Beer Cold 30

[MangoMike]

Those of you at POG #1 will remember Lester, from Ken Robertson RV, crawling around the 1st bay trying to fix my Cruise Air. Unfortunately it was a dead soldier so instead of just replacing the compressor we are going to replace the entire condensor unit. And lo and behold it's behind the entertainment unit, which will have to be removed.

After talking with Cruise Air headquarters 804 746-1313 I was directed to their distributor AAP at 804 746-1313 just north of Richmond, Va. So here's the good news, they have factory rebuilt units (with a 1 year warranty) for only $900 (I believe the new price is around $1700), plus about 4 hours of labor @$75 an hour. I asked if they were familiar w/ Prevost (Liberty) and claim they talk with Bill Dougherty at Liberty almost daily. I'll be headind down there on Thursday and will post my experience.

Mike

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Mike,

You can replace it yourself. About two hours.

Access the condensing unit. Shut the valves. Make sure the electric is off and disconnect the three wires. Disconnect the two refrigeration lines.

Liberty screws through the plywood base so locate the screws and remove them. They take the square screw driver bit. There are a bunch of screws and some you have to squeeze into a tight space to get.

Remove the old unit.

When you install the rebuilt unit it is precharged. Do not touch the valves. Screw it in place connect the wires and copper lines. Install a new dryer and get your local refrigerant guy to pull a vacuum on the lines and evaporator. Open the valves and you should be all set.

Jon

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Mike,

I forgot to mention that when you pull the old condensing unit there are very few things that can go bad. The simple things are start and run capacitors which if they fail will make the compressor not run. The cooling fan, also its failure will make things not work, or leaks in the condensing coil.

The worst failure is a failed compressor. All of the parts can be replaced with the compressor requiring the most cost, possibly beyond reasonable expense. If you can repair it, you have a drop in back up unit, or at the worst, parts you can cannibalize. If the compressor will not run, before you pull the unitor order a new one let me know. I have start and run capacitors for the compressor.

[lewpopp]

This is very interesting. Now we know more about replacing the cruise air units. Don't forget to be nice to thedistributor.

By the way, it's real nice that Mike is willing and able to change out the compressor, but... where does he get the time and still take care of all of his joints and women?

[MangoMike]

I know I'll be chastized for this, but for the first one I'm going to be a spectator. I'll pay my Salsa Night bucks and learn. However, I will snag the old unit and bring it to Sante Fe for a little show and tell.

Lew - I'm always nice to everyone. And I'm glad you're concerned about my spare time - Jon loves to spend it.

MM

[ken&ellen]

Mango, Take pictures, if they allow it, and post them. If Ellen & I were not going to Virginia Beach for the Memorial Day weekend on Thurs. I would shoot up to Richmond and buy you lunch. Maybe a nice Italian joint.:D
Good luck with your repair. Ken & Ellen

[mike kerley]

Mike and Jon,

Having watched Lester change two of my cruise air's on our 93 CC, I can say that even though I know how it works, and have changed compressors on AC units (when in the bush, there are few specialist) I'm glad Lester did mine. First unit had a leak and I had to return the next week. Fitting leaked entire charge. Pumped it down, and refilled and it leaked again. replaced that fitting and it held. Total time, 4 + hours.

Then I had second front unit replaced because the new units were so much quieter than the old ones. That unit worked the first time, but took Lester four hours to change. I will "top off" the charge if they get low (which they will), but changing one with out a vacuum pump and lots of F22, not for me.

I have one unit (bedroom unit which is located in middle bay, rh side left to change. Working ok, so I'll wait until it dies, then go see Lester.

[lewpopp]

I just received my EMS from Progressive Industries and should have it installed in a couple days.

I have the opportunity to use the electrical engineer that helped me with my other electrical peoblems in Florida. He's up here visiting and enjoying the wonderful area of the fingerlakes.

Tis is a real neat system and it is way beyond what the Hughes Autoformer does.

Even though I have the installation guide in front of me, I still am unable to answer any questions at this time. Oh, by the way, I used Lew Bucks to purchase it.:D