Very unhappy with new AC system!

[kdeiss]

Thhttp://www.dwincorp.com/products.php?product_id=12
This Spring I plan to replace some of these larger AC vents for increased Air Flow

[jameswbarton]

Hi,
The circular vents used by Keystone are 12 sq in freespace. You really need to get above 48 sq in min freespace total per AC. I have installed 60 sq in freespace per AC and it is working well with the newer system. Make sure you know the free airspace of replacement vents. I went with the same vents so that I did not have to balance airflow between different vent types. I just added vents in my dead spaces. I talked with DWincorp and they have good products.

[kozzy]

My cycling issue looks to be the thermostat, it is in now getting replaced, but I wont know if that is actually the issue until next summer. I can say, though, since I removed the vents and cut out every other louver, the air flow and cooling in my coach was much better..

[jameswbarton]

by cutting out every other louver you have increased the freespace of the register to almost 15 sq in and are close to the minimum spec for two AC's

[Golfmedik]

Just got off of the phone with a member of the Keystone Management team. They are going to dive into the AC unit deeper and try to run down the problems I am having. Not really sure how they will do that as it is now in the 50s here temp wise. Anyway, they've now seen where the unit has been back several times for this issue and are now following up. I have to take the unit back to the dealer next week for further testing. I will keep you updated.

[guru1961]

As I sit here in Delaware, our 2014 Big Sky 382RL is in Goshen IN at the Keystone service center for A/C lemon law work. I spent almost 2 years trying to get unit fix to better cool to no avail. I filed the lemon law suit and that seemed to get their attention. I tried the BBB and it started the conversation more so than just a phone call to Keystone. Hopefully the repairs they are making (return air issue & vents) will help cool this black beast off. I am not holding my breath though. I have purchased the vents that were discussed here and will make the other mods (pipe in return section) as well once we get our unit back. I agree with most that these units should be better built and not require as much work I don't expect to work on 2015 Ram truck with such vigor as this RV. We have been RV'ers since 1994 so I am not blind to issues that come up. Cool coach ahead!

[Golfmedik]

The unit is going back to the factory on the 7th of February to have the AC system inspected and the flex in the nose repaired. Just keeping you up to date.

[Larry]

I will admit that the new AC units draw a lot less current than older models but the most efficient models I looked at drew the following current (amps):
15k 13.3
13.5K 12.7
Total= 26.0 Amps

In the real world, the most you can expect from a 30A outlet is about 28A. In addition, I bet those figures are RUN amps not START amps.

The other thing is when you attach your 50A to 30A dog-bone to your cord you are removing one of your 110VAC legs and my understanding is that the AC's are wired to different legs.

Does both your AC's run when you are plugged into a 50A plug? If so, accept the fact that you need to stay out of campgrounds that only have 30A service.

[Golfmedik]

quote:Originally posted by Larry

I will admit that the new AC units draw a lot less current than older models but the most efficient models I looked at drew the following current (amps):
15k 13.3
13.5K 12.7
Total= 26.0 Amps

In the real world, the most you can expect from a 30A outlet is about 28A. In addition, I bet those figures are RUN amps not START amps.

The other thing is when you attach your 50A to 30A dog-bone to your cord you are removing one of your 110VAC legs and my understanding is that the AC's are wired to different legs.

Does both your AC's run when you are plugged into a 50A plug? If so, accept the fact that you need to stay out of campgrounds that only have 30A service.

My main concern is that they won't even cool on 50A service. However, the unit will still not cool on 30A as well as my other two campers did. I know, apples to oranges type of thing, but can never get the rig comfortable.

[dhenry3]

I was having the same issue with our 2017 3710fl. The rear a/c unit seemed not to cool at all. I turned it in to CW service for repair last month and after checking it over they had to clean out the saw dust and debris from the duct work and install tubing in the ducts in order to open them up enough to get air moving. With the blockage the rear a/c was freezing up and thus no cooling. The front unit was working fine. All seems good now but I'll have to wait for hot weather to really check it out.

[Golfmedik]

We started unloading her today to get her ready for her trip back to the factory next week. I'm not sure how I feel about this now, but at thins point, we'll give it a go.

[Golfmedik]

They have had the unit at the factory a month now. No word as of yet if they have started on it or not. It is there for more than the AC as most of you know, but that is the number tow reason it is there. I talked to a factory rep about 10 days ago and was told that there was a couple of batches of AC units put out by Dometic that didn't function well after being installed. My unit was made after those batches were put out, but won't know until they look at the serial number if mine has them. My understanding is that my unit will go to the "hot bay" for testing once the frame issue is resolved.
I then called my dealer and asked him if he had heard of any problems with Dometic and he confirmed what I had been told. He said they were "replacing them by the handfuls". Whatever that meant. I will update you as I learn more.

[jameswbarton]

In my High Country 375fl the AC units are wired on the dame leg. My ac is finally working well but the rear unit had to be pulled, cleaned and the duct separator properly installed. I had to add three additional ceiling vents, and block all the floor registers, stair vents, holes under the kitchen cabinets and kitchen hutch.

[Golfmedik]

The AC units were tested and both met all parameters as far as the AC units themselves. Remember though that we had a bad control board and it hasn't been hot enough to use them since. However, they did re-tape some of the ducts as they were letting air escape into the ceiling. They also put in new vents and vent covers that essentially did what several of you have done. They are only about an inch tall and they also taped the openings again. These shorter vents did what James and Jimmy and others have done by cutting the existing vents down with a razor or a Dremel to allow better air flow out of them. I will let you know later next week as I hope it will be warm enough to use them on our 10 day trip. I will update later.

[vipermanden]

It is amazing to me that we even have to put up with any of this? This should be like, does the toilet work or not! Having the A/C only get you 5-10 degrees colder then outside air with two units and 50 amps is "COMPLETELY" unacceptable. My cars and truck blow 3-4 x times the the cold air as these huge units we carry on top of our units? What the heck? Is there a definitive upgrade, or are we stuck with these inferior units? What units are the motorhomes like Newmar using? We need to upgrade to these units!!

[bigskyjimmy]

Hey vipermanden I thought we already told ya how to make and use the A/C's so they cool a Lot better I guess ya did not want to take the advise there is Nothing wrong with the A/C units themselves

Originally Posted by vipermanden

It is amazing to me that we even have to put up with any of this? This should be like, does the toilet work or not! Having the A/C only get you 5-10 degrees colder then outside air with two units and 50 amps is "COMPLETELY" unacceptable. My cars and truck blow 3-4 x times the the cold air as these huge units we carry on top of our units? What the heck? Is there a definitive upgrade, or are we stuck with these inferior units? What units are the motorhomes like Newmar using? We need to upgrade to these units!!

[vipermanden]

BigSky, I will try to do these mods when I have a chance, but i am disappointed with us having to do any of this!!

[vipermanden]

With both A/C units blasting and set to 65 degrees, it is 88 outside at 7pm, and 82 inside woo-hoo, this is the life! "NOT" Very disappointing.

[jameswbarton]

The Dometic units are fine it is how they were installed that killed the airflow. In my coach I had to add three more ceiling vents to increase airflow up to minimum Dometic recommendations. The ceiling ducts in mine are also barely at minimum recommended size. Not too much you can do about that.

[jameswbarton]

Sound just like my Montana until I spent many hours rebuilding the ducting and sealing off the basement and installing closeable floor registers. I also was missing a duct divider allowing return and supply air to mix. A dealer had to remove the rear unit to fix that.