Dual AC units - do they work in tandem?

[BCRVer]

Hey all,

I have a 2008 bounder DP with dual AC units. I've noticed the units work great together and that the rear unit (zone 2) works well by itself, but the front unit (zone 1) doesn't cool when zone 2 unit is turned off. It will blow cool air but the heat pump just keeps cycling. I've reached out to Fleetwood but no help. I wanted to ask here before needlessly getting on my roof.
FW has confirmed that both units have heat pumps.

Thanks,

[IggyTech]

Question.
Does each AC have a separate thermostat?

This may be a long shot but if you have 2 thermostats seems the front AC fan is turned on to manual and not auto. This will make the AC run but not put out cool air as only the fan is running and compressor not on.

Just check the fans are set to auto for both and let us know. more.

[BCRVer]

Originally Posted by IggyTech

Question.
Does each AC have a separate thermostat?

This may be a long shot but if you have 2 thermostats seems the front AC fan is turned on to manual and not auto. This will make the AC run but not put out cool air as only the fan is running and compressor not on.

Just check the fans are set to auto for both and let us know. more.

1 digital thermostat that controls both units. Zone 1 and Zone 2. Choices are Heat or Cool or Off. I can choose either heat or cool as the master option with a slide switch then control zone 1 or zone 2 individually. Fan is in the auto position. Zone 2 off and Zone 1 cool. Blows cool air but temp doesn't change.

[MSHappyCampers]

Each unit should work totally independent of the other. I would try doing the factory reset on the thermostat if you haven't already.

[BCRVer]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Each unit should work totally independent of the other. I would try doing the factory reset on the thermostat if you haven't already.

I have not...didn't know I could. I will try to figure out how to do this. Thanks.

[Bob Hyatt]

Originally Posted by BCRVer

I have not...didn't know I could. I will try to figure out how to do this. Thanks.

Before you go too far... Go to an auto parts (or HVAC dealer) and buy a air temp probe (thermometer). Usually a round head with a 6" stainless shaft. Doesn't matter whether it is digital, analog, or talks to you.

Turn the front A/C on and let it run for 10 minutes or more to get internal pressures stabilized. Stick the thermometer in the outlet vent closest to the A/C unit on the roof. Give it a minute and when the temp stops dropping, record it. Then stick it in the closest return air vent and do the same. If the difference is in the 15-20 degree range, the A/C is doing all it can be expected to do. If the difference is less than 15 degrees, you most likely have a bad A/C unit.

Note that the front one works MUCH harder. Thanks to the solarium we all have up front, heat gain is really significant, whereas in the back, there are no gigantic windows to allow heat in. Most coaches I have been in have a distinct issue in this regard, even my Tiffin. If I make the front comfortable, the back will be really chilly. Tiffin uses shared A/C ducts so that both units cool everywhere, although the back unit does more cooling in the back and ditto for the front. But since the front has the windshield and side windows to deal with, it has to work harder. To give it some help, we just turn the back A/C down so it will continue to cool and help the front, and this works just fine. Once the sun has dropped enough, I just crank the rear thermostat back up to something reasonable and then rinse and repeat the next morning.

I have seen some use fans to move that cold rear air up toward the front, if you don't mind fans running and strong breezes blowing inside...

[IggyTech]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Each unit should work totally independent of the other. I would try doing the factory reset on the thermostat if you haven't already.

I agree with. No cost and no loss if it still doesn't do the job.
But they should be totally independent from each other
Take a picture of your thermostat and we can help tell you hot to reset.

[BCRVer]

Here is the thermostat

[BCRVer]

Originally Posted by BCRVer

Here is the thermostat

Any idea how to reset this thermostat.

[IggyTech]

Originally Posted by BCRVer

Any idea how to reset this thermostat.

The Factory reset as per Install manual.
Remove the outer cover and pull the fuse and wait 5 minutes then reinstall the fuse.
They also talk about a control board that control both units and some LED lights that tells you if all is good or not.
Do you think you may have it someplace?

Good luck

Here is the few manual for you to read.

[Cat]

My 2007 38V Bounder the rear Ac would keep the rear cool better than the front Ac would cool the front. Both had the same temperature air coming out if them. As stated more windows and the windshield all add extra heat gain. I looked at the insulation I had in the front above the tv in the front cap. All that was there was 1/2 thick fiber mat that had fallen off the ceiling. So I had no insulation in the front cap.

[BCRVer]

Thank you for the links! I used my generator yesterday to watch the loads on the AC units as they initialized. I noticed zone 1 would hit 69 amps when calling for the compressor on cool. The compressor would have a hum for about 1 sec then shut off and the amps would drop. No cooling. Only fan running. I fear there is a compressor issue and unit needs replacement ��

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by BCRVer

Thank you for the links! I used my generator yesterday to watch the loads on the AC units as they initialized. I noticed zone 1 would hit 69 amps when calling for the compressor on cool. The compressor would have a hum for about 1 sec then shut off and the amps would drop. No cooling. Only fan running. I fear there is a compressor issue and unit needs replacement ��

Your fear is justified ... you could have a look at the start and run capacitors located topside under the shroud.

[BCRVer]

Originally Posted by bruceisla

Your fear is justified ... you could have a look at the start and run capacitors located topside under the shroud.

What would I be looking for with them? I will have a look after work. I will also locate the serial and model #s of the AC.

Seems I read that in most of these units the compressor cant be replaced or it is just better to replace the entire unit. If so, I'm sure I can find a newer model that will still work with my thermostat and the existing rear AC.