How to Repair Your RV Air Conditioner？

Despite their small size, RV air conditioners are very durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear on the roof of your RV. However, they can still experience problems and break down if the problem is not properly addressed immediately.

Colku is the premier RV rooftop air conditioner factory in China, and we answer the most common RV air conditioner repair questions in this blog.

Does RV AC Use Freon?

Unlike air conditioners used to cool your home or car, RV air conditioners work very differently. RV air conditioners work more like refrigerators that use chemical refrigerants such as Freon.

RV air conditioners are sealed, which means they cannot be opened and repaired. Therefore, if they need to be repaired, the repair costs are usually very expensive.

Why is My RV AC Not Cooling Properly?

The most common RV air conditioner problem is insufficient cooling. There are many reasons for this problem, but the following are the most common reasons.

First, your RV air conditioner's BTU is not large enough, especially on hot days, your air conditioner may be overwhelmed. If you experience this problem frequently, you may want to consider installing another air conditioner or upgrading your current unit, such as the Colku RV Air Conditioner GCA Series, the cooling capacity is up to 9180btu with GMCC compressor so that every part of your vehicle gets consistent coolness.

The second most common reason is a lack of maintenance on your air conditioner. Like any other part of your RV, the air conditioner also requires regular maintenance. Simply by performing the necessary maintenance work, you can improve the performance of your unit and extend its lifespan.

How Long Does An RV AC Last?

The life expectancy of an RV air conditioner depends mainly on the model and how it is used. However, in general, an air conditioner can be expected to last three to five years.

If your camper air conditioner is a few years old and is already showing signs of wear and tear, most experts would recommend replacing it because it is usually cheaper to replace the air conditioner than to repair it.

Is My RV AC Receiving The Wrong Amount of Power?

Any time your RV air conditioner receives too much or too little power, it has the potential to be seriously damaged. Unfortunately, there are many ways it can receive the wrong amount of power, including the following:

Your generator may be fluctuating too much, which means there may be an internal problem with your generator. If you are plugged in at a campground and it is a hot day, most people are probably using their air conditioners. This will affect the amount of power you are receiving from the shore outlet and could harm your air conditioner.

Can An RV AC Run All Day?

You won't have a problem leaving the air conditioner running in your camper 24/7, but you will have to turn the thermostat down a bit so that the compressor can still cycle on and off effectively. It's best to have two units in your trailer so you can alternate between the front and rear air conditioners to give each one a break.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace An RV Air Conditioner?

The cost of replacing an air conditioner depends on the type of RV you have. Most air conditioning units can cost between $700 and $1,500, and between $1,000 and $2,000 to install. These numbers are just estimates.

Basic RV AC Maintenance Tips：

Increase efficiency by performing the following basic maintenance tips on your air conditioner.

• Condenser Fins

Condenser fins are something you should avoid messing with (call an RV air conditioning service), but knowing a little about them will let you know what to look out for when maintaining your air conditioner.

If the condenser fins are extremely dirty, remove the filter on the inside of the ceiling. Take a flashlight and look up at the condenser fins; they should be clean and crisp.

If the condenser fins are not properly maintained, it may be because your filter does not completely cover the air intake area and needs to be replaced with a correctly sized filter. Any dust will not be able to pass through this filter.

Occasionally check the condenser fins to see if they are bent. If they are, you can straighten any bent condenser fins on the air conditioner using a fin comb, which you can purchase at any auto parts store.

• Condenser Coils

Clean the external condenser coils as needed. This is not a mandatory maintenance issue, but it will help your air conditioner perform to its full potential.

The coils are located on the back of the air conditioning unit and can be accessed from the outside of the roof. You can use an air compressor to blow out any debris that has collected on the coils. Since the air conditioner fan draws air in through the back of the coil and exhausts it out the side of the housing, it's best to blow compressed air from the inside out. You can also clean this coil with water if you wish. Don't forget to disconnect all power to the air conditioner first.

Each air conditioning unit has a coil that collects condensed water and directs it to the roof of the RV through a small hose. Some of the drain openings on the coil are small and can easily become clogged, causing water to leak into the RV. These holes can be carefully cleaned out with a wire and then blown clean with air.

• Air Filters

Be sure to clean your RV air conditioner's air filters every two to four weeks, depending on how often you run it - failing to do so can result in reduced airflow, which can lead to insufficient cooling of the vehicle. This is especially problematic on hot days.

If you neglect your air filter for too long, it can cause the unit to work harder and use more electricity, greatly shortening its lifespan.

Contact Colku today! We provide online RV air conditioning system repair guidance, sales and other services. Fill out this online form to contact us and our team will be happy to answer any questions and service inquiries you may have regarding RV air conditioning repairs.