Solution for Cooling a RV in the Desert

Question:

The air conditioner in my 27 2010 Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite fifth wheel camper cant keep up with with 100 degree heat in TX and AZ. I have to set it slightly below outside temp maybe 5 degrees lower than outside and let it cool until it shuts off. Then if I let it sit a few minutes I can adjust the thermostat down another five degrees and run it until it shuts off. And so on and so on. Id like to set it to 80 and just run until it reaches that temp, but it seems the compressor cant do that big a jump all in one session. It shuts off, then wont cool when it starts up again. Ive been through AC troubleshooting steps at Furrions site they make sense to me. But after eliminating all the options, it seems to operate as best it can. A few years ago I installed an Easy Start in it so I could operate it with my Honda EU2200i that was a success and I can boondocks with the AC on, running that little generator. But it still cant deal with temps in the 90s and 20 degrees without me having to okay the thermostat temp jumping game over and over. Whats the solution? Recharge the air conditioner? It run fine and cools well on cooler days. Its not too humid here in New Mexico 29. The fins are clean. The 30A power seems fine in my Power Watch Dogs remote monitor interface. Is it time to replace this Domestic with something new? If so, it has to be able to run on my Honda EU2200i generator. Ideas/recommendations?

asked by: Rick S

Expert Reply:

You can't recharge RV ac units and anyone who tells you you can or does isn't supposed to so lets move past that option.

Another major issue is your Honda EU2200i generator is definitely going to be too small to power an AC unit that will do a better job of keeping up with the desert heat on legit hot days. You most likely need two AC units for 100 degree desert temps which would require a whole lot more power, like a solar panel set up item # 342-75011. Even then your 5th wheel has R3 insulation and the best you can expect to achieve is 20 degrees cooler then the outside ambient temperature.

I can offer you a replacement AC for your current Dometic Unit with the Furrion Chill HE Replacement RV Air Conditioner item # FR42PV. However, your location and power limitations are going to limit it's ability even if this AC is an upgrade BTU wise from what you currently own.

expert reply by: Jerred H