Ordered new A/C

[dab1950]

The old Coleman roof top A/C finally bit the dust, on fathers day weekend!
Once the weekend was over and got the TM back in the driveway at home, I
studied the troubleshooting tips in this forum and via youtube. Then tested
both the start and run caps using a cheap VOM from Harbor Freight. Both caps
are good but still the compressor never starts. I'm thinking the power failure
in the COE camp ground a month earlier really zapped what life was left in the
thirteen year old Coleman. So, started checking with all of the RV dealers/service
shops in the area(NW of Atlanta). Took estimates from $900 to
$1400 for a replacement Atwood AirCommand, Non-ducted 13.5K BTU MFG PN
15025(white) and a Plenum kit(ceiling unit) MFG PN 15021(white) which comes
with a remote control. Finally decided to order the A/C from CW and
requested they install it. Will likely have to wait a while because the unit is on back order
until mid-July. No trips planned any time soon so no problem.
Will keep this thread updated with progress.

[Larryjb]

Make sure the installer knows to not stand directly on the roof. Is it a good idea to bring an old blanket and some plywood?

[dab1950]

Larry, I assume that is standard advice for all RV's, not just TM's. Right? I don't
know myself. I have hired a RV wash/detail service to clean up our TM when it
was really needing a professional detailing. They didn't adhere to that advice
of course, as they were using brushes and soapy water then the special polish
applied and buffed.
Last week, when I climbed onto the roof to perform my diagnostics on the A/C
start and run caps, I was careful to wear non-marking boat shoes and foam
rubber knee pads. But that's the only protection I used.
I'm actually more concerned with training the techs on opening closing the TM.
Making sure they don't damage it in the process. Also, making sure they use
masking tape on the locking bars which keep the shells from collapsing.
I expect they will have 2 techs on the roof at a time and the real danger of
the shell collapsing with their movement has me worried a little.
There's absolutely no way I could perform the replacement myself. I'm too old
for that project. I'm glad to pay the $200 labor for CW to do the replacement.
Plus, if there is a problem, I can take the RV to any CW near the CG to get
resolution.
Thank you for your input.

Doug

[Larryjb]

The Trailmanor roof is not like any other RV roof. It is essentially a large piece of Styrofoam sandwiched between two sheets of thin aluminum. It's shape is maintained by design, but if you stand directly on the roof without spreading out your weight it is possible to collapse the roof, at least partially. The TM roof has a slight crown designed into it, but does not have the rubber membrane that many other RV's have. There are no "trusses" built into the roof other than what is at each end.

The roof is plenty strong and light for regular use. It's only when one has to climb on top for repairs, or watch for snow load (I forget the spec for snow load, I remove the snow after about 8"). When I climb on the roof, I use a sheet of plywood, and I lie on the roof to spread my weight around. I may be overprotective, but a collapsed roof is not easy to repair. A few have done it though.

[dab1950]

Finally going to get a new air conditioner. I received a phone call from CW 2
weeks ago saying they finally have all of the components to replace the A/C.
They scheduled me to bring the TM to them this morning @ 8:30AM.
The lead service advisor checked it in and I spoke with the shop foreman.
I expressed concerns about walking on the roof without some kind of
protection down. I requested they not move the RV with the shells up.
They assured me, they are familiar with Trail Manor and have worked on them
before. As a matter of fact, they claimed they restored one from tree damage
including interior repairs. Also, the shop foreman promised me, they would not
get on the roof unless the front shell is closed. Evidently, one of their techs
had a shell collapse while he was on top. Yikes!
I requested they refresh the caulk/seal at the bottom of the riser to the roof.
I left with them 2 documents; a copy of the 'open & close instructions' out of
the TM Owners manual and a copy from this forum of the discussion of the
riser and the support box inside the riser.
I have mixed feelings right now. Excited to get a new A/C but have trepidation
that CW might damage something or screw up the install.
Hoping for the best outcome.

[dab1950]

CW called at 3 PM to request permission to widen the opening in the riser from
12 3/4" x 12 3/4" to 14" x 14".
Then called again at 4:30 PM to advise it's done but that I should wait to
pick it up on Monday, mid-day. Need to give the sealants time to cure.
No other comments of complications. Sounds hopeful.
Will see on Monday.

[dab1950]

Picked up the TM from CW Woodstock this morning. It is now home in the
driveway and working great on house current through an extension cord. I
know using an extension cord is ill advised. But I've proved the Atwood AC is
an energy saver and can be tested for short periods on an ordinary 15 amp
circuit/outlet.
I bought model # AC1351, non-ducted(cool only, no heat). Comes with a
remote control(very nice). This unit is very quiet even with fan on high and
cooling. I expect to be able to watch TV from the couch without piping sound
to the speakers on the wall behind us. Also, it is quiet enough to be able to
go to sleep with the timer set to shut off in a couple hours. We are very happy
with this AC unit.
As far as service received from CW Woodstock, I give them an 'average'
for a grade. Their 'point of sale' system does not sync well with the service
department documents. There were many discrepancies that had to be corrected.
Missing discounts, double charges for labor, etc. But because I was
careful to present the original documents from the time I ordered the unit,
they were able to correct and reprint the final bill with two employees
working with me, I finally agreed to pay the final total cost of $1157.00.

The service tech that did the install cleaned up the interior just fine but
left a mess on the roof. Even closed the camper with this mess on the rear
shell. I had to insist that he get a long handle push broom to sweep the
fiberglass chips and saw dust plus debris from a tree from the roof. Also,
there was an area of the base frame(pan) of the new AC that obviously was
warped out of shape. This was visible under the cover on the street side.
The tech corrected this by using a pair of pliers to flatten and straighten the metal flange.
Then reinstall the cover. It's not perfect but acceptable.
Overall, I'm very happy. The AC unit is great. The CW employees were
helpful and accommodating. And the price I ultimately paid was better than
all of the competitor RV shops in the area.
For the real techies in our forums, I collected the following operational
specs using a 'Kill-a-watt' inline meter installed between my extension cord
and the shore power cable from the TM.
Condition/mode........|.......Voltage........|........Amp draw
________________________________________________
AC off, fan off...........|.......120.1..........|.........0.4 3
AC Cooling, fan high..|.......112.9..........|........11.4
________________________________________________
The manufacturer claims this AC unit can be operated using a 2000 watt
generator/inverter.
--
I have more technical specs if anybody is interested. Thank you.

[klpauba]

This sounds like a real nice upgrade. When my old A/C bites the dust, I'm planning on getting one of these quieter units. Thanks for the update.

[dab1950]

Just got off the phone with Dometic Customer support. I called to complain that
their website would not recognize the 'model AC-1351' on the warranty registration
page. It was odd in that the website knew who I was because as I typed my info
the fields would pre-fill. I didn't want to assume CW registered the AC but they
must have. Dometic customer support informed me that the Atwood Aircommand
products are "automatically registered" and owners are not required to register
a new purchase. These AC's have a two year warranty. I declined the CW
extended warranty.
BTW, I intend to replace my extension cord to the TM. I will shop for at least a
12 AWG and much shorter than I'm currently using. I never attempted to
start the AC with the old Coleman installed. I knew it would have been too
much for my circuits.

[dab1950]

Swapped extension cords. Now using a 12 AWG, 25 ft outdoor rated cord.
New measurements using the Kill-a-watt meter:
AC off, fan off = 121.1 VAC and 0.2 amp
AC cooling, fan on high = 117.6 VAC, 10.3 amp.
I can live with a 3.5 volt drop and 1 amp less current draw.
I'm a happy camper.