mooman
Well-known member
Has anybody ever used a sprinkler or hose to keep their condenser cool outside?
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Sprinkler to cool an AC unit
- Thread starter mooman
- Start date
lzenglish
Well-known member
Has anybody ever used a sprinkler or hose to keep their condenser cool outside?
I have done it, but it was just a temporary bandaid, for an emergency situation. I went so far as to make a 3/4" manifold, with 4 or 5 spray heads on it, sealded on one end, and a globe valve and hose connection on the other. If you feel the need to do this, look into a water precooler, then fix the root of the problem with your high head pressure. IMO
Wayne
rlitman
Well-known member
If you do this on a regular basis, the minerals left behind when the water evaporates will ruin your coil.
You could collect the condensate water, and use that, as it is essentially distilled (at least for these purposes), but you would need a pump setup to use it.
You could collect the condensate water, and use that, as it is essentially distilled (at least for these purposes), but you would need a pump setup to use it.
malibu101
Well-known member
I have a large Quiet Kool windowshaker air conditioner for my downstairs.If you do this on a regular basis, the minerals left behind when the water evaporates will ruin your coil.
You could collect the condensate water, and use that, as it is essentially distilled (at least for these purposes), but you would need a pump setup to use it.
The instructions even said it is normal for this unit to not drip condensate. The sheet metal bottom is formed so that the condensate runs to a depression under the fan and a ring around the fan blades picks it up and it gets blown onto the condensor coil.
It's been working fine for about 7 years is all I can say about it.
I did just go look at it real good since I'm talking about it. On both sides of the coil I see no buildup at all.
lzenglish
Well-known member
I have a large Quiet Kool windowshaker air conditioner for my downstairs.
The instructions even said it is normal for this unit to not drip condensate. The sheet metal bottom is formed so that the condensate runs to a depression under the fan and a ring around the fan blades picks it up and it gets blown onto the condensor coil.
It's been working fine for about 7 years is all I can say about it.
I did just go look at it real good since I'm talking about it. On both sides of the coil I see no buildup at all.
AH Yes! That plastic wheel was/is called a "slinger"! I never really thought of the benifit of the water being introduced into the condenser coil, "but I do now". They were used mostly in refrigerators, so the water would evaporate, instead of the dreaded puddle on the floor.
Wayne
rlitman
Well-known member
. . . windowshaker air conditioner . . . The sheet metal bottom is formed so that the condensate runs to a depression under the fan and a ring around the fan blades picks it up and it gets blown onto the condensor coil. . . It's been working fine . . . I see no buildup at all.
Right. This is a common operation for a window AC (and necessary for an energy star model). That's why the slope of the pan needs to be right, on a window AC (so not all the water runs out). But since the evaporator and condenser aren't in the same vicinity with central air, this isn't a possibility, with reference to the OP.
You wouldn't get mineral buildup from using condensate water (you would, if you were using tap water). As I said, it is for the purposes of this discussion, distilled. i.e. mineral free (full of dust and dirt, but that's not important in this case).
Tap water and a sprinkler are nice and easy, but the mineral buildup issue kind of kills it.
Getting a sprinkler to work with collected condensate (or rain) water isn't so easy. Ideally, you would want a pump to build up pressure in the water, so you could spray a mist of it over your condenser.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Also be careful with the sprinkler as an A/C unit is really only water resistant, it's designed with normal rainfall in mind. If you squirt water in an upwards direction there is an ever so slight chance you could get it in the control box and you could short something out.
It's recommended to hose off your unit with the power off & disconnect pulled. All you want to do is get the dust and dirt off the coil. If you are trying to make it cool better while it's running, you are just delaying the inevitable, either the valves are out on your compressor or you have a leak in your evap...
It's recommended to hose off your unit with the power off & disconnect pulled. All you want to do is get the dust and dirt off the coil. If you are trying to make it cool better while it's running, you are just delaying the inevitable, either the valves are out on your compressor or you have a leak in your evap...
toomany
Well-known member
I work in a restaurant that has an AC that is a little undersized for the job. We regularly have a dedicated hose with sprayer on it to keep the coil damp. It makes a difference in our case, from 80* in the lobby down to 74*. The coil gets cleaned twice a month with all the other fridges and freezers. Haven't noticed any buildup as of yet, been doing it every summer for as long as I've worked there...going on the 10th year now.
pseudorealityx
Well-known member
I work in a restaurant that has an AC that is a little undersized for the job. We regularly have a dedicated hose with sprayer on it to keep the coil damp. It makes a difference in our case, from 80* in the lobby down to 74*. The coil gets cleaned twice a month with all the other fridges and freezers. Haven't noticed any buildup as of yet, been doing it every summer for as long as I've worked there...going on the 10th year now.
I've done HVAC designs for a LOT of restaurants, and it's extremely frustrating how many commercial contractors do not understand the requirements for a restaurant. I would have to say at least 80% of the problems on restaurants are directly related to the kitchen exhaust hood(s) and make up air systems.