Are you having sleepless nights when roving because of the noise coming from your motorhome’s air conditioning system? You do not have to sacrifice sleep quality if you know how to quiet RV air conditioners.
A noisy RV air conditioner can mean different things, including loose hardware, dirty components, or a unit begging for a replacement.
Identifying the main cause and doing regular maintenance should resolve the problem. Before you write a check for the quietest RV air conditioner you can buy, you might want to learn several tips to eliminate the RV AC noise.
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Things You Need for this Tutorial
Learning how to quiet RV AC is a matter of engaging a series of troubleshooting steps. That is why the materials you need to address annoying RV air conditioner noise will depend on what causes it.
It would be best to have the air conditioning owner’s manual specific to your model to determine how to access its different parts. You will want to know how to disassemble the unit to reduce noise from your fifth wheel AC system.
RVs have different AC brands and models, requiring a set of tools to fix the system and ensure a quiet RV AC. You will need a screwdriver, wrench, and cleaning materials. You must check your RV AC’s model series to determine the correct tools you need.
Steps to Making Your Motorhome’s AC Quieter
Step 1. Check the ACU for loose parts and components.
One of the easiest ways to make your RV air conditioner quieter is by checking all the system’s components and parts for any signs of looseness.
RVs have bolts and screws that can rattle against the metal framework, producing vibration and loud noises. Older air conditioners can have loose belts and hoses that could create a high-pitched sound, indicating advanced wear.
The rubber gasket sealing the joint between the RV’s roof and ACU can also deteriorate over time. Constant sunlight and heat exposure can harden the rubber, making it brittle. Hardened rubber is also less efficient in absorbing vibration or noises.
It would be best to inspect these parts and components to check their status or integrity. Tighten the bolts and other fasteners and replace worn-out hoses, belts, and rubber gaskets.
Step 2. Clean the vents.
Rolling in the countryside can give you pleasant scenery to fill your memory. However, it can also fill your RV’s vents and duct system with dust and other particles that can make your air conditioner work harder and create noise.
That is why one of the most straightforward RV air conditioner noise reduction methods is cleaning the vents and duct system.
Remove the air filters and clean them thoroughly. Check the AC ducts and clean them, too. This fix is straightforward, regardless of RV model. After all, cleaning is an integral part of routine maintenance.
DIY JIM offers a fascinating video on cleaning the RV air conditioner vents, ducts, and other parts.
Step 3. Check the refrigerant level.
Does your RV air conditioner make a bubbling or hissing sound? This noise indicates a leak in the system. Unfortunately, checking the refrigerant level can be challenging without the correct tools. However, you can perform a few steps to determine if the Freon level is low.
Measure the compressor’s amperage by using an amp clamp. Start by running the AC for 15 minutes and set the amp clamp to 40 amperes.
Connect the multimeter on the compressor’s purple or blue wire and check if the result closely resembles the compressor’s amperage rating. A low reading can indicate low Freon levels.
Another convenient method is placing ordinary bulb thermometers on the AC’s intake and exhaust ports. Leave the thermometers for ten minutes before checking the temperature. If the temperatures are nearly identical, you may have low Freon levels.
A professional can replace your RV’s refrigerant while inspecting other components for possible causes of noise. It can also ensure the optimum BTU levels of your air conditioning unit.
Step 4. Add insulation.
AC units have many components that can contact one another, producing vibration and noise. For example, belts, hoses, and AC housing can vibrate and create sound.
It would be best to cover the hoses and pipes to prevent them from rubbing against one another. You can also insert foam or rubber cushions between the RV AC unit and the RV rooftop. Adding foam around hoses and pipes also helps.
Step 5. Inspect the AC coils.
Another potential source of AC noise is the coils. Damaged or broken coils can leave some sections vibrating freely and produce noise.
Inspect the AC coils and check its integrity. You will also want to remove any dust and debris from the coils because these particles can amplify sound.
You might want to use an RV AC coil cleaner, such as the Nu-Calgon 4171075, This product lets you remove grease, dirt, oil, dust, and other particles from your AC coils while treating them with corrosion inhibitors.
Step 6. Check the fan motor.
A broken or faulty fan motor can also cause a loud noise. However, it would be best to check this RV AC component after completing the first five steps. Check the fan blades if they operate smoothly.
Unfortunately, your only recourse here is to replace the broken fan motor.
Step 7. Check for other leaks.
You might want to check other components for leaks if you want a quiet motorhome AC. Dirty drip trays, clogged drain pipes, and overfilled drip trays can also produce an annoying sound.
Check the rubber cushions for any signs of degradation and replace it to ensure a quiet AC unit operation.
The drip tray may not be draining properly because of clogging. You must remove the AC shroud to access the drip tray and clean it. Debris in the drainpipe can also overfill the drip tray. It would be wise to check and clean this component, too.
Step 8. Consider installing an AC silencer.
If your air conditioner noise reduction methods do not fix the problem, you might want to install an AC silencer.
An RV AC silencer is one of the most cost-effective solutions to keep the noise level from your motorhome AC low. These devices have cotton lining materials. The cotton lining absorbs sound, producing less noise from RV air conditioners.
You can install the system within minutes. The best part is that you get to reduce the noise level in your motorhome by as much as 10 decibels.
Dometic and Coleman are two popular brands that offer AC silencers. You could pick the Dometic DA100 or the Coleman CA200, depending on which brand of air conditioner unit you have in your motorhome. You could also choose other models to put an end to a noisy air conditioner.
You can make your RV air conditioner quieter and say goodbye to high noise levels with these units and models.
WackO Products LLC has a video on installing an RV AC silencer you will want to check.
Conclusion
Quieting an RV AC unit involves identifying the potential causes of the loud noise. Regular AC unit maintenance can help you reduce noise and achieve a quiet air conditioner. You can also reduce the noise from your motorhome air conditioner by tightening bolts, adding insulation, and installing a silencer.
Did you find the tips on how to quiet RV air conditioner in this tutorial beneficial? Would you share it with your friends who might also want to reduce the noise from their motorhome air conditioning units? I would love to hear your comments and feedback about this tutorial.
I am Stephen Ryan, content director for RV Web. After seven years of working as an interior decorator, I am confident in turning my clients’ dream houses into reality. I find it rewarding to help others make the best of their space and resources.