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02-01-2009, 11:07 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: On the Road
Posts: 324
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No Heat-pump
I'm really going to try to make a long story as short as possible.
Each month, I go out to the storage facility our Bounder "rests" at and go through a few maintenance motions. Among these is the generator exercise. I start it up, wait for the EMS to say all is well, and load it with the A/Cs or, as it is now cooler in Tucson, the heat-pumps, for about 2 hours.
Everything has gone well in the past. However, yesterday's exercise did not.
Following the exact same procedure as past months, the heat pumps would not run. Neither of them. The RVComfort.ZC thermostat display bounced back and forth between ELECTRIC and GAS. Both furnace blowers ran for a few minutes, then shut off. I'd say this is normal since I have turned off the propane. After the day warmed a bit, I switched to COOL and both A/Cs ran normally.
I shut everything down after the 2 hour exercise period had passed. I figured that maybe the involved systems would reset themselves and all would be well. After 30 minutes, I started the Generator and the heat-pump again did nothing. I decided to let it reset overnight.
I returned today and (if I say so myself) was quite meticulous and patient throughout the "start-up" procedure. I was careful to rush nothing and only proceeded when it seemed prudent. The result was the same. The heat pumps would not run, the furnaces would--as would the A/Cs as the day warmed.
Everything seems to point to the RVComfort.ZC thermostat, but I don't seem to have any documentation on the thermostat nor can I find anything useful on the internet.
Any guidance or (especially) documentation on the thermostat would be welcomed.
Thanks,
Steve
'07 Bounder Diesel 38N
RVComfort.ZC
RVP A/C / Heat-pump
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'07 Bounder Diesel 38N
'08 Jeep Liberty Pusher
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02-01-2009, 03:24 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Socal/NE Oregon
Posts: 602
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I'm not sure about your units, but my heat pumps need about 5 minutes of "warm-up" before the blower will come on. Even then they will blow cool air for awhile before warm air starts coming out. After the initial warm up they will blow warm every time after that.
Maybe you didnt wait long enough for the pumps to warm up to operating temp. Just a thought.
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Chuck, Ruth, with 4 legged Molly
2007 Tiffin Allegro 30DA
2011 Ranger, 1987 FLHTP
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02-01-2009, 06:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Appalachian Campers Ford Super Duty Owner Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Four Oaks, NC
Posts: 501
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Sounds like you are in lockout mode. Make sure you thermostat is within 4 degrees of ambient. I copied this from the RVcomfort guide:
For those roof A/C units equipped with a heat pump, Heat Pump Lockout may occur if the set temperature is raised 5° F or more above the zone ambient temperature. This condition is indicated by the thermostat display showing Elec on solid with the word Gas flashing on and off slowly about every 3 seconds. Once the heat pump lockout state occurs, the gas heat becomes the primary heat source and the heat pump will not run for 2 hours. Any call-for-heat during lockout activates Gas Heat, which means the LP furnace or hydronic heating as long as these systems are turned on.
Cycling power does not clear this condition. To clear a Heat Pump Lockout, wait for two hours to pass, and then adjust the thermostat set point to less than 4° F above the ambient temperature. Next, allow the heat pump to run a couple minutes, and then move the set point down below ambient. Since the electric heat was able to satisfy the heat demand, the lockout counter is reset to zero.
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Thomas & Betty w/Bailey & Gypsy (our fur-bearing masters) 07 Bounder 35e (F53) 07 Nissan Frontier or 2010 FLSTC toad
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02-02-2009, 12:31 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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Steve, what is the ambient temperature you were trying to operate the heat pump in? They are only good down to about 45 degrees; you may be able to get it to run down to 40 but below that it will probably not even try to operate. Make sure settings are as previously stated, within 4 degrees of ambient. Keep us posted.
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Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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02-02-2009, 06:27 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: On the Road
Posts: 324
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Update...
Went back to the coach this morning to try out the suggestions. The outside temp was 50 degrees and inside was 44.
Set the thermostat to 46 degrees, the started the generator. Same result as yesterday and the day before, but I suspect (hope) that the thermostat didn't countdown the two hour lock-out period because I turned the coach batteries off when I left yesterday.
I turned on the propane this time to be sure the furnaces worked as advertised--they did. I left the batteries on and turned the generator off. The coach was beginning to warm from the sun, so I set the thermostat to it's minimum setting (45) and came home to post this note.
I'll head back to the coach when the 2 hours should have passed and see what happens.
I also finally found the operation booklet on-line, so at least I have some more info to work with.
To answer your questions or respond to your suggestions...
mountainkowboy,
Yes, I waited around two hours for the heat-pumps to start.
tmar10,
It sure sounds like what you've pointed out may be the problem. That's the path I'm on now.
RV Wizard,
I'm guessing here, but on both Sat and Sun, the outside air temp was probably in the low 60s.
Thanks to all for your replies.
Steve
__________________
'07 Bounder Diesel 38N
'08 Jeep Liberty Pusher
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02-02-2009, 08:05 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: On the Road
Posts: 324
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Success!
I returned to the coach to find the GAS indicator no longer blinking. Started the generator raised the thermostat set point to 52 (2 degrees above indicated temp) and both heat-pumps started and were producing warm air after a few minutes. Let them run until the thermostat turned them off. All seems well now.
Many thanks to tmar10 for nailing it and to mountainkowboy and RV Wizard for taking the time to help!
Steve
__________________
'07 Bounder Diesel 38N
'08 Jeep Liberty Pusher
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02-02-2009, 10:36 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Appalachian Campers Ford Super Duty Owner Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Four Oaks, NC
Posts: 501
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Steve, I only passed on knowledge acquired though personal experience and the support from other RVers like mountainkowboy and RV Wizard.
Enjoy your newfound warmth.
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Thomas & Betty w/Bailey & Gypsy (our fur-bearing masters) 07 Bounder 35e (F53) 07 Nissan Frontier or 2010 FLSTC toad
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02-04-2009, 08:57 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Yuma, AZ USA
Posts: 58
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Hey guys. Is there any way to look at your AC unit and know if it has a heat pump or not? Or I am not understanding. I have a 2006 Georgetown and it has two roof AC's and a heater under the fridge. The thermostat in the bedroom on one of the roof air units has a heat button but nothing happens. Thanks, I love this forum!
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USMC 1974-1994
2006 Georgetown 370TS
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02-04-2009, 11:57 PM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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Devil Dog, by chance do you know what a reversing valve may look like? You can look through the shroud, or pull it off if you have one of the low profile units with no vents and look for a valve that has four refrigerant line coming off it. It will also have a pair of wires that controls it. It will be plumbed in series with the compressor. If you have one, you have a heat pump. If you do not have one; your unit is a straight cool unit.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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02-05-2009, 01:42 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Nor'easters Club
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Gardiner, NY USA
Posts: 736
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DevilDog,
If you got the numbers off your unit, Model etc, we might be able to tell you as well.
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Lenny and Chrissy
2 Boys & My Pups
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02-05-2009, 07:21 AM
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#11
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA.
Posts: 846
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According to this, it comes with Roof-mounted A/C
And, according to this, the option is for a heat strip. They do not show an option for a heat pump.
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02-17-2009, 12:13 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Yuma, AZ USA
Posts: 58
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Thanks guys. I don't believe I have a heat pump. I don't even think I have heat strips. Pretty soon I won't have to worry about it in Yuma anyway!
__________________
USMC 1974-1994
2006 Georgetown 370TS
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