Community Forums

APlusParts · 05-18-2014, 06:08 PM

I have an 04 Alfa See Ya Gold. I have heard a lot of the ac in these being so bad, I have 2 questions. First I was trying to check the freon levels today and I couldn't find the ports so I was wondering if anyone could tell me where they are. Second I have heard of people adding an ac unit to these so I wanted to know where and how and what "alfa owners only" have done.

Fred and Bonnie · 05-18-2014, 07:05 PM

Oh Boy, where to start. You will have to identify your unit and then reference the unit here. Airxcel | RV Products | Tech Info

I presume you are plugged into 50A service. Have you determined that both compressors are working? You have a large coach, lots of windows, the best bet is to start blocking the windows and see if that helps.

Rooftop A/C were popular in years past, check out Alfateers Service, the company was started buy ex Alfa employees. Alfateers RV Service - 909.428.6775

Fred

APlusParts · 05-19-2014, 05:05 AM

I appreciate the help fred and bonnie but im really looking for the ports to check the freon levers and from what i understand the alfa's have to high of a roof which is why the ac unit is underneath if i can add a roof unit that is what ill do which is why i was asking alfa owners for what they have already done

Lovin2Camp · 05-19-2014, 05:34 AM

I was told by a RV Service Department that AC units on Rv's are Sealed Units and not able to add Freon, I guess there is always exceptions to that tho....

chboone · 05-19-2014, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovin2Camp

I was told by a RV Service Department that AC units on Rv's are Sealed Units and not able to add Freon, I guess there is always exceptions to that tho....

That's correct, unless the unit has been serviced in the past there are no access ports. http://stores.ebay.com/Frosty-Freeze...&_sid=87680832 I use to use one of these just match the line size. Once soldered on put the piercing valve in and tighten the cap, you'll have an access valve without losing any refrigerate. I always used Sil-Fos 15% silver http://silfos.com/products/catalog/S...ods-p-158.html If you do it you can try to find some place that will sell one or two sticks. One way to check the operation of your AC is check the temperature of the supply and return air. If you get 20 deg Delta your good to go, not going to do much better then that. I assume you've cleaned the air filter. Cleaned the condenser coils? Do you have good air volume coming from the vents?

Chuck

chboone · 05-19-2014, 10:58 PM

One more thing, never use the clamp-on type access valve. They are guaranteed to leak, techs that use them are counting on a call back.

APlusParts · 05-20-2014, 12:19 PM

well first of all i cant believe it that is just so dumb that they dont have ports on them after doing some research on my own i now realize they dont. thanks very much for the links because i am going to buy those and do it like that. second the air flowing from the rear vents closest to the ac unit have great air flow the ones in the middle are decent and the forward most just plain suck we looked for blockage and dont see any as this is my first rv i have ever even been inside of i guess my question is that pretty normal for these style of ducted units?

chboone · 05-20-2014, 01:22 PM

I've read the same complaints on the National RV Forum about poor air flow the further you get from the AC unit. I have a basement unit in my 36 ft Avion 5er the same problem in the rear. The original owners opted for the optional roof air in the kitchen. It was install in place of a vent. If there is some place to install a duct booster fan that may help.
TJERNLUND Inline Duct Booster,7 In. L,Sleeve - Inline Duct Fans - 4C724|DB-2 - Grainger Industrial Supply

Chuck

mel s · 05-20-2014, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APlusParts

I appreciate the help fred and bonnie but im really looking for the ports to check the freon levers and from what i understand the alfa's have to high of a roof which is why the ac unit is underneath if i can add a roof unit that is what ill do which is why i was asking alfa owners for what they have already done

APlusParts
Although I am not an Alfa owner, I can tell you that most RVs use similar roof air conditioners and that most roof airs DO NOT have freon ports.
Good luck.
Mel
'96 Safari

336muffin · 05-20-2014, 01:33 PM

Aplusparts................I might have missed it but are you referring to the dash air or the roof air?

Old Scout · 05-20-2014, 01:34 PM

Not very knowledgeable on Alfas but have assumed that most "basement" air units were regular residential [window-type] units with no post-manufacture means of adding freon--except for cutting / soldering in a schraeder valve. Not sure of the conversion dates but if its a 2004 unit, there is a good chance its R11--good luck with finding the freon/creditials to work on/with r11.

mel s · 05-20-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 336muffin

Aplusparts................I might have missed it but are you referring to the dash air or the roof air?

336muffin
Good question.
Not enough info. in a question often results in a lot of well meaning people wasting a lot of their time.
Mel

Old Scout · 05-20-2014, 04:35 PM

Agree, the owner was not very clear with his first question but he did clarified his issue in #3--eg, "...the roof of the Alfa coach is too high". Initial/first time participants in this forum are often unfamiliar with "RV terminology" so its incumbant on all of us to read the entire thread before we comment....its a lesson I continue to learn [smile].

chboone · 05-20-2014, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

Not sure of the conversion dates but if its a 2004 unit, there is a good chance its R11--good luck with finding the freon/creditials to work on/with r11.

Wouldn't be R11, R11 was primarily used for large centrifugal chillers and as a solvent. Pretty neat stuff you could actually hold it in your hand. The boiling point was in the 70 deg range, don't remember exactly. Both R11 and R12 were two of the worse refrigerants for the ozone. Would either be R22 or R134A.