[dmsinnott]

Good morning everyone - we are experiencing 120V compressor issues. Last night we arrived in St Augustine, FL and I noticed the supply pressure was down to 60lbs and the compressor was not running. Checked and it was very hot, like it had gone into thermal overload. So I left it off until this morning. Turned it on, pressure charged from zero to 105 and then stopped as it should. When pressure dropped to 70 I thought "it should be on by now ..." went out and checked it and it was hot and felt like it was buzzing, like the start capacitor had failed or the compressor has seized.  It is the Thomas compressor with the Spartan Scientific (Viton) pressure switch/regulator.

I like Richard's idea of replacing the Viton switch/regulator and will likely do this when I get the coach back home. However, in the meantime we would like to continue our road trip. I see some people have suggested replacing the Thomas with a small all-in-one unit from Harbor Freight - is this something that could be a full time replacement? it looks a little light duty for the coach, but it's self contained, only needs a 120V feed, and it's inexpensive.

Is there any issue running the coach without the 120V compressor? As I understand it's major function is to keep the coach level when the engine is not running - the 12V compressor can handle the doors and potties when parked overnight (have to work on finding level spots!)

Dave

[Richard]

There is a start cap on the Thomas compressors. The fact that it will build pressure says the comp is good. If you can’t locate one at a local HVAC house, McMaster will have you one in two days.

Second, I do not recommend leaving the coach in the autolevel mode.

Third, make sure the pressure relief is working so the pump does not try to start against pressure.

[RussWhite]

Richard said all the right things as usual!

I'll just add a little from my experience.

I am going to go out o a limb and suggest your compressor is not getting unloaded after it reaches cutoff set point. Your symptoms match exactly that situation. Since it did start after a long period of not running and reached pressure just sounds like the next time it tried to start it was against a high head and you were in locked rotor.

Then the "auto level". Totally agree and if you don't have a bunch of leaks the coach should stay right where you left it after leveling for days, and certainly overnight. Even if you have big leaks I would then suggest still staying out of auto level and firing up the diesel, building pressure ( assuming your 120vac compressor problem has not been resolved yet ) leveling and shutting down.

[dmsinnott]

Thanks for the notes guys - when we return to SC I will definitely replace the Viton sensor/cutoff switch with what Richard suggests.

As a side note, just as we reached West Palm on I-95 the awning decided to open on it's own. By the time we got the rig stopped we had no choice but to cut it down and remove the arms. In rush hour no less. Sigh. I am wondering why Gerard (and other awning companies) do not provide a locking mechanism so it cannot extend while driving at 65mph.

Oh well. We never used it anyway. I'll bet it'll pour rain the remainder of the week!

Dave

[Jack Houpe]

Dave that is not fun at all and is a good heart check for sure we had one unfurl on I40 with 20+ MPH cross wind on a class B van and was hand full so I fill your pain. As far as the Harbor Freight compressor I've seen and heard them in action very quiet and also very cheap so I like them.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gallon-1...64592.html

[Richard]

Oh no on the awning.

Some insight here. I feel your pain. http://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=3247

And http://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=5102

[dmsinnott]

Very much appreciate the kind words, it was definitely a pucker moment. At least it was a cool-ish day for the removal work and not raining, and that we had a folding ladder and the tools necessary for the removal. And I was able to pull far enough off the road.

But back to the original subject - the compressor/motor start cap vs the pressure switch/regulator - of course the gurus were correct. The pressure switch/regulator is at fault and will be replaced at the earliest opportunity with

https://www.amazon.com/Secbolt-90-120PSI...RydWU&th=1

Apologies that the link did not come in as cleanly as Richard's original post.

Thank you gentlemen!

[folivier]

Going across Oklahoma we kept hearing a weird noise. Cindy roamed back and forth while I drove trying to figure it out. Finally when I glanced at my mirror I saw something flapping. Moved the mirror up and saw the rear Zipdee window awning opening up and snapping shut! Hold on Cindy! Got to the side of the road pretty quickly, pulled into a lot and spent a bit of time using zipties, duct tape, and rope to tie it down. Glad I had a ladder to be able to reach it.

[360]

When my compressor is down while on the road the biggest thing I worry about is the slide seals if there is any chance of rain. On 653 that 120V compressor keeps the two front seals inflated and there's a 12v compressor for the rear two along with the toilet, etc. No clue why they only plumbed the rear to the 12v as I would LOVE to have them all of the slide seals inflated with 12V and that is on my list to eventually replumb when I get moved into my new space later this winter.

In a pinch while traveling what I would do if my compressor shot craps is just grab the cheapest compressor I could find and plug it into your air port at the rear in the battery bay. Put a filter/separator on as well to catch the moisture.