Can I charge A/C like in autos?

[chefred112]

Hello All,

Recently my dash AC does not really blow cool air. I'm pretty sure it just needs a freon recharge. Is it the same on my ISL400 Cummins as it is with autos to charge up?

thanks...Fred

[wolfe10]

Yes, systems are the same-- depends more on which refrigerant was used (pretty much a factor of when built).

[Old-Biscuit]

Should already have the low port for charging

[HarryStone]

Yes, but if it's low, you first need to figure out where the leak is. Modern systems are usually charged for life. All systems now have a weight number of how much freon goes in.

[ga traveler]

I see your coach is a 2002. It is normal for ac Freon to leak down over LONG periods. I would visually check for leaks and if everything checks out, just recharge the system. A few years ago my 2001 Z3 leaked down and I checked for leaks and found none. I recharged the system and it has held for 5 or 6 years.

[chefred112]

I just did a quick visual, where is the low port to attach the hose...is it in the front by the condensor somewhere? I confirmed that the compressor starts when I turn the ac on and stops turning when the ac is switched off...

[chefred112]

also checking to see what type of freon it uses...i think i did read in manual somewhere of 134A...

[tom chelbana]

Yes your coach has 134 and after owning Newmar's for a long time and have paid thousands of dollars to check and recharger system we now do it ourselves now. The low pressure port will be on the passengers side outside close to gen. The high and low ports are different sizes so you can't connect the recharger hose to the wrong port. Yes you should check for leaks first but as stated earlier after more then 8 visits to RV AC people they say they found the leak and fixed for around 800$ and 6 months to a year we are again without a good working AC. On our 18 LA we contacted Spartan and they said it need 8 Lbs. of R 134 and it did work well for less then a month and then again warm air. Had the system drained and started with only 4 12 oz. cans of 134 and it was down to mid 40's on a 85 degree day. We are down the road about 6 months now and still in the high 40's to low 50's discharger temp. Have traveled over 3K miles since recharge and we are in Cody Wyoming and will be in Gillette for FMCA rally in a couple days.
Since you have done cars AC would suggest you do it yourself and would even think that you might need to add another can next summer. There are maybe over 100 ft. of AC hose with another 8 or more connections. We keep a can or two with us when traveling.
Do wear gloves, eye protection and a charge hose with a gauge.
Newmar Man

[chefred112]

I followed both ac lines and found the ports...I'll check to see which port works with the connector i have and give it a charge...thanks all for tips and advice...

[Old-Biscuit]

High pressure port is larger of the 2 ports

[chefred112]

thanks all...yea it needed a recharge...pumped in 4 12oz cans of freon and it's nice and icy now