Silver Hawk
RVF Newbee
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2020
- Messages
- 3
- Location
- Sarasota, Florida
- RV Year
- 2004
- RV Make
- Dutchmen
- RV Model
- 31 FKDS
- RV Length
- 31
- TOW/TOAD
- 10,000
I can't be the only one with a Dometic Duo-Therm 15KBTU A/C Unit that invariables freezes up when the outside air temp drops to about 78 degrees F or 75 degrees F. The unit runs wonderfully! If it's 80 degrees F and hotter, it is a flawless unit! But SO often, I go to bed, at night the temp drops, and if it gets to about 75 degrees F outside . . . I am waking up to find the A/C not working, because there is a 1/2" of ice on the coils. I have to turn it off, let is 'thaw,' and hope for the best in turning it on again. I HAVE to believe I'm not the only one? I called Dometic - they were very nice. They explained - essentially - that this was 'normal.' "Why would you need A/C at 75F anyway?" Because I'm in Florida, it's 95% humidity outside, it might be raining . . . because I want the A/C running while I sleep! That's why! They seemed to find it acceptable that outside ambient air of a temperature less than 65 degrees F was going to cause the freezing up - and they seem to think this is 'acceptable!' But again, I'm having issues at 75 degrees F.
I do not have a heat pump. My model is: 59516.711 It was original/new in 2004.
Things I should mention: I found the freeze control sensor literally JAMMED into the coil fins. It's apparently supposed to 'snap' onto one of the evaporator lines. I snapped it onto one - not sure if it's in the right spot - but it does not seem to have made a difference. Also, I'm not terribly confident that they 2 wired from the freeze control sensor are making a connection to the 'hidden from view' circuit board. I wonder is someone may have intentionally disconnected it?
Also, there seems to be a lot of chilled air leaking from the 'pressure side' back into the 'intake side.' Whatever was creating a seal between the intake side and the 'pressure side' (from where the air ducts receive the freshly chilled air) seems to have deteriorated, and again, there seems to be a lot of the freshly chilled high pressure air that should run through the ducts, 'escaping' back to the air inlet side. I don't know how big a problem this is? Or if this is what may be causing the icing up?
I should add that the previous owners had the ceiling vents (that you can turn to direct the direction of the air) REMOVED. I replaced them. I wonder now if they did that because there was an inadequate flow of air - and that was causing freezing for them (I got the 31' Dutchmen FKDS from a dealer and never met the prior owner).
If anyone has ANY suggestions or advice, I would VERY sincerely appreciate it.
Dave Williams
I do not have a heat pump. My model is: 59516.711 It was original/new in 2004.
Things I should mention: I found the freeze control sensor literally JAMMED into the coil fins. It's apparently supposed to 'snap' onto one of the evaporator lines. I snapped it onto one - not sure if it's in the right spot - but it does not seem to have made a difference. Also, I'm not terribly confident that they 2 wired from the freeze control sensor are making a connection to the 'hidden from view' circuit board. I wonder is someone may have intentionally disconnected it?
Also, there seems to be a lot of chilled air leaking from the 'pressure side' back into the 'intake side.' Whatever was creating a seal between the intake side and the 'pressure side' (from where the air ducts receive the freshly chilled air) seems to have deteriorated, and again, there seems to be a lot of the freshly chilled high pressure air that should run through the ducts, 'escaping' back to the air inlet side. I don't know how big a problem this is? Or if this is what may be causing the icing up?
I should add that the previous owners had the ceiling vents (that you can turn to direct the direction of the air) REMOVED. I replaced them. I wonder now if they did that because there was an inadequate flow of air - and that was causing freezing for them (I got the 31' Dutchmen FKDS from a dealer and never met the prior owner).
If anyone has ANY suggestions or advice, I would VERY sincerely appreciate it.
Dave Williams