Community Forums

travlinjayco · 03-15-2011, 10:25 AM

Well, if there is, here goes. I am new, rebuilding a Jayco at this time. The air conditioner is ok from 9 pin connector to unit. Ceiling board burned. I notice although toasted there are controls to operate the unit from the ceiling unit area and also a thermostat. I am curious as to why there would be the manual controls with a thermostat available. Here goes the stupid if ever was question. Is there a way to skip the ceiling unit, go from thermostat to capacitors to operate the system. I have spent hours with a schematic, see the wires that need 120 available. The capacitors are opened and closed by 12 volt, right? That makes me wonder why the therm could not be wired there. Ok, straighten me out. I have scratched what little hair I had left off my head. Jerry

Brigadoon · 03-15-2011, 06:54 PM

Definitely not a stupid question, it's just beyond most of us simpler people!

hamguy · 03-16-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travlinjayco

Well, if there is, here goes. I am new, rebuilding a Jayco at this time. The air conditioner is ok from 9 pin connector to unit. Ceiling board burned. I notice although toasted there are controls to operate the unit from the ceiling unit area and also a thermostat. I am curious as to why there would be the manual controls with a thermostat available. Here goes the stupid if ever was question. Is there a way to skip the ceiling unit, go from thermostat to capacitors to operate the system. I have spent hours with a schematic, see the wires that need 120 available. The capacitors are opened and closed by 12 volt, right? That makes me wonder why the therm could not be wired there. Ok, straighten me out. I have scratched what little hair I had left off my head. Jerry

What do you mean by "The capacitors are opened and closed by 12 volt, "?

Dean

travlinjayco · 03-17-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brigadoon

Definitely not a stupid question, it's just beyond most of us simpler people!

Thanks for your reply. I am by no means an expert on heat and air, but have some understanding of it. Capacitors, such as fan capacitor, (the way I understand them) are like a switch. The electrical path through the capacitor is open or closed allowing 120v to travel through when path is closed or connected. When compressor capacitor closes, by 12 volt impulse then 120 travels through to compressor and also fan capacitor is closed at same time kicking in the cooling cycle. I know on the ceiling portion or bottom portion of the nine pin connector there are relays which act like switches. I am trying to determine, since I want to use thermostat only, not ceiling control panel controls will I be able to take the thermostat wires direct to the capacitors, since thermostat works on 12 volts. I may be 180 degrees off, thus my question. Hope this has helped. Appreciate anyone who can straighten my out on this. Thanks, Jerry

"007" · 03-17-2011, 07:59 PM

Welcome travlinjayco to irv2.
I think for starters we need the maker and model number & year of your AC so we can look at same wiring diagram you are.
Than we can give you some straight advise if you can supply that it will help.

Dmiles · 03-17-2011, 08:09 PM

As expensive as it can be, I think you would gain a lot by getting some experienced help on site to assist you.

It sounds like you are describing a relay, and calling it a capacitor. A relay could operate on 12 volts at its coil, and pass 120 volts to the motor when the contacts are closed. A capacitor charges quickly and provides the voltage needed to start the fan motor and/or compressor.

It sounds like you've taken a big bite trying to troubleshoot a system like this with limited experience. Hopefully you can find someone to help you out for a reasonable fee, if even just to assist with the troubleshooting.

Dirtbuster · 03-17-2011, 08:12 PM

Capacitors store energy for starting components that need a kick start. A relay acts as a switch. The bigger the capacitor, equals more stored energy. A schematic would help to understand your problem, if you have one. Please don't touch both wires on the capacitor, before it is discharged. It will shock the mess out of you!

Hope this helps!

mikf · 03-17-2011, 08:14 PM

a capacitor is not a switch. motors need a extra boost to get them started. the capacitor stores that energy and releases it to get the motor started. they get charged and then discharge when needed. they are not expensive, get the right value and replace it.

hamguy · 03-18-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travlinjayco

Thanks for your reply. I am by no means an expert on heat and air, but have some understanding of it. Capacitors, such as fan capacitor, (the way I understand them) are like a switch. The electrical path through the capacitor is open or closed allowing 120v to travel through when path is closed or connected. When compressor capacitor closes, by 12 volt impulse then 120 travels through to compressor and also fan capacitor is closed at same time kicking in the cooling cycle. I know on the ceiling portion or bottom portion of the nine pin connector there are relays which act like switches. I am trying to determine, since I want to use thermostat only, not ceiling control panel controls will I be able to take the thermostat wires direct to the capacitors, since thermostat works on 12 volts. I may be 180 degrees off, thus my question. Hope this has helped. Appreciate anyone who can straighten my out on this. Thanks, Jerry

I believe you are describing a relay (a mechanical device which is an on/off switch) whereas a capacitor is a device that blocks DC voltages but stores/passes AC voltages to a certain extent.

See- Capacitor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

travlinjayco · 03-18-2011, 09:12 PM

Thx for all the replies. If you go here... Airxcel | RV Comfortpdf_documents/1976376.pdf and scroll down to page 17 it shows the ceiling unit that was destroyed in the fire. This is what I was hoping to bypass and run thermostat to upper unit. Only reason I thought it might be possible is that my burned ceiling unit has all control knobs, hi cool fan only, etc. I would be passing or not using the relays so I see what you are saying. I may be slow in getting back, my 68 yr old brother was moved to hospice today with terminal cancer. I am helping my 86 yr old mother spend as much time with him as possible. Again thx for all your comments, this is a great place to find rv help. Jerry