Hab aircon, service or maintance? (1 Viewer)

[Mousy]

we have both cab and air conditioning systems in our Hymer, do we need to carry out any annual service or maintance to either of them? And if so where would we go? We are in west wales.

Many thanks

 

[The Old Man]

I think Kwik Fit do A/C services and recharges, but not sure if they would touch the habitation one.

Back to a Hymer dealer would be a safe bet.

 

[Mousy]

Thanks, so it is something that needs attention? We've had the van for a year but it's 8 years old. What is a recharge?
I'm blond with a nic name of "user error" so go gently with me!

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[DBK]

Thanks, so it is something that needs attention? We've had the van for a year but it's 8 years old. What is a recharge?
I'm blond with a nic name of "user error" so go gently with me!

There is a refrigerant in them which can leak out over time. It is routinely checked and recharged when cars are serviced.

You might find a mobile air conditioning engineer locally who will pay a house call.

I know car air conditioning systems should be run regularly to maintain the seals so I guess the same applies to hab systems, in other words don't just let it sit idle over the winter.

 

[Mousy]

in other words don't just let it sit idle over the winter.

Oooppps

 

[DBK]

Oooppps

I've not heard anyone mention this with regards to MHs but it is certainly advised for cars so worth doing.

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[DavidG58]

Hello Dawn, is your habitation air con roof mounted or one of the sealed Dometic jobs like we have?

edit - just remembered your post from yesterday, where you sent Martin up on to your roof, been back and looked at the photo, you do not have a roof mounted system

now we both need to answer the same question, but we almost certainly both have the Dometic mains powered only air con cell, will look at my books and see you at Chester hopefully with the answer

 

[PP Bear]

Air con systems do require service when required. Simple test is this, run them both on the coldest setting. Do they cool down and blow out cold air? If not then they'll need a simple recharge. It's not hard to do and most people think it's a complicated affair, but it's not.

It can easily be done DIY, you just need to ask the right people who won't charge the earth, so be weary of prices. Halfords do a recharge at very reasonable rates (for the cab, not sure about habitation if it's separate). They also supply a purifier that's easy peasy to use, just turn on aircons fully, put on recycle, pop the can and vacate while it purifies the system.

No harm in asking if they can do it all for you. I do all my own and saves £££'s.

Good luck and hope you get it sorted

 

[Wickolad]

Recharge is basically recharging the system with refrigerant. I believe it is removed mechanically from the system and weighed and the correct amount then put back in. You can usually tell if this needs doing if the air con is not getting cold or is less efficient than it was.
The only thing I have tended to do with the cab air con is use a air con cleaner / freshener, you can get a spray tin from halfords, you spray it into the air vents and put air con on full recirculation, get out of cab and leave it running for a while. It kills any bacteria in the vent system and freshens it up as sometimes it can smell a bit musty.
If your system isn't working as it used to, then it may well need recharging. If you search google for automotive air conditioning engineers there should be someone in your local area.

Haha, you beat me to it PP bear, faster typing

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[Mousy]

Thanks all as usual for some comprehensive Funster replies, I'll have a go at running the hab con but I've got a feeling it needs doing.

@DavidG58 looking forward to seeing you both at Chester...wouldn't it be great if we need aircon there? fingers crossed its dry, 30 degrees might be too optimistic

 

[DavidG58]

not been to my MH yet to look at books, but did Google Dometic air con motorhomes, even higher up the list than Dometic came Vanbitz they fit them, both roof type and in locker types like ours, does yours have a remote control and vertical grill outlets?

 

[Mousy]

not been to my MH yet to look at books, but did Google Dometic air con motorhomes, even higher up the list than Dometic came Vanbitz they fit them, both roof type and in locker types like ours, does yours have a remote control and vertical grill outlets?

Yes to the remote control. Not sure about the grills, I'll just finish the ironing and pop out for a pic.

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[DavidG58]

Yes to the remote control. Not sure about the grills, I'll just finish the ironing and pop out for a pic.

save it for Thursday , we are coming over via Travel World to get our gold plated headlight (based on price alone) changed, I will check with them to see what needs doing and how much it costs

 

[Sheddy]

These folk are based in Pembrey, we have used them for hab service and the price and service was good.
http://www.leisuremedic.co.uk
Cheers
Ed

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Cab
Apart from the pollen filter (if there is one) there is nothing to service apart from the drive belt replacement that should be picked up on an engine service if it is worn out. This is assuming that it does provide the cold air when switched on.
The purifiers are to clean the evaporator which can harbour bugs and they basically sterilise the insides. Absolutely no need to pay anyone to do this for you as the instructions are on the tin and it is just operate it as instructed while injecting the spray through the inlet vents (the pollen filter will need taking out if it has one).
Habitation
This one has no belt so assuming it works ok, I would just use the cleaner on it.

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[gus-lopez]

Air con systems do require service when required.

No harm in asking if they can do it all for you. I do all my own and saves £££'s.

Good luck and hope you get it sorted
View attachment 97709

Apart from the fact that it is illegal Unless you have the quali's/licence.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/qualifications-required-to-work-on-equipment-containing-f-gas

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Apart from the fact that it is illegal Unless you have the quali's/licence.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/qualifications-required-to-work-on-equipment-containing-f-gas

As I understand the regulations, the maintenance elelement requiring certifification only applies to trucks over 3.5t, trailers and commercial equipment. Mobile air con systems in cars and the like only requires certification for recovery of the gas etc. This is a simplified answer but the point is that cleaning the system with the disinfectant spray does not in any way break the law.

 

[gus-lopez]

As I understand the regulations, the maintenance elelement requiring certifification only applies to trucks over 3.5t, trailers and commercial equipment. Mobile air con systems in cars and the like only requires certification for recovery of the gas etc. This is a simplified answer but the point is that cleaning the system with the disinfectant spray does not in any way break the law.

It is badly written.Any work on a refrigeration system requires a person to be certified. On any system that has lost its gas the first requirement is that the Leak is found & rectified, before ANY refilling is attempted. That is the first requirement under the regulations. Any attempt at refilling without leak testing is
2 years & a 50k fine.
We all know that lack of use of vehicle A/C systems will lead to the compressor seal drying out & the resultant loss of gas from the system. It is illegal to refill without rectifying the leak.
I'm merely pointing out the regs ; not that anyone complies with them on car systems.

You are correct up to a point with your last statement excepting that if it is an older vehicle that has a system still containing any of the Freons that were phased out years ago, & yes there are still vehicles with R12 in , it is illegal to do ANY work on the system whatsoever without the refrigerant being recovered & changed for a drop-in replacement. The Uk went a bit overboard in applying regulations years ago & it is a pity that many other countries didn't have the same outlook & time frame.

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[DavidG58]

just a prompt to remind me to see you about this over the weekend, but where I thought we had Dometic we actually have Truma Saphire, still have no idea about servicing it, but having the right model gives us a better chance

 

[ChrisL]

Not sure about habitation a/c but vehicle a/c should be recharged every two years, this is because the system contains a lubricant for the compresor and just like your engine it needs changing periodicaly, as part of the recharge process the system will be pressure tested for leaks before being refilled. My experience with kwikfit was not good so i went to an a/c specialist, which was altogether a better experience.

 

[laird of Dunstan]

Fgas qualified engineer here

gus lopes is right , you should not mess around with this stuff ,if you get caught you will have to sell your motorhome to help you pay the fine.

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[Zains Pops]

The Dometic habitation unit is a sealed system much like a compressor fridge or freezer and does not require routine maintenance on the refrigerant side. Just make sure it's clean and any condensate drains are clear. If it is below par in terms of cooling then it's a professional job to track and fix the leak.
Cab systems along with car units use some flexible hoses due to the vibration of the engine, these can allow some gas loss due to leakage at the molecular level and at the compressor seals. The system needs to be investigated professionally, usually the remaining gas is removed and a new measured charge added. Many places now have automated machines to de skill and reduce the cost of the service.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

My car went to Halfords for a check after 8 years and no trouble, they emptied it and refilled it ?? one year later it has leaked down and not working properly now, I think they may have been looking for repeat business.
If you need to specially qualified why do they get the ERK in the workshop to do it, is he qualified do you think??

 

[Zains Pops]

My car went to Halfords for a check after 8 years and no trouble, they emptied it and refilled it ?? one year later it has leaked down and not working properly now, I think they may have been looking for repeat business.
If you need to specially qualified why do they get the ERK in the workshop to do it, is he qualified do you think??

The f gas qualification is to handle refrigerant gasses, Halfords and the like have sealed machines that de skill the process. An f gas qualified person will be used to recharge the machine and prepare used gas for recycling or disposal.
If your car system is not lasting 12 months you have a leak which will only get worse, time to fix it or sell the motor!

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[GWAYGWAY]

What about the cans of gas that Halfords sell I would not do it but it is for the Joe Public to use.