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Old 04-06-2015, 09:57 AM   #1
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Question Heat pump not cooling enough

Just took our Jayco Jaysport 12H IA-frame pop-up) to FL and back for a wedding. On the hottest day (86F) the heat pump failed to keep the inside cool. The rest of the time it worked great. The compressor sounded like it was turning on and off as usual. I tried turning the unit off for 30 minutes or so, flipping the breakers, etc. Nothing helped until the day cooled off outside. I didn't think to check the vent by the cooling fins until later that day when it was cooler outside and the ac was working well again. Then the vent was hot. I am thinking either the unit is undersized for the camper (unlikely) or the coolant has leaked, and needs a recharge. This camper is not under warranty, since we bought it as salvage, and fixed the things we found wrong with it. Anybody out there have a similar problem? Thanks.
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Old 04-09-2015, 11:17 AM   #2
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We have a heat pump in our Skylark. In the second year we owned it we had a similar experience to yours while traveling. We took the trailer to a dealer, who checked the heat pump and it was low on refrigerant. Since the trailer was under warranty, they replaced the unit.

You should be able to locate a nameplate and determine the BTU rating of the unit. Once you have that, you can determine if the unit is undersized or not working properly
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Old 04-09-2015, 01:11 PM   #3
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Thank You. I called an RV repair guy, and he told me how to bench test it, so I plan to try that soon, then we will see. Thanks again.
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Old 04-09-2015, 04:30 PM   #4
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Thank You. I called an RV repair guy, and he told me how to bench test it, so I plan to try that soon, then we will see. Thanks again.
Could you share how to bench test a heat pump?
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Old 04-09-2015, 05:43 PM   #5
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It may also be the campground AC power wasn't adequate (brownout)?
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Old 04-10-2015, 06:38 AM   #6
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Could you share how to bench test a heat pump?
This guy was quite helpful and seemed to know his stuff, said he had been in the biz over 30 years (I am a mechanical engineer BTW). He suggested:
1. Set up camper when at least over 75F. (I plan to use my 30 Amp dryer outlet)
2. Use a thermometer to measure Temp in the camper.
3. Turn on AC for a few minutes.
4. Measure Temp of air coming out of AC vents.
5. The air coming out of AC (acutally heat pump) vents should be 15-20 degrees colder than initial camper temp. As camper cools, the delta T, or change in temp should be consistently 15-20 degrees colder than the camper temp.

He said if the delta T is not at least 15F, then to come see him, or he makes house calls.

I plan to do this next week, when my spouse is around to witness the test.
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Old 04-10-2015, 06:54 AM   #7
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It may also be the campground AC power wasn't adequate (brownout)?
I don't think so since the compressor sounded normal when kicking on and off (at least to me). Bu the test should show us something. Thanks.
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Old 04-10-2015, 07:19 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Aframer View Post
This guy was quite helpful and seemed to know his stuff, said he had been in the biz over 30 years (I am a mechanical engineer BTW). He suggested:
1. Set up camper when at least over 75F. (I plan to use my 30 Amp dryer outlet)
2. Use a thermometer to measure Temp in the camper.
3. Turn on AC for a few minutes.
4. Measure Temp of air coming out of AC vents.
5. The air coming out of AC (acutally heat pump) vents should be 15-20 degrees colder than initial camper temp. As camper cools, the delta T, or change in temp should be consistently 15-20 degrees colder than the camper temp.

He said if the delta T is not at least 15F, then to come see him, or he makes house calls.

I plan to do this next week, when my spouse is around to witness the test.
Do not use the dryer outlet. It is 240 volt and will blow out the electronics in the trailer.
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Old 04-10-2015, 07:44 AM   #9
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Do not use the dryer outlet. It is 240 volt and will blow out the electronics in the trailer.
Thanks! Looks like I will have to find another place to test the Heat Pump.
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