Cleaning AC drain hose

[rodsterinfl]

Greetings

Every month we have to put some special solvent into our home ac drain pipe. On the Airstream, does anyone ever clean out their AC drain hose? If so, what do you use and how do you access it? I know the drain on my unit exits on the street side wheel well but I have never seen the other end at the AC.

[AWCHIEF]

In the old Bambi II I used vinager and high pressure air to open the hose up. I need to check the drain on the Safari, I am getting a lot of water running down the sides lately when running the AC. Humidity has been pretty high.

[rodsterinfl]

Where is the intake on the hose? I am sure it is at the pan but have not located it. I have a Dometic unit OEM.

[AWCHIEF]

Not sure where it is in the 2006 (same year as mine). I have not made effort to find it. The previous owner of my trailer had new AC put in by Jackson Center about this time last year, so it might be different than yours. If you pull the inside shroud you should be able to see it with some looking around.

The outlet should be somewhere underneath around one of wheel wells.

[ghaynes755]

On my 2014FC the hose came up the roadside wall into a T connector. From their it went to each of the drain cups. Get a very stout roll of weed wacker plastic whacker stuff and run it up the tube. Or take off the inside AC cover and you could run an electrical snake up from the outside and put something on the end, small piece of cloth, and pull it back out. This all worked on a 2014. YMMV.

[mhilley]

If your tube (air conditioner) is really clogged up go to an auto parts store and get the longest speedometer cable you can. Remove the outer shield and chuck the inner cable in your drill. Run it up and down the drip tube and watch the krap come out. It is possible to come through the tube if it is old and corroded so be careful.

[wahoonc]

I managed to keep mine clean with air pressure. The first time I blew back up the line... I don't recommend that. Blowing down the line is better.

Aaron

[AWCHIEF]

Ditto on not blowing up the hose, lesson learned the messy way.

[Belegedhel]

I occasionally attach my wet/dry shop vac to the outlet and suck out anything I can. This is also how I clear household AC condensate drains also. No dis-assembly required, no mess, effective.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

I occasionally attach my wet/dry shop vac to the outlet and suck out anything I can. This is also how I clear household AC condensate drains also. No dis-assembly required, no mess, effective.

This is what we do...

Also, we use Clorox in the line for house.. 1/2 cup a month. Yes, it is "overkill".... Then after an hour use wet/dry outdid to pull some air thru line.

[BDowse]

I had a mud dauber build a nest in the drain tube on our 23'.
A simple plastic filter in the line prevents that happening again. The critters apparently like the moisture in the tube and saves major problems.

[Airone]

How do you access the drain hose fron the top? Can you take the ac cover off?

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Airone

How do you access the drain hose fron the top? Can you take the ac cover off?

You can access the hose by removing the inside vent cover. You should be able to look up and see it.

[CRH]

I run weedeater line up mine.

[Airone]

Thanks. I'll try both.

[steverino]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

You can access the hose by removing the inside vent cover. You should be able to look up and see it.

How does that cover come off? Does it snap off by pulling on it? I haven't been able to spot any screws.

[steverino]

Originally Posted by steverino

How does that cover come off? Does it snap off by pulling on it? I haven't been able to spot any screws.

Ahh never mind. I found the screws securing the cover.

[TankerIP]

Years ago I had about 8 feet of left over plastic covered clothesline wire rope. I decided to keep it in my RV tool box for some yet to be decided project. That opportunity appeared one time when we parked, turned on AC, and then left to go to store. When I returned water was dripping down the interior wall. It took a little time for me to diagnose it. But I took the wire rope, fed it up the drain tube located on the street side wheel well. I ran the rope all the way up to the AC drain pan. Almost suddenly water just flooded out the clear tube and the interior leak stopped.

I have kept this plastic wire rope in my box ever since. But I now always check the wheel well area for good drainage whenever we first park.

[rodsterinfl]

Recently while I was retrofitting my AC with an automatic thermostat I wanted to clean the drain hose. I was able to draw a cable fisher line through it from the inside but not all the way. I tried it from the outside and hit the same point somewhere at the roof curvature it stops. Is that normal or should I be able to go all the way?

[Airone]

I haven't figured out my drain. It drains across the roof. Someone disconnected the drain hose from the ac side. I don't know Where it's supposed to attach. I can see the hose from the inside but it's not attached to anything.