Coleman Mach 15 HP has died

The rear unit on our camper is a Mach 15 HP, the front is a Mach 13.  The rear hasn’t really been working well for most of its life and the front unit does most of the cooling, but now the rear has had enough.  This past week down at Gulf Shores it just stayed frozen most of the time and after it would thaw, only cold air for a short time.  I finally smelled a faint burning smell and just shut it down.

 

I want to replace it obviously as it’s 13 years old and I have never really liked that unit.  Does anyone recommend another brand, or should I stick with Coleman?  I suppose I will change the front also so they match, but it works just fine, just extremely loud from the outside, but it has always been that way.  You can hear it across the campground.

 

Thanks for any help / suggestions.

Topic

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Moo,

My guess given the noise heard across the campground is that you have had a bad fan bearing for quite a while.  Service guys often say they are not serviceable, but they are not too difficult to replace, so they are often ignored until it seized up.  It takes a long time to finally create so much friction to slow the fan until it ices-up or finally completely stops the fan from turning. A seized bearing will cause several items to fry – thus the burn smell.

A broken plastic fan blade is fairly common noise maker as well but much more easily replaced. That would not make things burn unless it came completely apart and hit some wiring as it did.

At 13 years I would just buy the current model of what you have.  That way less cost for changing out thermostats, controllers etc  And if one is quiet it will probably be good for quite a while.

Humid coastal areas are notoriously hard on ac units – even residential home a/c units

I bought 3 replacement Carrier units before I swapped out everything for the BriskII. Central thermostat, new controllers, dual zone temperature sensors. 4 speeds.   Absolutely love the setup in the 2010 36FWS. The 2010 is a ducted rig, but nothing like the return air ducted units available in later models.  Both BriskII are the tall units so I sit at 13’6” with the IS suspension. A flat unit up front would make me 13’4, but was not available with the sophisticated controller and dual temp sensors.  I use both to cool it down after travel or in the extra moon-time heat if needed, then run only one to keep the noise in the room not being occupied.

All front ac units are often 13.5 versus 15 because they dependably operate at 30 amps when you want a few other devices running, or on  a 3500 kw generator.  A soft start gave me, and will give your 15kw all of those advantages plus any unit will start and run quieter.

 

Good luck.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[moo2613ParticipantParticipantTopics - 14Replies - 43Total - 57]

Thanks JohnD222.  I should have clarified, the front 13.5 kw unit is loud from fan noise, just the loud sound of air blowing outside.  It has been identical since brand new.  That unit works very good.  The problem child is the rear 15 kw unit.  The noise inside the camper has never been bothersome and most of the time in the bedroom, we leave the fan in the on position as back ground noise.  I’m sure neighboring campers hate it since they have to listen to it, but never had a complaint except from myself when I am walking the dog in the middle of the night.

It would be handy to reuse thermostats.

[Denis DunderdaleParticipantTopics - 0Replies - 5Total - 5]

Just my opinion, but if the front (bedroom) unit works well, I would keep it (put a soft start cap, and have a pro (not Camping World LOL) go through the whole thing. Then replace the main 15 KBTU unit with the current version of the same thing. It will probably come it’s a soft start, but if it doesn’t, put one in during the install.

Good luck and keep us posted. I’m looking at replacing the front unit in my 2011 Cameo (13.5 k)

[dollarhideParticipantTopics - 0Replies - 38Total - 38]

We have the same setup you do on our 2014 36FW.  Ours were very loud on the outside too.  They make a fan kit that will make them not so loud.  I think is cost about $50 a pop. I have seen them on e-bay.

It gets hot in Texas.  Our trailer has full body paint and the AC’s struggle to cool it when in full sun in the summer.  Would not get full body paint again.

We had the blower fan fail.  Made quiet a noise and a lot of small plastic pieces in the duct.  If the outside fan is still running then that is probably what happened.  I got a new blower from Amazon.  The motor was alright.  I can probably find the part number again if you need it.

I don’t really like the duct system.  When we first got ours it would get very cold in the bedroom and the small unit would cut off but the one in the main part of the trailer would still run and pump cold air into the bedroom.  I fixed that by taking the vent cover in bathroom off and stuffing a t-shirt in the duct to block the air flow from the back of the trailer.

We had a problem with the 15K BTU unit tripping the breaker.  We came in several times to a hot trailer.  That was fixed by adding a Soft Start device to the unit.  Wasn’t cheap but we haven’t had it happen again.

Hopefully some of that helps.

Billy

 

 

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Billy,

 

Not wanting to steal the string, BUT I started a new thread about the 2nd AC in the 2013+ units and you may be able to help.

Did you buy yours new?

Was bedroom AC added by dealer or was it installed by factory?

Can you see the bedroom ac unit from the inside of the 5er?   (It sounds like you can but want to know if this was factory install.)

AGREED – Full body field paint needs to be white! or light, light tan, with painted accent decals NOT caveman dark field colors with even darker accent decal colors.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[jlsrParticipantTopics - 15Replies - 118Total - 133]

We have a 2015 Lifestyle with the 15k Colemans. Ours are LOUD too and have been loud since we got it, but they do put out cold air. When they die we will probably replace with colemans. Our next door neighbor has a new rig with 15k colemans and they are very quiet. So far we can’t justify replacing them until they give out. And in this horrible texas heat that may not be long !

2015 Lifestyle Luxury RV LS36FW FBP
2019 GMC 3500HD Denali Dually
TrailerSaver TS3 air ride hitch

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Phil (jlsr),

Are they loud inside and out?

This 13 Lifestyle 36FWS is whisper quiet. It is the heat pump version and I know that the previous owner replaced the noisy plastic fan – he bought two so I have a spare.  I need to climb up there or dig out that fan to see if it is a Coleman or Dometic brand.  Will do that if it stops raining here in NH.  I do know that it is the flat version with heat pump and the thermostat has no back light and is labeled “RV Comfort HP.”

Phil, can you answer my question about the bedroom AC unit replacing the ceiling exhaust fan and being visible inside or if your bedroom AC was an after factory install?  Thanks.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[moo2613ParticipantParticipantTopics - 14Replies - 43Total - 57]

Thank you everybody.  I was a little wrong on my models, they are the Polar Mach series.  Don’t think that makes a difference, but it looks like the Mach 8 plus is the replacement version.  I don’t use the heat pump at all, so we may skip that option.  We have the fireplace and use that for electric heat.  I will post our final outcome!  Stay cool

[Phil PParticipantTopics - 17Replies - 69Total - 86]

Hello All

We have a LS38RS the build start date is late 2015 and completion was 2016

They are Airxcel units and my recommendation is DO NOT anyone that doesn’t have a training certificate issued by the manufacturer work on that unit.

They are a top line AC.

I got talked in to replace my rear unit with one of the units that don’t drain condensate they blow it thru the condenser to cool the condenser. This works great in a dry climate like a desert but not in Florida with this high humidity.

I was having a problem with the rear unit and 2 different companies recommended replacing it. I am now convinced they didn’t know what they were doing.

The new one works but not well.

I continued to have problems with the front unit so I finally downloaded the wiring diagrams from the manufacturer and found the manufacturer of the trailer did not wire it correctly.

It my research I found the rear thermostat also wired wrong and corrected all of the wiring problems.

The front AC is working very well and I looking for a new Mac 15 to replace it.

I strongly recommend and the Mac 15 and the manufacture will go out of their way to help if you call them.

 

Phil P

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Phil P.

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Philip P,

My 2013 has one Airxcel A/C heat pump installed in the rear.

The previous owner replace the plastic fan several years ago. (It sounded like you were under an airport landing zone, and especially loud outside the 5er).

My questions to you Phil is (1) where is your front Airxcel unit placed in the bedroom, and (2) is it visible from inside the 5er??

Mine has a exhaust fan very off center towards the drivers side of truck.  It has 2nd AC prep.  All former units had the 2nd AC (and exhaust fan ) hole centrally located above the bed with a button on the inside marking the center of that hole. If I use that exhaust fan hole for 2nd a/c, the 2nd ac will be located off center and be visible from inside.

I am asking you about location and visibility inside because I am hoping that you can tell me that yours has a second “prep” hole more centrally located.

Thank you in advance,

 

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

If you have a Coleman AirXCEL Mach 8 AC or heat pump, the replacement FLAT plastic fan (improved version) is

1472D5041

It is available on Amazon +/-$70

specs say good for all Mach

The squirrel cage fan is not the one that sounds like a jet when a blade is cracked.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[Phil PParticipantTopics - 17Replies - 69Total - 86]

Hello JohnD222

We have the Fantastic fan in the same location as you describe in our bedroom as well and we seldom us it.

The front ac according to the build sheet is a ducted unit 4700A879 Coleman Mach 8. The unit is not visible from inside the trailer.

These units are built by Airxcel and I will repeat again DO NOT let anyone work on these units that cannot show you a training certificate from Airxcel.

I have a certificate from Airxcel and these AC units are excellent units but the technician needs to have the training to work on them.

All of the problems I have had with the unit I have left are the result of the installer and the 2 technicians that worked on them not being familiar with the wiring.

Phil P

[Phil PParticipantTopics - 17Replies - 69Total - 86]

Here are some pictures.

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Many thanks, especially the repeat of your heads up on the qualified tech.  Do you know one near Daytona, Jacksonville, or Orlando?

I suspect you have image size issues.  I suspect that I can find with a stud finder the 14-inch square framing the hole above the bedroom.

Is there perhaps another number/letter before the A in 4700A879??  A Q&A on Amazon suggests there is an additional number missing

I found source on for the Coleman Mach8 (not the 4700A879, but all out of stock) on the web and it states it needs a drain hose!  My rear unit drains across the roof. Does either/both of yours drain across the roof or is there actually a drain line through the Rv to the  bottom for both of your units?  Concern is if drain is needed do I have one as part of 2nd ac prep – I do have breaker and 120 volt wires leading from that breaker to someplace.

I suspect that your front unit is not the same as the rear if you have a heat pump in the rear. I will look up my heat pump from build sheet (not at 5er right now) and we can compare the model of our rear units.

Do you have a single thermostat that operates both ac units?  If yes, is there a separate sensor in the bedroom?  If you have 2 thermostats, where is the bedroom unit located?

I am in NH, where one unit handles the short number of hours/day of 90 degrees, but know the 2nd will be essential when back in FL and many places out west.  I would like to work out in advance as many challenges as possible.

Are you the Phillip that was from Jacksonville and previously has a Carriage or Cameo 36FWS before the Lifestyle  (I think that Phillip was JDPM)

Thank you again, and for any other info assistance you may have to offer.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[Phil PParticipantTopics - 17Replies - 69Total - 86]

Hello

Yes use the number in your build sheet you may want to contact Airxcel directly and ask them to give you the current number to replace your unit so you can order the correct one for your bedroom. I would recommend using the 15btu unit in both locations.

What city are you in?

I would contact a recommended mobile repair company in your location to do the install. Make sure they are insured. The wiring for these units is specific to them so ask them if they have the Airxcel certification if they say they are certified by a different outfit ask them to do the Airxcel class and get a cert it is free. If they refuse you don’t want them doing anything on your unit. Anyone to smart to learn more is plain dangerous. Over a 40 year span I have been to 11 funerals over that attitude.

Here are some pictures

http://sallyscoffees.com/Lifestyle/Bedroom/ 

 

Phil P

 

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Phil P.

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