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How to Quiet RV Air Conditioner: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Writen by Tom Hank

Fact checked by Joseph Varney

how to quiet rv air conditioner

Have you wondered how to make your RV air conditioner quieter? Do you dream of a quiet RV AC instead of a noisy cooling machine? If you said ‘yes’ to either of these questions, keep reading to know how to quiet RV air conditioner.

The first step to obtaining a quiet RV AC unit is to find the source of the problem. A few reasons that can produce too much noise from a faulty or old AC include faulty fan blades and greasy ducts.

After finding the source of the problem, you should continue with the recommended steps. Continue reading to know more about how to make your RV air conditioner quieter than before.

Table of Contents

What You’ll Need

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In many cases, you do not need special tools to reduce or eliminate loud noises from your RV air conditioner system. But the troubleshooting-and-repair air conditioning unit project may require certain items for proper results.

Some of the equipment you may need are:

Freon

Freon is a non-combustible refrigerant used in RV air conditioners to provide cold and comfortable air. Too little of this substance can cause unwanted air conditioner noise.

If the AC unit has a lack of Freon, it is most likely not blowing cold air. Therefore, the RV’s air conditioner exerts more effort and power to reach normal cooling temperatures.

Take note that handling Freon can be quite dangerous. You should call a certified technician to help you with this RV air conditioner noise reduction project to avoid health hazards and costly mistakes.

Current Clamp

Like many other mechanical appliances, an efficient and quiet air conditioner will pull the right amount of power from the vehicle’s battery. A low-power output can cause an annoying AC noise.

Achieving the quietest RV air conditioner means checking the cooling system to pull enough power from the mains. Use a reliable current clamp for this purpose.

This piece of equipment allows you to measure the AC’s amperage without breaking the electrical circuit. Many variants of this particular tool can even work on older air conditioners.

Remember to check the user manual to know the right places in the air conditioner to connect the current clamp.

Vacuum Cleaner

Dirty fan blades, an unclean duct system, a grimy air vent, and other filthy parts in travel trailer AC units can become the main reasons for the unpleasant noises coming from these systems.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a reasonably small attachment to suck up the dust, dirt, and filth from the whole unit. It is not advisable to use a large attachment since many RV AC units usually have fairly compact dimensions.

Take note that some air conditioners, particularly if the unit is a rooftop air conditioner, can gather more unclean substances than others. If so, you may need to use the vacuum cleaner for regular maintenance and as a deep-cleaning tool.

RV AC Noise Reduction Kit

Sometimes it can be tough to achieve satisfying results from an RV air conditioner noise reduction project. An air conditioner silencer can be appropriate for this cause.

An RV AC silencer, like the Wacko RV air conditioner silencer, helps reduce and perhaps eliminate the loud noise coming from the cooling unit.

This tool works by eliminating and preventing dust, lint, and pollen from entering the RV AC. Also, the device can help reduce noise levels from many ACs, including those from GE and other models.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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In this section, you will know about how to achieve a quiet AC unit for your recreational vehicle based on the problem’s source.

Add Freon to Reduce RV AC Noise

Remember that you should only add Freon to an RV AC if you can handle the substance.

Use an amp or current clamp to check if the AC pulls enough power from the vehicle’s main power source. If it does not, it should signify that the AC does not have enough Freon.

If you cannot find an expert nearby, here are the steps to replace the Freon yourself.

Step 1: Remove the AC’s cover. You may also need to remove the rubber gasket to gain access to the internal components.

Step 2: Use an adjustable wrench to take off the unit’s refrigerant service port cap. You can usually find this part on the suction side.

Step 3: Attach the suction side hose of the Freon’s manifold gauges to the cooling unit’s service port.

Step 4: Connect the Freon to the middle hose of the refrigerant gauges.

Step 5: Test the AC by turning it on while setting the appliance to the coldest setting. At this post, it should now be a quiet RV air conditioner. If it still produces some sound, the additional Freon should help reduce noise significantly.

Clean the AC Unit to Reduce Noise Level

An undesirable racket from an RV AC might be the cause of unclean parts, especially if it is an old air conditioner. Cleaning the unit can help and perhaps remove the annoying sounds from the system. Here are the steps to clean an air conditioner for travel trailers.

Step 1: Disconnect the AC unit from the vehicle’s power source to avoid electric shocks during the cleaning operation.

Step 2: Clean the filter using a vacuum cleaner. This appliance can help pull out loose particulates.

Step 3: Wash the filter using water and a mild detergent solution.

Step 4: Apply a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Spray this solution on different parts to prevent bacteria growth.

Step 5: Put the parts back in their original places.

You may also choose to do routine maintenance on the AC’s parts while cleaning the system. For instance, check if the AC mounting is secure or if you need to tighten a loose nut or other loose hardware. Also, make sure to lubricate the motor or clean the coil fins and air filters more thoroughly.

Also, ensure that you have a tightly mounted air conditioner. A rattling AC unit can also make a racket.

Install an RV Air Conditioner Silencer

Adding an AC silencer can help reduce the noise from the cooling system. But take note that the sound reduction might not be significant.

Here are the steps to help you install this kit to your RV’s air conditioner.

Step 1: Disconnect the AC from the RV’s power supply and remove the air filter.

Step 2: Remove the screws of the AC’s case and set them aside.

Step 3: Use aluminum tape to cover the rectangle air duct hole on the mounting plate, along with any other holes.

Step 4: Screw in the black base to the mounting holes lining up the air intake.

Step 5: Insert the electrostatic filter using the kit’s included screws.

Step 6: Return the AC’s base to the main unit and secure it.

Conclusion

So, How to quiet RV air conditioner? You need to find the source of the problem that is creating more noise inside the RV air conditioner than necessary. These issues could be anything from a lack of Freon or an unclean fan motor. Then, follow the appropriate steps to fix the noise.

Did you like this guide to proper noise reduction for RV air conditioners? Make sure to share this post with other RVers to help them in reducing noise from their vehicles’ cooling units.

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