RV Roof Air Conditioner Troubleshooting

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Whether your RV air conditioner draws air in from the back or blows it out the back, you must perform routine troubleshooting steps to keep it working optimally. Most troubleshooting tips for air conditioners are easy to perform and require only a few simple DIY tools, such as caulk or a vacuum. As with any troubleshooting techniques, you want to check that the unit is performing well overall and that all maintenance is performed routinely.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Water and soap
Vacuum
Caulk

Step 1

Clean the filters. You can vacuum or rinse off the filters in a sink, but weekly maintenance is required if you are to keep your roof AC in working condition. Remove from the unit and reinstall after cleaning.

Step 2

Clean the evaporator coils, which are located near the air filters, and in some cases, inside the air box. Remove the upper shroud to reveal the condenser coils.

Step 3

Reseal the roof vent cutout area--the location in the roof where the air conditioner is mounted. If there is a leak, the cold supply air will re-circulate into the return side and cause the evaporator coil to freeze.
Press your hand to the return air duct and feel for cold air. If you feel cold air, load a caulk gun and reseal the area.

Step 4

Use a voltage monitor. An RV air conditioner requires 120 volts +/- 10 percent to cool an RV. Low voltage can cause the compressor to stop running or damage the compressor motor.

Step 5

Park your RV in a shaded area during very hot weather. Direct sun can penetrate the 6-inch roof insulation that is standard for most RV roves and pack the RV with more heat than an air conditioner can pump back out. During summer months, park the RV out of direct sunlight (preferably under a large tree) or use an awning to provide shade.

Tips & Warnings

Keep a log of all repairs and scheduled maintenance duties so you keep your RV roof air conditioner running smoothly at all times.

Never use an extension cord to power an RV roof air conditioner unless it is properly sized.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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