Noisy AC
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13823
Printed Date: 22 Jun 2025 at 11:00am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Noisy AC
Posted By: Buffalohunter
Subject: Noisy AC
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2020 at 10:22am
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So as part of getting to know your r-pod...we headed out to camp at a state park on the pothole lakes of eastern Washington, desert country. The temperature was in the upper 90’s so it gave us a chance to test out the ac and cooling functions of the pod. When we turned it on, for the first time, it sounded like a freight train with cool air only coming out of one side. After sweating through 3 days and thinking this was just a break in function, which never got better, we came back to the cooler side of the mountains. I broke down the ac unit...surprise surprise. Must have been put together on Friday. There was only one mounting bolt for the motor and the squirrel cage was rubbing on the plastic housing. The junction box was not mounted at all but was laying on one side blocking air flow. So I learned that getting to know your systems is so important to a happy time in the desert. It’s “rebuilt” now and now onto the next system fo dubious function. ------------- R-pod-2020 189 2013 Toyota Tacoma |
Replies:
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2020 at 11:56am
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Never "nothing" to do, if you own an RV:) ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2020 at 1:39pm
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Was this a new or used unit? If new, it is under warranty and should be repaired/replaced under that warranty. If not, it sounds like you did the best thing by figuring out what was happening and fixing it. I trust it sounds much quieter now.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Buffalohunter
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2020 at 3:05pm
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Bought and used for one week...then sold as used. Don’t think the ac was ever used as anyone would have heard the noisy problem. No warranty did not buy the extended warranty. Now just waiting for the weather to get hot enough to try out the ac. That’s trailer life ------------- R-pod-2020 189 2013 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2020 at 7:27pm
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And now that the a/c is fixed it will only sound like a Cessna taking off and not a freight train or a 737.... ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2020 at 8:07pm
.....and that's why I removed mine and put a Fantastic Fan in the hole. We got tired of wearing the aviation headsets and talking through the intercom! LOL! ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2020 at 8:33pm
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Now here’s a product idea. A noise cancelling kit RVers could connect to their audio systems to reduce roof a/c noise. Since it’s a steady sound it should work pretty effectively. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2020 at 8:52am
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That's a great idea.
------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2020 at 8:57am
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https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aav/2008/253948/
------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2020 at 9:02am
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https://www.israel21c.org/noise-cancelling-company-aims-to-prove-silence-is-golden/ ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2020 at 9:15am
When can I buy one?  ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Kahonu37
Date Posted: 25 Jul 2020 at 10:35am
was curious to find out if any one else has had this problem: We have a 2018 RPOD 179 with a DOMETIC 13,500 BTU AC, purchased “New” January 2019. Our first trip was to Newfoundland, summer of 2019, did not use the AC much. Upon returning to the US, we began to notice a rattle noise in the AC when used. When we returned to Florida, took it to the dealer as it was covered under warranty. Allegedly repaired it. We had planned to return to Newfoundland this year but due COVID 19 it was impossible, so we are cruising thru the south. After a few state park the AC began to rattle again, I could reach up thru the duct and actually move the fan motor and it would stop. Only to start rattling again when we reached our new camp site. We finally able to get on the roof and remove the AC cowling, and discovered that both bolts that held the fan motor in place had vibrated out. Our fix was to reinsert bolts with lock tight on the threads, hopefully this will do the trick. Fan motor is not rattling at this time. Hope this helps. ------------- 2018 179 2012 NISSAN XTERRA (retired 12/19) 2019 RAM 1500 WARLOCK (new) A.R.E. V Series Topper WDH Equalizer 600/6000 |
Posted By: Buffalohunter
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 12:34pm
It finally got hot enough to test the noisy ac repair job. Hooked her up...put it on 55...and waited...my abused ears with hearing aids heard the sound of wind rushing through the unit. Now for the ol bat ear woman that can hear a frog fart 100yards away...same thing...nothing but the sounds of air rushing through the unit. Keep in mind that we could talk at a reasonable level and understand each other. Everything of any noise making...mechanical that is...was/is/outta be rubber mounted. That’s why the ruskies had a hell of a time locating our submarines. So if the ac unit was rubber mounted to the overhead...a certain level of noise wound not be transferred to the pod. The sound of cool fresh air is just that...not much that I can think of to change/dampen that sound. As for the guts...kahonu37 is on the right track with the use of lock tight...or nylock...to secure the motor mount bolts against the rolling earthquake that is the pod. As for the junction box rattling around...once again zip ties will hold it in place...at least the easiest way for me. Fortunately the left coast does not have the humidity problem other parts do...but I am ready when the need is there. Summary of my noisy ac problem and fix...good luck and I cannot say how nice it is to know there is this forum with that many real talented people.  ------------- R-pod-2020 189 2013 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 1:00pm
A new 12000 btu minisplit is whisper quiet and much more efficient. So it can be done. The problem I think with the roof a/cs is that you have to have two itty bitty holes in the 14 inch square opening to take air in and out of the evaporator. So high air velocities = high noise levels. The minisplits have the evaporators inside so can have a larger cross section and reduced air velocities. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Buffalohunter
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2020 at 2:45pm
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Good to know...off grid...when this one breaks down👍 ------------- R-pod-2020 189 2013 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 8:31am
offgrid, have you installed one in your Pod? ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2020 at 9:55am
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No, I was planning to give it a try when we lived down in the flatlands but am holding off for now. It triggers off a major set of mods including a new ceiling vent, inverter, Li batteries, dc dc converters, roofmount solar, MPPT controller etc. Total cost would be about 4-5K but that would give me off grid a/c for about 8 hours a day from solar, longer with generator operation in daytime. Not sure we would get the use out of it now that we've moved to the mountains and don't need the a/c as much. I do know that the 9000 btu Pioneer Hi SEER evaporator will fit over the bed on the drivers side in my 179 and the condensing unit can go on the tongue but the batteries would have to go to make room, and the propane cylinder would need to be moved forward about an inch. I have installed several mini splits in houses I've owned and loved them. They have variable speed motor drives so they slow down and speed up rather than blasting cold air and then cycling off. I do get an a/c tech to do the final pull down and hookup but you're not supposed to need to. My biggest worry is that vibration from travel in the connections at the condenser will cause a refrigerant leak. There are flex lines available but they have a spotty record. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |