to penetrate them. I'm not sure what the best plan would be, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You may be able to pull a string through the duct with a shop vac at one end. Works great for conduit runs. I’d imagine that all the vents along the run would need to be taped up and a fairly tight seal at the shop vac end would be necessary to create enough vacuum. Then use the string to pull the wires.

Jeep401 · 04-12-2019, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

You may be able to pull a string through the duct with a shop vac at one end. Works great for conduit runs. I’d imagine that all the vents along the run would need to be taped up and a fairly tight seal at the shop vac end would be necessary to create enough vacuum. Then use the string to pull the wires.

I got it all run and up and running.
I ended up pushing it down the duct one vent at a time. I pushed down to the first vent and pulled it through, the just repeated until I was at the other end. It wasn't too bad.

HamboneTHW · 04-12-2019, 06:25 PM

We haven’t gotten a chance to go anywhere this season, but the new units seem to push a lot of cold air in comparison to the old units, not requiring a high fan kick on in the front unit like the old units did in 83 degree weather.

If you have one of the units fail, I would recommend replacing them both with the new CCC II thermostat. The new thermostat is very intuitive with more features than the old 5 button. Just my 2 cents.