A/C Freeze up

[ChuckS]

I have a Jayco 197 and it is freezing up after running for only 3 hours. It is only 3 years old. Checking to see if anyone has had this problem, and is there a way to check the charge in this unit. It is a Coleman without heater.
Thanks for any ideas..
Chuck

[Bob Landry]

It's unlikely that you have low charge. These units do not use a large amount of refrigerant and any leak at all would lose enough so that it wouldn't cool at all.First, I would clean filters and check the evaporator coil for dust/dirt/lint buildup tha would be restricting air flow. There is a way to check for correct charge by measuring currentdraw, but it reqires a clamp-on amp meter. Look for the simple stuff first.

[JayRidge]

I agree with Bob, check to make sure there is proper air flow. There are 2 reasons that A/C units freeze up, restricted air flow and low coolant. The first one you can check out and probably fix if it is the cause. The second one needs to be handled by a professional.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[ChuckS]

OK I will do that today, thanks for the ideas. I found some coil cleaner at Lowes but it said it was for the condenser, will this work for inside coils.

[ChuckS]

OK up date. I think my thermostat is broken as my compressor will not shut off with it set to the lowest part on the knob. Does anyone know if you can use a regular thermostat on this unit. It should hook up the same fan, power and compressor.

[JayRidge]

I have a 2009 Jay Feather 197 and the temperature controller for the A/C is built in. Personally I would just take it back to the dealer and have it serviced. My fear would be that I'd make it worse and then it would be even more expensive when I finally took it in for service. :(

[WiliWali]

Another thing to check is the thermocouple that senses whether or not the coils are getting ready to freeze up. If you drop the cover and filter, you should be able to see up into the coils. Most brands have a thermocouple inserted on or into the coils. It is a small metal tube with two wires (usually white) coming off it. Some use some kind of bracket to hold it in place, but mine was just jammed in between two of the coils.

It fell out when traveling, and things froze up the next time I used the A/C. I simply pushed it back in where it came from, and things have been fine since ...