OT - Thanks and One more A/C question

First, thanks to all who gave us advice on size for A/C unit for our small shop awhile back. We went with the larger 10K unit (vs. a 6 or 8K) and it works great!

QUESTION for AC GUYS: Would we do any harm to functioning of our new unit if we drilled a drain hole in the condesation tray? [*Of course being careful NOT to drill into the tubes/fins in the unit.] We were wondering if it would function even better if we let the water drain away... or if for some reason newer units actually function better with the condensed water held in the tray. This new one does not have a drain hole like our older units. Booklet just says it may overflow the tray if it is real humid. Seems like holding all that moisture in the tray right below the unit would be a bad thing.

The hot air being discharged is directed across the condensate causing it to evaporate into the atmosphere. Designed to eliminate the mess of dripping water.

NO!!! most of the newer ones use the evaporator water to increase effeciency.sort of a semi water cooled condenser. I think youll not like it if you do.

my window ac throws water all over the side of the house so i drilled a small hole to drain the water --

Yes the water helps cool the condensor coil. The water also causes the unit to rust out. The water mixed with the dirt, dust, lint, bugs that get splattered by the fan, to choke up the condensor coil.

I take mine apart, drill two holes, one on each side of the condensor, so if the A/C is tilted, one of the holes will drain. I also cover the outside with aluminum window screen holding it down with the screws, the wings and top bracket. You will need to remove the crap that will collect on screen about every month. Try it. I use window units in my rentals. Some after one season the condensor will be 90% choked.

Drill and cover with screen. Try it and thank me later.
George

NO drilling

the fan needs to pickup and fling that water on the coil to get better efficency for max cooling

when an A/C unit gets old and the temps are high a lawn sprinkler running on them gets them thru the day

SO leave it be as it is
Ron

The hot air being discharged is directed across the condensate causing it to evaporate into the atmosphere. Designed to eliminate the mess of dripping water.

Jackinok knows what he is talking about. Listen to him. That water in the condenser pan helps drop the head pressure thereby using less electricty to get more cooling. Joe

Hello sweetfeeet,
NO HOLES! and make sure the unit is level.The condensate pan is designed to retain water as it help cool the condenser coil.
Stay cool..............Guido.

I agree that the unit is supposed to be more effecient by reusing the condensate , and it is also more effecient at rusting things out, burning up the fan motor (get water logged when shut off so won't start up easily) and blowing water all over where you don't want it. I have a couple of small units I haven't drilled yet but the main one has been drilled for 20 years or more.

Guido,
Thanks. I will mention the "level"... as I actually suggested he mount it making sure it tilted back just a little a bit for better drainage. (*Took us a couple days to notice there was no drainage, nor drainage hole.) On our older house units, if they are level they want to drip water inside - so we always tilt them just a little bit.

Pete 23,
We kind of figured the no-drain-hole was a new feature... but did wonder about how much rust-factor this will create.

jbp, evilbowievel, George Marsh, jackinok, pete black (hope I did not miss anyone)

Thanks to all for replies! I am guessing due to the large number of "NO" replies, that husband will NOT drill it out. *Just seems contrary to good sense to have a tray full of water sitting in under there - I tend to think water + metal = RUST.

Can't remember who suggested it, but may try the screen over the back side just to catch the crud that blows around... wonder if several strong flat magnets would hole it in place, for ease of cleaning. THANKS AGAIN, ALL!

Hello sweetfeet.
If the unit is level it will drain if necessary. Most of the time the unit will evaporates all af the condensate.They will leak water inside only if the drain overflow-channel is clogged.
Guido.

Evilbowievel,

Replied to you and a bunch of others under the reply to jbp above.

Just had to say your name is great... evilbowievel - it's really cool!

Thanks, Guido!

The condensate water is a good place for slime and bacteria to grow too. You can always drill later or if you drill you can always fill with a dap of silicone. Within 3 years, the water will rust the screws holding your condensor in place. Magnets may hold your screen, be better than tape.

This is interesting, I have a Kenmore, 8000 btu or whatever the unit of measure is for small window units.

I noticed that the pan on the bottom did not have a weep hole,and that the rust and mess in there was significant, and yes it does rust the sheet metal screws until they are practically disintegrated,and the bottom fins of the condenser.

I do believe the instructions I have somewhere state not to drill a hole, I thought mostly because once you punch through, you will hit the condenser coil, that is unless you protect it somehow.

I think I can understand the newer design, as there are places where the condensate dripping off from above could be an issue, say a building with windows facing a sidewalk etc., hence an attempt by manufacturers to eliminate this.

Well the above unit is in its 10th year of service, I have replaced 1 dual start capacitor, and have had the cover off a few times for cleaning. However, I may have missed that the inside face of the condenser was covered with a thick felt like dust, as it was kind of a sheet, with only a small hole where the fan spins, who knows how many hours it ran being blocked off, you really cannot see this unless you take the cover off, and look. I see its a smart move to clean these units, there is no doubt that eventually it would have burned the compressor out.

I guess I am the guinea pig as this unit has run countless hours, tilted and with a modification, as I did drill a hole in the pan, and how long before was that internal face of the condenser plugged, and the bottom coil not immersed, it runs constantly, compressor cycling of course, not set at the lowest temperature. Thing is with the pan full, it makes a mess when you take it out, rusts a few thigns and that stains, it looks terrible I suppose, but also a breeding ground for mosquitoes, bacteria I would imagine.

Now I am wondering, plug the hole, level it off or leave it as is, sure runs fine and its on for days or weeks at a time. Did I get lucky or is a eminent failure impending ?