Air Conditioner Manual

[Flyboy470]

What does one have to do to get an air conditioner manual. I have attempted to contact Wagners (Suamico, WI) and Dometic - no one wants to respond. Air conditioner has little ducted flow, OK if vents on cover open, cuts on & off frequently in hot weather - doesn't seem to be cooling well, doesn't get to set temperature when outside temp is above 86.
A/C is installed in Bighorn 3070RL, vin 5SFBG342XCE245717. No manual in owner's packet.

 

[SJH]

Re: Airconditioner Manual

You could start at the Dometic site...HERE is the manual for the Comfort Control Center and HERE is Installation information for DuoTherms. Many more documents available HERE. Couldn't find any "troubleshooting" information but perhaps some of this will help.

Best Wishes!

 

[boatto5er]

Re: Airconditioner Manual

There are a couple of Dometic manuals in the Tools section of this forum. It will be difficult for a sinsle A/C unit to get the temp less than 10-15 drgrees below ambient outside temperature in weather over 85degrees. If you can swing it, a second A/C unit is the way to go. There are also some user mods that have helped. Search for "tent in a vent".

 

[JohnDar]

Re: Airconditioner Manual

Just be sure you're not running the fan on low speed when trying to cool down at those temps. The unit will ice up and you won't get much cold air until the glacier melts off. It's been found that running the fan on high speed, although noisier, will prevent the ice from forming. I did experience the phenomenon in northern Michigan during a stretch of high temps and humidity two years ago.

 

[danemayer]

Re: Airconditioner Manual

At the Gillette Rally this past week, one of the presenters was from Dometic. In the A/C part of his talk, he explained that if you measure the air coming out of the main duct in the ceiling, and measure temp in the living area, there should be an 18-20 degree differential. That's how Dometic measures to determine if the unit is cooling properly. (Based on that, I might have to have mine serviced).

On questioning how long it might take to cool the RV if you set up in 95 degrees at 5pm, he thought 4-5 hours might be likely.

 

[JohnDar]

Re: Airconditioner Manual

I think the key to cooling the rig with a single A/C is to incorporate several small desk fans (they don't have to be huge) to help circulate the cool air from the rear of the rig. The ductwork in the ceiling is minimally efficient even on a good day. We'll place an oscillating fan on the kitchen counter right under the A/C and two small ones on the dresser in the bedroom. And we'll run the ceiling fan, too. Slide toppers and window awnings help, too.

 

[Flyboy470]

Re: Airconditioner Manual

Thanks for the info, probably produced more questions than answers - but a good start. From your links I somehow got to a page that seems to identify my Air Conditioner - looks to be a Dometic 'Brisk' 459515, 15000BTU unit. Mine has the Dometic Single Zone LCD Thermostat installed.

While reviewing the many posts on my questions I decided to check the ducting. Doesn't exist as I know it. Heartland has the reinforced, laminated roof on the Bighorn. 5"? block foam which has 2 fabricated channels (approx 6" wide, front to back, which act as ducting with the laminated ceiling panels. Great idea, questionable fabrication/installation! It appears that the glue, for the lamination, was sprayed on the surfaces before they were joined. When I looked (with a mirror & flashlight) it was like a rabid spider had infested the channels and spun its web. Took me about 2 hours with a brush and extensions to clean out a good handful of glue residue. Probably doubled airflow to the front bedroom ducting & eliminated most of the rain of foam particles throughout the trailer.

The cleaning and using the advice to run the fan on high (having no manual I was not aware of the high/auto/lo fan options), I think should improve my AC performance.
Thanks again everyone - I still will try to get a response from Dometic to confirm my findings & see about manuals.