Re: [A/S] a/c Woes

[kentgeld@xxxxxxxx]

Hi Hunter,
I have a newer (two years old) Coleman Mach A/C unit on a 31' Airstream
and it cools it quite well even in Southern Texas heat.
If yours is not I would suspect a leak in the Freon line.
I don't know how old your A/C unit is but I suspect it is not too old and
not in need of replacement.
I would make sure your condenser is not stopped up with leaves or dust. 
The condenser is the thing you see when you look at the rear of the unit.

I see them from time to time pretty beat up from backing the Airstream
through trees and such with a leak usually the result. (Freon runs
through the condenser)

It is hard to diagnose a problem without seeing the unit but if you could
pull the shroud off you would probably see a leak if you had one due to
the oil that is contained in the Freon.
The oil shows a black stain where the leak is.

The postee's tip about putting a thermometer in the outlet grill of the
unit is a good one.
If it shows a twenty to thirty degree temp. drop as compared to ambient
air in the Airstream then the unit is working correctly.
The units show a lesser degree temp. drop as they get older and if they
get a Freon leak it starts to decline almost immediately and the
compressor will soon fail as it is no longer getting lubed with the oil
that is contained in the Freon.
Another "fatal" problem I see often is when the Freon leaks all the way
out air gets into the system.
When you combine air with residue Freon you get acid.
This acid eats through the compressor case and you get to buy a new unit
as a result.

Do the thermometer test in the grill and let us know and we will take it
from there.
Mike Kent