02 Journey Basement AC leaking lots of water

Trantham6 · 07-11-2022, 10:04 AM

We have an 02 Journey with a basement ac that is not working properly. We have replaced the filter. We've determined that both compassitors are working. It is pulling 22 amps on the generator. The air is blowing cold. We noticed there was an unusual amount of water coming from the AC. Any suggestions? Thanks

BobC · 07-11-2022, 10:30 AM

If both compressors are running, you're drawing 22 amps and the air is cold, that's what I would characterize as working properly.

There's no water involved in the operation of the AC other than condensation. Your profile doesn't say where you're located but if you're in a humid environment, it's going to be more noticeable than it would be for me here in northern CA.

The volume is going to be a function of the ambient air temperature, the ambient humidity, how cold you're set your thermostat, etc. If you had a roof mounted AC it would be running off the roof. As one site put it, "if you don't see water dripping, it's not working". If you had a roof-mounted AC, you'd see water running off the roof instead of underneath your MH.

Trantham6 · 07-11-2022, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobC

If both compressors are running, you're drawing 22 amps and the air is cold, that's what I would characterize as working properly.

There's no water involved in the operation of the AC other than condensation. Your profile doesn't say where you're located but if you're in a humid environment, it's going to be more noticeable than it would be for me here in northern CA.

The volume is going to be a function of the ambient air temperature, the ambient humidity, how cold you're set your thermostat, etc. If you had a roof mounted AC it would be running off the roof. As one site put it, "if you don't see water dripping, it's not working". If you had a roof-mounted AC, you'd see water running off the roof instead of underneath your MH.

Thank you BobC. I understand that condensation and how that works. We are in the south and it is very humid. Seemed like way more water than usual though.

BobC · 07-11-2022, 11:54 AM

Just kick back and enjoy the cooling. There's no way any sort of failure will increase the condensate, exactly the opposite is true.

Trantham6 · 07-11-2022, 11:55 AM

Thank you. It is still very hot in here lol

emiddleb · 07-11-2022, 12:38 PM

One thing to check... try reaching a hand inside the rear cap near where the ducts run up from the A/C to the roof vents. If you feel A/C cold air, then some of the taping around the ducts might have dried up and pulled loose, and you'll have to retape the joints.

Not an uncommon problem.

Marvin · 07-17-2022, 04:20 PM

Ours leaks a lot too and as someone said, that is good. Do check the duct work in the back. I have had to work on mine several times.

Morich · 07-17-2022, 06:06 PM

YUP! Agree with the others. One reason the air coming back to the inside is cooler feeling is that much of the humidity has been taken out and that winds up on the cool surfaces to collect and run out the drain. One bigger problem is that the drain may stop up at some point and make the water NOT run out but go someplace not wanted!

Here in Texas, we do not have as much humidity as I'm used to but it is far more trouble as the AC is in the attic and the drain has to be bleached out about every 3-4 months. It took a while to get used to that idea! Algea grows much faster when warm and humid.

jerichorick · 07-19-2022, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trantham6

We have an 02 Journey with a basement ac that is not working properly. We have replaced the filter. We've determined that both compassitors are working. It is pulling 22 amps on the generator. The air is blowing cold. We noticed there was an unusual amount of water coming from the AC. Any suggestions? Thanks

As long as the water is going to the ground, that is a good thing. We had 97% humidity in Birmingham last week. Lots of water was coming out of the A/C drains.

skitime · 08-20-2022, 10:42 AM

I had to remove my basement air to replace a noisy fan on the compressor side. What I saw when I opened the top of the unit really surprised me. The interior blower side had been under several inches of water previously. Even to the point the squirrel cage fan had been slinging water. There was a small factory drain hole that was blocked. After cleaning the mess up I added a second larger drain hole. That hole seem to drain the water more than the original drain hole. Perhaps your housing is also retaining water too.

Morich · 08-20-2022, 12:11 PM

Something that is easy to overlook when we think about humidity is just human nature.

When it is hot and dry out, we tend to go about life in a normal way but when we find the outside weather is hot and very humid, we notice it lots more, sweat lots more and tend to take more showers!

All of that stuff does mean the air has lots more water to remove and lots more willrun out the drains--if it's working right!

skitime · 08-20-2022, 01:26 PM

I was able to find the pictures I took of the mess the water created when the drain was clogged. Keep an eye on that drain hole guys! BTW, I had no clue this problem was happening. Everything was working fine. Removed the unit to fix a noisy condenser fan.

Ray,IN · 09-15-2022, 06:13 PM

Clean the duckbill drain on the A/C pan bottom 2-3X a year. Debris stops it up and water fills like skitime's pictures and rusts things.
Ignoring regular maintenance has consequences..