RV Air Conditioner Upgrades and Maintenance

What does an RV AC upgrade kit actually include?

It depends on the goal. A soft start kit reduces inrush current (often by up to 75%) so your AC can run on smaller generators or shared shore power without tripping breakers. A cleaning or maintenance kit handles the evaporator coil, condenser fins, and drain pan. A recharge kit addresses refrigerant loss on serviceable units. If you want a drop-in soft start specifically for Coleman-Mach units, see our Coleman RV Air Conditioner Soft Start collection.

How often should I clean my RV air conditioner coils?

Plan on a full coil cleaning at least once per camping season, and more often if you store outdoors, camp in dusty areas, or run the AC daily. A clogged evaporator coil restricts airflow, drops cooling output, and forces the compressor to work harder. Use a no-rinse coil cleaner rated for aluminum fins, straighten any bent fins with a fin comb, and clear the condensate drain pan while the shroud is off.

Will a soft start let me run my RV AC on a 30-amp or generator hookup?

In most cases, yes. A soft start cuts the compressor's startup current spike, which is the main reason a 13,500 or 15,000 BTU unit trips a 30-amp pedestal or stalls a 2,000-watt inverter generator. Steady-state running amps are unchanged, so confirm your generator's continuous output matches the AC's run load. If your ceiling assembly needs replacement at the same time, check the Coleman Power Saver HP Ceiling Assembly for Ducted Installations.

Can I replace the evaporator coil on my RV AC myself?

Coil replacement is possible on some Coleman and Dometic rooftop units, but it requires recovering refrigerant, brazing line connections, pulling a vacuum, and recharging to spec. That work needs EPA 608 certification and proper tools. For most owners, cleaning the existing coil and replacing surrounding components (capacitors, fan motors, gaskets) is the practical DIY path. If the unit is past service life, a full ceiling assembly swap, see the FreshJet 5 with Heat Pump Ceiling Assembly, is often less expensive than a full coil rebuild.