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hoosiers · 12-11-2014, 02:32 PM

Just purchased our used class c . went directly into storage to avoid the Indiana winters. being new to all of this leads me to my next situation. My storage choice was our county 4 h fairgrounds. they charge a small amount and helps out the 4 H club at the same time. As I was pulling in all was good. came through the door just fine and figured I was good to go as didn't seem to be anything lower than the roof rafters, that I had already cleared. Then I hear a screech from the roof. a light had been hung from one of the rafters just a bulb and a ceramic fixture. made contact with my a/c shroud. which cracked and broke. didn't look as though there was any damage to the a/c unit. I have picked up a replacement shroud , but have been trying to see if the a/c unit was damaged any further than I expected. I have tried to turn on the rooftop a/c after all of this , but can't get it to come on. not even the fan. I have turned on the generator and then tried it, but no luck after that either. I do not have access to shore power in this storage area. , but shouldn't that come on with the generator power.. any info would be helpful. I have to rely on some of my friends to actually get up there as I am a below the knee amputee. at that point I can have them test the fan motor and compressor and if any other damage could be causing this to happen. thanks , it is a dometic a/c unit older style . motor home is a Shasta 1997 class c.

BFlinn181 · 12-11-2014, 02:38 PM

When you say you tried to turn on the A/C, were you using knobs on the bottom of the unit itself or the thermostat on the wall? Typically the thermostat must have 12 v power to operate. That 12 v DC comes from your house battery. Is there a battery isolation switch near the entry door? The A/C must have 120 v shore power or generator power to take the thermostat signal and operate.

When you replaced the cover shroud on the A/C, did you see any visible damage to any other of the components usually covered? The covers get pretty brittle with age and it doesn't take much of a knock to crack them. I would guess the A/C is O.K.

hoosiers · 12-11-2014, 02:52 PM

yes was using the knobs on the bottom of the unit. a button for fan or a/c and a dial to make colder or warmer. and yes there is a battery isolation switch near the entry. doesn't seem to be any other damage . the house battery seems to be pretty run down according to the battery monitor panel. not sure if that could be connected. thanks I will continue to dig deeper.

BFlinn181 · 12-11-2014, 03:01 PM

When you started your generator, did you check that 120 v was actually making it into the RV? Turn on a 120 v light, or check the microwave display to make sure generator circuit breakers are on. Also, unless you have an automatic transfer switch, you might have to physically plug shore power cord into an outlet that allows generator power to be supplied to the RV. The outlet (probably a 30 amp, 3 prong outlet) is in the generator compartment or the shore cord compartment. Before you blame the air conditioner, check the other things I mentioned.

hoosiers · 12-11-2014, 03:08 PM

Thanks I will check them. yes the microwave display comes on and plugs seem to all work. do I need to turn the thermostat on the wall on? I thought this only controlled my propane heater. It is in the off position. I will give it all a try tomorrow when I visit the storage.

BFlinn181 · 12-11-2014, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosiers

Thanks I will check them. yes the microwave display comes on and plugs seem to all work. do I need to turn the thermostat on the wall on? I thought this only controlled my propane heater. It is in the off position. I will give it all a try tomorrow when I visit the storage.

Not really sure in your RV. Check and see if the thermostat has a 'Cool' or 'A/C' position. Also check the circuit breaker in the 120 v panel and be sure the CB for the air conditioner is on.

Grey Ghost I · 12-11-2014, 06:09 PM

I assume you are not in Indiana now. (Don't know why I think that) Anywhow, if you let us know where you are, someone on this site will climb up there for you.

mgscott4 · 12-11-2014, 06:32 PM

You just purchased the MH correct? Did it work before you cracked the AC cover?

RV Wizard · 12-12-2014, 01:42 AM

Make sure the main house circuit breakers and the breakers on the generator are not tripped or off. You may have to plug the power cord into a receptacle in the storage compartment connected to the gernerator. Good luck and keep us posted.

hoosiers · 12-12-2014, 03:39 AM

In Winchester Indiana. And I didn't check the a/c before. dealer said all was in working condition. was cold at the time of purchase so didn't check. if I would have joined this website first I would have been thusly informed, but lesson learned. I will check all of the breakers today and make sure all are not tripped. thanks for all of the help. I will post today after checking.

hoosiers · 12-12-2014, 08:36 AM

just got back from storage visit and took a 100 ft of cord with me and was able to run out of the storage area to a building next door. hooked up and all lights were working inside the rv. I tried the a/c this way and was only able to hear a small buzzing coming from the a/c unit . tried in the fan only position and still no air blowing. tried in the a/c position and no air also, just buzzing sound. So I am a little stumped right now. any ideas that I can do from ground level would be appreciated. I have tried the breaker for the a/c . seems to be on, but turned it off and on . but still nothing.

BFlinn181 · 12-12-2014, 09:41 AM

A 100 ft. extension cord might have dropped enough voltage to not be enough to start the A/C. It could also be a bad starting condenser or circuit board. Since you could hear buzzing, some power was getting there. Sorry, I don't know what you can do about these issues without climbing on the roof.