HVAC condensate drain plugged?

[dishdude]

I have not had any drip out of my condensate drain and think it's humid enough that it should be. I verified there is no clog in the line, I was able to pour vinegar and bleach (not together) through it. I was able to pull out the float and it was completely dry, thinking the clog might be at the coil I stuck a trap clean out tool in and nothing. The tray under was completely dry and I couldn't find any evidence of standing water.

Unit is in a tight spot in the attic so excuse the pictures. Is it possible the coil is sitting in water?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Well I just googled Phoenix and it says its 105 with 18% humidity with a dewpoint of 52 degrees. I don't think your coil is getting to 52? Someone smarter than me would need to tell me if that is reasonable?

 

[We're Metals]

You've got a shut off device in case it backs up (wire going into the PVC).

House HVAC & Mini split for the garage both running right now.

Nothing coming out of the mini split, here is flow from the house. 2,100sf house single zone, 4Ton.

IMG_6989 (1) - Watch Video
https://jmp.sh/s/1qPUBG9F5N4yMKw7VMLQ


Don't mind rust stain its from when the pan did hole a ton of water, rusted for years by previous owner.

 

[dishdude]

Well I just googled Phoenix and it says its 105 with 18% humidity with a dewpoint of 52 degrees. I don't think your coil is getting to 52? Someone smarter than me would need to tell me if that is reasonable?

System was installed 10 years ago and I never remember the drain being this dry. The air inside the house is a little more humid from showering and cooking, 38% if the thermostat on the wall is accurate.

 

[We're Metals]

My Ecobee says 38%

I use a shop vac to suck mine out every spring

 

[Racer4]

I use my wet dry vac today and vacuumed both of my heat pumps drains today. Easy to do gives me a good feeling my drains are clear.

 

[samven]

Your in Phoenix, the last time I was there spilled water evaporated before it hit the ground. You coil is sitting in an upright position so that as it drips down the fins it drops in the pan connected to the drain. You can use a level to check that the unit is tilted slightly towards the drain and not away from it. As my house settled mine angled away and I had to adjust the hanger so water would not sit in the trough.

 

[ka9mnx]

When I lived in Phoenix, AC was useless but we had a swamp cooler on the roof that worked out great. Do they still have swamp coolers in Phoenix?

 

[zrxkawboy]

When I lived in Phoenix, AC was useless

Why would AC be useless?

 

[ka9mnx]

Why would AC be useless?

Because AC removes humidity and cools the air. Works great here in SC. Phoenix doesn't have a humidity problem which makes conventional AC inefficient. It's why AC has a condenser water drain. Swamp coolers put humidity into the air.

 

[dishdude]

Swamp coolers are gross, usually only see them in warehouses. AC works just fine here.

 

[Cropduster172]

Get a jar of these and put 2-3 in the pan after you clear the lines.

https://a.co/d/iCz5ZHU

 

[PontiacHO]

System was installed 10 years ago and I never remember the drain being this dry. The air inside the house is a little more humid from showering and cooking, 38% if the thermostat on the wall is accurate.

You’re slightly low in Freon.

 

[dnewton3]

There's an overflow protection device, and the OP has done his best to assure the line is clear. It's unlikely the pan is backed up in the OPs situation. But if it were, the pan isn't deep; it would overflow and leak out of the unit in the attic if there were any obstruction to flow; he's mentioned nothing of this. I believe he has no issue, given the data we have at the moment.

 

[We're Metals]

Edge of my seat

 

[dishdude]

We had a storm come through last night and now it's dripping a little. Still seems to be a lot less than I remember in past years. BITOG paranoia I guess!

 

[zrxkawboy]

Because AC removes humidity and cools the air.

I understand that. Even without humidity, though, AC still cools...like you said, "and". I've visited Phoenix, and the AC in our vehicle still cooled the interior.

 

[SC Maintenance]

We hit 100% humidity here every night - for most of the night. In the day its 90 with 70% humidity and dewpoint in the 70's. You could take a shower under the condensate pipe.

I am pretty sure at 18% humidity I would immediately shrivel up and die.