OT Rooftop AC

plowhand · Aug 8, 2016

I'm looking at a Coleman 13500 btu AC unit 1992 model for $100 it works perfect..how long do these last?would it make more sense to buy new at $600 looking for opinions..thanks

Steve@Advance · Aug 8, 2016

Really no way to know how much it has been used unless you know the history. Most RV's don't get much use, but some do.

If it looks good, no rust in the pan, no evidence that a line tap has been added because there is a refrigerant leak (look carefully, take the cover off, that is a deal killer if one of those has been added!!!), the cover is not broken or sun baked to the point it will soon break, mouse chewed wiring, then it would probably be worth a chance.

Did you ask why it was removed?

John T · Aug 8, 2016

If they haven't leaked Freon, which they usually DO NOT do, I've had them last for yearssssssssssssss. The exterior rooftop fan blower motor may need a light oiling and clean the condenser and evaporator fins and plug it up and try it. Last time I enquired about adding a line tap to check and add Freon if necessary the tech said why spend two hundred when if its low it will prob leak again and for 5 or 6 hundred I could just buy a new unit THAT MADE SENSE TO ME.

John T

plowhand · Aug 8, 2016

Removed it because they went with a newer more efficient 1 it would trip the breaker once in a while when hooked up to sons garage when they would visit???

Steve@Advance · Aug 8, 2016

That's pretty common for them to trip a breaker every now and then.

Can be caused by a dirty condenser, too long/small extension cord, or trying to immediately restart when the head pressure is still up. Some RV's are wired to the minimum size required to run the AC, on a hot day it can't handle it.

John T · Aug 8, 2016

Steve "That's pretty common for them to trip a breaker every now and then"

RIGHT ON I've owned a ton of RV's with rooftop AC's for years and if the breaker is weak or the wiring not up to scale or the extensions are too long or too small wire or the voltage is low they will trip a 20 amp and especially a 15 breaker quite often. Even a new perfect condition AC will do so if any of the above weaknesses are present.

BTDT and got the T Shirt lol

John T

da.bees · Aug 8, 2016

Tripping breaker can mean several things,only way to know for certain is breaking out the amp guage to test draw and vom to test voltage drop. Wit that information you will know how to proceed.
It's not uncommon for the breaker to trip if ac is on at same time as microwave or water heater.

OT Rooftop AC

plowhand

Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

John T

Well-known Member

plowhand

Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

John T

Well-known Member

da.bees

Well-known Member

Similar threads