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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-17-2014, 08:26 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 4
26BH Air Conditioning

Hello all,

Just curious to get feedback from folks on the adequacy of cooling from the AC on the 26BH. Particularly those with ambient temps 95+. We have a 2009 26BH, that we do not seem to be able to cool off until late in the evening.

Of course, one of the challenges is keeping kids from going in and out. We have added covers to the windows, which helps a little. I have also cleaned the coil and replaced the filter.

We have friends with similar configs who are able to cool their campers much better than what we are experiencing.

I am considering one of three options at this point: Check unit for freon leaks/add valve for charging; larger AC; or even a different camper (condiering this anyway with three kids) Any feedback/thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric
Bobcat94 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 09:30 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Northern CT
Posts: 223
My AC is adequate for the space. It does take a while for it to cool down the space, but once it's cool it keeps it cool. Our biggest complaint is that the thermostat doesn't seem to be very accurate in its ability to regulate the temperature. I'd look at that as a possible culprit too.
__________________
2013 Jay Flight 26BH
2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 4x4
KiltDog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 09:35 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Tex1961's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Plano, Texas
Posts: 507
2013 - 264Bh (close enough).. Took it out a couple of weeks ago.. Average temp. Sunny and mid 90's.. Took a few hours to cool down, but got very cold..
__________________
2013 Jayco Jayflight Swift 264BH
2002 Yukon 5.3L Vortex w/tow package

When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did–in his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car.
Tex1961 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 10:19 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Iraqvet05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 1,710
What size unit do you have? We have the 15000 btu Coleman in ours and it kept up well this past weekend with the outside temps in the low to mid 90s even with out kids runnng in and out all the time. Not sure if these units work like an home a/c but have you looked at cleaning the coils and filter?
__________________
2018 28BHBE
2017 Ford F250 XLT, 6.2 gasser
2013 26BH (traded)
Iraqvet05 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 10:50 AM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 4
Honestly, I am not certain of the size. When I pulled the filter I did not see a data placard. I assume it is up top. I had a water lead about a month ago when the drain plugged. I cleaned the coil and put in a new filter at that time. One thing I did do a little different was to take a home filter and size it to the unit. This should help keep the coil cleaner and it should not affect draw from the intake. Glad other folks are having better luck. It bumms me out that I am not able to keep up with this Texas heat. Next thing I might check is the seal up on the roof to make sure I am not taking in outside air.
Bobcat94 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 10:53 AM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 4
How hard is it to change out the condenser if I decide to take that route?
Bobcat94 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 11:56 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Camping Couple's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 769
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobcat94 View Post
Hello all,

Just curious to get feedback from folks on the adequacy of cooling from the AC on the 26BH. Particularly those with ambient temps 95+. We have a 2009 26BH, that we do not seem to be able to cool off until late in the evening.

Of course, one of the challenges is keeping kids from going in and out. We have added covers to the windows, which helps a little. I have also cleaned the coil and replaced the filter.

We have friends with similar configs who are able to cool their campers much better than what we are experiencing.

I am considering one of three options at this point: Check unit for freon leaks/add valve for charging; larger AC; or even a different camper (condiering this anyway with three kids) Any feedback/thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric
Before adding any valves to charge the unit, I would check the amperage at the compressor the see if it matched the RLA(run load amps) depending on how hot it is you may be at RLA or just below. You'll find the RLA rating on the data plate. These units hold very little refrigerant. They are considered critical charged systems. As an alternative you would have to recover the refrigerant, weigh it to see if you are low. Personally, I would avoid that path. Unless you have the training in refrigerant handling you open a can of worms that will cost big $$$. Also I think the newer A/C units on RV's are R-410A. They operate at a higher pressure than the R-22 units.

Changing out the unit for the exact same unit would be easy, you'll want help from a strong person and be careful to cover the rubber roof while your doing it. Tearing a hole in the rubber would be bad.

Just my thoughts,

Mark
__________________
2019 Jayco 26BHX Eagle HTX Fifth Wheel
2018 Chevrolet Silverado Double Cab 2500HD 4X4 6.0L 4.10 axle
Reese 16K Round Tube Slider Hitch
HD Trailering Package with Integrated Brake Controller

Camping Couple is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 12:14 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 4
Thanks for the reply. My father is a retired A/C guy. I am planning on going to his place this weekend to try some diagnostics before I do anything drastic. Now that I know that the issue is not just Texas heat, we will see if we can give this unit some TLC before replacing.

Thanks for all the input folks
Bobcat94 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 12:49 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Camping Couple's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 769
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobcat94 View Post
Thanks for the reply. My father is a retired A/C guy. I am planning on going to his place this weekend to try some diagnostics before I do anything drastic. Now that I know that the issue is not just Texas heat, we will see if we can give this unit some TLC before replacing.

Thanks for all the input folks
If your dad did A/C work for a living...you are in great hands. He will have that unit running like new.

I am an A/C service tech myself. It's a great trade. Good luck to you.
__________________
2019 Jayco 26BHX Eagle HTX Fifth Wheel
2018 Chevrolet Silverado Double Cab 2500HD 4X4 6.0L 4.10 axle
Reese 16K Round Tube Slider Hitch
HD Trailering Package with Integrated Brake Controller

Camping Couple is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 04:01 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 552
Before you tear into this unit and create more problems than you can fix, measure compressor amp draw. The amperage on the data plate is based on an ambient temp of 95 degrees. A 10 degree change in ambient temp will cause a change of 1A in compressor draw. Interpolate in between. If the data plate says 14A, and the temp is 100, then you should read 14.5A. That will tell you if the unit is properly charged. This test is valid for both R22 and R410a.
I doubt you are low on charge. These units only hold a pound or so, so any type of leak is going to blow the entire charge and then there is no cooling.

I think your time would be better spent inspecting and taping the plenum where is goes into the ceiling vents(if it is a ducted unit) and around the ceiling registers. RV AC ducting is by nature installed very sloppily and you may be dumping cold air into the ceiling area where it is going to do you no good.
__________________
2010 22FB(Ret)
2013 F250 XLT
I now have a Keystone Outback, but I try to help when I can.
---------------------
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
Bob Landry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2014, 04:11 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Camping Couple's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 769
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Landry View Post
Before you tear into this unit and create more problems than you can fix, measure compressor amp draw. The amperage on the data plate is based on an ambient temp of 95 degrees. A 10 degree change in ambient temp will cause a change of 1A in compressor draw. Interpolate in between. If the data plate says 14A, and the temp is 100, then you should read 14.5A. That will tell you if the unit is properly charged. This test is valid for both R22 and R410a.
I doubt you are low on charge. These units only hold a pound or so, so any type of leak is going to blow the entire charge and then there is no cooling.

I think your time would be better spent inspecting and taping the plenum where is goes into the ceiling vents(if it is a ducted unit) and around the ceiling registers. RV AC ducting is by nature installed very sloppily and you may be dumping cold air into the ceiling area where it is going to do you no good.
Thanks Bob, I figured you would chime in.
__________________
2019 Jayco 26BHX Eagle HTX Fifth Wheel
2018 Chevrolet Silverado Double Cab 2500HD 4X4 6.0L 4.10 axle
Reese 16K Round Tube Slider Hitch
HD Trailering Package with Integrated Brake Controller

Camping Couple is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
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

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

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


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.