PTAC question

[dshop]

I have a PTAC (hotel AC and heat unit) installed in my shop office. Lately the outside heat has been in the 90's and it seems like the PTAC just isn't keeping things cool. I only run it when I am present; probably 3 hours a day. It's about 79* when I first enter.
I checked the output airflow with an infared thermometer and it read 81*...the temp in the office actually went UP 2* while I was there.
I set the cool dial to half way, but still got 81* an hour later.
I have had this unit for 5 years now and never had any issue until now. Is the outside temp and humidity just too much to overcome?
suggestions welcome.

 

[mike93lx]

Try cleaning the coil (the radiator). I bet it will help

 

[fitter30]

Pull unit from sleeve take it outside wash coils try not to get the electric parts to wet let dry then reinstall. Outside coil is probably very dirty.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Those PTAC's were also bad on fan breakage. I have seen them with every blade outside broken off and not moving any air but not vibrating as it shook all the rest of the blades off. As others have said get the unit clean and make sure you clean the drain pans too. Most motels would set them up on end with control area up(trying to keep controls dry) and hose them out. A mismatched outer housing and unit can sometime leave the air flow messed up with the same air blowing around and getting hotter and hotter. A simple peace of hard foam in the right place could fix the air flow and fix cooling problems.

 

[dshop]

I blew the coils out with a leaf blower...unit still installed in the wall.
No change...I am still reading 81.5* coming out of the vent while set at full cool. outside temp is 98*
Is my PTAC dead? heat works fine., fan is blowing just fine.

 

[mike93lx]

I blew the coils out with a leaf blower...unit still installed in the wall.
No change...I am still reading 81.5* coming out of the vent while set at full cool. outside temp is 98*
Is my PTAC dead? heat works fine., fan is blowing just fine.

You need to clean them . Water, at least, coil cleaner works too

 

[dshop]

end of story...so here's what happened...
I called a local HVAC repair company, and the guy checked air flow, output temp and some other stuff. Coils were clear and flowed well.
turns out the unit was super low on freon, but a PTAC has no valve to recharge and anyway it used 2 generation old freon and if they could get it, it would cost $200 just to recharge it, said it must be a slow leak somewhere.
time for a replacement unit which I ordered today.
this same thing happened a year ago on another install and I took the old unit to the scrap/recycle yard where I got $6 for it.

 

[mike93lx]

Not a great outcome, but at least you know the issue now.