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My question is how do you all have such easy access to your basement air units? Mine is directly behind the steer axle encased with steel plates. From the passenger side i can remove a shelf and get access to the ductwork, but that's it. From what i can tell my best point of access it to lift the coach 2 feet in the air and drop it out the bottom. I must be missing something on the drivers side.
Carl Little
1996 Coach 435 Detroit 60
Posts: 375
Threads: 18
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(10-09-2024, 12:13 PM)cwl1979 Wrote: My question is how do you all have such easy access to your basement air units? Mine is directly behind the steer axle encased with steel plates. From the passenger side i can remove a shelf and get access to the ductwork, but that's it. From what i can tell my best point of access it to lift the coach 2 feet in the air and drop it out the bottom. I must be missing something on the drivers side.
I’d have to see pictures of your set up. Mine I just open up the bay doors and the units are right there. One on the passenger side and one on the driver side. I did some work on a 96 recently but did not pay attention to how the air conditioners were mounted.
Jeff LoGiudice
Temple Terrace, Fl
1984 Bluebird Wanderlodge PT40
1998 Newell 2000 #490
1986 MCI/TMC 102A3 (sold)
Posts: 2,695
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Richard should be along shortly. I know he did the circuit board relay changeout on Joe Roark's previous coach that had the same hidden rear AC. He should have some good tips.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
PO 1999 Foretravel 36'
1998 Newell 45' #486
1993 Newell 39' #337
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Carl, post some pics when you get a chance.
Richard and Rhonda Entrekin
99 Newell, 512
Maverick Hybrid Toad
Inverness, FL (when we're home
)
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So………….this post turned out to be timely for me. While staying at the McCloud resort and work camp in the Arizona fall 101 degree heat the front AC unit went belly up. The inside blower stopped working. A few minutes of diagnostics showed the circuit board was sending power to the blower motor, so the problem is either the run cap or the motor. Given the funny smell in the control box I figured it was the cap.
Changing out one of the caps located behind the circuit board is a real pain. It’s a small space, only room for one hand, no visibility because your hand is in the way, and getting to them puts me in a position that kills my back. That’s enough whining, but it builds to the epiphany I had while roasting in the sun.
When I get home all the caps are getting relocated to an external box outside their current location. It’s not a hard solution. It will take some wire and a waterproof box, but it is definitely on the winter project list.I will follow up with pics when I complete it.
I don’t know why it took ten years of working on the SCS units for this idea to pop out.
Richard and Rhonda Entrekin
99 Newell, 512
Maverick Hybrid Toad
Inverness, FL (when we're home
)
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There is another solution
1999 45' #504 "Magnolia"
Gravette, Arkansas
1996 40 XL Prevost Marathon
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(10-10-2024, 07:06 AM)Richard Wrote: Carl, post some pics when you get a chance.
So here's the pictures The cold air return is part of my entry steps but otherwise i cant see an easy way to get access to it
passenger side bay
drivers side bay
I honestly cant see easy access anywhere Its a bit rainy/snowy here this morning so i didn't roll underneath it to take pictures of the condenser fins
Carl Little
1996 Coach 435 Detroit 60
Posts: 2,695
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Just looking at the last picture since there is a junction box at lower left if you pull the tape there might be screws to open that panel.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
PO 1999 Foretravel 36'
1998 Newell 45' #486
1993 Newell 39' #337
Posts: 493
Threads: 59
Joined: Jun 2022
Once you do find the capacitors, use a good brand for a replacement. I wouldn't get it from Amazon. I prefer
MARS brand for longevity. I also get the 440 volt ones on the theory that they may be more robust than the 370 volt ones. They generally have a 5% tolerance, I replace them whenever they get near that. I put spare capacitors in every A/C unit so I don't have to go looking for one when it quits.
Jim
2014 Newell Coach 1482 Mid Entry 45'8" Valid Slides and Valid Levelling