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Condensation shorting A/C Handler in attic
Posted on 9/22/17 at 1:58 pm
Posted on 9/22/17 at 1:58 pm
The control board inside of our air handler in the attic keeps getting condensation on it.. It is one of those "builders units", a Goodman/Amana, that looks like the one pictured at this link:
LINK
When the water droplets get on the board just right, it starts to short out relays, etc., and the unit will start as normal, run for 2-3 seconds, then stop. If we're not home to notice it, it will do this into infinity -- which i'm sure means it's already taken 5 years off its lifespan.
They have the unit installed on its side, and so the cold air actually leaves the unit BEHIND the metal panel that the controls are mounted on.
Any ideas on how to keep this from happening?
LINK
When the water droplets get on the board just right, it starts to short out relays, etc., and the unit will start as normal, run for 2-3 seconds, then stop. If we're not home to notice it, it will do this into infinity -- which i'm sure means it's already taken 5 years off its lifespan.
They have the unit installed on its side, and so the cold air actually leaves the unit BEHIND the metal panel that the controls are mounted on.
Any ideas on how to keep this from happening?
2
Posted on 9/22/17 at 1:59 pm to jmcwhrter
quote:install attic fan with a controller to move heat out of the attic to limit the temperature gradient causing the condensate
Any ideas on how to keep this from happening
Posted on 9/22/17 at 2:08 pm to Rouge
quote:
install attic fan with a controller to move heat out of the attic to limit the temperature gradient causing the condensate
We have an attic fan, and overall the amount of condensation produced is minimal. There's barely anything going through the drain line.
It's just WHERE the condensation accumulates is on the panel that the electronics are mounted to
I'm wondering if putting some studs or spacers between the board and that panel will keep water from getting on it
Posted on 9/22/17 at 2:13 pm to jmcwhrter
seal any openings - warm moist air in the attic is getting into the unit and condensing
if i had to guess the rubber grommets that seal around the piping into the units were not installed properly or a dry rotted
or
either an electrical knockout is missing and not used or the electrician didnt seal the penetration correctly.
if those are not the case feel around for air flowing out of panel seams.
From looking at the unit you linked, this is a draw-through fan configuration (which means the fan is located up stream of the coil section and pulls the air across the coil) because the air handling section before the coil is in a negative pressure, it will actually suck in attic air if there are leaks in to the cabinet.
EDIT:
looking at the installation manual in the "documentation" tab link, it appear the control section is on the top of the unit and it has the electrical knockouts in that cabinet section. i would look for leaks at the electrical penetrations first.
if i had to guess the rubber grommets that seal around the piping into the units were not installed properly or a dry rotted
or
either an electrical knockout is missing and not used or the electrician didnt seal the penetration correctly.
if those are not the case feel around for air flowing out of panel seams.
From looking at the unit you linked, this is a draw-through fan configuration (which means the fan is located up stream of the coil section and pulls the air across the coil) because the air handling section before the coil is in a negative pressure, it will actually suck in attic air if there are leaks in to the cabinet.
EDIT:
looking at the installation manual in the "documentation" tab link, it appear the control section is on the top of the unit and it has the electrical knockouts in that cabinet section. i would look for leaks at the electrical penetrations first.
This post was edited on 9/22/17 at 2:19 pm
Posted on 9/22/17 at 2:15 pm to jmcwhrter
Could you wire up a computer cooling fan to blow air across the control board 
Pics of your unit and control board location would help.
Pics of your unit and control board location would help.
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