Waterproof cover for A/C unit 'til spring?

[By the Bay]

We have a leak... I've Acryl-R ed the seams, Sikaflexed over windows and everything on roof.

I think it is the A/C unit (after all, it is looking cruddy! 1978, afterall)

But, I'd like a way to limp thru until spring so that I can budget for a new unit (figuring $1200 with labor, install and tax)

Do you have ideas of how to cover it to prevent water coming in?

Can I go really low tech and cut a tarp and duct tape it?!!! (please say that is a good idea.) Or what do you recommend?

Thanks for your help!

By the Bay

[kennethowens]

Cover it any way you can....just keep the water out.

"that is a good ideathat is a good idea"

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by By the Bay

Can I go really low tech and cut a tarp and duct tape it?!!! (please say that is a good idea.) Or what do you recommend?
Thanks for your help!
By the Bay

That's pretty much what I do for the Winter put-a-way. No leaks but the cover is so cheeeep I like to cover it to keep it out of the elements.
Tried DT the first season....VERY hard to remove all the residue. Metal tape or clear packaging tape has been a better alternative.

[raveson]

I just replaced one of two of my original air units from 1989. Found why they will leak in heavy rain or sometimes when moving in the rain. Your unit drains through a drip tube connected to a drip pan on the roof. If like mine, the pan has cracked at its lowest point or the tube is clogged. The best way to check is to take off the the inner cover Inside on the ceiling) and then to remove the metal cover which will then expose the lowest part of the pan with rubber hose attached. If the pan is cracked at this point, it will leak. It will also possibly leak if the tube is clogged.
Good luck!

Note: Replaced the unit with a Colman Mach III 13,500 BTU. Installed myself. Biggest problem was gettin help to lift the unit onto the roof. Total - with tax $687.00. Install usually is about $150.

[By the Bay]

So, you had success with metal tape and with clear packaging tape... ok. Good to know, Robert. Thanks!

Have you driven anywhere taped up like that? (Do you use tarp? or plastic sheeting?) Will it withstand any freeway speed? or will it disintegrate? (hate for it to fly off! eeek!!!)

Raveson, good info about the tube.

Sometimes I wonder what I've gotten myself in for buying this trailer! LOL

Kenneth, thanks for validating the idea!

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by By the Bay

So, you had success with metal tape and with clear packaging tape... ok. Good to know, Robert. Thanks!

Have you driven anywhere taped up like that? (Do you use tarp? or plastic sheeting?) Will it withstand any freeway speed? or will it disintegrate? (hate for it to fly off! eeek!!!)

I cover both Fantastic vents, the skylight and AC with large white heavy duty trash bags for winter storage. Have never towed anywhere with them in place, don't think it would last very long in the slipstream.

I do use a vinyl AC cover over the plastic, with the snow build-up we can get around here, better safe than sorry.

Some may take this with a grain of salt, but remember I'm also the one whose tires/wheels spend the Winter months in the basement.