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06-30-2014, 04:32 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 69
M.O.C. #14165
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Condensation Leak from Front Air Conditioner
Getting the rig ready for the 4th weekend and started up both AC's, working just fine.
The front AC is a Coleman Mach add on by the dealer. No thermostat control, just the knobs on the unit. It cools the front bedroom really well, albeit noisy.
As it is 98 Degrees today with 80 percent humidity, I have condensation water leaking out of both air intake filters onto the bed.
I removed the units' cover and checked the two drain holes, all good. I even added a couple more to ensure they would drain effectively.
Started it back up, 30 minutes later I have water running on the bed. Adjusted the level of the rig, putting the level in one notch more nose down position, so far no help.
Any ideas??
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06-30-2014, 05:57 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
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Had the same thing happen during the PDI on a factory unit plus it was leaking down the vents. Dealer had to reseat the thing I believe. Sadly I don't recall what exactly they did since I didn't pay for it. The tech said it was an easy fix but, I made them take the panels down (enough to see in) to inspect the insides. I didn't want to end up with mold and yuck in there, none found. Almost made me pull the trigger on SOB.
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06-30-2014, 11:43 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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The units are held to the roof with long bolts accessible from inside the unit on the old style installations. Seal is via a gasket. If the bolts are loose, water gets through. Normally snugging them up takes care of the problem. I have found they come loose over time, and check once a year. With the new "quiet zone" system, don't know the process.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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07-01-2014, 01:38 AM
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#4
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 69
M.O.C. #14165
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1Retired thanks, I will check the bolts. Have looked at it from the top and bottom, inside and out. Can't see anything unusual, but did not check for loose bolts.
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07-01-2014, 01:55 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tampa
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #10378
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Just don't over tighten the bolts. Also, if you don't run it on max, it will cycle as the fan runs continually. It will keep it from iceing over which it will in those humidity conditions.
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07-01-2014, 03:50 AM
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#6
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 69
M.O.C. #14165
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NoStick, quick look this morning, the unit is tight. I need to remove the lower plastic panel to get to the bolts, which I can see. Then I will check the bolts. From where the condensate is coming out of the unit, It really appears to be the front to bolts.
Running the unit on low will work only part of the day. Can't keep the rig cool after about noon when it is parked in full sun this time of year.
Are there gaskets on the bolts up on the top unit?
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07-01-2014, 05:28 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tampa
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #10378
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As to the bolt gaskets, Not on my Dometic Penguin. I didn't mean run the unit on low. I mean high fan but with the cooling knob backed off a little from max, say a quarter turn. It will allow the unit to cycle periodically. This was the solution to my water dripping on the bed problem such as yours.
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07-01-2014, 05:56 AM
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#8
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 69
M.O.C. #14165
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Nosticks, Here is what I found. The bolts were not loose, but on the driver's side, they could be tightened several turns which I did.
Left the cover off and ran it on high and the problem is this. The condensation is coming from inside the blower shaft. Once it gets cold enough, the condensate is forming on the styrofoam walls and running down.
Not sure how to fight that unless I do as you say, run the fan on high with less than max cool. With the humidity as high as it is here and where we planned to go this weekend(Arkansas), I see no way to run the unit cold enough to cool the rig without getting the condensate.
Appears no water is running down the bolts or from anywhere else but GALLONs are being formed on the blower walls and pushed out by the air stream.
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07-01-2014, 10:53 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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I've found that running the fan on high instead of auto keeps it dried out well.
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07-01-2014, 11:35 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Air rapidly circulating thru will keep the condensate from becoming drops and will also keep you from freezing the unit up. I was wondering if you didn't have a partially frozen coil and that was really where the water was showing up from.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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07-01-2014, 12:45 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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It could be the freeze sensor. I don't know what the real name is. But, moving it up in the coils solved our problems.
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07-02-2014, 05:46 AM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 69
M.O.C. #14165
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The sensor is in the return air flow. Moving it up closer to the coil could possibly help.
What I did do, as suggested, I toyed with the cool control with the blower on high. Starting at half cool, it dried out the condensation and stopped the leakage.
I then kept bumping up the cool control to about 3/4. It cools the bedroom fine and aids in cooling the whole rig. At that setting, it still allows for the compressor to cycle off long enough to dry out the cool air outlet shaft. No more condensation leakage.
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07-02-2014, 10:23 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tampa
Posts: 532
M.O.C. #10378
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Walla! Problem solved. Happy it worked out for you.
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