One of the most frustrating situations when traveling in your motorhome is when your AC loses its charge. Despite being a difficult situation, you can actually recharge your air conditioner by re-filling the unit with a refrigerant known as Freon. However, while it may sound easy, it is actually debated how much coolant can even be placed inside your AC. The answer to this question will depend on the overall size of your air conditioner, however, the estimated measuring system is 1-2 pounds of coolant for every ton of your AC. This means a 3-ton air conditioner would need in between 6 and 12 pounds of Freon.
Many people argue that there isn’t any real rule as to how much coolant should be used to charge your motorhome air conditioner. While it is true there isn’t an official rule as to how much should be used, you mustn’t overfill the AC. Overfilling is a serious and common problem that will usually result in permanent damage due to the extra liquid flooding your compressor. Too much coolant will also drop the temperatures inside your AC below what they should be, resulting in sub-cooling. While there isn’t normally a set amount of Freon that is required inside your AC, some air conditioners actually have a sticker that will give a recommended amount of how many ounces should be inside at all times. Some motorhome owners who have experienced the situation found what worked best for them was to fill the unit to 80% capacity, and then add more as needed. Re-filling your AC with coolant can be tricky for someone with no HVAC experience, so if you are concerned about doing something wrong it may be best to contact a professional.
It can be difficult knowing how much coolant needs to be placed inside your air conditioner even if you know how much the unit needs as a whole. The best-case scenario would be that you don’t need to completely refill your AC with coolant. If there is already a small amount of coolant in your AC, you may be able to figure out how much to replace it easier and faster. In most cases, it is recommended that you fill in between 50% and 80% and then fill the rest after 5 to 6 hours of run time.
However, if you are comfortable recharging your air conditioner on your own, there are a few safety precautions that should be taken before you begin. First of all, the unit should be disconnected from power completely. Make sure you are wearing gloves and the proper safety equipment, as you are dealing with electricity as well as heating and cooling. You can find the tools to refill your AC at almost any tool store, as well as coolant and/or refill kits that can be found at most auto repair stores.
Also, make sure you are using the correct coolant. Most air conditioners have stickers or a manual that tells you the kind of Freon needed for that specific kind of need for that unit. NEVER use any other kind of coolant than instructed, unless there are exceptions. If you cannot get your hands on the kind of coolant needed, contact the manufacturer of the AC to ask what kinds of coolant are compatible.
While recharging an AC is something that is possible, it isn’t actually something you should ever have to do more than a couple times when owning your motorhome. Letting your air conditioner drain isn’t healthy, and something you should avoid if possible. This is especially the case because once your Freon has drained to a certain point or to empty, it is nearly impossible for you to make a good guess as to how much coolant still needs to be filled.
In some situations, you may find that coolant isn’t the only issue with your AC. Most people find this to be best to replace many parts or broken pieces inside their air conditioner. If you have needed to replace any fans with perhaps a new dryer, this would be the best time, as it should be disconnected completely from the motorhome. You may also need to add some oil to your AC. This isn’t usually required but would be a good idea if you notice it is low.
Continue reading to learn what kind of Freon your air conditioner unit will need:
What Kind Of Freon Does My RV Air Conditioner Use?
RV and motorhome air conditioners are a little different than average ACs in that they use a different kind of coolant. There are several to choose from, which may make you wonder which one is best for your unit. In most cases, your air conditioner will likely have a sticker or manual that will tell you the kind of Freon that is compatible. If not, chances are it will require R-410A Freon. This is the most popular coolant type for RV air conditioners, however, it is sold by many different brands so you may need to inquire to find which one is ideal for your unit.
While R-410A is a common Freon for most RV and motorhome air conditioners, it may still be different for your make a model. If you have an older AC unit, it may require R-22 Freon which was the most popular in past years. As mentioned before, many brands make the same coolant, so you may need to do some extra research as to what brand works best for your air conditioning unit. Some ACs may already have a sticker or something that will tell you a recommended brand as well as how many ounces it will require.
Keep in mind that the Freon you will be needing for your RV or motorhome will be different than what you use at home. If you are unsure of how air conditioners work or HVAC in general, perhaps you should have a professional help you. Keep in mind for anyone who wants to do this for themselves, that there are actually some great beginner kits to help you change out the Freon effectively.
Never try and refill your air conditioner without first reading instructions, unplugging your unit completely, and making sure you have the proper kind of coolant. It can become very frustrating if you use the wrong kind of coolant, as it won’t work as efficiently, and possibly even drain your charge instead of refilling it.
Check out some of these great products to help you effectively re-fill your AC’s coolant:
Self Sealing 12 oz Canned Refrigerant
This canned refrigerant may be the kind of coolant you need for your RV or motorhome’s air conditioner. Since this coolant is canned, it will last for a long time, and it is also self-seals to save whatever you don’t use. Check out this awesome set of 12-ounce cans of refrigerant.
Bullet Piercing Tap Valve Kit
This kit is a great way for you to easily re-fill your air conditioner with coolant. Kits like this one are great for beginners to newbies to any kind of HVAC work around their RV. This kit comes with everything you need to safely and efficiently recharge your air conditioner. Check out this one of many awesome bullet piercing kits for air conditioners.
Furrion CHILL Rooftop Air Conditioner
Looking for a new air conditioner option for your RV that doesn’t require coolant? This rooftop air conditioner is a great option for you! Not only is this unit easy to install and use, it saves energy and has manual control options. Check out this awesome rooftop air conditioner option for RVs.
We hope this article helped you determine how much Freon should be placed in your motorhome’s air conditioner! Sharing problems and solutions can make RV living so much easier. So if we didn’t include something that you have experienced, please leave a comment below to share with others. Until then, enjoy, be safe and have fun RVing!
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