Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Air conditioner cleaning? (Read 537 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from air conditioners

Air conditioner cleaning?

Ah summertime. It has been as high as 123 here in AZ this summer and yesterday my rear ac started tripping the 20 amp breaker I'm plugged into. 
I need to get up on the roof and clean the evaporator and condenser coils. What is the best fast acting cleaner to use? These are the Coleman TSR units, and any other tips will be appreciated.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #1 –
My travel trailer had Coleman units. Any coil cleaner will work. I got on the roof, took off the cover and air box, used an old license plate to cover the hole into the trailer, and used coil cleaner and a garden hose to rinse.
1992 Foretravel 36' Grand Villa ORED - VC22RD Chassis - 8.3 Cummins

Re: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #2 –
Nu Calgon is a brand that we use a lot in the HVAC industry.  Coil cleaners can be caustic.  I would use a lot of water to rinse and keep the water flowing so you don't get any staining or reaction with the roof and sides of the coach.  They make a foaming no rinse cleaner you can use for the evaporator coil.  I've never cleaned an RV rooftop AC so I don't know how cautious you have to be to keep water from getting into places you don't want it... like in the coach.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #3 –
I suggest a regular evaporator cleaner from any box store. It is safe for aluminum and not harmful to you.

Oh, and a tooth brush for the fins (Never your own!).
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: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #4 –
Thanks for the tips folks. Cleaning my AC units has been on my to-do list since last fall and I really should have handled it before now. Here is my 10 day forecast...
The Weather Channel
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
Thanks for the tips folks. Cleaning my AC units has been on my to-do list since last fall and I really should have handled it before now. Here is my 10 day forecast...
The Weather Channel

And ours: Angel Fire, NM 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather Underground
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: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
And ours: Angel Fire, NM 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather Underground
Wow. I envy those temperatures but I'm looking at the national radar and can't imagine how you will be getting rained on for the next 10 days. What were the last 10 days like?
Current Radar (Intellicast) | Radar Maps | Weather Underground
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #7 –
Ours
https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/96f2e97f3bcf1b5b6d996b041d6f3ac14c6bb4dcd495a650149d9c2aba23bdab
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
Wow. I envy those temperatures but I'm looking at the national radar and can't imagine how you will be getting rained on for the next 10 days. What were the last 10 days like?
Current Radar (Intellicast) | Radar Maps | Weather Underground

We are about to start (at least historically) the Monsoon season where it is common to have afternoon showers.  Everything up here is green from rain in the spring.  Last few weeks have been dry-- again, normal for this area.
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: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #10 –
Not here, non resident licenses in OR. or Wa. cost more than the fish are worth. As soon as we get back in Cal. i will try to beat the one I caught in early June.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Air conditioner cleaning?

Reply #11 –
Don't forget to clean the blower fan inside the coach. Just like fans in your home, they get dirty too.
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH