How Do You Reset An RV Air Conditioner?

An RV air conditioner might run into some problems, such as it doesn’t turn on or it won’t blow cold air. Resetting the cooling unit can solve these issues. So how can you reset an RV AC? We researched for you to give you the following answer.

Resetting an RV AC unit often demands users to follow specific instructions dictated by the manufacturer. For instance, here are the steps to reset a Dometic camper AC:

1. Turn off the RV AC.
2. Press and hold the plus (+) and the On/Off Mode buttons on the thermostat for 3 seconds.
3. Press the On/Off Mode button again to turn off and reset the entire system.

Keep in mind that resetting an RV AC also requires identifying the source of the problem. Users should implement particular techniques to solve the issue at the source. Keep reading as we talk about the potential causes of RV AC malfunctioning, which may require resetting the appliance. We'll also tackle the steps to reset RV ACs from specific brands in greater detail.

Why Is My RV AC not working?

Keep in mind that the issues concerning a faulty RV AC aren’t specific to one unit. Some indoor cooling systems for RVs may encounter unique problems requiring certified technicians' help.

The following list is general reasons why RV ACs typically fail:

• Overloaded circuit
• Bad capacitor
• Bad compressor
• Frozen evaporator coil
• Lack of refrigerant
• Faulty connection to the power source

Another potential cause of an RV AC malfunctioning is when insects decide to inhabit the cooling unit. Check out our post about bugs entering an air conditioner for additional details about this issue.

Take note that verifying the source of the problem will help you use the correct repair and reset techniques. Haphazardly tinkering with the camper AC can increase the risks of additional damages, which may lead to extra repair costs.

Watch the following videos to learn more about how to troubleshoot an RV AC:

How To Reset RV AC Unit?

The specific method to reset an RV AC unit generally depends on the main issue. In this section, you’ll learn about RV AC resetting methods based on particular concerns.

Reset RV AC Breaker

An overloaded switch can encourage risks of long-term damage to an RV AC. If you deem that a blown or faulty fuse is the cause of your RV's air conditioner acting up, the first step is to locate the vehicle's circuit breaker box. Then, disconnect the power connected to the cooling unit to prevent health hazards like electrocution.

After those preparations, here’s how you can reset the RV circuit breaker connected to the cooling unit to potentially solve the problem:

1. Ensure that the AC’s switch in the fuse box is in the ON position. If not, set it to that position.
2. Wait for 30 minutes while the cooling unit is still off.
3. Turn on the AC after that period and set it to cool.

Another way to reset an RV AC’s fuse is to press a button on the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breaker. It should have a red button or a label with the word ‘Reset’ on it. Read your owner’s manual to confirm the number of seconds you need to keep the button pressed to reset the AC’s circuit breaker switch.

You can find more information about resetting the AC’s switch by watching the video below:

Replace An RV AC Compressor

A faulty compressor might lead to the RV AC failing to function properly. If so, replacing this module can reset the system to make it work as intended.

Take note that replacing an RV AC compressor usually demands heavy-duty equipment, particularly when resetting a fairly old model. Consulting the services of certified experts might be ideal for this operation instead of going through it using DIY techniques because of the level of difficulty involved.

If you have the equipment and you have the confidence to proceed with this task, follow these steps to replace an RV AC compressor to reset the vehicle's cooling system:

1. Remove the bolts attaching the air conditioner to the RV.
2. Take out the AC’s ducts.
3. Pull the AC unit out of its container and onto a dolly or trolley.
4. Remove the side covering of the cooling unit to reveal the compressor.
5. Attach a vacuum pump to the faulty compressor on the AC unit. Start the pump at 150 psi.
6. Once the pump finishes its job, remove the outside blower from the AC unit.
7. Desolder the faulty compressor and take it out of the air conditioning system.
8. Install the new compressor to the system. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the installation.
9. Connect the vacuum pump to the new compressor and run it for about 30 minutes.
10. Reinstall the blower motor to the AC system.
11. Test the RV AC if its compressor works properly.
12. If it does, reinstall the cooling unit to its original location in the RV and reconnect the ducts.

You can also watch the video below to learn additional details about this process:

Fix Frozen Evaporator Coil

An RV AC with a frozen evaporator coil usually freezes up and won’t cycle. If your RV’s cooling system encounters this problem, here’s how to reset it to provide you with a potential fix:

1. Remove the cover from the rooftop AC unit.
2. Keep the AC on but position its control unit to its Fan mode. Let the system run for about an hour.
3. Turn off the AC and leave it as is overnight.
4. Use a brush and vacuum cleaner to suck up the dirt and dust buildup on the evaporator coil.
5. Turn on the RV AC for about 2 hours and check if the icing issue disappears.

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The clip below will also tell you additional insights about the steps to fix an RV AC's frozen evaporator coil:

How Do I Reset My Dometic RV Air Conditioner?

Dometic RV AC owners need to do a system initialization from the connected thermostat to reset the cooling system. The steps to do a soft reset for an AC from this brand are:

1. Turn off the AC from the thermostat.
2. Press the plus (+) button and don’t release it yet.
3. While holding the plus (+) button, apply pressure to the On/Off Mode for 3 seconds. The thermostat’s LCD should show two minus (-) symbols if successful.
4. Turn off the entire system by pressing the On/Off Mode button again.

If successful, the Dometic RV AC should revert to factory settings. If the problem persists, consult the help of a certified technician or the brand’s customer service department.

Check out this RV rooftop air conditioner on Amazon.

How Do I Reset My Coleman RV Air Conditioner?

Before proceeding with this operation, keep in mind that you’re going to tinker with the AC’s circuit breaker switch. If you don’t know the correct process to remove and install a fuse, request help from someone that does.

If you’re confident with your electronics skills, you can continue with resetting your Coleman RV cooling system by following these steps:

1. Set the AC to the off position from the connected thermostat.
2. Remove the RV AC fuse and wait for 5 minutes.
3. Return the switch to its original location after that period.
4. Turn on the AC from the thermostat to test its performance.

Check out this RV air conditioner on Amazon.

How Do You Reset An RV Carrier Air V AC?

A Carrier Air V RV AC can run into problems like a failure to start. Typically, a reset button exists on a Carrier AC’s remote. Pressing that button twice for 3 seconds each should reset the appliance. If that doesn’t work, follow these steps:

1. Remove the wingnut from the positive terminal of the RV’s DC battery.
2. Disconnect the RV from the shoreline power.
3. Wait for about 2 minutes before reestablishing power to the RV.

The following clip shows one Carrier Air V RV AC customer’s experience about the steps mentioned above:

At this point, you might also be looking into replacing your air conditioner with a Dyson fan. Read our post on that topic to know if going through with this decision is going to be worth your time and money.

Final Words

Take note of the RV AC’s specific brand and model when resetting the appliance. Also, verify the source of the issue the system is encountering. Identifying these details allows you to use the correct methods to reset the cooling system correctly.