Problem with low profil Penguin heat pump airconditioner.

[johns4104s]

My front Penquin heat pump air conditioner is giving problems. The ambient temp here is 80 day 50 night. When its ruuning for several hours the whole thing including the fan (which we leave on high) slows down to nearly nothing. If we let it cool  for a few hours it will come back on strong.
Is there anything I can do myself to check it out? Or were would I take it to have it looked at?

Thanks

John

[TexasBorderDude]

John,
Most penguins have to go back to the antarctic (or at least SeaWorld)...hehehehe

dg

[Dreamscape]

John,

We experience the same type of scenario with our very old units, two Dometic Brisk Air, one Coleman. I thought it was related to age, so not sure now with your problem. Will be waiting to hear from the experts! Right Nick! Hee Hee

Paul

[johns4104s]

Dude,

Do the penquins go up and down those 14% grades ( tami said at 4 MPH) on the way to the north pole.

Cheerio

John

[cody]

Yep they do,and you shoulld hear their jakes on the way down the other side lol, sounds like they are icing up.

[luvrbus]

Be easy on him John he tows a 35 ft trailer loaded an it is loaded I watched him load it for a week.
But wait till this winter when we get through with his 8v71 he will have a engine to pull his new 3:36 rear gear won't be any more 4mph grades for Doyle.      
 good luck

[Airbag]

Sounds like it might be icing up and need the coil and the evaporator cleaned. Probably an easy fix. I am sure Nick will have a thought.

[johns4104s]

Lurbus,

Let me know when you rebuild i would enjoy seeing it go together.

John

[TexasBorderDude]

John,  I didn't mean to steal your thread!  I maybe can get up a little faster that 4mph and Smith's found I wasn't getting full throttle; and they fixed the jakes!!!!

Anyway, I hope you get your penguin de-iced!

dg

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi John,

Rick's reply is what I'm thinking also.

I have a saying, If in doubt, AMP it Out... Another words, if the whole unit is drawing less amps then the plate specs, then you can bet it's low on freon

which will cause the evaporator to ice up and restrict air flow..

If the whole unit is drawing higher then the plate specs, then you have clogged condencer/evaporator coils.

You can either check the amps at your panel, or you just as well take a reading at the unit because that's where you need to read the plate anyway.

good Luck
Nick-

[johns4104s]

Nick.

Thanks I will check the amps, and any condenser restrictions, But if it needs freon were would you go to have it added, is it possible to add? Also what should I look to pay??

Thanks

John

[Airbag]

I won't speak for Nick here but I do have the maintenance manual for all the Dometic AC's including the Penguins. I believe it talks about adding refrigerant. There are no fittings for doing it but it explains how to install them. Send me an e-mail and I will send you a copy as a pdf via e-mail. My e-mail is on my web site you can link from my posts. The manual to me is a must have.

[NJT5047]

Check your shoreline (house AC) voltage while you're checking things.   If you're in a campground, the AC voltage may be dropping off to something less than 100 Vac.  
A fault in your shore plug or panel could also drop the AC line voltage.  
I've got a Dometic AC/heatpump that cools at about 11 amps.   Heat cycle uses 15 amps.   Never figured out why the heat uses higher amps...?  But not a problem.
If your shore line power drops below 110 Vac or so...turn the AC off.   It'll cycle and bog down on low voltage.   Sorta hard on ACs.  
All AC and DC inputs are available by removing the inside air handler.   If it's like mine, removing the air filters exposes the screws that attaches the air handler.  Easy to access the wiring.  
My dos centavos.  JR

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Nick.

Thanks I will check the amps, and any condenser restrictions, But if it needs freon were would you go to have it added, is it possible to add? Also what should I look to pay??

Thanks

John

Hi John,

Any qualified RV dealer can install a service valve and fill to the proper level for you.
I have heard lots of storys that RV dealers refuse to charge your unit because they want to sell you a new one... LOOK OUT!
If that's the case, just contact a A/C guy in your area.

Good Luck
Nick-

[johns4104s]

Nick,

it now has blown the breaker, so If the whole unit is drawing higher then the plate specs, then you have clogged condencer/evaporator coils.
It would appear that the evap coils are plugged right. Are these units hard to get at to clean out? I dont have a ladder so i will have to wait till I get back to Texas.

John