Coleman Basement RV A/C Leak and Repair

I have been under a great deal of stress lately with way too many projects. I had a good friend and customer drop their 1997 Vectra Grand Tour off at the shop for some repairs and mentioned he'd like to see if he could get his first stage working again on his basement A/C. Against my better juedgement, I offered to help and look at it. Here is the video of the repairs.
Thanks for watching!

[@randysolvang9056]

Just replaced the board on mine, turned it on only to find that the outside fan carrier bearing was deafeningly loud. Removed the unit as you did, got an OEM bearing in 1 day from Amazon. While it was out I cleaned everything, especially the coils that are not accessible while installed. Oiled everything (why didn't they put in sealed bearings since you can't oil them anyways) and fired it up. Quiet as a mouse on my 2003 Winnebago 35U. Both compressors pulling 8 amps! Time to go glamping.

[@elcaminomant]

I love learning from your videos, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, James!

[@AZExpert]

You're welcome. Thanks again for watching!

[@Thesaltymedic36]

Never seen a basement AC. Pretty cool. Lot of work to get it in and out I see. Nice fix. 👍🏼

[@AZExpert]

Thank you

[@patbhvac1]

As a hvac tech I would never leak test with air. Yeah you're going to evacuate it but the polyester oils will absorb moisture very easily and sometimes you cant get all the moisture out. Plus the compressed air could have debris in it. With those small capillary tubes they can easily get clogged. I would also invest in a micron guage so you know your moisture level and evacuate down to 500 microns.

[@patbhvac1]

Also why are you charging liquid straight in to the low side of the system. Your tank is inverted. The refrigerant will be in a liquid state and must go on the high side. Red hose. Compressors are vapor pumps. You could very well be causing damage to the compressors and by the way it sounds it's trying t ok pump liquid.

[@billcorbet9746]

Not a bad repair. I would probably buy nitrogen for leak testing. Air from an air compressor can plug things up in HVAC. You being in Arizona guessing you air is pretty dry though. Really like your videos. Just my thoughts I do HVAC for a living. Thanks for taking the time to show us all you do. I have learned a lot. Not bashing you so please don't take it that way, just really wanting to help you the way you help so many others.

[@AZExpert]

Thank you. I have a great deal of respect for hvac techs. There's so much I dont know, the rv world just leaves so many customers stranded that I try my best to help. I know my setup is not ideal...truthfully I'm more concerned about my solder skills.

[@billcorbet9746]

The soldering looked good, and what you came up with to do it was impressive. Main thing on soldering technically it's welding in HVAC as you are getting over 1,000 degrees, but who cares we know what each other means. The higher the silver content in your silver solder the better it will flow. I like to use at least 15%. It's expensive, but playing around with leaks isn't fun.

[@AZExpert]

@@billcorbet9746 Thank you. Even though this are just self-contained residential ACs most HVAC techs want nothing to do with them(I don't blame them) and most RV techs are confused by them, which of course leaves the owners in a bad place. I worked with a few RV techs that did HVAC work previsously and they taught me a few things. I just try my best to help. Thanks for taking the time to let me know the work was good. I'm never that confident with the torch and solder as I don't do it very often. Thank you again!!

[@philw7174]

Nice to learn from this video, thanks James. Happy trails!

[@AZExpert]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clarencewiles963]

You had good teachers 🤩

[@ECE2424]

Man U are smart dude! I can’t believe how entertaining these videos are. Thank u so much for sharing your knowledge with us. Now I’ll I need to do is find someone half as smart as u to fix my rig. Easier said than done believe me. There is NOBODY in Toronto that does these kinds of repairs aside from RV dealers and I will NEVER bring my rig to them. Those stooges are about as smart as a bag of hammers. True story. Thanks brother. Keep up the great work. Be safe out there. It’s a crazy new world.

[@AZExpert]

Thank you. I keep thinking about moving to Canada, my grandmother was from Windsor, Ontario. I'm not sure if my thin desert blood could do it though.

[@ECE2424]

AZ Expert Oh my please don’t do that! Canada is beautiful but SUPER cold in the winter. Most of us want to move down south or at least “snow bird” in the winters. If u did move here I can guarantee u would spend thousands of dollars in winter clothes and boots in your first winter😂 Stay in Arizona bud. Trust me ✌️👍👍👍👍👍

[@AZExpert]

@@ECE2424 lol. Thats the main reason for sure. I just didn't want to be cliché about it.

[@johnsakrison393]

Such amazing work, very impressed with your level of expertise. Hope I can get an appointment next fall for my 2001 Winnebago Chieftain 36W basement Coleman. Where are you located?

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

Early Wanderlodges had them. So glad we went back to ducted roof units. Looks like big pains.

[@AZExpert]

I think any fewer holes in a flat roof is better, but yes they are very large pains and I would steer most people from RV's with them. Thanks!

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

AZ Expert I pulled all my roof units up and redid the seals last year. As it is I have a seam or a rivet leaking. Working on renting a theatrical smoke generator and making a door fan go find it. It’s above the kitchen cabinets.

[@MagaRickn]

Very interesting video! I have a 2005 Alfa, and I understand they are similar. It works good, but is making a little rattling noise. Hope it is something simple. Previous owner put 2 roof mount units on as he was stationed in Arizona for a while. Said the basement unit just could not stay up with the heat in Arizona. :) Keep up the good work! Would like to find someone in the North Texas area to service my basement unit. Mainly to check condition/cleanliness of unit. Previous owners had a dog. :(

[@AZExpert]

Maybe someone will see your post!

[@tonybachler2272]

Very Important information... Priceless;; My Question Should you Decide to answer is;; How can A Coustomer Do a Primary Check On What may be the Cause of The air Not working.. Mine On my Ultimate Winnebago . Quite, ( now I understand, Winnebago is an Entry level Coach) A shop Replaced the Basement Unit , $6000.00 I went on A trip. It Didn't work Took it Back They said The thermastat. Was bad. Another $500.00 . What To do. My Years 84 Have Not rewarded me with much Money..

[@paulshannon4576]

Never did like the basement A/C in my 1998 Alfa Ideal. Had it checked when I moved to Phoenix and anything above 95 degrees it wasn’t to affective. Finally add a roof unit in the bedroom.

[@AZExpert]

I understand!

[@robertcaldwell4351]

Really love your videos bro. Your one talented guy. Thanks again

[@AZExpert]

thank you very much for the kind word and support!

[@iscreamcandytv9642]

You’re so handsome and I love ya videos. Hopefully next time I pass thru Az I can get work on my RV

[@sawwbones]

Thank you so much. Hard to find someone to repair our basement ac unit. I am trying to repair our 2002 Winny coleman mach myself. The thing runs about one minute cuts off then second stage kicks in and runs maybe another minute and shuts down. Have checked all caps and relays. Thinking it's either load might system or control board. Not sure what to do. Any thoughts?

[@mrmudstud5980]

Great explanation and detail.

[@AZExpert]

Thank you.

[@tombeilman5579]

Most AC tech,s would say it’s old it’s a leaker replace it

[@coreyd1dendy451]

Love your videos man. Do you have any showing how to pull one from an alfa? Ive pulled from a winnebago and it wasnt too bad. This alfa has me stumped.

[@AZExpert]

it mounts similar, often there is a furnace duct in the way, but the exterior grill must be removed and the whole unit slides out the grill opening. 5th wheels are much more difficult

[@irawall9159]

I’m trying to determine if one of my compressors has gone bad or if Freon has leaked. I noticed some fluid coming from the outside blower area after coming back from my last trip. Storage place only has 30 amp so not sure if that is why the second stage may not be turning on if not. Not getting close to 20 degree spread, but cools. Don’t know how to test if the second compressor has issue. But do both compressors use one Freon line or two from what it sounds here. Maybe one has leaked like this video.

[@waggtech4883]

Each refrigerant/compressor circuit has its own refrigerant charge…

[@irawall9159]

@@waggtech4883 thanks. It is actually in the shop and one of the compressors has a crack. The tough part was finding one. Hopefully get it back soon.

[@kens492]

Don't sweat the brazing skills, if it doesn't leak, it is acceptable. Do you have a video showing the actual removal of the unit in a Winnebago? Watched the one with the '02 Alpha Seeya and all of the ductwork was different from my '02 Winnebago. Mostly interested in tips on disconnecting old and probably fragile ductwork without destroying it. Have a reversing coil fail and want to replace both of those and clean out whatever I may find...

[@AZExpert]

I have one on an older Winnebago with a different duct than yours. The only duct you'll have to disconnect is the bottom elbow at the rear of the unit held in place with "c" shaped bracket with phillip screws.

[@aleckimball7960]

Hi. Do you have availability to fix one on a 2008 Winnebago Destination 39W? Outside fan just humming

[@AZExpert]

I'm not taking on any new work, but I appreciate the offer

[@louisalexandermcivor3082]

Is the basement a/c on a1995 Winnebago Vectra also used for heat ?

[@badgerpa9]

I thought I watched all of your videos but do not remember this one. Is your friends RV park the Baileyton KOA?

[@AZExpert]

Yes. I'm trying to get there this year

[@michaelschmidt7014]

At 21:20 in your video the condenser coil is coated with oily dirt from the AC leak. Why didn't you clean it before reinstalling the unit? Also when the unit is out can a set of glides be installed for ease of servicing in the future?

[@AZExpert]

I cleaned it dont worry. Also the unit has to be clamped up into the ducts about 2 inches so rails would be a difficult addition. Thanks

[@ronramsey8731]

Good job, I have a better understanding on what I'm to do to replace or oil my fan blower its starting to talk to me. Thanks any insight would be appreciated

[@AZExpert]

I would recommend replacing it as the work will be the same and then you'd have a new motor that should last 10 years. Thanks!

[@halfairbank6967]

I'm on the west coast in California. I would love to have you look at my coach I have an 09 Vectra 40TD I think after watching this I may not have my second stage working. It was 108 today. And the coach drivers AC was not pumping out very cold when I was driving. Also the basement AC was cool but not cooling the coach adequately! And to top it off the freezer was cooling but not freezing so the fridge was not cold enough. How can I bring my coach to you for you to check it out? Obviously I really need help and you seem to be the guy who knows his stuff. Mesa AZ is about 7 hours away from me. I think I can swing that.

[@AZExpert]

I really appreciate the enthusiasm. I really hate the idea of having you suffer, but I am backed up for three weeks already. If you have the original cooling unit in your Norcold 1200 frig, it may very likely be going bad....however those 1200 perform very poorly in Southwestern heat from the start. I would make sure you check your A/C air filter, many owners are unaware there is a pleated filter usually under the bed area and they get clogged fast. More than likely the dash A/C is low on charge. Almost any auto garage should be able to check the dash A/C for performance. Thank you!

[@livecar5704]

Can you trade the normal ac on a suncruiser 2001 to a roof ac?

[@AZExpert]

a roof A/C could be installed yes. it takes some doing but I have done it

[@michaelerpenbach3603]

Any way to disable #1 compressor and only use #2?

[@AZExpert]

yes, re-wire the relays

[@michaeliacono3733]

I have a 2000 Winnebago Journey. The second stage compressor keeps tripping. Do i definitely need to replace the compressor?

[@AZExpert]

Not definitely. I just had a 2nd stage with a shorted wire last week adn I have seen the relay cause that issue too. But yes likely. Sorry.

[@michaeliacono3733]

@@AZExpert Thanks for the quick reply. I love your videos! Can I swap the relays and see if the first stage compressor trips the breaker? Can I check the compressor without removing the unit? Anything else I can do to pinpoint the problem. Thanks in advance.

[@AZExpert]

@@michaeliacono3733 yes you can!

[@john2364]

Im in the process of buying a 2001 chieftain. Its got a basement ac as well. When I went to check it out, the inside blower was not turning on. Do you know common reasons for this?

[@AZExpert]

motor or control board

[@john2364]

AZ Expert awesome, thanks!

[@tomsack7721]

The start capacitor on mine had failed a couple of months ago. The capacitor had ruptured and dielectric jell was leaking so it was obvious. An easy fix. Replaced with one from local appliance store.

[@georgehorwell4271]

Anu chance you would know how to wire a home thermostat to this unit? Been looking everywhere for months and can only find info from 2016 and before for thermostats no longer made. I just hate the coleman mach thermostat and I think mine is dying. Ac compressors cut out randomly for about 5 min and other times just works like normal. Seems to cut out more in Temps above 85. Help!

[@AZExpert]

It really can't be done. It's a special tstat that will only work with the basement ac. I'd recommend a new rvp tstat than trying to retrofit a home tstat.

[@georgehorwell4271]

@@AZExpert kinda what I thought. Any ideas on what might cause the system to shut down randomly in hotter Temps for about 5min and then restarting constantly? It's fine below about 85 and runs like normal until set temp is reached. Above 85 to 90 its seems to shut off multiple times for about 5 min but not always. Runs very cold when running. I replaced the outside blower, main board and relays about 1yr ago and cleaned and resealed everything. Any tips would be appreciated very much

[@AZExpert]

@@georgehorwell4271 I guess I'd have to know what is shutting down, if the tstat is telling it to or if there is a loss of 120vac power at the board or if some blowers run but compressors turn off.

[@georgehorwell4271]

@corey Babcock it's fixed. I pulled it out to replace the indoor blower. When the unit came out I found about an inch of muck stuck to the back of the condenser. Cleaning that good and replacing the fan motor and its like a new system. Also replaced the thermostat with a home unit that runs on batteries. Also works great and now I can program my thermostat. The cutting in and out was due to Temps getting too low and very little air flow over the condenser.

[@ckm-mkc]

@@georgehorwell4271 Can you outline how you wired the home thermostat? Thanks!

[@stattytravels4638]

Anyone in the orlando to do this same job on my RV..?

[@timisaacs4178]

Where are you located and how do I schedule an appointment?

[@AZExpert]

The shop is in Mesa, AZ. [e-mail] Thanks!

[@wes2975]

AZ Expert hello, I really enjoy your videos, you do a great job. Thank you for the time and effort put forth in making these videos. Question regarding your location... I see above that your reply from 3 weeks prior to me writing this comment indicates Mesa. Just want to confirm, do you have locations in both Mesa and Yuma? Just wanting to make sure I am understanding that correctly, as I am starting to compile a list of things in my mind that I would like to have you work on at some point in the future.

[@wes2975]

Disregard my question, as I now realize that the location I was asking about is a different company.

[@AZExpert]

@@wes2975 Sorry Wes, though I named my company in 2005 but it's far way from Yuma, AZ so there's not much I can do about the confusion. It happens a lot.

[@wes2975]

AZ Expert yes sir I understand, and can imagine that it can be frustrating on your end. I hope to someday come to Mesa to have you do some work, and will continue to enjoy your videos in the meantime.

[@ckm-mkc]

Or replace it with a mini-split which would be way more efficient - if you use a ducted air handler, you might even be able to retain all the ducting. It would be more than an RV roof AC, but those things never really work well, they are basically the RV equivalent of a window AC

[@AZExpert]

Packaging is a large issue. I'm sure it could be done, I have seen it, but the cost to make it look good would exceed the cost of the repair by ten fold. Thanks!

[@loydalexander154]

Dude is there something that you can't do just saying wth. 😊

[@timerickson7056]

what no roof repair

[@AZExpert]

Variety is the spice of life

[@robertgarrett5009]

No one is legally allowed to touch or repair R22 systems, the fines are too large if you get caught. That's the reason your getting all these repairs. No one wants the EPA knocking at the door.