Airxcel Coleman Mach A/C shroud removal

[bigb56]

I have an Airxcel 49000 series low profile unit which I believe is a Coleman product. I need to access the compressor area to install my soft start kit but not sure how to do that. The shroud looks to be two pieces, top and bottom, and appears to be riveted together. I thought those were screws around the seam but they are just flat heads with a triangle in the middle, I have never seen anything like that. There are also 3 screws on the top. Does anyone know how I can remove the shroud, or can I install the soft start thru the fan opening? (The lower shroud appears to be tucked under the unit so I don't think it's going to just lift off when I remove the 3 screws on top).

I haven't been able to get up there and look into the fan grill because my lumber rack is just a few inches above, I'll have to back out of the garage to do that. It's 108F here right now and I'd like to have all my ducks in a row before I start on this.

PS I just noticed in one of my pics it looks like the grill says Coleman Mach.

 

[bigb56]

I couldn't stand the suspense so I removed the 3 screws on top. The shroud now lifts about 1/2" and clears the bottom pan but something else is holding it from lifting further. It feels like it wants to come up but I don't want to force/break anything. I have about 4" of clearance before I hit my lumber rack so once I figure out what is holding it in place I'll back out of the garage and lift it off.

 

[creativepart]

Usually you just unscrew the bolts and lift off the cover. Usually there are 4-bolts but yours seems to only have three. I’d say it’s just hung up on the side of the pan. But once you pull out of the garage try bending the plastic cover out slightly to make sure it’s not just hitting the side of the pan.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Eagle5]

I was thinking of commenting the same thing as creativepart, but then I got stuck imagining what 108ºF feels like. Good Golly make sure you don't break that Air Conditioner while you are adding the Soft Start.

 

[bigb56]

Got it

There were four metal tabs requiring me to first slide the cover one direction and lift it over the two tabs on that end then back the other direction to lift off. The shroud is in pretty good shape, not brittle at all. The plastic or fiber fender washers are also in descent shape but not new, and slightly bending them shows that they are getting slightly brittle so I may go to Ace today and see what they have. Thought about using metal ones with rubber ones under them, I've seen some pretty big rubber fender washers at our Ace. I just wonder if metal would be a bad idea because it doesn't allow for flex like the plastic/fiber ones.

 

[bigb56]

Seems like a lot of them use metal washers, my Ace has 1-1/2" rubber fender washers to fit under 1-1/2" metal fender washers, might go with those. Another idea is to just put 1-1/4" metal washers over my existing 1-1/4" plastic ones.

 

[Eagle5]

I would go with the Ace 1½" rubber fender washers under the Ace 1½" metal fender washers.

 

[bigb56]

I would go with the Ace 1½" rubber fender washers under the Ace 1½" metal fender washers.

That's what I'm thinking. 8:45 AM here and already 87F. I pulled it back into the garage, I think I can do the soft start install in the garage although I'll have to be laying down on the roof due to the ceiling, I have about two feet of space except where my lumber rack is, but the compressor and capacitors are all located right in the front and easy to access.

 

[bigb56]

Looks like I'll be doing some condensing coil cleaning. It doesn't show up in the pics as well as in person, there is a layer of dust/dirt that you can see when shining a light thru from the other side. I also cleaned the evaporator from inside when we bought the rig but now I have a chance to access it from the top.

I'm going to use AC-Safe from Home Depot because I can get it right away, it comes with a brush too.

 

[Eagle5]

Hi Brian,
In reviewing the MSDS for AC Safe:
https://www.nationwide-products.com/ac-safe/
https://www.nationwide-products.com/ac-safe/documents/AC_920_DATA-SHEET.pdf
I would be sure to wear gloves & safety glasses, and to also set-up a fan to blow the fumes away from yourself. Another option would be to wear an organic respirator.
Looks like the product will do a good job.
Eagle5

 

[bigb56]

Hi Brian,
In reviewing the MSDS for AC Safe:
https://www.nationwide-products.com/ac-safe/
https://www.nationwide-products.com/ac-safe/documents/AC_920_DATA-SHEET.pdf
I would be sure to wear gloves & safety glasses, and to also set-up a fan to blow the fumes away from yourself. Another option would be to wear an organic respirator.
Looks like the product will do a good job.
Eagle5

Thanks E5, I'll heed your advice. Picked up the rubber washers and stainless washers yesterday.

 

[bigb56]

The last person to install my shroud used red locktite and the screws were a bear to get out, I'm probably going to use blue instead on my new screws.

 

[Eagle5]

Hi Brian,
Probably the guy who put Red Loctite on was listening to just a little too-much Elvis.
Go with the Blue!
Thanks, Eagle5
Loctite is required for Shakin'

 

[creativepart]

I’ve never used any locktight on my A/C covers and never had any of those screws get loose. Even after 3 or 4 years and lots of travel.

 

[bigb56]

I’ve never used any locktight on my A/C covers and never had any of those screws get loose. Even after 3 or 4 years and lots of travel.

I think the PO of my rig may have lost one as one screw was totally different

 

[Jakm]

Little late to reply, you’ve probably got everything cleaned up and back together but, I have the same unit on my 2011 Adventurer. When purchased in ‘19 one of the units condensation pump wasn’t working and I was getting little pieces of foam being spit out of my air ducts. I pulled the condensation pump and got it going on the workbench, cleaned the trays out under both condensers and discovered the source of the foam bit to be a liner inside the blower housing. Used a shop vac and an air hose to clean the duct out good. I would imagine yours is the same

 

[bigb56]

You're not too late, I did have it buttoned up but I didn't like the soft start I bought so I took it apart again. I'm sending it back and I have a Micro Air coming. So you removed the little stick on foam pieces? Did you replace them or just leave them out?
Also, how do you get to the trays under the evaporator or did you really mean under the condenser?

I didn't even think to look for a condensate pump, where does it pump the condensate to? Mine presently just runs out of some holes in the bottom pan and down the roof.

 

[Jakm]

I removed all the original foam from both of my AC’s and cut lengths to fit of the Reflectix type insulation. I used spray adhesive ( countertop type contact adhesive) and put a double layer around the blower scroll. I’m not sure of the purpose of it other than an insulator. And you’re correct, it’s the drip tray under the evaporator coil, mine is sloped toward the drivers side, exits the housing where the condensation pump sets in it. There’s a clear tubing coming of the pump and enters back into the housing where it’s channeled into the roof to the rear of the coach and drops down inside the rear cap where it allows the water to drain at the drivers side rear corner. I’d bookmarked a document on our polar Mach units on the Airexel website but that link is now broken. Here’s a part’s breakdown I’ve found link to

https://youngfartsrvparts.com/pages...t?shpxid=39b39e32-7f43-4283-9e80-95de5db2dec2

 

[Jakm]

Ok, things aren’t always as they appear. Like yours my Polar Mach w/heat pump product label on the unit says model 49023A879. When you open the 4900 link on the coleman library it shows a ceiling plenum.

https://library.coleman-mach.com/

Our units are found under the 9000 series listed with the Polar Cub.

https://library.coleman-mach.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1976-470.pdf

 

[bigb56]

Ok, things aren’t always as they appear. Like yours my Polar Mach w/heat pump product label on the unit says model 49023A879. When you open the 4900 link on the coleman library it shows a ceiling plenum.

https://library.coleman-mach.com/

Our units are found under the 9000 series listed with the Polar Cub.

https://library.coleman-mach.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1976-470.pdf

Don't know how you ever figured that one out, I've been looking all over for more info on my unit so thanks.

I need to figure out where the condensate pumps actually pumps the condensate to, ever since I've owned it it just comes out on the roof from under the unit. Maybe on the Via that's how it's designed.