We took our
Scamp out for the first time this year. I noticed the A/C’s fan making a scrubbing noise. This actually happened back in Sept as well. I re-leveled the
Scamp and it stopped. I mess around with the Coleman Polar Cub 9200 btu for a bit and can make it stop but pulling down on the “duct” inside. I place a small “stick” of plastic in there...but later it does it again. By the time I got home and got the
Scamp up on jackstands, the fan is low enough now that the unit wont even start! I can spin it by hand but it’s tough.
Problem #1:
I spoke with AirExcel (Coleman) and he said, “Yep, it’s a known problem with the blower fan slipping down on the shaft.” SOOOoo...a blasted “design” issue! The fix he says? A self-tapping screw with Loctite and a flat washer. What????? Yep, I spoke with a tech at Cullum-Maxey in Nashville, TN. that told me he’s fixed MANY of those units. They (Coleman) started sending out the “kits” (Self-tapping screw with loctite and a flat washer) for them to use to fix this. The trick is, you have to drill a hole in the end of the shaft. THIS keeps the fan from slipping down any further. I was blown away! Which leads to-
Problem #2:
So, I ask the Coleman tech if this could be done from the inside. Nooo...it has to be done from the top! You realize what this means? Which leads to-
Problem #3:
You HAVE to get up on top of the Scamp to do this! The problem is with this, I spoke with Dave the production manager at Scamp. He hesitantly asked me what I weighed. Well, it’s about 185. He was very leery about me getting up there. We discussed boards, ply, etc to distribute the
weight. Mine is the 13’ with bathroom and that will help a lot because of the full wall that runs side-to-side and ceiling-to-floor. He suggested the door side but I have the
awning. There’s several things I’ve thought of including:
Forklift with pallet, Jenny Boom, scaffolding, putting some boards across my carport with ply and/or boards on them, or just crawling up there and letting it go. But, honestly, it would be disastrous should the roof crack and which would create a WHOLE lot more problems than what I have now IF I can find a away to safely do this.
I did call Dave again this morning and told him I had a “brain storm” that I think will work but wanted his blessing on it. I can take some 2X’s and place inside with a board running along side the A/C on the ceiling. Screw a couple of uprights to the ceiling support and one to a 2X support or base on the floor. If/when there’s give on the ceiling, it will transfer it to the floor- just like “load bearing” walls in a house. Dave said, “I never thought about that, but it will work.”
Have any of you ever gotten on top of your Scamp? Bracing may not be necessary but I didnt want to take any chances. I had a private “tech” tell me, “I know the roof on the Scamp cant be THAT d**n weak!”
...well...dunno and as much as I love to “test”, I just cant afford to see how much it WILL take.
It’s very hot here and it will be awhile before I tackle this but wanted to share it and see if any of you have had any reason to get on top of a Scamp (or Casita). Also, if anyone has this A/C, just beware...it most likely will happen :-( . Needless to say, I’m VERY disappointed in this Coleman design.
If there's any interest on this thread, I'll post some pics and the fix later on.