A/C Condensate Water

[Impala348]

Whenever I run the air conditioner on my 1984 Excella, the condensate water runs down the outside skin. Is this normal, or is there a drain tube stopped up somewhere?

[HowieE]

Remove the cover on the side of the trailer. You can see the condensate trough at the front edge and if an original Airstream AC you will see the drain tube going off to the driver side of the trailer and down through the body. This system is below the outer skin of the trailer and would not allow water to reach the outside of the trailer. Even if the drain tube were clogged the overflow water would come directly into the trailer and on the floor.

You may have a after market AC

[Impala348]

Thanks, Howie. Have never had any water drips inside, but it is worrisome. Yes, the A/C was replaced not too long before I purchased this unit, so I guess it is probably OK. With my luck it will probably start dripping inside today.

[perryg114]

The older units had a drain pan. You can take the inside cover off the AC unit and you should be able to see the condensate tube. You may have to remove the inner panel completely to gain access to the tube. Since the new AC unit was installed, it may not have a drain pan or catch cup. Most likely it was a quick and dirty install and they did not bother to connect the drain so your condensate water is going overboard. Airstream has a generic drain pan that has to be installed under the unit. Coleman use to have a similar pan for their units and someone said that the newer units have a pump of some sort but I expect that is not standard. Dometic has catch cups that collect some of the water and sent it to the drain tube. You will only get water inside if the new unit has a condensate collection system of some sort and the connection to the drain tube is leaking.

Perry