The new Air Conditioners

[Smitty3509]

About December 2013, Entegra started installing a new generation rooftop Air Conditioner (with a black thermostat). The selling point is it is much quieter, and it is. However, being in Florida for the past two weeks, we've had a lot of water run off the roof from the A/Cs. We took it into Lazydays and they worked us in short notice. They replaced water pumps in two of the A/C units, and blew out the drain lines and called it good. It was not, still running off the roof.

I called Entegra and got an update on the problem. The drain tube on the new A/Cs is not a gravity system, it is pumped out of the catch pan. CS saw the same problem at the factory on a real humid day and they got right on testing the problem. It is a A/C design problem and is being looked at. The trouble is, the pump shuts off when the A/C shuts off, but the condensation is still draining off the coil, which fills up the pan and then goes out the overflow drains onto the roof.

I am talking about a LOT of water, usually off the roof onto the slide out awning and then down the front wheel (and door) staining the wall and and wheel hub cover. Short term solution was to raise the front of the coach some to get the water to go off the back. That didn't work, it would be quite noticeable in the pitch of the floor.

We are leaving Florida now, but I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Has anyone else noticed this?

[MRUSA14]

Yes, I have the same problem and so does my friend who also has a 2013 Anthem. Wish they'd come up with a fix.

Originally Posted by Smitty3509

About December 2013, Entegra started installing a new generation rooftop Air Conditioner (with a black thermostat). The selling point is it is much quieter, and it is. However, being in Florida for the past two weeks, we've had a lot of water run off the roof from the A/Cs. We took it into Lazydays and they worked us in short notice. They replaced water pumps in two of the A/C units, and blew out the drain lines and called it good. It was not, still running off the roof.

I called Entegra and got an update on the problem. The drain tube on the new A/Cs is not a gravity system, it is pumped out of the catch pan. CS saw the same problem at the factory on a real humid day and they got right on testing the problem. It is a A/C design problem and is being looked at. The trouble is, the pump shuts off when the A/C shuts off, but the condensation is still draining off the coil, which fills up the pan and then goes out the overflow drains onto the roof.

I am talking about a LOT of water, usually off the roof onto the slide out awning and then down the front wheel (and door) staining the wall and and wheel hub cover. Short term solution was to raise the front of the coach some to get the water to go off the back. That didn't work, it would be quite noticeable in the pitch of the floor.

We are leaving Florida now, but I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Has anyone else noticed this?

[CoreyinWP]

same here. will be at Entegra on Monday and ask further about it. Also have an issue with the thermostat not shutting the system down after it gets (or way below) the called for temp.

[clyon51]

I 've never seen a unit that pumps water out of a catch pan. Sounds like a pour design. Most mfgrs just drain the water on the roof and it just runs off. There are others that allow the water to run into hoses that are routed to a specific place on the edge of roof. I'm going to look into this and do to mine. I would additionally extend the hose to an inch or so off the roof so the water never touched the sides. One could even run it into the vent stack if you weren't concerned about filling your tank. Anything to get rid of those pesky black streaks!

[Saltydog44]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

Yes, I have the same problem and so does my friend who also has a 2013 Anthem. Wish they'd come up with a fix.

X2. I may or may not be the "friend" Marc is referring to. Tom Johnson replaced a motor, blew out lines and while the situation is better, when the humidity is high, we still hve overflow.

The whole roof, A/C, gutter issue needs work.

[Saltydog44]

Originally Posted by CoreyinWP

same here. will be at Entegra on Monday and ask further about it. Also have an issue with the thermostat not shutting the system down after it gets (or way below) the called for temp.

Corey - will you be at Entegra on Monday the 12th? We're getting in Sunday PM sometime and they start work on Monday at 6:30 AM. That's a big UGH for us retired folks.

[DSL417]

I guess I'll be surprised if they reengineer the AC for this and then retrofit back to Dec. I see the excess come out the tube when the AC comes on. Just not sure that is the sole reason for the "stains" on the side of the coach.

JMHO, but you're going to get "stains" on the side regardless of overflow from the pan, just from dew fall drainage in high humidity places, and from rain. It comes from the dirt on the roof. I see the same thing here in Michigan with my coach.

In the end, you have to clean your roof somewhat more often than once a year. And, you have to scrub the "stains" every so often. I used a detailer this weekend to take mine off.

[Cruzer]

Originally Posted by clyon51

I 've never seen a unit that pumps water out of a catch pan. Sounds like a pour design. Most mfgrs just drain the water on the roof and it just runs off. There are others that allow the water to run into hoses that are routed to a specific place on the edge of roof. I'm going to look into this and do to mine. I would additionally extend the hose to an inch or so off the roof so the water never touched the sides. One could even run it into the vent stack if you weren't concerned about filling your tank. Anything to get rid of those pesky black streaks!

Actually, most of the newer models do have condensate drains. Our 2007 Tiffin (as well as all of the Tiffin models beginning in 2007) use the Coleman RV Comfort A/C units. These lower profile units have the condensate pan lower than the roof so it has to be pumped out. Our units pump into a Pex line that runs from the front cap to the rear cap and it can drain from either end, but inside the cap. However, I've never had the pans overflow, but then these aren't the very latest models so there may be a design change in the latest versions that's causing this.

[TXiceman]

Why did they take a simple gravity drain system and complicate it with a pump. It never stops amazing me at the stupidity of some so called engineer.

Ken

[brobox]

No pump on mine, just hap hazard drain of the A/C units. I have had this problem forever. I installed gutter drains, then pitch the MH a degree or two when leveling where I want the water to drain off the roof. I don't even think about it now.

[fla tom]

2013 itasca same issue with run off from ac our 2011 also had pumps but no over flow problems it is the new ac units

[dsbike]

Seems to me it would be an easy fix. Entegra just needs to rewire the drain pump & pan water level separate from the a/c unit. Then any water that may get on the pan would automatically be drained. This is very similar to the condensation pump I have in my S&B heat pump air handlers in my basement. Further more I would not want this water draining in to my waste tanks, there can be a lot more water than one may think.

My 2013 Winnebago has the drain lines that dump the water under the coach. So far no problems.

[sundancer87]

This 'leftover' condensate problem could be handled pretty easily. One only needs an LM555 timer circuit activated when the A/C shuts down. Tie the pump to the timed circuit and pump the condensate out of the pan.

The circuit is simple and components are a cheap and available. Someone among you may know someone with electronic experience to fashion the circuit for you or you could do it yourself. The LM555 timer circuit can be found by a google search. Components from Radio Shack might set you back five bucks, perhaps more if you need to add a relay to service the pump.

I have used this same circuit and components for 20 years so I know it works and will do the job. I had a 20 minute circuit that was activated by the push of a momentary switch that started the 20 minute pumping function.

[ShadowBolt]

I like a float switch.

JJ