Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Community Forums > Thor Owners Community Discussions
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-26-2018, 12:28 AM   #1
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Tennessee
Posts: 62
THOR #8845
Air Conditioner - Coleman not keeping up and getting run around

The Coleman Mach 15,000 btu is not cooling our 2017 ACE 29.3. We are currently at Thor Factory Service center and have many issues fixed. Only issue left is this air conditioner. It does put out cold air. Today was 86, six hours with the air running the coolest it got in our coach was 80. Humidity was only 56percent. They tell us nothing is wrong. They have checked/taped all the vents, even moved the thermistor. We use reflective on the windows. We think there is something wrong with this unit and they should swap it. What are your opinions?

__________________
edanddonna is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 12:48 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
Take an accurate thermometer (not an infrared thermometer) and place it up by the air intakes after the a/c has run for at least 30 minutes. Do not let the thermometer touch anything. Note the reading after about 5 minutes. Move the thermometer to the air outlet at the a/c. Do not use the ceiling vents but the rapid cool vents on the a/c itself. Again for at least 5 minutes in position. The temperature difference should be about 20 degrees on high cool. If the difference is less than 15 degrees you have a problem of some sort.
__________________
Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
Beau388 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 02:25 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by edanddonna View Post

.....cut.... What are your opinions?

Hate to say it, but that’s a lot of motorhome for a single 15,000 BTUH A/C on a hot day. As a point of reference, I checked MHSRV Website, which is located in hot Dallas climate, and found every single new motorhome of that model and floorplan is listed with dual A/C and 5.5 kW generator. The dual 13,500 A/Cs have a combined 27,000 BTUH, which is 80% higher.

You should certainly check temperatures as suggested above, but should be realistic about the capacity limitations of a single A/C.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 11:11 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
Jumping in Chance's boat on this one. Too much space for one A/C. Is there a "stub hole" and wiring available for another A/C. It would be worth adding another, whatever you had to do.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 12:31 PM   #5
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau Super C 33SW
State: Florida
Posts: 92
THOR #10499
I'll jump in to edanddonna's boat on this one. 86 degrees out is not hot and the coach isn't too large for the 15k BTU unit. I had a 27'TT with a 15k BTU air conditioner. It was 107 degrees outside and a comfy 68 degrees inside. If you are only getting a 6 degree difference in temperature, then there is definitely something wrong with the unit. Just my thought, but experience tells me that it isn't working correctly.
__________________
DanChateau33SW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 12:48 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
if it's blowing 'cold' air, then there's nothing 'wrong' with the air conditioner....it's probably more a product of the size of the space it's trying to cool, and any other conditions, such as air leaks, whether parked in the shade, how many times the door is opened, etc...

we place table top fans around the coach to help move air...as we find that this is just as important as the 'cooling' of the air.

but, in the summer months this discussion will always be a part of this forum.
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
TurnerFam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 12:53 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Long & Winding road's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
Yeah, something is wrong. It should cool much better than what your seeing. Have you tried to insulate the roof unit? See other current posts on this subject. Perhaps it will help.

But if the AC is under warranty and you can finnally convince them to replace it I would go that route and then insulate the new one to max the cooling effect.
__________________
Long & Winding road is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 12:57 PM   #8
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
My opinion (That's all that iut ius...): one air-conditioning unit in an RV that's carrying as much window glass as yours; is just not going to cut the mustard.
A second unit should be a serious consideration.
Sorry...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 01:44 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37KT
State: Michigan
Posts: 282
THOR #2628
Ill add my .02 worth. Motor home have a big disadvantage when it comes to Heat and Cold. The windshield. It is safety glass per DOT. Travel trailers and 5th wheels don't. In our Challenger, on a trip in 98 degree heat both AC worked very hard, but walking from front to back you could feel the temp difference.

Second AC is a good idea, if not possible, then a outside windshield cover and window awnings would help a lot.

KC
__________________
2015 Challenger 37KT
Progressive Industry EMS-HW50C, Winegard Trav'ler Sat dish, Magnashades, 5 star tuner, lots of indirect lighting.
KCook is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 01:52 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
You can place the outdoor sensor of an indoor/outdoor thermometer near the front of the cab and see a huge difference in temperature from the middle of the camper. This radiant heat eats up the cool air the flows along the floor. It's almost like a vacuum of the cool air. I saw a post a few weeks back where they installed solid wall to wall, floor to ceiling curtains directly behind the front seats, closing off the front of the coach. It was an immediate difference in temps. Plus, they could close them underway and help the dash a/c better cool the front cab. Glass is the enemy and you have plenty of it.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 01:54 PM   #11
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Indiana
Posts: 3
THOR #12497
I just installed a 15 k unit in place of bedroom vent on ACE 30.1. Ran separate circuit out coach.
__________________
Mdh
Mwick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 02:00 PM   #12
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
With either the Sunguard or Magneshade windshield covers you can also see out when others can't see in (at least in the daytime) besides blocking a lot of the heat.
__________________
2022 Thor Axis 24.4
2021 Mach-E
blog - https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/
JamieGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 02:02 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
That's how you do it!! I can't live without excess A/C and wouldn't tolerate having to fight with it!
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 02:17 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanChateau33SW View Post
I'll jump in to edanddonna's boat on this one. 86 degrees out is not hot and the coach isn't too large for the 15k BTU unit. I had a 27'TT with a 15k BTU air conditioner. It was 107 degrees outside and a comfy 68 degrees inside. If you are only getting a 6 degree difference in temperature, then there is definitely something wrong with the unit. Just my thought, but experience tells me that it isn't working correctly.

There can be a lot of differences beyond RV size. Travel trailer models are often designated differently, so 27’ isn’t as large as a 27’ motorhome. This model Ace in question is 30-ft long and has a full wall slide, which wasn’t as common on older travel trailers. Motorhomes have huge windshields that trailers don’t, and that can increase cooling load tremendously. Older trailers often had thicker walls with more insulation, and generally fewer and smaller windows. Differences can be huge.

When parked in the sun, I’ve never had a 30-ft motorhome with a single A/C which was truly cool even without a full-wall slide. Too much solar energy comes through all the windows so it’s more than just about the outside temperature. Obviously full-wall slides and associated air leaks don’t help with load on A/C.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 02:25 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
Still paddling away...correct again!! Huge difference! My new MH cools very well with both 13.5's but doesn't come anywhere near what the Open Range did. That trailer would freeze you out with both units going.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 02:32 PM   #16
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
If you want to be really cool in your rig:
It'll take some extreme measures!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1532615554
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	EEG-Lou.jpg
Views:	219
Size:	267.4 KB
ID:	11784  
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 09:47 PM   #17
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Tennessee
Posts: 62
THOR #8845
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
If you want to be really cool in your rig:
It'll take some extreme measures!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1532615554
That might help 🤞, just have to take up winter camping[emoji16]
__________________
edanddonna is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 09:57 PM   #18
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Tennessee
Posts: 62
THOR #8845
Quote:
Originally Posted by edanddonna View Post
The Coleman Mach 15,000 btu is not cooling our 2017 ACE 29.3. We are currently at Thor Factory Service center and have many issues fixed. Only issue left is this air conditioner. It does put out cold air. Today was 86, six hours with the air running the coolest it got in our coach was 80. Humidity was only 56percent. They tell us nothing is wrong. They have checked/taped all the vents, even moved the thermistor. We use reflective on the windows. We think there is something wrong with this unit and they should swap it. What are your opinions?
Thanks everyone we appreciate all your knowledge, thoughts and opinions. Today the Thor service center continued to work on our air conditioner. After testing, no surprise that it tested with in guidelines. They did discover it freezes after 5 minutes. They managed to get approval to swap out our air conditioner. We are very excited to find out if it cools better. We will let you know[emoji4]
__________________
edanddonna is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 10:04 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,672
THOR #11781
I know it's anecdotal, but we camped outside of Dallas last month in a park that only had 30 amp service. It was in the upper 90s the whole time. We could only run one A/C and it kept the coach in the upper 70s the whole time. No matter what Thor says, there is something wrong with the A/C unit.
__________________
Lt Keefer
2018 Hurricane 29M
CHF, Saf-T-Plus, SumoSprings
Lt Keefer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2018, 10:26 PM   #20
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Quote:
Originally Posted by edanddonna View Post
That might help 🤞, just have to take up winter camping[emoji16]
Yeah: that's always a load of laughs!



http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1532643989
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	The Shining.jpg
Views:	202
Size:	80.2 KB
ID:	11798  
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 03:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2