Air Con Advice

[Captain Lloyd]

I have a Truma Aventa it’s only 11 months old last used in August. Switched on as getting hot here in Spain to find it’s not blowing any cold air, the compressor is running everything seems to be working. Haven’t changed the filters but only used it for 3 weeks last year so surly should be ok, have been up on the roof can see not blockage. Anyone any idea please.

 

[Figaro]

Have you given it sufficient run time to cool down ?
It may need 30 minutes or so

 

[PeteH]

Assuming you have run it long enough for the refigerant to have some effect cooling the air. Then I am afraid you have likely lost the refrigerant over time, You should run any Air Conditioner periodically regardles of conditions as the seals rely on lubrication by said "fluid", once they start to fail the refrigerant leaks away and needs replenishing often along with new seals. Many older cars with A/C that have not been used for some time suffer this, and the garages make a killing for frequently re-gassing!. BTW, The quickest way to De-Mist a windscreen is to put the aircon on along with the demist heater, it removes moisture far faster than just hot air alone.

 

[Neil S]

There is nothing in the Truma website about having to run the unit periodically
In the maintenance section under FAQs it just says change the air filter yearly
I also have the Truma compact plus and tested ours and it’s working fine , last time it was used was June 19 in the S.France

 

[ctc]

It may help, we have a Dometic that had the a similar problem, it turned out to be an obscure setting on the remote (grandchild).

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[Richard n Ann]

Electric packaged AC doesn't need running, there are no shaft seals like on vehicle AC.

It would be unusual for an 11 month old system to have lost it's gas but if the compressor is running and nothing is happening it can only be that, or knackered compressor (even more unlikely for 11 month old) or it could be the 4 way valve stuck if it's a heating and cooling system... Oh and there's another valve called the liquid valve, they get stuck and cause the same fault.
Double check all settings first though

 

[Oldbob]

Set it running, get a big stick, go on the roof and beat it !
It may not help the air con, but it would make you feel better

 

[PeteH]

Electric packaged AC doesn't need running, there are no shaft seals like on vehicle AC.

It would be unusual for an 11 month old system to have lost it's gas but if the compressor is running and nothing is happening it can only be that, or knackered compressor (even more unlikely for 11 month old) or it could be the 4 way valve stuck if it's a heating and cooling system... Oh and there's another valve called the liquid valve, they get stuck and cause the same fault.
Double check all settings first though

All my experience is of the Older style System(s), mostly found on R-V`s in a certain age group. They have separate Motors in the main, Marine Systems, where I cut my teeth, even Used Ammonia!.

 

[Captain Lloyd]

Thanks for all the advice I did only leave running for 10 minutes and gave up, from my previous experience with the same model the cold air kicked in pretty quickly but I have just put it on again and will give it some time.
I find it hard to believe an 11 month old unit will have lost its refrigerant.
I will be back in England next week and take it to a Truma air con specialist if I have no luck.
Cheers all.

 

[Neil S]

Thanks for all the advice I did only leave running for 10 minutes and gave up, from my previous experience with the same model the cold air kicked in pretty quickly but I have just put it on again and will give it some time.
I find it hard to believe an 11 month old unit will have lost its refrigerant.
I will be back in England next week and take it to a Truma air con specialist if I have no luck.
Cheers all.

Just a thought , but you have checked that the frost ❄ symbol is showing on the LCD remote display
I switched mine on and it was on air-circulation and I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t getting cold

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[TerryL]

Just arranging to have my aircon removed - a Dometic B2000, it works okay but as it needs hookup we've hardly ever used it in 11 years of van ownership. Going to fit a Maxxair Deluxe unit.

 

[Neil S]

Just arranging to have my aircon removed - a Dometic B2000, it works okay but as it needs hookup we've hardly ever used it in 11 years of van ownership. Going to fit a Maxxair Deluxe unit.

Each to there own but for me not having aircon in really hot weather is a no no
For that reason we only ever use Camping-Car-Park aires in France as they have EHU or proper campsites

 

[Richard n Ann]

I'd like it but the additional weight and cost would put me off. Instead we've got a big converted mains fan in the roof above the bed blowing straight in. I also fixed some 12v computers fans in a board with a speed controller for when we aren't on ehu.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Assuming you have run it long enough for the refigerant to have some effect cooling the air. Then I am afraid you have likely lost the refrigerant over time, You should run any Air Conditioner periodically regardles of conditions as the seals rely on lubrication by said "fluid", once they start to fail the refrigerant leaks away and needs replenishing often along with new seals. Many older cars with A/C that have not been used for some time suffer this, and the garages make a killing for frequently re-gassing!. BTW, The quickest way to De-Mist a windscreen is to put the aircon on along with the demist heater, it removes moisture far faster than just hot air alone.

Not true in this case.

These units are Hermetically sealed for life (Or should be). They do not have the 'o'ring seals you refer to. All joints are welded, brazed or silver soldered.

There may be a leak somewhere.

Evaporator or Condenser, maybe even near the filter/drier.

Other possible causes are a breakdown within the compressor.

If it is 11 months old, it needs to go back to Truma for warranty. But good luck, they are pretty uselless

TM

 

[jongood]

Thanks for all the advice I did only leave running for 10 minutes and gave up, from my previous experience with the same model the cold air kicked in pretty quickly but I have just put it on again and will give it some time.
I find it hard to believe an 11 month old unit will have lost its refrigerant.
I will be back in England next week and take it to a Truma air con specialist if I have no luck.
Cheers all.

I would either download the instructions and have real good check its not a fat finger problem or give the fitter a call and ask him/her what people usually do wrong before booking workshop time

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[EuroTrotters]

Not true in this case.

These units are Hermetically sealed for life (Or should be). They do not have the 'o'ring seals you refer to. All joints are welded, brazed or silver soldered.

There may be a leak somewhere.

Evaporator or Condenser, maybe even near the filter/drier.

Other possible causes are a breakdown within the compressor.

If it is 11 months old, it needs to go back to Truma for warranty. But good luck, they are pretty uselless

TM

oh, if its a small leak. They "Should" pressure test with OFN, Oxygen Free Nitrogen.