DuoTherm A/c woes - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-06-2014, 11:34 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Bigfoot 21 ft
Posts: 24
DuoTherm A/c woes

I have a 25 ft Bigfoot TT. It has an 11,000 BTU Duo Therm A/C. My problem is that the ac cuts off prematurely. It only wants to cool the trailer about 10 deg from the outside temp. When it shuts off, both the compressor and the fan shut down. The owners manual says that the fan should continue to run when the compressor shuts off. I suspect that the outside coils are freezing up causing the unit to shut down. I contacted Duo Therm to see if the unit has a freeze sensor. I was told that it does not. I am in Texas and we are already seeing 90 to 95 deg days. I suspect that the 11,000 btu unit may be too small for a 25 ft travel trailer. I have replaced the thermostat also but the problem continues. Any ideas short of removing the outside shroud and inspecting for ice? The air temp coming out of the unit is right at 60 deg.
Jim Sinor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2014, 12:02 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Bob Miller's Avatar
 
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
You don't mention the age of the a/c but many do show age issues after about 10 years.

I would just bite the bullet and pull it off the roof and get it bench tested and repaired. The plus side to that is you can replace the roof gasket with a new one at the same time. The roof gaskets are generic and readily available at any RV parts shop.

And Yes, 11,000 is a bit small for a 25'er, 13,500 would do a better job with that much area, esp in Texas, where everything has to be bigger (LOL)



Bob Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2014, 12:11 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Bigfoot 21 ft
Posts: 24
The trailer is an '08. Prior owner was from Ohio and said he never used the unit. He did say it was serviced last year.
Jim Sinor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2014, 01:50 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
Send a message via Yahoo to Darwin Maring
It is the inside coil that freezes. The outside coil should be hot.
Darwin Maring is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-06-2014, 05:11 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Bigfoot 21 ft
Posts: 24
I'm not sure that the unit is freezing up. I will check tomorrow for sure by climbing up and removing the shroud. With the inside cover (air box) removed, I cannot see any sign of freezing. That is why I suspected a freeze sensor. Again, the DuoTherm tech support line said there is no freeze sensor or low temp sensor, if they can be believed.
I gave the woman the model number and she supposedly looked it up. The install manual says that the fan should stay on when the compressor cycles off. That is not what is happening. Both the fan and compressor shut down. Later they come back on. Tomorrow I will clean the coils to within an inch of their lives and see what that does. LOL.
Jim Sinor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2014, 08:34 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Bigfoot 21 ft
Posts: 24
No ice on the inside coil.
Still puzzled as to why it shuts down prematurely.
Jim Sinor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2014, 10:19 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
Send a message via Yahoo to Darwin Maring
to Hot?

Is it possible that the compressor is getting to hot? Is there a to hot sensor?
Darwin Maring is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2014, 02:39 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Carol H's Avatar
 
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
Registry
Have you tried calling Bigfoot to ask or gone to their owners forum to see if anyone else has had the same issue?
Carol H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2014, 06:22 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Bigfoot 21 ft
Posts: 24
I have scoured the internet looking for someone with an identical problem with no success. The mfg, DuoTherm, was no help either. Tomorrow I'll get out the multi-meter and start exploring.
Jim Sinor is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Free DuoTherm heater from 1975 Trillium Isaac M Classified Archives 2 11-16-2010 08:21 AM
FS Duotherm Furnace Model65810-002 mszabo Classified Archives 0 02-28-2010 11:28 AM
REMOVING a DuoTherm gravity furnace Marv Watson Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 5 06-08-2009 05:57 PM
DUOTHERM AC jefh Problem Solving | Owners Helping Owners 1 04-26-2006 06:23 AM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.