Front air conditioner

[fred89sp]

As I see it is a matter of personal preference and willingness to pay
for the repair.

I is my perception that many of the FC owners opt to abandon the dash
air and run the roof A/C with the generator. I find that running the
generator on my 89SP creates vibration and noise up front which I do
not like, it is especially noticeable at lower speeds. I also like to
have the A/C blowing into my face. If you have that, the overall
ambient temperature is less of an issue.

First you need to diagnose the problem. If it must be recharged then
you need to convert to R134a. Blue Bird advised me that to do so I
needed to thoroughly flush the lines and install a new compressor and
drier. I had it done (compressor was Sentec 488-46021, Fleetpride
5798; drier was Sentec, Fleetpride 7218) and promptly seized the
compressor.

On the redo we used another compressor and drier but also installed a
Binary Switch (Schrader) part # 4379-RD46400 ( I believe a Mack #)
which was purchased at Albany Truck Sales, in Albany NY. It is
described as a high /low pressure safety switch for A/C system and was
installed at the compressor (do not know which side but probably high
pressure). Could find no reason for the prior failure and this switch
was installed to protect the compressor from the higher pressures that
I understand are present with R134a. I has worked fine for a year.

It helps to have a knowledgeable A/C technician who is willing to work
with you on a job that can be a pain in the neck.

If you abandon the dash A/C it is certainly cheaper, you need to
decide which you prefer.



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "williamcharrison"
wrote:
> The front air conditioner on my 90 SP36 doesn't work. Can it be
> repaired or should it be replaced?