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Topic: cleaning AC coils (Read 888 times) previous topic - next topic

cleaning AC coils

I was cleaning the vent and filters on our original rooftop units today. The foam " filter" was dirty on both units, so I rinsed them and dried them. They get " sucked up" and don't stay in place when the fan is running. I don't like the design. Anyway...I looked WAY UP in the chase and noticed that the grid in front of the coils could use a little cleaning. I cannot get my vacuum up in there and do the job with it. Does anyone have an idea of how to access this part of the AC without major surgery?? Thanks. I want newer, quieter ones someday.....like Andy2 has !!!!
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #1 –
I have cleaned both condenser and evaporator coils from up top. 
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #2 –
Yup, both condenser and the evaporator (that is what you see when you look up) can only be cleaned from the roof.

Vacuum may work, but if any grease-type deposits (from cooking, etc) you will need an aluminum-friendly product such as Simple Green EXTREME or a commercial evaporator cleaner and a tooth brush (not your own).

Be sure to stuff an old towel in the air return to keep water out of the interior.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #3 –
There is a guy in Puerto Penasco that cleaned and serviced mine for $50 a unit.  There may be a guy in Mazatlan, check around.
1998 U320 40'
2005 GMC Yukon
MC# 17609

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #4 –
For coil cleaning:

Clean roof air conditioner evaporator coil

For filter getting sucked up we put a 'chicken-wire' type of mesh above the filter that 'sandwiches' the filter between outer plastic grill and new mesh.

We also think we can vacuum the evaporator grill from inside the coach.

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #5 –
To avoid:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #7 –
Mike, that was what mine looked like early this season. Cottonwood trees and gravel roads, adds up quickly. Thankfully easy to clean from the top. Usually do it a couple times per year. If I was fulltiming still, it would probably be a monthly thing.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #8 –
FOT cleaned both of ours while we were there in November. They said it is something most people ignore, but should be done every two years.

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #9 –
How often depends on a number of factors:

More humidity-- more often
More dirt,. dust or pet hair-- more often
More hours of A/C run time-- more often

For most annually is fine.

Get that "wet dog" smell when you first turn on an A/C?  You are way past time to clean the evaporator.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #10 –
I think the biggest contributor to the accumulation on the surface of the evaporator coil is the poor way the filters do their job. As air is pulled through the plastic grill the filter edges lift letting unfiltered air flow by.

We experimented with making a stiffer filter with the paper from the inside of a furnace filter but found the air flow too restrictive.

We still use thin foam filter material (available from Lowe's, etc) but force all air to flow through filter material with a thin flat stiff open 'platform' that keeps the foam filter material from lifting at the edges.

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #11 –
Barry, do you have a brand name for the thin foam filter material. I've never been able to find any thin enough to fit properly. I need to replace the foam for both AC units.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #12 –
I cut a piece of that blue rubberized horse hair to fit tight everywhere in the cavity,  and made a template out of a plastic placemat that fits the inside of the grill. Then I got a pleated filter with the wire on one side, flattened it out and using the template cut it to fit.  I laid the filter material on the top of the grill and snapped the grill in place. The horse hair keeps the filter material from getting sucked into the cavity and the filter material provides the filtering.  Every few months I buy one filter big enough to make two the size I need and change them out. The horse hair stays.
 

Re: cleaning AC coils

Reply #13 –

Larry, based on the pictures on the side of this Amazon link, this product looks very much like what we used.

The packaging also looks similar, but the name on the package may be different.

Duck Brand Replacement Air Conditioner Foam Filter, 24-Inch x 15-Inch x...

Duck Brand Replacement Air Conditioner Foam Filter, 24-Inch x 15-Inch x 1/4-Inch, 1285234.

We bought at Lowe's or Home Depot and this Home Depot product may be what we bought:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-15-in-x-24-in-x-3-16-in-Air-Conditioner-Foam-Filter-F1524/202318549

Frost King 15 in. x 24 in. x 3/16 in. Air Conditioner Foam Filter

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