roof air condensate

[H3Jim]

I am lucky to live in an area that is pretty dry and pretty temperate, and so I have not had much problem with temperature or humidity extremes. My low profile Carriers have a center drain in them that I can attach a drain hose to, and run it insdie the coach, and down along a wall and through the floor and out.  I will have to drill through some roof struts etc to install the drain line. So my question to the group is how much of an issue is the condensate and is it worth running this drain line?   

[Dallas]

I don't run roof air any more because I found that being staionary, window air is much more efficient. I run a 6K Btu in the front and a 8K Btu in the rear. On the front unit I can collect over 2 quarts of water per day. Whenn the humidity is up, here in SC, I have actually collected over 1 gallon.
Your Mileage may vary, but be prepared.
Just for fun, collect it in a spare tank and use it for cooling the radiator when climbing! Wow, what a concept. Recycle, reduce and reuse.
Good Luck,
Dallas

[DebDav]

I have not run collection and drain lines for the condensate on my Discovery.  The condensate makes its way to the lowest part of the roof and drains off the side.  If that is over a window,  the window gets wet.  If the condensate is not continuously washed off the window will stain.  Thik of what the stain is looking like on the paint.

Short answer:  I would run the drain lines

David
98 Discovery
93 Prevost H3-40 converting
04 Grand Cherokee

[Don/TX]

I did nothing, just let it run down whatever side was lowest, what a mess.  I would do whatever is necessary to avoid it running wherever it wants to.

[Bill 340]

Jim:

I'm in a 94 H340 same as Ace and you.  The H model has drip rails and it is made to run to the corners and down in between the window cracks.  It shouldn't be running down the side windows at all.  If you think it makes a mess on the outside, try running a drain line thru the walls and having it stop up because air conditioner condensate will creat slime buildup in the drain line and will eventually plug and back up anyhow.  Stick with what you have.  I've been in mine full time for three years and have never seen the water run anywhere but where it was supposed to run.  You can judge it by pouring a glass or two of water on the roof; not a hose.  Hope this helps as there are certainly a lot more issues to worry about than a condensate drain line.  Good luck on your conversion.

Bill 340

[NCbob]

FWIW guys,  they make a pill you can drop in the condensate pan of the A/C which will take care of Algea (probably chlorine) but you will want to keep that treated condensate off your beautiful paint job.  I plan to do that with mine.  Granted, it means climbing up on the roof, removing the cover and putting the pills in...but it sure does kill the algae and keeps the drains open.

NCbob

[Ednj]

The new Carriers that I have throw the condensate back onto the condenser, this helps cool the condensor and evaporate the water.
I have never seen any water come out of them.

[FloridaCliff]

I have the new Carriers with the sling blade on the fan.

The only time I see any condensation run off is when I shut one down.

[H3Jim]

I have the new low profile Carrier units and I don't think they had room to put the sling wheel in there.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Guys, All good points!

Bottom line, depends on humidity levels. For instance, today I installed 2 ductless splits in a Van Hool [daniel O. in V.A.] The first system was running at noon, today it 84 degrees out.  the condensate line didn't start dripping until 4:30 pm, and not very much! [very low humidity today 45%].
If you want to test your carrier, Duotherm, penguin, or coleman. do it in July. July tells the story! Ha! Ha!
So if black streeks upset you, Your not alone. We all got em! Or, shell out the bucks for basements or splits. All personal prefrences.

Nick-

[Frank @ TX]

We have an MC-9 with 3 roof airs.  Each one has tubing inside the ceiling and walls to duct the water to the ground outside.
We have been full time since 2001 and have not plugged a line yet.
If one ever did plug I'd snake the line and run some bleach down it.
But no problem yet.
Frank