rv newbie

[sargie]

Hi im new to rving. I just bought a 87 fleetwood southwind 24 ft and am living in it. I have yet to get the a/c to work, as I dont know how it is worked. From what I understand, I need my 30 amp cord plugged into a 15 amp shore cord( which i do have) and Im getting power to my freezer and 110 outlets. now what I need to know is how do I get the roof a/c running. there is apparently no power going to it and the breaker is not tripped. Nothing happens when I turn the knobs on the unit. Could there be a seperate a/c master switch somewhere?

[4Knights]

Welcome to the forum! I don't know your rig setup but a few things to check
Are you sure you have checked all circuit breakers? Some can be hidden in odd places, outside in a compartment behind a panel that looks like nothing more than a panel.
Sounds stupid but is the thermostat set to cool? Mine didn't work until I slid the lever to cool then it worked, had to do it back and forth unplugged first to clean the contacts then plugged and and it started working.
Post the year, make and model of your rig and include type of thermostat plus type of A/C unit, many helpful folks on this site. Also do a forum search for A/C or air conditioner. There was a thread recently about potential bad start up capacitor that might help also.
Ron

[sargie]

thanks for getting back to me. My rig is a 87 fleetwood southwind 24 ft. The a/c is a dometic . the thermstat control in the bedroom is Suburban, but there is no indication on it that it is for a/c, but maybe heater, because it says "solid state ignition " on it. There is an empty hole above the side door on the cabinet with a pair of 110 wires capped off and it looks like it might have had a wall switch there. could that be the on/off switch for the a/c? would I be able to check with a multimeter? the breaker for the a/c is definitely on the main breaker control panel. Also, I understand that there are 2 ways for the a/c to get power: generator and shore. I have a 30 amp plug with a 15 amp adapter already on it. if I have all my ducks in a row so to speek, should the a/c be able to run off that?

[4Knights]

Sorry just got back, doing yard work its 79 degrees

The wires in the first picture and the cable below it lead me to believe it was a TV outlet that someone removed test to see if you have power there and then either cap and tape it off or install an outlet that has the cable port.

2nd picture: is that in a compartment by the generator? Some models had to change plug from generator then back to another for shore power either way it looks chipped and I would get new plug from electrical store not RV place. Much cheaper!

3rd picture: looks like those controls are on the A/C unit itself is that correct?

Member Tom2step is an a/c guy so if what we try doesn't work check his and ice mans thread under search forums. I'm sure I'm leaving bunch others out sorry! Too many good folks here to remember them all until I get to a rally and put a face to the name.

First you need to use your multiple meter and see if you have power on both sides of your breaker for the a/c, if yes then take of the external cover off the unit on the roof and see if you have power coming up from inside, be careful that you are check power before the unit and as it comes into the unit not the capacitor itself(round plastic or metal tube, increases or steps up power to start your unit)
Ron

Ron & Wendy 94 Pace Arrow 454