Skip to main content
Topic: A/C Condensate Drain (Read 614 times) previous topic - next topic

A/C Condensate Drain

Blue Bird, Country Coach and other hi-line coaches run the condensate drains into the gray tank. My condensate runs down the side of the coach. Do I have a plugged drain, or did FT miss the boat on this ?
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #1
The boat is still at the dock.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #2
What?  Run the AC codensate into the gray water tank?  That would do away with the Foretravel automatic coach rinse feature.  In Texas you would have to dump the tank daily--- too much humidity.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #3
That would do away with the Foretravel automatic coach rinse feature.
Also, where would the birds take a bath, if I drained the "swimming pool" on the roof of our coach?  (We have a flat roof)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #4
I think they do what most do, and remotely drain them to the bottom of the coach. I do the same thing. I put on a remote drain kit and the water drips down right behind the mud flap on the coach. SO much sometimes that a guy across from me knocked on the door and said I had a leak.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #5

You replaced the Dometic one you had MOT install?  Where'd you get the replacement system?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #6
I'd like to know also!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #7
I am contemplating whether or not to plumb A/C condensate drains down through the fridge vent... It is lower than the drain outlets on the A/C's, though not an ideal slope. I haven't really put together a plan to do it yet, but it seems doable. I would run the drain line down through the bottom of the coach near where the sewer notch is via the storage compartment. Anybody done this?
Don
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #8
I replaced the existing cups that mot installed with bigger ones. Then I used the same two lines that mot installed. The cups are a bit longer so hold more until the slope changes and it all runs backward. Usually there was no issue but every once in a while the smaller cups would spill over the front.  Did it last winter and this is the first trip out and they worked. I had a local fried who is a fabricator make them. I tried it only on one AC unit first. I think james stallings made a mold for his bus AC units too as his broke and looking at his, I just copied the idea that he was talking about.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #9
Blue Bird, Country Coach and other hi-line coaches run the condensate drains into the gray tank. My condensate runs down the side of the coach. Do I have a plugged drain, or did FT miss the boat on this ?
I think starting around 06 FT plumbed the condensate off the roof and down to the ground.

I am contemplating whether or not to plumb A/C condensate drains down through the fridge vent... It is lower than the drain outlets on the A/C's, though not an ideal slope. I haven't really put together a plan to do it yet, but it seems doable. I would run the drain line down through the bottom of the coach near where the sewer notch is via the storage compartment. Anybody done this?
Don
Not seen it done that way, just down to the endcaps/engine compartment.  On ours there is a right and left drain line, and you never know which side will be draining but its usually just one or the other at any particular time, all depends on how things level I guess.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #10
So, is there a drain tap on the Dometic pan, or is it something that has to be added? Looks to me like a sealed side tap into the gray tank vent wound be fairly easy on my coach.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #11

Dometic Drain Kit # 3107688.016 are the kits that were used on mine Amazon.com: Dometic 3107688.016 Drain Kit: Automotive has a good image of them.

The retro-fit is basically a double stack of AC roof gasket (else the cups don't clear the roof) and some additional gasket for support.

On ours MOT turned the cup outlets outboard and ran a drain line down each side of the roof, Tee-ing in to the other AC units as it went as shown in the attachments.  The kit was really designed to be used as shown in the other attached images, but maybe concern over leaks or the curved roof had them install them 180 to that (also attached).  At least that way if they or a connections fails the leak is generally outside the coach. 

The only problem I've had was the hose barb on the cups breaking off.  It seems the plastic used on them is not UV stabilized so they degrade with time.  On replacement, they were painted to help protect them.  I've not had the backwash effect that I've heard some report when stopping causing the water in the lines to flow back in the the pans and then into the coach. I've often though about adding a simple checkvalve to the setup to prevent that, but since I've not the problem, I've not pursued that.

Anyway YMMV

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #12

Thanks for the pics Steve. Obviously the A/Cs have to come out to install this kit... Maybe I will better understand the need for the kit when I change out the covers and can see what is there.
Don

Dometic Drain Kit # 3107688.016 are the kits that were used on mine Amazon.com: Dometic 3107688.016 Drain Kit: Automotive has a good image of them.

The retro-fit is basically a double stack of AC roof gasket (else the cups don't clear the roof) and some additional gasket for support.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

 

Re: A/C Condensate Drain

Reply #13
Thanks ! Pictures help.....a lot !
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss