Where / how to get ac fixed on top of an RV / camper?

[6BangBronk]

So my last camping trip 2 weeks ago was a disaster for the wife being it was miserable sleeping with no ac. Pretty sure just the fan was the issue? Was first trip of the year and the last one until weather cools or I get it fixed. Worked EXTREMELY well all last year for 4 trips. We figured camper was mad at us for not camping more often.
It's 60amp and unique plug for RV hookups only. I could just buy a female plug for the wall and install temporarily at the shop and get an ac service person over but figured there was other suggestions for anyone who's had RV ac issues? It's the common bubble looking ac unit. And we checked fuses / breakers and all checked out along with everything else worked. Or I figured I could go to an RV place to get it fixed but also figured it would cost extra not counting time / gas to get it there. closest is 20 miles away but I would have to burn vacation as well to get it there.

I'm thinking that buying a $15-20 plug and installing at shop and calling local ac repair person would be my best option? I imagine there's nothing special about these ac systems if not even easier to work on?

But I am not an ac service person nor do I want to try to be...

 

[benmack1]

You sure it's a 60amp supply? RV's are usually 30amp 110v or for the big ass rigs with 2 rooftop AC units, 50 amp as a 220 supply. A single AC unit should be able to be kicked off using a 15A home line if it's a reasonbly short run (20A would be better and 30A perfect). Might blow a breaker or the wire will get warm over time but you should be able to test it. I used to have an RV plug adapter that went from the home style plug to RV 30A plug I picked up at lowes for a couple bucks. I would leave my motorhome plugged in all the time to run the fridge so just used a normal 15A circuit for that. Never needed to run the AC but you should be able to do that without rewiring a plug. Sorry, I don't know anything about the AC itself but it has to have a high and low side just like any other unit. Just would need the gauges for that and the appropriate freon or start replacing electrical parts if that's the problem. Nothing too sophisticated I doubt and probably can learn alot from google on it.

 

[6BangBronk]

You are so correct. It is indeed 30A and 110v. I just imagined 220 for the heavy gage wire and thought I read somewhere it was 60A???

Thanks for clarifying that especially before I go plugging it into 220.

I imagine with the plug adapter you speak of I can get it done anywhere?

 

[benmack1]

You are so correct. It is indeed 30A and 110v. I just imagined 220 for the heavy gage wire and thought I read somewhere it was 60A???

Thanks for clarifying that especially before I go plugging it into 220.

I imagine with the plug adapter you speak of I can get it done anywhere?

Yeah, above is a picture of the plug adapter I use for the RV 30A make plug to a normal household 15A outlet. Lowes part number 78752. Home depot probably has them too. About 6 bucks I see now. I always just plugged in the motorhome to my garage and let the fridge run and had lights etc. Hard to see in the pic, but the male prongs on that are just the normal household pattern.

Here is another link maybe of interest about running the AC off a home outlet. Never tried it myself, but maybe this will work for you and you won't have to run a 30A line for just testing it.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,75839.0.html


Does AC fan not run or the compressor not come on or the whole shebang is dead? I would think if you want to play with it you can figure it out. It has to have the normal AC parts, evaporator, condensor, compressor, fan (for condensor) and blower. Then the electrical stuff to run it all. An RV dealer is going to just rape you on these things I would bet. If I can be of any help (disclaimer: I don't know much either) let me know. I work in RTP and drive through durham daily heading back and forth to Efland so would be willing to swing by sometime after work or on a weekend too if fine.

 

[6BangBronk]

Appreciate greatly Brian but I'll probably just pay a pro and be done in hopefully an hour. I'm like the world's busiest man now days myself and time wasted on something I know absolutely nothing about is money lost in something else I can be doing. All I do know is that it's on my pop-up camper, the top comes off the unit by 4 bolts and the controls are down under inside the camper. And I know for a fact you turn the switch and the fan don't come on but who knows beyond that??? Could be the switch, could be the fan or could be like the entire thing is trash after I spend time and money fixing those. LOL
But that said, if anybody on here knows ac chit really well and think you can spend an hour and want to take a quick stab in North Durham below Falls Lake, I'll compensate greatly! I still got to get an adapter and I have 20A outside my house if that would work. Or we can rig something up at the shop on at least a 10 gage circuit with 30a breaker?