Dash AC Comressor failure

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Delbert21:
... the engineer was unsure of the correct pressure to charge the system, any idea what pressure we should be aiming for, it now works but dosent really feel cold enough </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I might be incorrect however I believe my service tech filled my unit with 32 US fluid ounces of refrigerant. I have the A/C unit with the fans pretty much like yours.

[hamguy]

Please remember, the air passing over the cooling coils must then (in a basement AC system) travel in ducting up the back end and then the full length of the coach. My exit air temp at the front outlet is fully 5-8 degrees warmer than that at rear outlet.

[tppilot]

Just returned from a very well respected WH service center in SoCal, where I spent $1,000+ and change to replace the HOWLING A/C compressor, along with the receiver/dryer and other components that seem to be required when these things go haywire.

Couple of interesting points:
1. They were out of compressors due to high demand for replacements. Hmmmm - wonder why? This thing failed in only 26,000 miles!
2. When I inquired about the Crystal Aire upgrade, I was told the WH rep said the system is no longer available.
3. The newly refurbished system works pretty much like when it was brand new......in a word - poorly. Funny how I can get in my Jeep Wrangler toad and get FROSTY air within seconds of turning on the AC on a HOT SoCal day, but this rig blows warmer air than a lot of people who post on......oops, I'd better stop LOL!!

My point is, really, that this seems to be the norm from what I can gather from all the posts on this forum. (In spite of my attempt at some humor, I value this site and have benefited greatly from everyone's experiences.)

My hope is, though, that I don't have to spend another $1,000+ to replace the new compressor in another 26,000 miles. So far, the cost per mile for the original system ($1,000/26,000 miles) is $.38 per mile.

[tppilot]

Ooooops.......make that $.038 cents per mile.

I'd better check my math before hitting that send button next time!

[-Gramps-]

Driver, I started to say, my UFO AC turns my knees into blue knobs of ice! It was pretty bad for awhile when I couldn't turn it off even on a cold day. I know I still need to send a pic of that connector.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by -Gramps-:
Driver, I started to say, my UFO AC turns my knees into blue knobs of ice! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>-Gramps-, That's a refreshing description in comparison to what we have seen from the front engine varieties.

Regarding the many UFO coaches that I have driven over the past couple of years, the A/C performance has been one of the things that I have experienced that has improved exponentially. Perhaps one of the required SPID options for these units should be 12 volt powered knee warmers!

Turning the A/C down or off would be another option.

[TXiceman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Delbert21:
DriVer

We have a 2001 Damon Daybreak 3275 on a Workhorse Chassis with a Chevy 8.1 Vortec, we live in the UK and have just had the A/C recharged, the engineer was unsure of the correct pressure to charge the system, any idea what pressure we should be aiming for, it now works but dosent really feel cold enough </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I Would hardly call the fellow that worked on your A/C and engineer, much less a technician.

A decent A/C technician should be able to charge the system using a set of gauges and an outlet air thermometer.

I presume you are talking about the the dash air unit. It is R-134a and you should shoot to get a suction pressure of about 40 psig (2.8 kg/cm2).

In order to weigh the chage into the system, the system will need to be completely evacuated and fresh charge weighed into the system. There is supposed to be a tag on the system tell you what the charge weight was at hte factory.

My suggestion is to find a better qualified technician. Truthfully, any reasonably competent A/C technician should be able to handle this work.

Ken

[Duner]

tppilot,
Part of the poor performance of the a/c is the design of the coach builder. With the intake up inside the engine compartment, the a/c gets super heated air from the engine - when you're stopped or going slow. The workaround this is to run your air only in "Max A/C" so that intake is from inside the coach (usually down by the passengers feet). This helps a bunch.

Of course, the Workhorse/Allison design to put the transmission cooler coils in front of the a/c condenser coils means the a/c unit receives an ambient temp that feels like 140 deg even on a cool day. No wonder it struggles to keep us cool. To make matters worse, the transmission get up operating temp by running tranny fluid thru the engine radiator. Even on a 80 deg when the afternoon sun is beating thru the windshield, the a/c is just barely adequate. At least WH fixed this on new models a couple years ago. But it doesn't help us folks with the crummy design.

[Don and Kim]

I believe our 03 Workhorse chassis coach is on low refrigerant. When I connected a gauge to the low pressure port next to the evaporator I don't read any pressure. The compressor is cycling. I noticed there is another fitting next to the low pressure port with a cap on it. When I took the dust cap off there appears to be some sort of valve that has a square shaft. Does anyone know what the purpose of this valve is for? Thanks, Don

[jrcnlc]

That is a valve to open port for charging.Connect gauges open valve read gauges.