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Duo Therm vibration [message #132174] Mon, 27 June 2011 01:43 Go to next message
PETEinLongBeach is currently offline  PETEinLongBeach   United States
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Location: Long Beach, CA
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My original Duo Therm roof A/C generates a surprising amount of vibration and noise whenever the compressor kicks in. After a few seconds, it quiets down and otherwise runs and cools normally.

Is this typical for these units, or does it indicate a problem with the compressor, freon charge, pressure regulation, or ?

Thanks...


Pete Smay
Long Beach, CA
1977 Kingsley

[Updated on: Mon, 27 June 2011 01:43]

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Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration [message #132180 is a reply to message #132174] Mon, 27 June 2011 02:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Pete,

John Sharpe was kind enough to let me use his Royale to stay in last year
before he sold it to Stick. I found the same thing with his rear OEM Duo
Therm.

Suggest you pull the cover and see what the rubber mounts for the compressor
look like.

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Pete

The original Duo Therm roof A/C generates a surprising amount of vibration
and noise whenever the compressor kicks in. After a few seconds, it quiets
down and otherwise runs and cools normally.

Is this typical for these units, or does it indicate a problem with the
compressor, freon charge, pressure regulation, or ?

Thanks...
--
Pete

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration [message #132182 is a reply to message #132180] Mon, 27 June 2011 02:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
PETEinLongBeach is currently offline  PETEinLongBeach   United States
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Thanks for the suggestion, Rob. I was actually wondering if the compressor might have some kind of rubber mounts that perished. I'll take a look.

Pete Smay
Long Beach, CA
1977 Kingsley
Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration [message #132205 is a reply to message #132182] Mon, 27 June 2011 08:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Rick Williams is currently offline  Rick Williams   United States
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Mine does the same thing. I think Jim Bounds calls them "shakers". Replacement would be a good option. But for me, it has not reached the top of the projects list. Another 15 or 20 years and I should be there.

Rick


Rick Williams
Bliss, Michigan
1978 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration [message #132212 is a reply to message #132205] Mon, 27 June 2011 09:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
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Speaking of A/C's, what is the model that best fits in the rear vent opening? Current occupant is very old, non-standard Intermatic (?) brand. It is also broken.

Tom Phipps


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration [message #132217 is a reply to message #132212] Mon, 27 June 2011 09:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Almost all roof airs are made to fit a standard 14 x 14" opening. Having
replaced a DuoTherm or two, I can tell you get some help. Those things were
made when thicker and heavier were written into the Mfg specs. They are a
rasslin match to get down a ladder by yourself.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 7:17 AM, Thomas Phipps <tph1pp5@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>
> Speaking of A/C's, what is the model that best fits in the rear vent
> opening? Current occupant is very old, non-standard Intermatic (?) brand.
> It is also broken.
>
> Tom Phipps
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration [message #132219 is a reply to message #132212] Mon, 27 June 2011 09:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Tom,

The same Dometic Brisk Air 13,500 BTU model that you have in the front.

The low profile units hit / hang over the rear clearance lights.

I got a flyer from Adventure RV listing "On special."

http://www.adventurerv.net/

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Phipps
Sent: Tuesday, 28 June 2011 12:18 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration

Speaking of A/C's, what is the model that best fits in the rear vent
opening? Current occupant is very old, non-standard Intermatic (?) brand.
It is also broken.

Tom Phipps
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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration [message #132263 is a reply to message #132217] Mon, 27 June 2011 12:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
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James Hupy wrote on Mon, 27 June 2011 07:31

... Those things were
made when thicker and heavier were written into the Mfg specs. They are a
rasslin match to get down a ladder by yourself. ...


If it is dead, and you do not plan on fixing it, just toss it of the roof.

It is still much easier with two people as you need to get it far enough from the coach that it doesn't bounce back and hit the coach.

As far as fitting, the openings are all a standard size, but the two general types of AC's (standard and low profile) fit on the roof differently. (Centered over the hole or mostly behind it.) If you have a pod, a low profile unit might not fit in the front hole. Most units (and all low profile) need to be turned around backwards to fit the rear hole and clear the roof rack and clearance lights.

OBTW: I have a nice cover for a Coleman Mach if anyone needs one. (I replaced a dead unit last year.)


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: Duo Therm vibration [message #132274 is a reply to message #132174] Mon, 27 June 2011 12:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
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[quote title=PETEinLongBeach wrote on Sun, 26 June 2011 23:43]My original Duo Therm roof A/C generates a surprising amount of vibration and noise whenever the compressor kicks in. After a few seconds, it quiets down and otherwise runs and cools normally.

Don't concern yourself of the antics of the beast when it first starts. The original A/C units have pistons in them and this is a normal start up for a piston compressor. These piston compressors are tough old beasts, the rubber mounts may be a little stiff but I wouldn't give it a second thought it's probibly good for another 30 years.
Roy


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: Duo Therm vibration [message #132276 is a reply to message #132174] Mon, 27 June 2011 13:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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PETEinLongBeach wrote on Sun, 26 June 2011 23:43

My original Duo Therm roof A/C generates a surprising amount of vibration and noise whenever the compressor kicks in. After a few seconds, it quiets down and otherwise runs and cools normally.

Is this typical for these units, or does it indicate a problem with the compressor, freon charge, pressure regulation, or ?

Thanks...


Our AC units, also original Duo-Therm, do that too. The larger one in the lounge area is much louder that the rear one. They do settle down within a few seconds as well. I thought this was normal, and it probably is. I have had the covers off of both units a few times and have not noticed anything wrong with the compressor mounts. I'm guessing yours are working normally, and will continue to work for a long time.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

[Updated on: Mon, 27 June 2011 13:02]

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Re: Duo Therm vibration [message #132331 is a reply to message #132276] Mon, 27 June 2011 18:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
PETEinLongBeach is currently offline  PETEinLongBeach   United States
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This is all good to know, thanks. It cools great, so I'll leave it alone.

Speaking of being on the roof inspecting things, here's another very ignorant question: Are there any precautions or techniques for crawling / walking around on the roof to avoid damaging the aluminum skin ?


Pete Smay
Long Beach, CA
1977 Kingsley
Re: [GMCnet] Duo Therm vibration [message #132372 is a reply to message #132331] Mon, 27 June 2011 20:55 Go to previous message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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The skin itself is .086" thick. That is about 3 times as thick as any other
coach that I have worked on. Do not walk on the seams where the plastic end
caps join the aluminum roof. If you look carefully, you can see the ribs. I
try to concentrate my footsteps there. They are truly "hell for stout" IMHO.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 4:58 PM, Pete <peteinlb@aol.com> wrote:

>
>
> This is all good to know, thanks. It cools great, so I'll leave it alone.
>
> Speaking of being on the roof inspecting things, here's another very
> ignorant question: Are there any precautions or techniques for crawling /
> walking around on the roof to avoid damaging the aluminum skin ?
> --
> Pete Smay
> Long Beach, CA
> 1977 Kingsley
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