What is the average lifespan of a rooftop A/C unit?

[StephJohn2010]

Our bedroom A/C has stopped blowing cold air, just blows room temperature. Motorhome is a 2012 and we've full-timed for 6 years so we've used it the whole time. Thanks in advance.

[Branson_N_Tucso]

Our two air still working 2003 motor home. Spend 6 months every year in AS. Took cover off and a mud wasp was the cause.
Replaced the compasatore. Cheap fix.

[wa8yxm]

Opps. wrong thread

[kdk]

Before replacing the unit, try replacing the start capacitor first. Better yet get a soft start kit for greater longevity. I have had to do this on mine and a couple of others and still running many years later. Previous poster said PPL motor Homes had a breakdown of parts. If you can't find it there take picture so you hook it up right and take them to an rv dealer for replacement parts.
Blessings; kdk

[Ava]

Adding to my earlier post, my 94 Bounder has Coleman units.

[vjstangelo]

Both our units lost their charge. I was informed by a prior poster that an increase in failures coincided with the introduction of new high pressure refrigerants meant to replace R-22. Not sure if this is true, but for a fact both of my units “blew their charge” due to failures in the refrigerant piping.

The new units came with 2 year warranties. I was told by my rv mechanic these rooftop units are basically throw away units: more economical to replace than repair.

[Big_Katuna]

2005 Fleetwood. Coleman.

Replaced PTCR in the front at five years.

Fans failed two weeks apart at 10 years.

Front unit died last summer and the rear isn’t cooling very good so I am replacing it soon before summer.

We camp in Florida so they run a lot.

[Gjac]

jplante4 wrote:
Anyone else notice a trend here? Older units working great, newer units being replaced. Pretty much indicative of where the industry is going. You could probably draw a line in time where Dometic took over the roof top AC industry.

Just for giggles, include your AC mfg. Mine are Duotherm.

I see the same trend, mine are 23 years old Duotherms also and work fine. I think there are two other factors that may determine the lifespan. One is how often you use it, in 14 years other than two long term stays in Canada when I first retired I don't think I used them more than a dozen times. The second is how often do you stay at RV parks that have low voltage when the AC is running, I think this may be a bigger factor. 95 % of the time I dry camp. When people on here have to replace a unit is it always because the tubes are leaking? Or is it a compressor or something else that goes?

[DSDP_Don]

John & Steph.....We had a 2005 Diplomat and the rear A/C quit at about the five year mark, probably due to lack of use. It was a heat pump model and was actually blowing warm when turned on. This was indicative of a faulty reversing valve which is replaceable on a Dometic unit. I replaced the valve, problem solved.

The front A/C quit about a year later. Being cheap, I decided to replace both A/C capacitors before replacing the unit. Depending on the brand/model, PPL Motors Parts has a parts breakdown of several A/C brands by model number. I ordered the two capacitors, replaced them and the unit fired right up.

I often do a cost analysis regarding the replacement of a part I THINK is bad, versus having it repaired or replaced. If cheap enough, I just replace the part.

[2oldman]

ScottG wrote:
In Western Washington where I live? Appx. 400 years. 😞

That's funny right there.

My 15yo Dometic is still going strong.

[wa8yxm]

Depends on the make and when it was made. For example my 2005 Carriers, both of 'em, have been replaced.. Turns out they had a manufacturing and design issue.

By the way I recommend Coleman as a repalcement if that is needed (With one or two exceptions it's cheaper to replace ';em) The reaons is colemans "Suck" that is pull air in through the condenser and exhaust it out the sides.. Everyone else "Blows" (the other way around) THis makes cleaning Cotton wood Cotton and other "Crud" off the condenser way way easier on the Coleman.

THe two exceptios where it's cheaper to fix than replace:
Clogged condenser (See above) it does need occaionsal cleaning
2: Bad start capicator.

[johnhicks]

Two 25-year-old Dometics still working fine.

[lenr]

2005 Dometic ran fine until sold in 2013. New 2013 Dometic lasted 1 1/2 years--replacement lasted 8 months but was only run 4 of those months. I'm sure China has nothing to do with the last 2 quick failures. Next replacement was an old Elkhart made Dometic unit that had been on the shelf since before Chinese manufacturing started--running strong when shut down last fall. I watch voltage levels--don't think that was an issue for me with the 2 failures. More likely that leaking evaporator was the problem.

[valhalla360]

If it lasts more than the first 6 months, I suspect being connected to bad power is the likely culprit on most failures.

[JoeH]

They were working fine on our prior coach when we sold it , 14 years old.
Our new coach has had all 3 roof units replaced in the first 4 years.