Roof top A/C drainage

[Jzack]

Woke up with this idea in my head the other day. For us folks with A/C units that simply drain the condensation water on to the roof, how about connecting some PEX tubing to the A/C drain (maybe a problem, haven't checked this) and running it to the nearest plumbing vent? Has anybody done this or thought about it? Possible problems? Would be nice to keep the side of the coach dry and clean!

[Ivylog]

So you want to introduce the smells from your vents into the RV????
Even with a trap (low spot in the line) it might work in the summer but in the winter when the trap dries out... the smell is back.

Monaco did run drain hoses to under the MH.

[Urban Hermit]

Uh uh. A hose from the condensation drain to the vent will not provide a path for odors to get into the coach. The condenser coils are physically separated form the evaporator coils (where the air is chilled) and are completely external; and all air conditioner systems only recirculate the air inside the cabins -- in through the air filter, out the registers. The downside will be that all the condensation will go into either the gray water or black water tanks.

[Jzack]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

So you want to introduce the smells from your vents into the RV????
Even with a trap (low spot in the line) it might work in the summer but in the winter when the trap dries out... the smell is back.

Monaco did run drain hoses to under the MH.

Thanks for the response. Never thought of the gasses being vented into the coach. I would think a natural trap would form when running the A/C like you said. When the A/C is not in use, I would think the gasses would escape to atmosphere with out the fan on to suck them into the coach. Not sure though. Wouldn't be hard to install a ball valve to prevent that.

[Ivylog]

Originally Posted by Urban Hermit

Uh uh. A hose from the condensation drain to the vent will not provide a path for odors to get into the coach. The condenser coils are physically separated form the evaporator coils (where the air is chilled) and are completely external; and all air conditioner systems only recirculate the air inside the cabins -- in through the air filter, out the registers. The downside will be that all the condensation will go into either the gray water or black water tanks.

Didn’t know the “Condenser coils” which are hot, have the pan for catching the condensation water. Thought the cold “evaporation coils” were the ones that created condensation water. Learn something “new” every day.

PS: when are you going to post your Cat scale weights.

[Ivylog]

Originally Posted by Jzack

Thanks for the response. Never thought of the gasses being vented into the coach. I would think a natural trap would form when running the A/C like you said. When the A/C is not in use, I would think the gasses would escape to atmosphere with out the fan on to suck them into the coach. Not sure though. Wouldn't be hard to install a ball valve to prevent that.

No outside air vent in a RV roof AC unit... all the air is recirculated.

[Dom]

Theoretically Ivylog is right. The condensate originates on the evaporator and flows to the condenser side. If water can flow, when there is no water, smelly gasses could go the other way.

[Dom]

Jzack, why not try it? Worst case, is you have to disconnect hoses. Might try that myself

[Hooligan]

May be a good way to quietly fill your holding tanks...

I just train the AC water to go where I want.. EZE RV gutter

[Brob]

I would definitely not want to fill my holding tanks with condensate. But maybe using the PEX line to divert it somewhere you'd rather have it makes sense.
If you are boondocking it could be a source of additional toilet flushing water.

[Dom]

[QUOTE=Hooligan;5275718]May be a good way to quietly fill your holding tanks...

Once again, try it if it fills tank, then don't do it anymore. I doubt it would make much difference on holding tanks. Once a/c has been running for a while, it dehydrates coach, and only when you introduce fresh air, ie open a window do you get more moisture

[Jzack]

Originally Posted by Dom

Jzack, why not try it? Worst case, is you have to disconnect hoses. Might try that myself

Thanks, I think I will. At least I'll take a serious look at it when I go up to blow out the coils this spring. If the negatives can be easily mitigated, the positives should make this worth it.

[Jzack]

Originally Posted by Brob

I would definitely not want to fill my holding tanks with condensate. But maybe using the PEX line to divert it somewhere you'd rather have it makes sense.
If you are boondocking it could be a source of additional toilet flushing water.

You mean divert it into a water tank? Not for drinking of course, but very interesting for boondocking purposes.....

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Jzack

You mean divert it into a water tank? Not for drinking of course, but very interesting for boondocking purposes.....

Don't know about you, but I'm not running my a/c where there is no power