2000 Beaver Patriot Thunder drivers A/C.

[John Hughes]

Our last little trip was very hot for the driver. When we left home we soon smelled burning rubber. Immediately pulled over to find the A/C compressor had seized up. So continued our venture with the generator and roof airs on.
Question, the drivers A/C does not have a sticker and I can find nothing in my books on a A/C compressor part number or how much R-134a and oil required for the system. I put gauges on and only have about 5-6 psi in there now. The compressor moves but can feel drag so a new one is in order. Any help would be appreciated.

[Bill Lampkin]

Our '05 PT took 5 -1/2# refrigerant after replacing the compressor.

[Eric Maclean]

John
Check your compressor for a manufacturer name and model number.
I'm not sure if mine is original or the same as yours but on my CAT 3126 it has a Tama manufacturing # 488-45120  ( SAE-J639 )  compressor .

To charge the system if you look closely at the receiver drier there is a site glass . Charge the system unit the bubbles go away and add another half a pound and you should be good to go.

PS.
If the compressor has ground itself up inside you may have metal debris throughout the system and require flushing and possibly a new receiver drier.

Hope this helps
Eric

[Eric Maclean]

John
It's difficult to get an exact number for the amount of refrigerant because the length of the coach and or hoses can change the amount significantly making each coach somewhat different .

Eric

[John Hughes]

Thanks guys, at least I have something to start with. My Cat C12 looks like a Sanden sd7 compressor or equal. I will have to check the entire system for design type and location of dryer. looks like condenser is in the front by the master cylinders without a fan. Strange design.

[Eric Maclean]

John
 the condenser has to have air movement to do its job it should have an electric fan on it .
Not sure about your vintage but many of the Beaver coaches used ACME air conditioning products

http://acmeairparts.com/rvacheaterparts.html

Hope this helps
Eric

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

2000 Beavers used the Acme system. There is a diagram of the dash (dual control) system in Coach Assist in Heating & AC Systems section. If my memory is correct our 2000 Marquis had an electric fan on the condenser behind the front cap.
Steve

[John Hughes]

Our '05 PT took 5 -1/2# refrigerant after replacing the compressor.

Bill, do you know how much refrigerant oil and type they used ?

[Eric Maclean]

John
Because the oil in the system is transient when replacing a component such as the compressor the best practice is to remove the old component in this case compressor and drain the oil from the component measuring the amount in that component then measure out the same amount of new oil and place the new oil into the new component before replacing it.

In a system which is to be completely dismantled flushed and refilled the rule of thumb was to add one and half to  two ounces of oil to each of the components depending on size of the component ( condenser, evaporator,receiver drier, compressor) upon reassambly in this case as there is so much length in the refrigerant lines I would consider the lines as a separate component and add an ounce to ensure there was enough oil in transit to keep the compressor lubricated.
Hope this helps
Eric

[Bill Lampkin]

What Eric said!!

[Bill Borden]

Back a few years ago, our dash AC went out, it turned out to be the AC Dryer that took a dump, filled all 40' of lines, compressor, and the condenser with little glass bb's.  What a pain, to flush the lines completely, it took two trips back to the Mechanic to get it right.

Now it works OK, but we still use the Generator and Roof AC when it's really hot.

I agree with previous comments, replace the Compressor, Dryer, and maybe the Condenser.

[Michael Rump]

I would suggest giving Richard at Acme Air a call (913) 515-1560.  Additionally, here is some info from my owners manual for a 40 foot MH;

The total amount of PAG within the refrigerant system is approximately 18% of the total refrigerant in the system.
How much refrigerant is in the system? How much should be used when charging? The system requires 1 oz. of PAG for each 7 feet of hose after the first 15 feet of hose. Roughly, a 40 foot motorhome will use 92 feet of refrigerant hose. Take 15 feet off the measurement and the result would be 77 feet. This 77 feet is then divided by 7 for total of 11. This represents the number of ounces of PAG oil needed for the A/C system (11 oz.).
Carrying the formula one step further, the 11 oz. equal approximately 18% of the entire system. The total will equate to approximately 61 oz. or 3.8 lbs. of R-134a.

Good luck!