Re: AC Condensation overflow
We had one that did the same thing. We pulled it apart and sprayed the condensation pan with flex seal. No more issues. Ours was also mounted at an angle so some of the condensation was missing the pan so we remounted it too.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
Our recent similar experience....Is water overflowing from the tray or is tray empty? If latter then tray or fitting has issue. Also is hose clamp tight on (plastic) hose tail? Or is hose too old and leaking anyway at hosetail? Unit can get wet quickly if in humidity with hatch open. Also blow air from through hull fitting or sump BACK UP the hose. This last point solved our issue. A wad of muck ended up in the tray and issue was resolved.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
I opened the front of the cabinet and the pan is not full. In fact, the high side of the pan toward the bow has some kind of sponge-like material in it and is dry. The bottom of the pan is insulated with that black spongy material and it is wet. Strangely, it looks like the water on the cabinet floor has run uphill toward the bow of the boat.
There is an elbow fitting from the low-end of the drain pan to the drain line. I guess it’s possible that fitting broke or is no longer sealed to the pan. It will be hard as hell to get in there to work on that.
I guess tomorrow I will remove the insulation from the bottom of the pan and see if we have corrosion. It seems to be a heavy gauge stainless pan.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
David, we basically have the same boat. I had same issue, eventually removed headliner from mid-ship head below and drilled with 3” hole saw to expose the bottom of the drain pan, elbow and hose from below. Removed, cleaned and resealed. Then made a fitting that would connect dock water hose to the drain vent and blasted water at relatively high pressure through it. After all that I still have to occasionally put wet vac on it from port engine room to keep it from backing up. Ours drains into mid ship head if it backs up.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
I have now tightened the hose clamp but I doubt that is the only problem because the fitting above it was wet. Upon closer examination there is sweating on several parts that are not above the pan, such as the large hose clamp coming off the fan. I have lived on the boat for nine years though and this is a new problem.
This air handler is definitely not original. In fact it looks new. The installation also looks good except that the 240V wiring was connected with non-insulated butt connectors which were laying on the wet floor of the cabinet. Sheesh.
I think I’ll let the floor of the cabinet dry completely overnight and then watch it for leaks as I run it in the morning. Please keep the ideas coming. It’s hot and humid here in Tennessee.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
Hot and humid in Tennessee? I worked for a company in Cookeville 20 years ago. It either snowed or was hot and humid. I learned to line dance and had my first big boat fresh water boating experiences on the amazing American lake system.
The water tracking up hill may well be water finding the driest surface wood or a dip in the cabinetry, but its really leaking from where the drips are.
With your latest description I go back to my original comment about humidity. If operating in humid conditions and the cabinet is open then the evaporator will get damp very quickly. Close the cabinet and air passes directly through the (clean?) air filter to the vanes? If the filter is not clean the unit will try and bring humid air into the cabinet from other air sources and condensation will form. Try removing the filter and closing the cabinet.
You have cleaned the lines and tray is dry... but there may still be crud in the 90 degree hosetail... you can get an air gun into the top of the hosetail entrance via the tray.
BUT now there is reason to believe that condensation is forming on the evaporator (& hoseclamps). Water is not being collected by the tray and falling to the wooden floor. Put tea towels under the tray and units and see where they get wet.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scottinsydney
Hot and humid in Tennessee? I worked for a company in Cookeville 20 years ago. It either snowed or was hot and humid. I learned to line dance and had my first big boat fresh water boating experiences on the amazing American lake system.
The water tracking up hill may well be water finding the driest surface wood or a dip in the cabinetry, but its really leaking from where the drips are.
With your latest description I go back to my original comment about humidity. If operating in humid conditions and the cabinet is open then the evaporator will get damp very quickly. Close the cabinet and air passes directly through the (clean?) air filter to the vanes? If the filter is not clean the unit will try and bring humid air into the cabinet from other air sources and condensation will form. Try removing the filter and closing the cabinet.
You have cleaned the lines and tray is dry... but there may still be crud in the 90 degree hosetail... you can get an air gun into the top of the hosetail entrance via the tray.
BUT now there is reason to believe that condensation is forming on the evaporator (& hoseclamps). Water is not being collected by the tray and falling to the wooden floor. Put tea towels under the tray and units and see where they get wet.
Great points. I was running it with the cabinet open so I could watch for drips. That cabinet was never designed to be airtight. Just before going to bed I saw a new drip forming directly under the fan blower. I do think the elbow is clear as I blew through the hose from the bottom after vacuuming it and felt minimal restriction. I did check the filter and it was passable but I’ll go ahead and change it, close the cabinet and see what happens tomorrow.
We don’t know about tea towels in Tennessee. Paper will have to do.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
Quote:
Originally Posted by
nautibake
David, we basically have the same boat. I had same issue, eventually removed headliner from mid-ship head below and drilled with 3” hole saw to expose the bottom of the drain pan, elbow and hose from below. Removed, cleaned and resealed. Then made a fitting that would connect dock water hose to the drain vent and blasted water at relatively high pressure through it. After all that I still have to occasionally put wet vac on it from port engine room to keep it from backing up. Ours drains into mid ship head if it backs up.
Hi Jerry I had that problem too a couple of years ago in the midship head. That’s the drain from the forward salon air handler. The wetvac in the starboard head did the trick for that one. This problem is the aft salon air handler which would be soaking the starboard valance of the master stateroom except that I had removed it to have veneered teak valences built. They are finished but not yet installed.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
Quote:
Originally Posted by
davidwigler
Hi Jerry I had that problem too a couple of years ago in the midship head. That’s the drain from the forward salon air handler. The wetvac in the starboard head did the trick for that one. This problem is the aft salon air handler which would be soaking the starboard valance of the master stateroom except that I had removed it to have veneered teak valences built. They are finished but not yet installed.
David, sorry I commented on the wrong unit. Did you have any luck clearing this up? I may eventually have to tackle the same issue. Also, would you mind updating on the new valences you are installing and maybe some pics? Thanks
Re: AC Condensation overflow
Pretty much every boat I have owned or run for a while had condensate drainage issues. Most of the the time it is because the hoses don’t have enough slope for dirt to flow out.
Another cause can be that sponge like material Cruisair has been using in the pans. After years and years the sponge becomes clogged with dirt and stuff growing resulting in the condensate overflowing on one side while the other side is flowing fine.
When i installed the new chiller air handlers on my boat I oversize the drain hose and make sure they were running as close to vertical as possible. Also Flagship has the bottom of the pans angled so water never stays in the there. Big difference.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
Had the same problem with my unit in the salon last year. Condensate dripping into the starboard engine room and guest head. Also noticed that the compressor was starting to ice up after about an hour or two of operation.
Turned out to be a bad triac as the compressor was running and would never shut off. If you haven't already, I'd verify that the compressor isn't icing up and it indeed shuts off when the thermostat is set above room temperature.
When I get a chance and in a separate post I'll share my "Triac Experience". I think many on this esteemed forum would find it amusing.
Re: AC Condensation overflow
My kids and I are scuba diving in Tavernier and Largo this week so the diagnosis and treatment will have to wait.
