When to Replace Your Truck, RV or Heavy Equipment A/C

When to Replace Your Truck, RV or Heavy Equipment A/C

If you suffered through the early July Heat Dome that covered much of the United States, this article is for you. We received calls from people across the country with mobile air conditioning units that struggled to keep up. High temperatures and high humidity are a challenge even for a brand-new unit, and older units were struggling to keep the cab from becoming unbearable. For some, that was the best they could hope for – cool air seemed like an unattainable goal.

Throw in the brutal constant vibration, dust and long operating hours typical for 18-wheelers, heavy equipment, and RVs and your system takes a beating.

Here are some signs it may be time to replace an aging unit, and tips for selecting the best replacement options.

 

Signs of A/C Failure in 18-Wheelers Heavy Trucks:

  • An endless diet of freon - Constantly topping off refrigerant, frequently due to leaks resulting from constant vibration induced chaffing of hoses, and compressor shaft seal leaks from countless hours of operation. When there are multiple leaks, it's often cheaper to bite the bullet and replace the faulty components, rather than endure the frequent downtime and repeated inconvenience of gas-and-go patch jobs.
  • Compressor failure – When an aging compressor fails, it can send metal shavings through the entire system. When that happens, simply replacing the compressor will repeat the cycle as the new compressor eats the leftover metal in the system.

Tip: When replacing a failed compressor, always flush the system to remove any leftover debris and replace the receiver/drier. If you have a micro channel condenser, you will need to replace that too as they cannot be flushed. Always use new seals when reconnecting your components. If your truck is an older model and you are facing substantial repair costs, it might be time to consider replacing the original systems with a heavy-duty Red Dot system.

 

Signs of A/C Issues in Heavy Equipment (construction, forestry and agriculture):

  • Zero Airflow - If your blower motor is on high and you barely feel any air from the vents, the cabin air filters might need to be replaced or the evaporator is likely packed with dirt. Once that packs the fins, significant disassembly of the cab is often required to expose the evaporator and attempt to clean the coils. This is a labor-intensive process that often also requires expensive parts to complete.
  • Vibration or Squealing When the Clutch Engages - This is hard to notice on heavy equipment since the engine usually overpowers signs of compressor failure. However, if you aren't getting cold air, abnormal vibration or squealing indicates the compressor may have damaged bearings, a worn or misadjusted drive belt, or the clutch might be near end of life. Replacing or adjusting the belt could resolve the issue or you might need to replace the compressor if it's a clutch or bearing issue.

Tip: If downtime or repair costs are unacceptably high, consider replacing or upgrading with a heavy-duty Red Dot system capable of handling high shock conditions in dusty areas, with enough cooling power to overcome the greenhouse-like environment prevalent with massive glass cabs.

 

Signs of Air Conditioner Problems in RVs

  • Tripping breaker - If your breaker trips or your rig lights dim every time your rooftop unit's compressor turns on, that's a sign your roof unit's compressor is wearing out. Now is the time to upgrade to a unit with a lower startup-amp requirement, or a more modern compressor and technology.
  • Noise - As rooftop RV air conditioners age the fan motors wear out and plastic cowlings vibrate. Upgrading to a new unit, or even a mini-split, keeps you cool in a quieter rig.
  • Disintegrating Plastic and Foam - UV damage is tough on plastics and foam, and plastic and foam that is brittle or flakes away is a sign your unit is on its last legs. As units age, seals can also dry and rot, potentially leading to water leaks, on top of a unit that can't keep you cool in the summer heat.

Tip: Technology improvements are significant in the rooftop and RV mini-split segment, with high-efficiency 12v and 48v systems that can be sized for your needs. Our Climate Command DC powered Air Conditioners run quieter and in a smaller package size than many of the standard shore-powered rooftop units in the market today. In many cases it's more cost effective to replace a shore-powered rooftop unit instead of repairing.

 

Other Factors

Regardless of your equipment, there are some universal factors that generally lead us to recommend installing a new aftermarket system. These include:

  • The machine is more than 10 years old.
  • It is experiencing performance issues that remain unresolved after repeated repair attempts.
  • Repair costs and downtime are frequent.
  • Parts for the original OEM system are getting difficult or expensive to obtain.
  • The machine needs filtered cabin air options that are not available with the OEM system.

Of course experiencing the above symptoms doesn't mean a full replacement or upgrade is your only option. Sometimes the urgency of an immediate fix is best handled by a few replacement parts, getting the rig back in action, and allowing time for an off-season replacement. Regardless of your need, the expert team at VMACS can get you cool again in record time, thanks to our industry-leading in-stock inventory, and extensive hands-on experience.

Our background in mobile service means we can help you find a solution, if you're not sure where to start, and we offer same-day shipping on orders placed by 2 PM Eastern Time. Give us a call, or shop our online store today to minimize your downtime.