A Guide to Maintaining Your Caravan Air Conditioner

Summer is right around the corner and while the sun is great and all, no one wants to sweat it out. This means that your caravan’s air conditioner is in for a lot of work. This makes it the perfect opportunity to give the aircon a little bit of TLC before you head out and enjoy the great outdoors. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at which components of your caravan’s air conditioning need regular maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently every time you use it.

1. Aircon filters

Most caravan air conditioners have serviceable filters that can be accessed from the internal airbox/plenum (the space on your caravan’s ceiling which provides air circulation). Check with your vehicle’s owner’s manual on how to remove the aircon filters. Most of them can simply be removed by hand without the need for any tools or equipment.

From there, inspect the condition of the aircon filters. Some filters can be cleaned, but if you’ve been using them for a long time, the filter materials are likely to be disintegrating. At this point, it’s better to replace the filters altogether to ensure the air that’s circulating inside your caravan is pure and clean.

While the aircon filters are off, take the time to dust off the filter areas as well. Simply wipe them down with a microfibre cloth and you’re good to go. If the filters are relatively new but are quite dusty, you can clean them off using a vacuum cleaner with a dust collector attachment.

When replacing aircon filters, avoid poking the surface of the internal airbox/plenum as you can potentially damage the fans, electronics, or thermostat inside. Do not use any sharp objects when removing the filters as you risk breaking the roof seal between the compressor unit and the plenum. 

2. Airbox/plenum

The next step is to clean the airbox/plenum itself. In general, it’s best to have these serviced by a professional technician since they can be quite tricky to maintain. The technician will get rid of moisture/contaminants and listen for any motor problems that may exist. They’ll also check for any for signs of water ingress that may have penetrated through the aircon seal.

There’s a slight chance that the plenum can shift, thus resulting in air leakage. The technician should be able to identify any leaks and adjust them accordingly so that they sit flush with the ducts and ensure good airflow.

3. Aircon compressor

The compressor plays an important role in your caravan’s air conditioning as it is responsible for transferring air, eliminating humidity, and more. Again, servicing this unit requires the expertise of a professional technician. Caravan aircon compressors require regular maintenance because they’re quite open to the elements, meaning that dust, debris, leaves, and sticks can accumulate over time.

Cleaning the aircon compressor makes the unit more efficient and will less likely experience technical problems in the future.

How often to service your caravan air conditioner?

When to service your caravan’s air conditioner will depend on how frequently you travel and the season you’re caravanning in. For the aircon filters, it’s worth cleaning/replacing them at least once a year. As for the internal airbox and compressor, having them checked every 2-3 years is generally a good idea.

If you’re constantly travelling on dusty roads or are camping under trees frequently, you might want to check up on the filters and airbox/compressor each summer. From there, you can determine whether the components need cleaning or replacing.

In regards to re-gassing your caravan’s aircon, it’s not really a major part of regular maintenance. It’s only required if the unit is experiencing difficulties with cooling where your caravan’s interior isn’t getting cold enough.

The refrigerant gas that makes a caravan air conditioner is sealed. If the gas leaks, it’s a sign that there’s a break somewhere in the system. A cracked pipe or a similar cause might be the issue so it’s worth having this checked by a professional technician as well.

When to repair/replace your caravan’s air conditioner?

If you notice that your caravan’s aircon is not cooling properly, there could be other issues that are affecting its efficiency. Problems with the PCBs, fans, capacitors, and thermostat are some of the most common problems with decreased cooling performance. Like with most equipment, air conditioners do have a lifespan of around 7-10 years.

Older air conditioners will require more maintenance down the line. If your caravan’s air conditioner is nearing the end of its lifespan, it’s best to replace the unit altogether instead of having to constantly fix it. Newer air conditioners are sleeker, quieter, and more efficient, thus making them more appealing to caravanners who are looking for a cooling system upgrade.

At the end of the day, it’s about maintaining the air conditioner that you currently have in your caravan. Summer season is fast approaching and if you want to have a comfortable caravanning experience, then make sure your vehicle’s aircon is up to scratch.