a neat cleaning tool for basement air owners

[RCtime]

In another forum I learned about a neat cleaning tool you can make at home for free.
At the bottom of our basement AC there is a plastic plug, that is actually a drain tube for condensation. It can clog up with slim and junk.
Well here was his tool he described. He takes about a foot long piece of coat hanger and bends a 180 in one end. Places a small peice of rag in it and hammers it flat. On occasion he just sticks it in the opening and withdraws it along with the slim and water.
I'm making mine today. so simple.

[RCtime]

a couple tips
Just built one in about 4 minutes.
Tip1 dont put a piece of rag in it until after you hammer it flat as it will just cut it off.. It hammers flat easily as it is very soft metal, mine is a thin as a butter knife, I,m not sure how wide the opening of the drain is.

Tip 2. dont touch the metal after hammering, it is hot

[scottma]

I have never accessed the basement air in my coach > Can you tell me where the drain plug is and how often I should check it?

Thank you

[RCtime]

At the very bottom of the AC, a drain plug, I would think it would be maybe a yearly maintenance item. I dont think I have ever done mine and it still drains, however others reported them getting plugged up.
Have you noticed water, or the ground moist under your ac on a hot humid day? You should.
If you had roof air it would be dripping off the roof

[jdsr]

I would think a pipe cleaner( as in a smoking type of pipe) would work as well.

[CaptChet]

The Pipe Cleaners I have seen are too short and not stiff enough to do the job.
When I make my Clothes Hanger Swab I use very soft taps with the hammer so as not to cut the piece of rag.
My friend RC Time has a heavy hammer in his hand apparently. Just a gentle tapping does the job, Ron.

[RCtime]

Capt Chet
Yes my friend, glad you chimed in, I guess whats needed is to just close the 180 bend down enough to hold the swab. I think I will spend another 4 minutes of my time and make me a new improved model.
I hope all is going well with you and your wife in your travels.

[Wayne M]

What would be fearful for me is the rag coming off and getting stuck in the tube.

Don't they make "bottle" brushes or similar that would do the same thing?

Jus curious.

[CaptChet]

Sure they make tube cleaner brushes but what fun is there in buying when one can design and build using available parts?????

[DancinCampers]

I usually remove mine to clean it or use a q-tip. I would suggest caution when prodding or poking. This drain plug is designed to let water out while keeping air/insects from getting in.

Keeping the air out is important. Incoming air will keep the water from draining properly, backing up in the unit.

[rebelone]

Anyone know where I can buy that drain plug? Mouse ate mine and entered the air conditioner. Thanks
Rebel

[Thudman]

Dan:
How does one remove the tube to clean it?

Thudman

[DancinCampers]

Rebel, Not sure where to get one, but you could email RVP at

RVP_support @ airxcel.com. PH (316) 832-4357

On one of their repair parts list it is called a Drain Valve, p/n 6531-504

I would think it would be a universal plug, but you might need your model #.

Thudman, How be you? Mine is like a grommett, and just pulls out. The outer rubber has a slit that the drain pan fits in.

[jdsr]

I just clean mine while its still in unit. Not sure you would need to remove it.

[NeilV]

I just give mine an occasional squirt with the hose nozzel and have never had it clog up. Just clean the coils inside and out on a regular basis using a non-acidic coil cleaning solution and the rinse water should keep the drain clear without any poking or prodding.

[rebelone]

Thanks DancinCampers, will check on part.
Rebel