Where and when to replace AC air filters

[angelbones]

So we got our coach late last summer. Used it when we could (roughly took it out on average once a month here in Florida) and we tried to take care of all our maintenance items before we go full time now very, very soon. I was sure I went through everything over the course of these past few months. When looking at the paperwork for the coach, one item recently caught my eye: The A/C unit paperwork.

I looked through it and it said to change the air filters every two weeks (what!!??). I want to be very diligent on my maintenance but I've never seen this issue talked about. First question, how often, if at all, does it need to be changed (I know conditions will vary, but just assuming "average" eastern seaboard conditions)? Second, I am having a hell of a time finding filters, which is making me wonder if this is even necessary. I've searched Airxcel website, Amazon, simple Google search with the model numbers, and I can't find anything on filter replacement. So, IF filters need to be replaced, where do I get them?

I'm willing to stock up since we will be going to a lot of warm weather places year round. Thanks, and btw, I searched this forum too but could not narrow it down enough to find what I was looking for, so any help you regulars have would be great.

[TonyDi]

First you don't change air filters every 2 weeks unless you are driving in the Sahara Desert during sand storm season.
What engine do you have in your MH and do you know either the air filter number or it's size?
Replacement filters should not be hard to find.

[dennis45]

Am I correct in assuming you're referring to the round foam filters in the house AC Duct Inlet?
If so, I remove mine once or twice per year depending on how they look. I take them out and wash by hand, dry and reinstall. Have thought about buying a spare set but it has not risen to the top of my Roundtoit List so I can't really provide a source.

[angelbones]

Originally Posted by TonyDi

First you don't change air filters every 2 weeks unless you are driving in the Sahara Desert during sand storm season.
What engine do you have in your MH and do you know either the air filter number or it's size?
Replacement filters should not be hard to find.

To be clear, I'm not talking about engine air filters, but the rooftop a/c filters. I also thought this would be something easy to find, but it has not turned out that way. I can and probably will wash it by hand, but if I'm going to the trouble of taking off the shroud, then for me it is quicker and easier to replace. The one caveat to that would be price. If we're talking about changing a $5-$10 filter, I'll replace. On the other hand, if it is $100 per unit, I'll just clean it. Regardless, it's still not easy to find a replacement even if I wanted one. This may be one of those things that the RV industry just tries to make it difficult.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by angelbones

To be clear, I'm not talking about engine air filters, but the rooftop a/c filters. I also thought this would be something easy to find, but it has not turned out that way. I can and probably will wash it by hand, but if I'm going to the trouble of taking off the shroud, then for me it is quicker and easier to replace. The one caveat to that would be price. If we're talking about changing a $5-$10 filter, I'll replace. On the other hand, if it is $100 per unit, I'll just clean it. Regardless, it's still not easy to find a replacement even if I wanted one. This may be one of those things that the RV industry just tries to make it difficult.

Okay, thanks for the clarification. I thought you meant the inside Duct filters. Sorry, my Dometic Penquin do not have a filter element as such. I just take the covers off (four screws) and blow out the coils with my air hose. I assume yours are different.
Do you have a Make/Model of your AC units? With that you should be able to contact a dealer for a P/N for starters and go from there.

[MSHappyCampers]

I've never heard of a rooftop A/C unit with filters under the shroud!

[TonyDi]

My bad I read right over the AC part of your issue. I don't have filters in my Dometic AC roof units.

[Tha_Rooster]

During the hot summer I put my fan on high not auto and let it run 24 hrs a day keeps the MH at a constant temp. I will clean them after a weeks long trip and they need it.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

During the hot summer I put my fan on high not auto and let it run 24 hrs a day keeps the MH at a constant temp. I will clean them after a weeks long trip and they need it.

When you say "them " what are you referring to

[777 Driver]

Depending on the model you have installed, the instructions may vary from the following, but, should be similar:

Owner

One of the biggest advantages to your new Coleman-Mach air
conditioner is that the maintenance needed to keep the unit in
good care is minimal. In fact about the only thing you, the
owner, must take care of is the cleaning and replacement of
the filters.

Filters are made from long life non-allergenic natural fibers
which can be cleaned and reused, and which completely filter
the circulated air when the air conditioner is in operation. If
the filters are not cleaned at regular intervals, they may
become partially clogged with lint, dirt, grease, etc. A
clogged filter will produce a loss of air volume and may
eventually cause an icing-up of the cooling (evaporator) coil.

IMPORTANT

Do not operate your air conditioner for extended periods
of time without the filter installed.

An even more serious condition occurs when the air
conditioner is operated without a filter. When this
happens the lint, grease, etc. that are normally stopped by
the filter are now accumulating in the cooling coil. This
not only leads to a loss of air volume and a possible icing up
of the cooling coil, but could also result in serious
damage to the operating components of the air
conditioner.

We recommend that the filters be cleaned and changed at
least every two weeks when the air conditioner is in
operation.

Cleaning and/or changing the filters:

1. Remove the two grilles from the ceiling assembly by
pulling the tabs on the grilles.
2. Remove and clean or replace the two filters.
3. Re-install the filters and grilles in the ceiling
assembly as shown in Figure 2.
4. If the vehicle is equipped with a flush mount ceiling
assembly, remove the four return air grille screws.
Remove filter from grille and either clean or
exchange with new filters.

NOTE

If replacement filters are necessary, the filters can be
purchased from most Airxcel, Inc. Authorized Service
Centers. It is recommended that spare filters be carried with
the RV at all times to replace worn, torn or deteriorated filters.



Take care,
Stu

[mackwrench]

Mine has the Coleman-Mach air rooftop units. The washable foam filters long done,

I bought a few 20"X20 regular residential a/c type filter and cut to fit the ceiling intake, change annually and cheap/easy ....bo more wash out mess....

[Sue46]

We rinse ours every once in a while, maybe monthly if not less. Never thought of it as a "maintenance" item.

[marjoa]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

Depending on the model you have installed, the instructions may vary from the following, but, should be similar:

Owner

One of the biggest advantages to your new Coleman-Mach air
conditioner is that the maintenance needed to keep the unit in
good care is minimal. In fact about the only thing you, the
owner, must take care of is the cleaning and replacement of
the filters.

Filters are made from long life non-allergenic natural fibers
which can be cleaned and reused, and which completely filter
the circulated air when the air conditioner is in operation. If
the filters are not cleaned at regular intervals, they may
become partially clogged with lint, dirt, grease, etc. A
clogged filter will produce a loss of air volume and may
eventually cause an icing-up of the cooling (evaporator) coil.

IMPORTANT

Do not operate your air conditioner for extended periods
of time without the filter installed.

An even more serious condition occurs when the air
conditioner is operated without a filter. When this
happens the lint, grease, etc. that are normally stopped by
the filter are now accumulating in the cooling coil. This
not only leads to a loss of air volume and a possible icing up
of the cooling coil, but could also result in serious
damage to the operating components of the air
conditioner.

We recommend that the filters be cleaned and changed at
least every two weeks when the air conditioner is in
operation.

Cleaning and/or changing the filters:

1. Remove the two grilles from the ceiling assembly by
pulling the tabs on the grilles.
2. Remove and clean or replace the two filters.
3. Re-install the filters and grilles in the ceiling
assembly as shown in Figure 2.
4. If the vehicle is equipped with a flush mount ceiling
assembly, remove the four return air grille screws.
Remove filter from grille and either clean or
exchange with new filters.

NOTE

If replacement filters are necessary, the filters can be
purchased from most Airxcel, Inc. Authorized Service
Centers. It is recommended that spare filters be carried with
the RV at all times to replace worn, torn or deteriorated filters.



Take care,
Stu

X2.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by dennis45

When you say "them " what are you referring to

2 units = 2 filters